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Executive - Tuesday, 9 June 2026 - 10.00 am
June 9, 2026 at 10:00 am Executive View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 09 June 2026, approving a finance and performance report detailing a £13.775m General Fund overspend for 2025/26, which will be funded from reserves. The council also approved an improvement plan in response to a 'Requires Improvement' rating from the Care Quality Commission for adult social care services, and adopted a new Housing Services Asset Management Strategy.
Finance and Performance Report
The Executive noted the Council's draft outturn position for 2025/26, which showed a General Fund overspend of £13.775m, an underspend of £75k in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and a deficit of £21.784m in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The overspend in the General Fund is largely attributed to demand-led services in children's services, with a pressure of £13.5m, and £3.7m in adults, health and housing. Savings targets for 2025/26 were £28.6m, with £24.6m delivered, representing 86% of the target. The report detailed transfers to and from various General Fund reserves, totalling £13.365m to reserves and £13.079m from reserves. The Executive approved the use of smoothing reserves to fund the £13.775m draft outturn position. Performance indicators showed mixed results, with 58% of KPIs on or above target, but areas such as adult social care outcomes, homelessness prevention, and complaints response times requiring improvement. The Executive noted the council's treasury management position, with borrowing at £413.5m and investments at £81.9m, and approved the capital programme adjustments, including carry forwards of £18.2m for the General Fund and £10.7m for the HRA.
Care Quality Commission North Northamptonshire Local Authority Assessment - Improvement Plan
The Executive approved the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan, which addresses the 'Requires Improvement' rating received for adult social care services. The plan focuses on improving timeliness of assessments, consistency and equity of access, support for carers, information accessibility, data and performance evaluation, and partnership working. A new Adult Social Care Improvement Board will be established, co-chaired by the Executive Member for Adults and Health Partnerships and an Expert by Experience, to oversee the implementation of the plan. The Council will submit the improvement plan to the Department of Health and Social Care by the end of June 2026.
Housing Services Asset Management Strategy
The Executive approved the draft Housing Services Asset Management Strategy, which sets out the Council's approach to managing, maintaining, and investing in its over 8,000 homes. The strategy aims to ensure properties are safe, compliant, energy-efficient, and fit for the future, while remaining financially sustainable. It aligns with legislation, including the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and the Decent Homes Standard, and incorporates climate change considerations, aiming for energy efficiency improvements and reduced carbon impact. The strategy is supported by a rolling five-year stock condition survey programme and integrates with the Council's Corporate Plan and Housing Strategy.
Procurement for the Supply of Parts and Materials for the Housing Maintenance and Development Service
Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Adults, Health Partnerships and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, Health and Leisure, to procure, negotiate, and award contracts for the supply of parts and materials for the two Housing Maintenance Depot Stores. This procurement is essential for the compliant and efficient operation of the Housing Maintenance and Development Service, ensuring better value for money and continued investment in the Council's housing stock. The estimated annual spend on these materials is around £2.5 million, and the contracts are proposed to be for a four-year framework.
Department for Education Additional Skills Fund Pilot to Devolution Programme
The Executive approved the proposed delivery model for the Additional Skills Fund allocation for the academic year 2026-2027, including the procurement of contracts with external adult skills providers. This pilot programme will provide an additional £990,000 in funding for skills training for 19+ year olds who are not in employment. The programme aims to design provision around community needs, targeting skills gaps in sectors such as health and care, construction, digital, and education. The Adult Learning Service has a strong track record, having supported over 16,000 learners and generated significant economic value. The delivery model will be blended, with 80% commissioned externally to ensure rapid mobilisation and quality.
Northamptonshire Prevent Strategy
The Executive approved the Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism Strategy 2026-2029 for adoption and implementation by the Prevent Steering Group. This strategy aligns with the UK Counter-Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST) and the Prevent Duty, aiming to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism. It focuses on tackling ideological drivers, intervening early to support those at risk, and enabling disengagement and rehabilitation through multi-agency collaboration. The strategy will be implemented by the Director, Communities and Leisure in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities.
Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area Guidance and Mitigation Strategy
The Executive adopted the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area Guidance and Mitigation Strategy and revoked previous supplementary planning documents related to the site. This guidance is crucial for the Council to meet its legal duty under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 to ensure that planning permission is not granted unless it is satisfied that development will not adversely affect the integrity of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area (SPA). The new guidance extends the Zone of Influence for recreational impacts to 5.9km and introduces updated mitigation strategies, including a Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) contribution of £371.17 per dwelling plus an £85 administration fee per planning application.
Zero-emission Bus Scheme
The Executive agreed to provide grant funding of up to £1.2 million towards the purchase of ten electric buses and associated depot infrastructure for services operating on the Northampton – Earls Barton – Wellingborough – Rushden – Higham Ferrers – Raunds corridor. This decision utilises £2.589m of Bus Service Improvement Plan capital funding awarded by the Department for Transport. This is a shift from a previous proposal to electrify routes in the Kettering area, as the bus operator, Stagecoach, is unable to invest in electrification at their Kettering depot until 2029/30. The alternative proposal will benefit a larger proportion of bus passengers in North Northamptonshire.
Election Printing and Mailing Services and Procurement Project
The Executive approved an open market procurement approach for specialist electoral print and mailing services, with a contract structure of 3+1+1 years, aiming for services until 31 March 2032. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Law and Governance & Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, Efficiency and Change, to procure and award the necessary contracts. This decision is critical to ensure the lawful delivery of elections and electoral registration, as current arrangements expire in March 2027. The procurement aims to ensure compliance with electoral law, accuracy, resilience, and value for money.
The meeting also confirmed that no urgent items of business were raised and concluded at 1:17 pm.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Finance and Performance Report
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council decided on 09/06/2026 to approve recommendations regarding the Finance and Performance Report. The Executive noted the council's draft outturn position for 2025/26, including a General Fund overspend of £13.775m and a Dedicated Schools Grant deficit of £21.784m. They also approved transfers to and from General Fund reserves totalling £13.365m and £13.079m respectively, and the use of smoothing reserves to fund the General Fund outturn. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Finance to make non-material changes to the draft outturn and to review and realign reserves.
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Care Quality Commission North Northamptonshire Local Authority Assessment - Improvement Plan
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council approved the Care Quality Commission Improvement Plan on 09/06/2026. The council will submit this plan to the Department of Health and Social Care and support the development of an Adult Social Care Improvement Board. The plan includes actions to launch a single point of access for adult social care, create a consolidated Safeguarding Adults team, and embed AI tools to improve efficiency.
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Zero-emission Bus Scheme
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council decided on 09/06/2026 to approve grant funding up to £1.2 million for ten electric buses and associated depot infrastructure. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways and Travel to enter into a funding agreement, and to the Executive Director of Place, following consultation with Legal and Finance, to approve the execution and sealing of that agreement.
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Election Printing and Mailing Services and Procurement Project
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council decided on 09/06/2026 to approve an open market procurement approach for specialist electoral print and mailing services until 31 March 2032, with a contract structure of 3+1+1 years. The Corporate Director of Law and Governance & Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, Efficiency and Change, was authorised to procure and award the necessary contracts. This decision includes seeking suppliers who demonstrate energy-efficient hosting and sustainable service delivery.
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Procurement for the Supply of Parts and Materials for the Housing Maintenance and Development Service
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of North Northamptonshire Council decided to delegate authority to the Executive Director for Adults, Health Partnerships and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, Health and Leisure, to procure, negotiate, award, and enter into contracts for the supply of parts and materials for the Housing Maintenance and Development Service. This decision was made on 09/06/2026. The decision includes plans to use an external framework via mini-competition or compliant direct award, and to explore a Managed Solutions model for stock management.
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Housing Services Asset Management Strategy
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council approved the draft Housing Services Asset Management Strategy on 09 June 2026. The strategy sets out how the council will manage, maintain, and invest in its housing assets to meet legislative requirements and deliver consistent services. The council will explore integrating renewable energy sources, implement energy monitoring systems, engage residents in climate education, collaborate with partners for funding, and ensure climate-resilient housing is accessible and affordable.
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Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area Guidance and Mitigation Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of North Northamptonshire Council approved the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area Guidance and Mitigation Strategy on 09/06/2026. This decision adopted the new guidance and revoked previous planning documents related to the Special Protection Area. The decision also included the adoption of a Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) contribution of £371.17 per dwelling plus an administration fee of £85 per application for developments within 5.9km of the SPA.
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Department for Education Additional Skills Fund Pilot to Devolution Programme
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council approved the proposed delivery model for the Additional Skills Fund allocation for the academic year 2026-2027 on 09/06/2026. Authority was delegated to the Director, Communities and Leisure in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities to commission funding agreements and deliver the programme. This includes the procurement of contracts with external adult skills providers.
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Northamptonshire Prevent Strategy
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council approved the Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism Strategy 2026-2029 on 09/06/2026. Authority was delegated to the Director, Communities and Leisure, in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities, to implement the strategy.
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