Northumberland council news
Northumberland council news, newest first: decisions, budgets, council tax, bins and services, each linked to the council's own papers.
Top story
Blyth Relief Road: Government Will Not Fund £59.9m Scheme
The Department for Transport says it will not pay for the Blyth Relief Road, six months after planning permission. The council wanted £50.9m of the £59.9m cost.
More stories
Amble
Amble and Hirst By-Elections: Labour Takes Both From Reform
Labour won Amble by 60 votes and Hirst by 140 on 1 October, taking two county seats Reform UK won in 2025. Turnout was 31% and 21%. Full results from the declarations.
Council
Northumberland Council This Week: Local Plan Site Map Goes Live
The map of every site put forward for housing goes live on Monday 12 October. Also: a Bedlington children's home decision, and two consultations closing on 14 and 16 October.
Social care
Northumberland Care Charges: Up £4.17 a Week From April 2027
Most people paying for home care would pay £4.17 a week more from April 2027, plus alarm costs. The consultation closed on 14 October; councillors decide next.
Council
Northumberland Alcohol PSPO: County-Wide Order, Say by 9 Oct
A county-wide alcohol order would replace the 13-town rules on 21 October. The draft goes wider than the council says; comments close noon Friday 9 October.
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick Maltings £36m Rebuild Backed, Council Vote 4 Nov
Cabinet backed the £36m Maltings rebuild in Berwick on 6 October. Full Council votes on 4 November on £2.6m more borrowing; reopening is due April 2029.
Social care
Northumberland Telecare Fees Agreed, Wardens to Go
Cabinet agreed full-cost council alarm fees on 6 October, consulted at £8.51 a week against about £6 now, and ended warden call-outs. No start date yet.
Council
Northumberland Council This Week: Fire Service Scrutinised
Councillors question the fire service on Monday after inspectors put it into enhanced monitoring. Also: leisure centres, SEND places, a Berwick licence.
Northumberland
Northumberland Council Overspend Hits £7.9m: Savings Are Why
Two unachieved savings lines come to £8.645m, more than the whole overspend. Adult care adds £4.62m. A separate schools deficit reaches £33.162m by March 2027.
Morpeth
Morpeth Parking: Newmarket West Shut for Three Weeks
Newmarket West car park and its electric charging points are closed while the old Riverside centre comes down. 108 extra spaces are promised by mid-November.
Bins
Northumberland Christmas bin collections 2026/27
Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Fridays this year, when Northumberland does not collect. The Monday 28 December bank holiday is the one to watch.
Bins
Northumberland tip opening times: 12 sites, 5 open daily
All 12 Northumberland tips open at 8am. Winter closing is 6pm from 1 November. Morpeth, Ponteland and five more open Friday to Monday only. Full list.
Schools
Northumberland term dates 2026/27: half term 26 to 30 Oct
Northumberland schools break for October half term on Friday 23 October and for Christmas on 18 December. Every 2026/27 holiday, plus school INSET days.