The Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) met to consider a call-in request regarding the cabinet's decision on the use of the former Hexham Fire Station site. The committee was also scheduled to discuss urgent business, if any arose.

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 on 11 November concerning the use of the former Hexham Fire Station site¹. 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 Swinburn, leader of the Green Group, and Councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken of the Liberal Democrats.

The reason for the call-in was 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
• Clarity of aims and desired outcomes

The call-in form provided further details, noting that the report on the key decision was tabled as an urgent report of the cabinet, and questioning whether this was reasonable. It raised concerns that planning permission had been granted for demolition work at the fire station, which has stood empty for approximately eight years, and that there had been missed opportunities to include the use of the site on the Forward Plan.

The form also noted that the two chairs of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committees were consulted on the urgent agenda item but did not consult with their committee members. It was also argued that all West Area Councillors should have been informed, as the key decision has an impact on the west area of the council.

The call-in form also referred to a public petition requesting Northumberland County Council to 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. It was argued that the council's constitution states that petitions are a way for members of the public to get their voices heard, and that the council wants to take account of the public's views.

Finally, the call-in form stated that the urgent decision had not been discussed at the Risk Appraisal Panel, and that there was a risk the reputation of the council would be damaged if the cabinet did not take notice of the public petition.

Cabinet Decision

The cabinet's decision, which was the subject of the call-in, was to progress with plans for depot expansion of the Tyne Mills Depot, Hexham, at the former fire station site, subject to the 2026-27 Budget and MTFP process². The cabinet also agreed to continue discussions with Sir Antony Gormley to progress plans for an art store and gallery in Hexham at a suitable location, and requested the Leader seek an urgent discussion with Sir Antony Gormley to progress these opportunities.

The report to the cabinet noted that the former fire station site had been identified for depot expansion and upgrade for wellbeing, health and safety reasons, and to meet the operational demands associated with provision of enhanced recycling services in accordance with the requirements of the Environment Act 2021. The specific use proposed for the site was the development of a new vehicle maintenance workshop.

The report also noted that the council was aware of interest in the site from Sir Antony Gormley, who had expressed an interest in developing it into an archive, arts store and eventually a gallery.

The report stated that officers had undertaken site searches and an options appraisal of alternative sites to determine whether services could be delivered from alternative sites or across a number of sites, and what the delivery and cost implications for this would be. The options analysis concluded that the use of the former fire station site for service need was the preferred option.

The report also stated that a planning pre-application was made for the potential use of the West Point site. An initial response concluded that it was not certain that an application for development as a vehicle workshop would be successful.

The report concluded that the preferred course of action was to confirm the use of the former fire station site for the development of a new fit for purpose 6 bay workshop building, due to value for money, operational requirements and deliverability reasons.

Urgent Business

The committee was scheduled to consider any urgent business that, in the opinion of the chair, should be considered due to special circumstances.