The Northumberland County Council will convene on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, to discuss a range of significant items, including the proposed Corporate Plan for 2026-2030, the annual achievements report for 2025-26, and the report from the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism. The meeting will also address the Independent Remuneration Panel's report, an interim report from the Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and the creation of a new Director of Business Operations role.

Corporate Plan 2026-2030

A key item on the agenda is the proposed Corporate Plan for 2026-2030. This plan builds upon the progress of the previous Corporate Plan and outlines Northumberland Council's vision and three core corporate priorities. The development of this plan has involved extensive consultation with members, residents, and stakeholders to ensure it reflects the needs of the county. The report details achievements from the current Corporate Plan (2023-2026) and sets out future ambitions, including how accountability and delivery against the three priorities will be monitored. The three priorities identified are: Achieving value for money, Driving economic growth, and Tackling inequalities.

Annual Achievements Report 2025-26

The council will review its key achievements for the year 2025-26. This report highlights progress against the three priorities of the Corporate Plan: Achieving Value for Money, Driving Economic Growth, and Tackling Inequalities, with an additional section dedicated to the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service. The report details significant progress in financial stewardship, including the introduction of a new banded Council Tax Support Scheme and the acceleration of the BEST Programme, which aims to deliver substantial savings. Economic growth initiatives include the continued delivery of the Northumberland Line, which has seen over a million passenger journeys, and progress on the multi-billion pound data centre development. Efforts to tackle inequalities are highlighted through the development of the 2025-2029 SEND Strategy and strong educational outcomes.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism

Councillor Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, will present her annual report. This report provides context for the delivery of her portfolio, highlighting achievements over the past year and outlining areas of focus for the coming year. The report links to the council's Corporate Plan priorities of Achieving Value for Money, Tackling Inequalities, and Driving Economic Growth. It details progress in areas such as the Northumberland Visitor Economy Board, the development of a new Northumberland Cultural Strategy, and the ongoing regeneration projects in towns like Blyth and Ashington. The report also covers the success of the Northumberland Library Service, its role in tackling inequalities, and initiatives like the Big Sister project aimed at increasing female participation in sports.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel

The council will consider the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and decide whether to adopt its recommendations. The IRP has reviewed the council's Members' Allowance Scheme, considering factors such as workload, responsibilities, and benchmarking data from comparable local authorities. The report includes recommendations regarding basic allowances, special responsibility allowances (SRAs), and the payment of allowances for working groups and group secretaries. A key recommendation is to freeze the basic allowance for the financial year 2026/27 and to conduct a further targeted review of SRAs in Autumn 2026. The report also addresses the potential for elected members to join the Local Government Pension Scheme from May 2026.

Interim Report of the Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee

An interim report from the Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be presented. This report provides an update on the committee's work during the previous municipal year, focusing on areas such as financial performance, debt recovery, risk management, and the council's response to the Fair Funding Review. It also covers the impact of Universal Credit on housing tenants, the annual workforce report, and progress on the BEST Programme. The committee has also established a Members Enquiries Task and Finish Group to review the member enquiry process.

Creation of Director of Business Operations

The council is asked to approve the creation of a new Chief Officer post: Director of Business Operations. This role is proposed as a result of the implementation of the council's Ways of Working model, part of the BEST Programme. The Business Operations Centre is being established to consolidate transactional activities, standardise processes, and reduce duplication. The creation of this dedicated senior role is seen as essential for managing this new function, ensuring its effective delivery, and realising estimated savings of £1.3 million. The role will report to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources and will be responsible for driving efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement across enabling functions.