This week in North Northamptonshire:

Shared Services Face Scrutiny Amid Disaggregation Concerns

The Shared Services Joint Committee met to discuss the planned disaggregation of services between North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council, raising questions about the future of key services like mental health support. Link to the Shared Services Joint Committee meeting

Unclear Plans Raise Alarm

While the agenda included a report on DTI Disaggregation by Guy Holloway, Assistant Chief Executive (NNC), the actual content of this document was not included in the report pack, leaving the details of the disaggregation unclear. This lack of transparency has raised concerns about the potential impact on service delivery and the rationale behind the changes.

The committee also reviewed minutes from a July meeting, where they approved making the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) service a permanent countywide service, with North Northamptonshire Council as the Lead Authority. The AMHP is a statutory service¹, for which the local authorities were legally responsible under the Mental Health Act.

The minutes also record that the Shared Services Joint Committee resolved to approve the Approved Mental Health Professional Service becoming a permanent countywide service for adults, with North Northamptonshire Council named as the Lead Authority.

The committee also approved the transfer of responsibilities for provision of an Out of Hours Approved Mental Health Professional Service and Out of Hours adults social care response service from Northamptonshire Children's Trust, creating a permanent Countywide Service for adults as an aggregated service with North Northamptonshire Council named as the Lead Authority.

The committee also approved the implementation of the EDT Enhanced Call Care service proposal.

The report pack states that the committee considered alternative options, including:

• Disaggregation of the service
• Continuing with an out of hours Emergency Duty Team (EDT) provided by NCT
• Outsource service delivery

Potential Impact on Vulnerable Individuals

The AMHP service is crucial for assessing individuals under the Mental Health Act 1983, and any disruption could have serious consequences for those in need of urgent mental health support. The committee's decision to make this a permanent countywide service suggests a recognition of its importance, but the lack of clarity surrounding the broader disaggregation plans raises concerns about the long-term stability and accessibility of this and other vital services.

Education Scrutiny Reveals Performance Gaps and Inclusion Challenges

The Children's, Young Persons & Education Scrutiny Committee discussed educational outcomes, inclusion, and the Virtual School Head Annual Report, highlighting significant challenges in meeting national benchmarks and supporting vulnerable learners. Link to the Children's, Young Persons & Education Scrutiny Committee meeting

Below Average Outcomes and Persistent Gaps

Simon Bissett, Head of Educational Effectiveness, presented an analysis of the 2025 educational outcomes, revealing that no key stage currently meets national averages, and the attainment gap between vulnerable groups and their peers remains significant.

The report noted that early years and Key Stage 1 outcomes remained below national averages, with phonics outcomes showing marginal improvement but continuing variability between schools. Key Stage 2 outcomes demonstrated some recovery in reading and maths, but writing remained an area of weakness. Key Stage 4 results had not yet reached national standards for progress or attainment, and the gap for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities persisted. Post-16 outcomes showed ongoing challenges in Level 2 attainment, although participation rates remained stable.

The report recommended that the committee continue to prioritise improvement work through the Education Improvement Framework and support the continued strengthening of the Education Effectiveness Team.

The Education Improvement Framework 2025-2028 is described in the report as the council's core mechanism for delivering its statutory duty under Section 13A of the Education Act 1996 and the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, to promote high standards.

Inclusion Issues and Alternative Provision

Sarah Johnson, Inclusion Lead, presented a report on inclusion, focusing on attendance, exclusions, and Elective Home Education (EHE). The report stated that inclusion proxies such as persistent and severe absence, exclusion, and EHE are often interlinked and reflect the experiences of pupils with additional needs or those facing barriers to engagement.

The report recommended that the committee note the findings of the report, and support the development of a targeted Improvement Plan that draws together findings from this analysis and the Alternative Provision (AP) Review, with a focus on early intervention, relational practice, and reducing the need for exclusion and/or movement into EHE.

The report also recommended endorsing the continued implementation of the Alternative Provision plan, ensuring a sustainable, high-quality AP offer that meets local need and aligns with Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted continued focus on inclusion, and that the Local Authority and partners work collaboratively with schools, trusts, and health services to establish a sustained approach to improve attendance and reduce suspensions and exclusions.

Supporting Children in Care

Charlotte Franks, Virtual School Head, presented the Virtual School Head Annual Report 2024/2025, highlighting the work of the Northamptonshire Virtual School in promoting the educational achievement of children in care.

As of 31 March 2025, there were 573 young people in care to North Northamptonshire, of which 374 were of statutory school age. 136 young people in the statutory school-age cohort were recorded as having an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), representing 36% of the cohort.

The report highlighted key strengths of the Virtual School, including high compliance and quality in Personal Education Plans (PEPs), rigorous quality assurance processes, positive practitioner support to settings, and strong partnerships with Educational Psychology Services.

The report also noted progress in streamlining internal systems, exploring the use of Power BI and AI for data analysis, and enhancing multiagency collaboration. A deep dive into attendance and part-time timetables led to targeted training and audits, while support for children with a social worker was strengthened through data sharing and professional development initiatives.

Future priorities include developing strategic governance for children with a social worker, improving data systems, addressing persistent absence, enhancing post-16 support, increasing participation and communication with young people, identifying early speech and language needs, and expanding training to include trauma-informed practice.

Upcoming Meetings

Here are some of the upcoming meetings scheduled for next week:

• Health and Wellbeing Board (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/88894)
• Corporate Scrutiny Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/88899)
• Schools Forum (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/88906)
• Council (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/88910)

This week in North Northamptonshire:

Wellingborough Housing Development Approved Despite Objections

The Planning Committee has approved a residential development of 74 apartments on Midland Road, Wellingborough, despite concerns about affordable housing, parking, and heritage impact. Link to the Planning Committee meeting

Balancing Development and Community Needs

The development, planned for the site of the former Wellingborough Post Office, faced objections from the Wellingborough Town Council and the Civic Society, who cited the loss of a historic façade, inadequate parking, and the building's scale. Natural England also raised concerns about the potential impact on protected sites.

The council's Housing Development Officer objected, noting that a Financial Viability Appraisal (FVA) claimed the scheme couldn't afford the required level of affordable housing. This raises questions about how the council balances development goals with the need for affordable housing, especially given its Corporate Plan commitments to improving housing standards.

The planning officer, Nicola Thompson, noted that the principle of residential development on the site had been established by a previous planning permission in 2005, and that the current proposal sought to address concerns raised in pre-application advice.

The committee ultimately concluded that the benefits of the proposal outweighed the impacts, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement¹. This decision highlights the ongoing tension between development and preserving local heritage and community resources.

Winter Preparedness Plans Focus on Vulnerable Populations

The Health Scrutiny Committee has approved recommendations for winter preparedness, emphasizing the need to protect vulnerable populations through increased vaccination uptake and improved infection control. Link to the Health Scrutiny Committee meeting

Protecting Health During Winter Months

The committee's recommendations include:

• Receiving a joint update from Public Health and system partners outlining outcomes of the 2025/26 winter period, including lessons learned and key improvements in multi-agency coordination.
• An update by June 2026 on progress made in addressing low vaccination uptake among high-risk or underserved populations.
• Including a section on climate-related resilience and mitigation measures in the next annual Winter Preparedness Report (2026/27).

The report presented by Sarah Briddon, Public Health Principal, Health Protection, highlighted the importance of increasing vaccination uptake for seasonal flu, Covid-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) among eligible populations. This focus on vaccination aligns with the council's broader public health goals and its commitment to reducing health inequalities.

Safeguarding Adults Board Report Highlights Rising Complexity

The Health Scrutiny Committee also reviewed the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) Annual Report 2024-25, noting a rise in complex cases, particularly those involving self-neglect. Link to the Health Scrutiny Committee meeting

Addressing Self-Neglect and Ensuring Effective Safeguarding

The committee recommended receiving a mid-year update on progress against the 2024–25 strategic priorities, including measurable outcomes from Safeguarding Adult Reviews. They also requested a briefing on system-wide responses to self-neglect and complex safeguarding cases, including outcomes from the Self-Neglect Summit.

David Watts, Executive Director of Adults, Health Partnerships and Housing, presented the report, which outlined the Board's statutory duties, strategic priorities, partnership working, and achievements over the past year, in line with the Care Act 2014. The report highlighted a notable increase in self-neglect referrals, leading to the organization of a Self-Neglect Summit.

The committee's focus on self-neglect reflects a growing concern about the challenges of safeguarding adults with complex needs and the importance of effective multi-agency collaboration.

Other Matters

• The Planning Committee approved a non-material amendment to an industrial development on Earlstrees Road, Corby. Link to the Planning Committee meeting

Upcoming Meetings

Here are some of the upcoming meetings scheduled for next week:

• Children's, Young Persons & Education Scrutiny Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/87079) to discuss educational outcomes, inclusion, and the Virtual School Head's annual report.
• Shared Services Joint Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/87087) to discuss the disaggregation of services between North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council.
• Audit and Governance Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/88036) to discuss internal and external audits, risk management, and policies relating to fraud and whistleblowing.

This week in North Northamptonshire:

Council Approves ICE Vehicle Fleet Despite Climate Goals

North Northamptonshire Council's Executive has approved the procurement of new vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICE), citing cost-effectiveness despite the council's stated commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Link to the Executive meeting

Best Value or Missed Opportunity?

The decision has sparked criticism from environmental groups and some residents, who argue that it contradicts the council's environmental pledges and ignores the long-term costs of fossil fuel dependence. The council claims that electric vehicles (EVs) are currently too expensive and require significant infrastructure investment, making ICE vehicles the best value for money in the short term.

The report stated that:

The infrastructure requirement for EV (detailed within Appendix A) increases financial pressures alongside increased initial purchase and lease costs for comparable vehicles. ICE continues to provide best value for money whilst the utilisation of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) provides a suitable medium-term reduction in Carbon emissions resulting from operational delivery.

The council plans to use Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a medium-term reduction in Carbon emissions, but critics argue that this is not a sustainable solution and delays the transition to cleaner transportation. This decision comes despite the council's Corporate Plan 2025-2029, which includes commitments to environmental sustainability.

Council Tax Premiums on Empty Homes and Second Properties Aim to Ease Housing Crisis

The Executive has voted to introduce council tax premiums on long-term empty properties and second homes, hoping to incentivize owners to bring these properties back into use and address housing shortages. Link to the Executive meeting

Will It Work?

Starting in April 2026, a premium will be applied to properties empty for over a year, and a premium for second homes will follow in April 2027. The council believes this will help meet its Corporate Plan commitments by improving housing standards and ensuring supply meets demand.

However, some residents question whether the premiums will be effective in addressing the root causes of housing shortages and affordability issues. Concerns have been raised about potential loopholes and the impact on property owners who may have legitimate reasons for keeping properties empty. The recommendations were then passed to the council for approval at its meeting on 11 December 2025.

Children's Trust Faces £14 Million Overspend

The Joint Children's Trust Committee has noted a significant overspend of £14.117 million within the Northamptonshire Children's Trust (NCT). Link to the Joint Children's Trust Committee meeting This represents a £19.639 million pressure on the councils when compared to the original contract sum.

Impact on Services?

The overspend raises concerns about potential cuts to children's services and the impact on vulnerable young people in North Northamptonshire. The committee reviewed the Corporate Parenting Board Annual Reports for both West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council¹, recognizing the importance of corporate parenting in ensuring the safety and well-being of children in care and care leavers.

The committee also approved the Northamptonshire Youth Justice Plan 2025/26, outlining the local provision of youth justice services and strategic priorities for the upcoming year.

Other Matters

• The Executive has approved the Great Addington Neighbourhood Plan, formally adopting the plan following a successful referendum. Link to the Executive meeting
• The Democracy and Standards Committee has recommended that the full council adopt the terms of reference for a Community Governance Review (CGR) for the entire district of North Northamptonshire. Link to the Democracy and Standards Committee meeting

Upcoming Meetings

Here are some of the upcoming meetings scheduled for next week:

• Planning Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/86412) to discuss planning applications for developments in Wellingborough and Corby.
• Health Scrutiny Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/86407) to discuss the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report, winter preparedness, and the committee's work plan.
• Children's, Young Persons & Education Scrutiny (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/87079)
• Shared Services Joint Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/87087)

This week in North Northamptonshire:

Digital ID Motion Sparks Debate on Civil Liberties

North Northamptonshire Council debated a motion opposing the government's Digital ID scheme, raising concerns about potential overreach and the impact on residents' access to services. Link to the Council meeting

Concerns Over Government Overreach

Councillor Helen Harrison, who proposed the motion, argued that the scheme is unnecessary, costly, and a potential threat to civil liberties. She stated:

The clear danger for our residents is that, in the future, North Northants Council will be forced by government to demand a resident's Digital ID before doing anything to help them.

The motion called for the council to write to the Prime Minister, urging the scheme's abandonment. The debate reflects a broader concern about the erosion of privacy and autonomy in an increasingly digital world.

Council Urges Action on Pavement Parking

The Council also debated a motion addressing the challenges of pavement parking, acknowledging the dangers for pedestrians, especially those with disabilities or families with young children. Link to the Council meeting

Balancing Needs of Drivers and Pedestrians

Councillor David Baker, who proposed the motion, recognized the limitations of current enforcement, stating:

The urban areas across North Northamptonshire were not designed for high levels of vehicles, and that high density housing areas, narrow roads and lack of driveways means that pavement parking is often the only option without obstructing the carriageway.

The motion urges the council to request the Secretary of State for Transport to simplify the process for implementing Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and allow Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for pavement obstructions. This debate highlights the need for practical solutions to balance the needs of drivers and pedestrians in urban areas.

Youth Justice Plan Prioritizes Support and Fairness

The Council approved the Northamptonshire Youth Justice Plan 2024/25, outlining the Youth Offending Service's (YJS) priorities for the coming year. Link to the Council meeting A key focus is tackling disproportionality for Black and Mixed heritage children and those with care experience, as well as preventing serious youth violence. This plan is crucial for ensuring fair and effective support for vulnerable young people in the justice system. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 requires local authorities to create youth offending teams to reduce crime and disorder in their area.

Licensing Panel Addresses Private Hire Driver Licences

The Licensing Panel met to consider cases related to private hire driver licences. Link to the Licensing Panel meeting These discussions, which were held in private due to confidential information, directly impact the safety and reliability of taxi and private hire services in North Northamptonshire.

The panel was scheduled to consider whether Mr WZ is fit to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence, and applications for Private Hire Driver Licences from Mr SC and Mr SM.

Other Matters

• The Council also discussed a report regarding the political balance on council committees, following recent changes in councillor affiliations. Link to the Council meeting

Upcoming Meetings

Here are some of the upcoming meetings scheduled for next week:

• Scrutiny Management Board (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/84498)
• Executive (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/85374)
• Joint Children's Trust Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/85376)
• Democracy and Standards Committee (http://opencouncil.network/meetings/85378)