Agenda

Minutes of the following meetings of County Council ,as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record:-

(a)  Wednesday 15 January 2025

(b)  Wednesday 15 January 2025 (extraordinary meeting).

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required where a matter arises at a meeting; 

1. Which directly relates to Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (‘DPI’) as set out in Appendix B, Table 1 of the Code of Conduct, to disclose the interest, not participate in any discussion or vote and not to remain in room. Where members have a DPI or if the matter concerns an executive function and is being considered by a Cabinet Member with a DPI they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with the matter. 

2. Which directly relates to the financial interest or well being of a Other Registrable Interest as set out in Appendix B, Table 2 of the Code of Conduct to disclose the interest and only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak at the meeting but otherwise must not take part in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain the room. 

3. Which directly relates to their financial interest or well-being (and is not DPI) or the financial well being of a relative or close associate, to declare the interest and members may only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak. Otherwise, the member must not take part in discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room. 

4. Which affects the financial well-being of the member, a relative or close associate or a body included under the Other Registrable Interests column in Table 2, to disclose the interest and apply the test set out at paragraph 9 of Appendix B before deciding whether they may remain in the meeting. 

5. Where Members have or a Cabinet Member has an Other Registerable Interest or Non Registerable Interest in a matter being considered in exercise of their executive function, they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with it. 

NB Any member needing clarification must contact monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk. Members are referred to the Code of Conduct which contains the matters above in full. Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

To receive questions provided on notice from and to provide answers to the public in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

To receive questions provided on notice from and to provide answers to Members of the Council in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

7.1      Budget Engagement Report 

This report provides a summary of engagement on the Council’s Budget which commenced in July 2024, with an all-Member Policy Conference and included a Budget Survey which closed on 28th January 2025. This engagement helps to inform the Council’s Budget. 

7.2      Budget 2025-26, Medium Term Financial Plan 2025-29 and 30 Year Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account 

The report seeks Council approval for the updated Budget 2025-26, Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2025-29 and 30-year Business plan for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). 

7.3      Budget 2025-26 – Report under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003

To provide the Section 151 Officer’s assessment of Northumberland County Council’s financial standing and the robustness of budget estimates in accordance with the statutory duty of that role under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003.

7.4      Budget 2025-26 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2025-29 

The report provides the Revenue Budget for 2025-26 and Revenue MTFP 2025-29 and the Capital Budget for 2025-26 and Capital MTFP 2025-29, following the Government’s Autumn Statement on 30 October 2024, the Local Government Finance Policy Statement 2025-26 on the 28 November 2024, and the publication of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement on 18 December 2024.

It is important to note that there may need to be some revisions to the figures following receipt of the Government’s final Local Government Finance Settlement figures in February 2025. It is proposed that any changes to the figures as a result of this announcement, which impact on the Budget 2025-26 and MTFP 2025-29 are delegated to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services. If the final Local Government Settlement is received prior to the Cabinet or 19 February 2025 Council meeting, then a supplementary report will be provided to Members advising of any changes.

7.5      Update to the Budget 2025-26 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2025-29 

The purpose of this report is to update Members with matters relating to the Budget 2025-26 which have arisen following the publication of the final Local Government Finance Settlement on 3 February 2025.

7.6      Revenues and Benefits Policies

The purpose of this report is to update Members on the policies governing the administration of Revenues and Benefits and seek approval for the updates and amendments highlighted.

7.7      Council Tax 2025-26 

To provide Council Members with the financial information to enable the Council to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2025-26.

Report of the Leader, Chair of the Staff and Appointments Committee

This report asks Council to receive and consider the report and the recommendation of the Staff and Appointments Committee that met on 5 February 2025, in respect of the proposal that the amended pay policy statement for 2025/26 is approved for adoption.

This is the Annual Portfolio Report from the Portfolio Holder for Supporting Business and Opportunities. The Report highlights achievements over the past year and, outlines some of the areas of focus for the coming year and sets out the context for delivery of the Portfolio.

The Annual Portfolio reports from each of the Council’s Cabinet Members provide an opportunity for Council to consider an overview of, and comment on the work of each Portfolio.  This strengthens the important link and accountability between key decisions taken by the Cabinet and achievement of the three priorities of the Council as set out in the Corporate Plan.

This is the Annual Portfolio Report from the Portfolio Holder for Caring for Adults.  The Report contains issues that set the context for delivery of Adult Services within Northumberland. It highlights achievements over the past year and, outlines the areas of focus for the coming year.