Unitary authority agrees to set up five ‘local area councils’

Councillors at Northumberland County Council have backed plans to set up five ‘local area councils’ to replace its current four area committees, and hand them additional responsibilities.

Northumberland, a unitary since 2013, said the five ‘local area councils’ - North Northumberland, Tynedale, Castle Morpeth, Ashington & Blyth and Cramlington & Bedlington – would be committees of the council and meet bi-monthly.

Their responsibilities will include considering and recommending adjustments to budget priorities in relation to Local Transport Plan issues within their area, and to make decisions in relation to devolved capital highway maintenance allocations, and to make and consider local planning applications as per the planning delegation scheme and locally relevant petitions.

More information on the shake-up can be viewed here.

According to the Chronicle, Cllr Peter Jackson, Leader of Northumberland, said the move would bring decision making back to local people. However, a petition has been launched calling for the plans to be axed.