The Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) met to discuss a call-in request regarding the cabinet decision on the use of the former Hexham Fire Station site. The call-in was requested by multiple councillors and relates to a decision made by the cabinet on 11 November 2025.

Call-in: Use of Former Hexham Fire Station Site

The Director of Law and Governance received a call-in request regarding the cabinet's decision concerning the use of the former Hexham Fire Station site. The cabinet had agreed to progress with plans to expand the Tyne Mills Depot onto the fire station site, with the intention of building a new vehicle maintenance workshop.

The call-in was requested by Councillor Derek Kennedy, leader of the Independent Group, Councillor Mark Peart, leader of the Reform Group, Councillor Scott Dickinson, leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Martin Swinbank, leader of the Green Group, and Councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken of the Liberal Democrats.

The councillors' reasons for the call-in included concerns that the decision was not taken in accordance with Article 13 of the council's constitution, specifically regarding:

• Proportionality
• Due and appropriate consultation and the taking of professional advice from officers
• Respect for Human Rights
• A presumption in favour of openness

The call-in form provided further details, noting that the report was tabled as an urgent item, and questioning whether this met the standard of 'special urgency' required by the council's rules. The councillors also noted that planning permission had been granted for demolition work at the fire station in the summer of 2025, and that there had been missed opportunities to include the site's use on the Forward Plan¹.

The call-in form also mentions a public petition requesting that Northumberland County Council sell the Hexham Old Fire Station to Sir Antony Gormley, which went live on the council's website on 7 November 2025, prior to the cabinet meeting. The councillors suggest that the cabinet did not take sufficient notice of the petition.

The report pack included a report from Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of the Council, and Simon Neilson, Executive Director Place and Regeneration, which recommended that the cabinet:

• Note that the former Fire Station site in Hexham is not for sale.
• Agree to progress with the plans for Depot expansion of the Tyne Mills Depot, Hexham, subject to the 2026-27 Budget and MTFP process².
• Agree to continue discussions with Sir Antony Gormley to progress plans for an art store and gallery in Hexham at a suitable location.
• Request the Leader seek an urgent discussion with Sir Antony Gormley to progress these opportunities.

The report noted that the former fire station site had been identified for depot expansion to improve wellbeing, health and safety, and to meet the operational demands associated with enhanced recycling services, as required by the Environment Act 2021³. The specific plan for the site was the development of a new vehicle maintenance workshop.

The report also addressed the proposal from Sir Antony Gormley for an art store and gallery on the site, stating that the council had taken the time to consider the proposal. The report noted that such a facility could potentially bring an increased GVA⁴ of between £1.4m–£2.8m annually to the town.

The report stated that an options analysis concluded that using the former fire station site for service needs was the preferred option, with the next best viable option (use of the council-owned West Point site) requiring an estimated additional £1.5m of capital investment, as well as additional annual revenue costs.