Background

The Government wants to have nationwide gigabit-capable broadband as soon as possible. While great progress is being made, the Government is aware it needs to help in the parts of the country that are not commercially viable. 

£5bn was committed in the 2020 budget to ensure that all areas of the UK can benefit equally. The funding will be spent through a range of projects known as Project Gigabit. As part of this, Building Digital UK (BDUK) will fund contracts for suppliers to deliver gigabit-capable wholesale infrastructure to the hardest to reach areas.

Public Review stage

An Open Market Review (OMR) took place in April 2021. This OMR requested information from suppliers on their existing and planned broadband coverage over the next three years.

Durham County Council and BDUK now want to validate the information gathered through a Public Review process.

Stakeholders including the public, businesses, internet service providers and broadband infrastructure operators, are invited to provide feedback about the proposed eligible areas for government investment (intervention).
Suppliers who missed contributing to the preceding OMR, or had no definitive plans and/or evidence base on which to substantiate claims at that earlier stage, now have a final opportunity to notify Durham County Council and BDUK before the procurement stage.

Click here for further information available on the Durham County Council website. 

Plans to upgrade, refurbish and remodel Newbiggin Sports and Community Centre can be viewed on the boards below. 

View the Newbiggin consultation boards 

Residents can give their comments on the proposals by emailing ccorless@hlpuk.com or handing in their written comments at Newbiggin Sports Centre reception 

Northumberland County Council has agreed to fund the £1.5 million upgrade which will provide modern, flexible leisure, library and community spaces. Plans include: 

• A new entrance 
• the relocation of the library within the centre 
• the creation of a community café and hub area  
• improved changing facilities including those for outdoor sports.  
• the creation of a dedicated studio space 
• the relining of the sports hall floor 
• changing and toilet facilities for adults with additional needs or older children who need privacy and space 
• the refurbishment of the squash courts and viewing gallery 
• redecoration throughout the centre 
• some essential repairs to the fabric of the building. 

The centre has two external full sized football pitches that are used by a number of local teams;   Northumberland County Council has been working with the Football Foundation to  provide new and enhanced grass pitches to the rear of the centre. 

Detailed plans for the centre will be submitted to Northumberland County Council’s planning service in December and if approved, it is hoped that work will start in Spring 2021 and be complete towards the end of 2021. 

Opened 16 Nov 2020 - Closes 14 Dec 2020

Northumberland Line Consultation 

The Northumberland Line will bring passenger trains back into service between Ashington and Newcastle. It is a priority of both Northumberland County Council and North Tyneside Council and is supported by a number of key project partners, including the Department for Transport (DfT), Network Rail, Transport for the North (TfN) Nexus and Northern Rail.

We consult with communities and individuals using methods such as postal, phone and internet surveys, focus groups and workshops. We also utilise the Northumberland People’s Panel up to four times a year.

Results help us to understand what residents, service users and businesses think of the services we provide. They can help us understand our customers’ needs, and therefore are used when planning changes.

The peoples' panel is a group of residents who have registered to be involved in consultation exercises with the council. As a member of the panel, you will be able to tell us your views and what you expect from local public services, such as fire and rescue, highways, accessing services and the council budget.

The views and feedback we receive from members of the people’s panel assist in planning and prioritising our services more effectively, and help to shape decisions made by the council and partner organisations.

Twice a year, panel members receive a survey via email requesting views on life in Northumberland and what they think about council services. Occasionally, members may be asked to take part in other consultations, such as focus groups, workshops, forums and one-off surveys, which are completely voluntary.

So that the panel is broadly representative of Northumberland as a whole, we ensure we have a broad range of people based on age, gender, ethnicity, disability and geographical area. Sometimes it may not be possible to be included if you belong to an over-represented group (e.g. young people).

Members of the panel do not receive payment for participating, but will be reimbursed for any travel expenses if attending focus groups or forums. Each year, if panel members complete at least two surveys, they are entered into a prize draw to win items such as shopping vouchers, iPods or tablets.

The information you give us about yourself is only used for research and consultation purposes. The reports and results we create do not give out details about individual panel members, nor do we pass or sell on details to third parties.

We will give regular feedback on what we have found out, and action taken as a result, through newsletters and the council's website.

Every three years we refresh the panel, to give current members the opportunity to opt out and so that all residents have the opportunity to get involved. 

• If you are interested in becoming a member of the panel or want to know more, please contact us by email: peoplespanel@northumberland.gov.uk

If you would like to join the people’s panel, click on the box below to register your details

Register for the people’s panel

Northumberland County Council has conducted between two and three people’s panel surveys a year.

These surveys allow the council to gain valuable information on services and the economy and lifestyles of Northumberland residents. These results are then used to inform policy and service delivery within Northumberland.

• To view a comparator report, pulling together data from the past three years’ people’s panel surveys, click here (2010-2013)

In 2013, a survey was commissioned to gain residents’ opinions relating to their lifestyles and perceptions of Northumberland's economy. 

• 2013 - people's panel lifestyle survey results - full report
• 2012 - people's panel lifestyle survey results - full report

In  2013, a survey was commissioned to gain residents’ thoughts and experiences of access to services within Northumberland and to support the development of a superfast broadband bid to central government. 

• 2013 - people's panel access to services survey results - full report
• 2011 - people's panel access to services survey results - full report

Youth groups who are looking to make a difference in the county can consult with YPiN on a variety of issues and our role is to be the voice to help influence change. All organisations and policy makers must agree to the consultation process before any action can be taken.

• You can view the YPiN consultation process here. 

We always strive to represent all young people in Northumberland. If you have formed a social action group or are a youth group from Northumberland, please contact us to discuss how we can help make the changes you want to see.

• Contact Ben Sanderson, youth participation worker, on Ben.Sanderson@northumberland.gov.uk or call 01670 620320.

Below are some of the groups we work with in Northumberland:

• The youth service provide a wide range of exciting opportunities for young people.
• Hexham Youth Initiative is a youth project providing activities and opportunities to young people in Hexham.
• The youth cabinet is a group of young people, elected by young people, to be involved in the decision-making process across Northumberland.
• WOWI is a social and support group for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) youths based in Northumberland.
• The UK Youth Parliament is another elected group of young people who voice the young people of Northumberland’s opinions on a national level.
• The youth offending service works with young people to stop offending and prevent re-offending.
• The teenage pregnancy team has been accessed by some of our members through awareness-raising sessions.
• Positive Futures is supporting young people to involve themselves in a variety of new and exciting experiences.