Northumberland County Council exercises a range of statutory duties including strategic planning and highway maintenance (including public rights of way) as well as discretionary activities in the area of access promotion and information provision in the countryside, and ecological, archaeological and historic building advice. The Council also works to promote tourist interest in the attractions and recreational resources of Northumberland and the Countryside Service within the Environment Directorate signposts and manages public rights of way and promotes visitor appreciation.

The County Structure Plan for which the Council is responsible, provides an overall planning framework to guide development and contains policies concerning the countryside and outdoor recreation. The County Council is also responsible for the management of the Berwickshire and North Northumberland European Marine Site.