North Northamptonshire Council convened for a Budget Council meeting on Thursday, 19 February 2026, where the primary focus was the approval of the General Fund Final Budget for 2026-27, the Medium-Term Financial Plan, and the Capital Programme. Key decisions included the setting of Council Tax levels, with an approved increase of 2.99% for the core council tax and an additional 2% for the Adult Social Care precept, resulting in an average Band D Council Tax of £1,918.23. The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2026/27 was also approved, including a 4.8% increase in dwelling rents.

General Fund Final Budget 2026-27, Medium-Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme 2026 to 2030

The Council approved the General Fund Final Budget for 2026-27, which includes a net revenue budget of £891.3 million (including the Dedicated Schools Grant). A significant aspect of the budget is the Council Tax resolution, which sets the requirement for the Council's own purposes at £228.948 million. This translates to an average Band D equivalent Council Tax of £1,918.23 for North Northamptonshire Council, representing an increase of 2.99% in the 'core' Council Tax and a further 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept. The budget incorporates pressures of £47.3 million, including adjustments for the reversal of one-off funding in 2026-27, and savings, efficiencies, and income proposals totalling £20.1 million. The provisional Dedicated Schools Grant budget for 2026-27 is £458.8 million. The Council also approved its Capital Programme for 2026-2030, which includes significant investment in highways and transportation, education, and housing.

During the debate on the budget, amendments proposed by the Conservative Group, which sought to reduce the Council Tax requirement and the Corporate Contingency, were voted down. Similarly, amendments from the Labour Group, which aimed to allocate funds for parking provisions, a feasibility study for a new swimming pool in Kettering, and a study for a new venue for Wellingborough Amateur Boxing Club, also failed to pass.

The decision to approve the budget was made with 44 councillors voting in favour, 11 against, and 3 abstaining.

Council Tax Setting

Following the approval of the budget, the Council formally approved the Council Tax Resolution for 2026-27. This resolution calculates the Council Tax requirement in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended by the Localism Act 2011. It sets a basic amount of Council Tax and an amount for each valuation band, resulting in the average Band D equivalent Council Tax of £1,918.23 for North Northamptonshire Council. This represents a 2.99% increase in the 'core' Council Tax and a further 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept. The decision was carried with 44 councillors voting in favour, 11 against, and 3 abstaining.

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan Proposals

The Council approved the 2026/27 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and its Medium-Term Financial Plan proposals for 2027/28 to 2030/31. A key decision was the approval of a 4.8% increase in dwelling rents for 2026/27, which adheres to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) rent setting formula. The HRA is a ring-fenced account and its budget does not directly impact the Council's General Fund or Council Tax levels. The decision was carried with 57 councillors voting in favour, 1 abstaining, and 1 against.

Treasury Management Strategy

The Council approved its Annual Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2026/27. This strategy outlines the Council's approach to managing its borrowing, investments, and cash flows, with a focus on prudent capital investment plans, affordability, sustainability, and the security and liquidity of capital. The approved Authorised Borrowing Limit for External Debt was set at £799.664 million, with an Operational Boundary of £749.664 million. The decision was carried with 48 councillors voting in favour, 12 abstaining, and 0 against.

Political Balance on Council Committees

The Council approved changes to the political balance of its committees, ensuring revised allocations of seats to recognised political groups in accordance with statutory proportionality requirements and the Council's Constitution. This decision was made following the resignation of Councillor Bill McElhenney from the Conservative Group and the move of Councillor Jennie Bone from the Conservative Group to the Reform Group. The motion was carried unanimously with 58 councillors in favour, 1 abstaining, and 0 against.

Motions on Notice

Three motions were debated and approved by the Council:

• Motion 1: Pavement Parking: This motion called for the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to impress the importance of statutory changes to allow local authorities to more easily prohibit pavement parking, and to request officers to identify practical local options to reduce unsafe pavement parking. The motion was approved with 56 votes in favour, 0 abstentions, and 0 against.
• Motion 2: Hanwood Park Secondary School: This motion requested the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the MP for Kettering to urgently seek a formal decision on the future of Hanwood Park Secondary School, ask for confirmation it remains within the Wave 14 delivery pipeline, and request a clear timescale for its progression. The motion was approved with 57 votes in favour, 0 abstentions, and 0 against.
• Motion 3: Sport England as Statutory Consultee: This motion expressed concern over the proposal to remove Sport England as a statutory consultee for planning applications involving playing fields and resolved for the Leader to write to the Government in support of the 'Protect where we Play' Campaign, contribute to the formal consultation, and encourage local MPs to support the campaign. The motion was approved with 57 votes in favour, 1 abstention, and 0 against.

The meeting also included the approval of minutes from previous meetings, chair's announcements, and councillor questions. The meeting concluded at 2:36 pm.