Full Council Meeting, 9th September 2026 | Ponteland Town Council

Ponteland Town Council met again this month, with several important items on the agenda: [01:37] 🏛️ Council leadership: Councillors confirmed the removal of the position of Leader of the Council, following the decision taken at the previous Extraordinary Meeting. [06:13] 🥾 Protecting the Kirkley Drive footpath: Cllr Kevin Robertson-Hanlon introduced his motion calling for the pedestrian link between Kirkley Drive and Ladywell Way to be protected, following a campaign backed by nearly 200 residents. [08:33] 📨 County Hall responded: Cllr Michaela Horncastle read out a letter from Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council Richard Wearmouth challenging the campaign and accusing it of causing “undue concern”. [12:06] 🗣️ Councillors challenged County Hall’s letter: Councillors questioned why the letter had not been circulated before the meeting and criticised its political tone and failure to give residents a clear guarantee that the footpath would remain open. [18:22] ✊ “We want a cast-iron guarantee”: Cllr Robertson-Hanlon set out exactly what the campaign was seeking from Northumberland County Council. [19:40] ✅ Town Council backed the campaign: Councillors voted to make protecting the footpath a formal priority of Ponteland Town Council. County Councillor Michaela Horncastle voted against the motion. The Mayor was asked to write to County Council Leader Glen Sanderson, with the exchange of letters to be published. [22:10] 👥 Committee vacancies: Councillors filled vacant places on the Council’s committees. [26:55] 💷 Council finances and next year’s budget: Councillors received a mid-year analysis of the Council’s financial position and began preparations for the 2027/28 budget. The next full council meeting is due to take place in November. Both the Services and Community Committees are due to meet later in September.