The plan, which will set out to drive changes and secure growth in the local economy, is being drawn up by the county council and its partners.

The Northumberland Economic Strategy sets out current key economic factors and identifies various trends that will lead to changes in the economy.

It was feared that around £30m worth of savings would be required to balance next year's budget but the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has allowed councillors to pay for some costs from the capital budget.

The authority had submitted four bids for capitalisation in respect of potential losses on Icelandic investments of £9.1m, for £6m in strain on the pension fund, £2.8m for enhanced redundancy and £1.4m for statutory redundancy.

County council leaders expected to be told yesterday whether ministers will allow them to use a financial loophole to avoid having to make almost £30m in savings this year.

But last night - as the authority revealed it has dropped plans to close a number of tourist information centres in Northumberland - there had still been no decision from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Cash-strapped Northumberland County Council - which is having to make budget cuts of up to £50m over two years - is thinking of using its capital resources to help would-be home buyers who are being frustrated by the continued squeeze on lending.

A report is being prepared for the Liberal Democrat executive in March on the possibility of the authority giving mortgages "in certain circumstances" to applicants unable to secure a loan from commercial lenders.

John Kennair removed a hedge, filled in a roadside ditch and built the two metre-high, 90m-long timber fence along the verge of the main A697 road near the village of Longhorsley.

Mr Kennair - who failed to seek planning permission for the work from the county council - claimed it improves visibility for drivers on a dangerous stretch of road and reduces the impact of traffic noise on his home.

The Liberal Democrat administration at County Hall has drawn up the revised savings for 2010/11 after carrying out public consultations on initial £16m proposals published in November.

They will be discussed by the executive next week - and are based on the assumption the Government will allow the council to capitalise its £10m redundancy costs this year, cushioning the impact on the revenue budget.

Political opponents on the county council have clashed over a demand for a better system of repairs and maintenance - amid claims that 'small craters' have appeared on some roads which are both dangerous and potentially damaging.

Conservative councillors are calling on the Liberal Democrat administration to urgently bring in an improved system for looking after roads, pavements and bridges - and have condemned what they say is the current 'muddle through' approach.

Snow has not fully thawed in all parts of the county following last week's downfall and some areas were hit again on Wednesday night.

Predictions for the county on Saturday are for heavy rain and temperatures of between three and five degrees celsius.

Northumberland County Council is trying to get back to a normal bin collection routine.

A spokeswoman said: "There has inevitably been disruption to the bin collection service in Northumberland due to the recent winter weather conditions - particularly in the more rural areas of the county.

"The council is asking residents to refer to the normal collection timetable for their area, and place the correct coloured bin out on the next scheduled collection day. Where a bin has been missed the council will collect additional bags of waste on the next visit.

More than 1,600 county council workers faced the prospect of not having their wages increased this year to help the unitary authority save more than £1m.

The proposed freeze on pay increments - which sparked the threat of a ballot and possible industrial action by public sector unions - would have affected many low-paid employees such as refuse collectors, road workers and kitchen staff.

Since December, villages and estates have been badly affected by the freezing weather, which has seen much of the North East blanketed by snow.

But as the ice thaws and roads clear many residents are turning their attention away from the weather and wondering why they're still being left out in the cold by the postal service and refuse collectors.

Weather

Overnight most of the county has had about an inch of snow with some coastal areas and the south east corner having some 2 to 3 inches.

Temperatures have been very low with some areas recording at least -10°C and parts of the Tyne Valley were affected by freezing fog this morning.

The Conservative group, the main opposition at the county council, tabled a shadow budget for 2010/11 in response to the Liberal Democrat administration's recently released set of savings proposals which envisages cuts of £15.7m.

The Tories announced they would reduce bureaucracy and radically reform County Hall. By doing so they hope to make savings of at least £9m, compared to the Lib Dems' £3m.

The project - involving four vans which each contain toys, books, play equipment and internet access - is said by the county council to be one of only a handful operating across the country.

The vans include ramps to make them fully accessible and also feature retractable awnings and sliding doors, which allow them to be used for children's play sessions as well as information points for parents and carers.

Northumberland County Council produced a video (below) to raise awareness of the facilities available to people wanting to know more about their ancestors.

It was uploaded onto internet video sharing site YouTube and has got more than 12,000 hits.