The Democracy and Standards Committee of West Northamptonshire Council was scheduled to meet on Wednesday 3 June 2026 to discuss proposed updates to the Council's Constitution. Key agenda items included a review of the existing Constitution, proposed changes related to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and revised recharges for parish councils concerning uncontested elections.

Review of the West Northamptonshire Council Constitution

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Task and Finish Panel regarding a comprehensive review of the West Northamptonshire Council Constitution. This review aimed to ensure the Constitution remains legally compliant, reflects the council's character and culture, and supports efficient decision-making. The report detailed the work of the panel, which had examined various aspects of the Constitution, including Council Procedure Rules, the Planning Protocol, and Officer Employment Procedure Rules.

Key areas of proposed change within the Council Procedure Rules included updates to public participation, questions to portfolio holders, and the process for submitting motions. The Planning Protocol was set to be substantially revised to clarify the roles of members and officers, with new sections addressing conduct after a decision, and the member-officer relationship. Amendments were also proposed for the Officer Employment Procedure Rules to address interim appointments.

A significant portion of the review focused on Free Speech Provisions, with suggested amendments to the Members' Code of Conduct, Employee Code of Conduct, Contract Procedure Rules, and Community Rights. These proposals aimed to uphold the principle of freedom of speech within the law, but the report noted that the task and finish group was unable to reach a consensus on these specific amendments due to concerns about their compatibility with existing codes of conduct and potential impacts on council resources and community cohesion.

Proposed Updates to the Constitution - Local Government Pension Scheme

The committee was also set to consider proposed changes to the Council's Constitution stemming from the decision to join the Border to Coast Pension Partnership (BCPP). These updates are necessary to reflect the council's new arrangements for pooling LGPS investments. The report outlined the background to this decision, including the transition from the ACCESS asset pool and the selection of BCPP as the preferred partner due to its governance, investment capabilities, and costs. The constitutional amendments were intended to codify this decision and ensure the council operates lawfully within its new framework.

Election Recharges to Parish and Town Councils

A discussion was scheduled regarding revised recharges for parish and town councils concerning uncontested elections. The report highlighted that the current model significantly subsidises these elections for parishes, and that increased costs for printing and postage have made this unsustainable. Following consultation with parish and town councils, three options for a new recharging model were presented. Option C, which distributes costs proportionally to council size and electorate, received significant support from the sector and was proposed as the preferred model. This option aims to ensure fairness by linking recharges to the size of the parish, meaning smaller parishes would incur a smaller cost burden.

Review of Committee Work Programme

The committee was also scheduled to review and note the Work Programme for 2026/2027. This included planned discussions on the Register of Members' Interests, the final report of the Constitution Review Task and Finish Panel, and national changes impacting ethics and standards. Future agenda items for the committee were also outlined, including further proposed amendments to the Constitution, statistical updates on Code of Conduct arrangements, and member development.