The Northumberland County Council's cabinet convened to discuss and approve several key initiatives, including adopting the Northumberland Coast National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030, implementing a new Housing Allocation Policy, and approving a revised Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026-27. They also reviewed the council's financial performance, new capital proposals, and corporate performance.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

• Council Tax Support Scheme 2026-27
• Financial Performance 2025-26
• Northumberland Coast National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030
• NCC Housing Allocations Policy
• Borderlands Place Programme: Bailiffgate Museum at Northumberland Hall
• Q1/Q2 Corporate Performance Report
• Education, SEND & Skill Annual Report for Academic Year 2024-25
• New Capital Proposals

Approval of The Council Tax Support Scheme 2026-27

The cabinet approved a recommendation to request that the council implement a new income banded/grid scheme for working age applicants, effective from 1 April 2026. The aim is to improve support for the lowest income families and reduce the administrative burden caused by the introduction of Universal Credit.

The report noted that efficiencies of £53.6 million are required over the life of the current Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) (2025-26 to 2028-29), with £38 million still to be identified. It also suggests that modelling indicates that the fair funding review could widen this gap if funding is redistributed away from rural counties.

The proposed scheme replaces the current means-tested system with a simpler income grid model. Claimants receiving a 'passported benefit' such as Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based), and Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) will receive maximum discount. All other discount levels are based on the applicant's net income, with variations based on household size.

Other key features of the scheme include:

• Increased earnings disregards for single persons and couples.
• No charges for non-dependants.
• Continued disregard for disability benefits and child benefit.
• A capital limit of £8,000 with no tariff income being applied.
• Removal of the Extended Payments and Second Adult Rebate schemes.

The report also outlined the results of a public consultation, which showed broad agreement with the introduction of the banded scheme. However, concerns were raised about reducing the capital limit to £6,000, leading to a recommendation to increase it to £8,000.

The new scheme will also include provisions to protect vulnerable claimants who experience exceptional hardship, with a hardship scheme created for this purpose, with funds available of £1m in 2026-27.

The report also stated that a simplified banded scheme brings the potential for significant savings in claims administration, with estimated annual efficiency savings of up to £374,000.

Financial Performance 2025-26 - Position at the end of September 2025

The cabinet approved the re-profiling of £67.451 million from the 2025-26 to the 2026-27 Capital Programme to reflect estimated expenditure levels in the current financial year.

The cabinet also noted the projected overspend on services of £3.334 million and the assumptions outlined in the report, the projected overspend on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget of £1.372 million, the supplementary estimates, the delivery of approved savings, the use of contingency and reserves, and the details of capital project re-profiling.

The report provided information and analysis on the council's financial performance and use of resources to the end of September 2025. It noted that the council's overall annual revenue expenditure is managed across several areas, including the General Fund, the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Public Health, and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The report also included a summary of how each directorate is performing against the General Fund revenue budget for the 2025-26 financial year, with Adults, Ageing & Wellbeing, the Chief Executive's office, and Children, Young People & Education all projecting overspends.

Northumberland Coast National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030

The cabinet formally adopted the Northumberland Coast National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030 for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The plan sets out a vision for the management of the designated area and formulates the council's policy for carrying out its functions in relation to it.

The Management Plan sets the Vision for the National Landscape and describes the special qualities of it in a 'Statement of Significance'. The Plan includes a set of overarching common principles followed by the four main chapters – Place, People, Nature and Climate. Each chapter includes a strategic aim, followed by several outcomes and measures.

The report noted that the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 includes amendments to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, requiring relevant authorities to 'seek to further the statutory purposes of protected landscapes'.

NCC Housing Allocations Policy

The cabinet agreed to adopt the proposed new Housing Allocation Policy, ensuring it remains fair, transparent, and fit for purpose. The revised policy reflects statutory requirements and addresses current housing pressures by prioritising those in greatest need, making best use of limited social housing stock, and aligning with the council's wider homelessness prevention objectives.

The cabinet also agreed that any future changes to the policy that are not major be delegated for approval by the Director of Housing and Planning.

The report noted that the revised policy ensures the council continues to meet its statutory responsibilities while delivering a fair, transparent, and efficient system that prioritises households with genuine housing need. It also stated that the improved prioritisation mechanisms are expected to prevent homelessness earlier by enabling quicker access to social housing.

Key changes to the policy include:

• Strengthened Local Connection Criteria: Applicants who do not have a verified local connection to Northumberland will no longer be eligible to join the housing register.
• Refined Housing Need Eligibility: The policy will now require all applicants to demonstrate an identified housing need, and the existing Band 3 category will be removed.
• Updated Financial Assessment Thresholds: New financial criteria will be introduced to assess applicants' income, savings, and assets.

Borderlands Place Programme: Bailiffgate Museum at Northumberland Hall

The cabinet endorsed the approval of the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) and Lease for the Northumberland Hall, Alnwick to Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery (BMG). They also delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to approve the CAT and Lease, subject to compliance with subsidy control requirements.

The report provided an update on the Bailiffgate at Northumberland Hall project, which forms part of the Alnwick Borderlands Place Programme in Northumberland. The project involves moving the Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery to Northumberland Hall and restoring the historic structure.

The report noted that the Northumberland Hall building is currently closed due to its poor condition and is unable to deliver its service potential. It also stated that transferring the building to BMG through the CAT process and granting a long-term lease at peppercorn rent has attracted significant external funding to restore the building, creating a new cultural attraction and tourism attraction in the heart of Alnwick Town Centre.

Q1/Q2 Corporate Performance Report

The cabinet noted the progress made against the Corporate Plan priorities as summarised in the Q1/Q2 Corporate Performance Report. The report provided a summary of the progress against the council's three Corporate Plan priorities: Achieving Value for Money, Driving Economic Growth, and Tackling Inequalities.

Key highlights from the report include:

• Achieving Value for Money: Reduced agency spend by £200,000 and reduced the council's property footprint by over 7,500 m2.
• Driving Economic Growth: Welcomed QTS who held a ceremony to mark the start of enabling works for the development of its state-of-the-art data centre in Cambois.
• Tackling Inequalities: Plans to expand first schools in North Northumberland are underway with an overall budget of £64 million.

The report also included a range of performance indicators and supporting narrative to show the activity of services across the council in delivering the Corporate Plan priorities during quarters 1 & 2.

Education, SEND & Skill Annual Report for Academic Year 2024-25

The cabinet noted the education achievements of children, young people, and residents across Northumberland in 2024-25, as well as the valuable support provided to all learners within early years settings and schools, special education needs support and service, the Virtual School, the Skills Service, and school organisation and resources.

The report highlighted actions and progress against the key priorities for Education, SEND and Skills, including:

• Completion and handover of Seaton Valley High and Whytrig Middle schools.
• Additional classrooms across the 'new' primaries in Berwick.
• High percentage of first-choice school allocations for both primary and secondary.
• Reduction in Special School request waiting list.
• High achievement rates for Northumberland Skills.

The report also noted the challenges faced, such as the slower improvement in academic standards in the North East compared to other areas of the country and the significant growth in Special Educational Needs.

Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by Capital Strategy Group

The cabinet approved the spend of £0.150 million in 2025-26 for the replacement of the existing sewer and septic tank at Allenheads Public Toilets. This spend will be funded from council resources from the existing Property Stewardship Fund project in the capital programme.

The cabinet also approved the spend of £0.450 million (£0.110 million in 2025-26 and £0.340 million in 2026-27) to undertake the full replacement of three boilers in plant room one and three boilers in plant room two in County Hall. This spend will be funded from council resources from the existing Property Stewardship Fund project in the capital programme.

The report summarised proposed amendments to the capital programme considered by the Capital Strategy Group on 28 October 2025.