The Ashington & Blyth Community Partnership is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 23 September 2026. The meeting agenda includes an update on the Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (N-SIS) and a discussion on petitions, including a new e-petition regarding speed bumps on Station Road, Ashington. The meeting will also feature a community marketplace for informal discussions with local businesses and representatives from the Budget Consultation and Library Service.

Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (N-SIS)

An update is scheduled to be provided regarding the Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (N-SIS). This is a significant development area for the region, and the partnership will receive information on its progress.

Petitions

The partnership is scheduled to receive any new petitions submitted. Notably, an e-petition has been opened on the Council's website calling for the implementation of speed bumps on Station Road, Ashington. There are no reports scheduled to be considered on previously received petitions, nor are there any updates expected on petitions for which a report was previously considered.

Community Marketplace and Informal Discussion

A community marketplace is planned to facilitate informal discussions between partnership members and various local businesses. Representatives are expected to be in attendance for discussions on the Budget Consultation and the Library Service.

Previous Meeting Notes and Connect to Work Scheme

The notes from the previous meeting held on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, are available for information. Following on from the Employment Opportunities agenda item discussed at that meeting, a copy of the presentation slides for the Connect to Work Scheme has been enclosed. Further details about the Connect to Work Scheme can be found online. This scheme, funded by the UK Government, aims to help businesses build a stronger, more inclusive workforce by supporting individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and those in priority groups such as ex-offenders, refugees, the homeless, and veterans. The scheme offers support with recruitment, job matching, and in-work support, with a target of working with 1,350 people until March 2030.

Public Question Time

The meeting is scheduled to include a session for public question time, where any questions submitted in writing in advance by members of the public will be addressed. These questions must relate to issues for which the Council has responsibility. The agenda notes that questions may be rejected if they require the disclosure of confidential or exempt information, are defamatory, frivolous, offensive, substantially the same as previous questions, or if the cost of providing an answer is disproportionate.

Urgent Business and Date of Next Meeting

The agenda allows for the consideration of any urgent business that the Chair deems necessary to discuss due to special circumstances. The date of the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 18 November 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

The meeting is scheduled to be held at Newbiggin Sports and Community Centre, Woodhorn Road, Newbiggin by the Sea, NE64 6HG.

The following councillors are scheduled to attend: Councillor S Amery, Councillor B Audsley, Councillor R Baker, Councillor C Ball, Councillor D Carr, Councillor B Elliott, Councillor K Green, Councillor D Johnson, Councillor D Nicholson, Councillor M Peart, Councillor S Roberts, Councillor N Rolls, Councillor S Simm, Councillor R Spriddell, and Councillor D Swinhoe.

The full agenda and reports pack for this meeting can be found at:

• Public reports pack 23rd-Sep-2026 18.00 Ashington Blyth Community Partnership
• Agenda frontsheet 23rd-Sep-2026 18.00 Ashington Blyth Community Partnership