The Cabinet of Northumberland County Council met on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, to discuss and approve changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2027 and to endorse new capital expenditure proposals. Key decisions included recommending changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme to the full Council, which will affect discount bands for working-age claimants, and approving significant investment in the Corbridge Station Link and coastal habitat projects.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2027

The Cabinet agreed to recommend to the full Council that changes be made to the Council Tax Support Scheme, effective from 1 April 2027. These changes include:

• Disregarding 100% of the Housing Cost Element of Universal Credit: This aims to address an anomaly in the current scheme and ensure consistency for claimants.
• Reducing discount bands: Discount Band 2 will be reduced from 90% to 85%, Band 3 from 70% to 65%, and Band 4 from 40% to 35%.

The Cabinet also noted that further amendments to the income bands grid might be necessary following the HM Government Budget Statement to maintain the council's commitment to providing 100% support for those on the lowest incomes. Councillor Nicholas Oliver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money, presented the report, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the administration's commitment to fairness and accessibility. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Hugh Glen Howard Sanderson, acknowledged the extensive work undertaken by the cross-party working group and officers. The proposed changes were subject to a call-in period.

Summary of New Capital Proposals

The Cabinet approved expenditure on two new capital projects:

• Corbridge Station Link: An expenditure of up to £0.820 million was approved for 2027-28 to create a safer and more accessible travel route between Corbridge village centre and Corbridge Railway Station. This project will be funded entirely by the Consolidated Active Travel Fund. Delegated authority was granted to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, to finalise contractual arrangements. Councillor Mark George Mather, Cabinet Member for Roads and Highways, noted the importance of such measures for local infrastructure.
• Coastal Mitigation Service: An expenditure of up to £0.495 million was approved for 2026-27 for the creation of three habitat projects. These projects will provide ecological mitigation for housing and tourism developments impacting protected nature conservation sites along the Northumberland coast. The funding will come entirely from Section 106 developer contributions. Delegated authority was granted to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to approve grant funding agreements. Councillor John Robert Riddle, Cabinet Member for Environment, Rural and Farming, highlighted the importance of this service for protecting the county's natural heritage.