The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 16 July 2026, approving a new Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy for adult social care, endorsing a TEC First approach to support prevention and independence. They also approved the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025, which identifies gaps in provision and outlines actions to support a sustainable and inclusive childcare market, and noted the Landlord Services Annual Performance Report 2025-26, which highlighted improvements in key areas alongside ongoing challenges. A significant number of asset transactions were also approved, including the disposal of several properties and land parcels, and a revised approach to non-commercial land transfers to town and parish councils.

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy 2026–2031

Cabinet approved the Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy 2026–2031¹, which aims to support residents in living independently, safely, and well for longer through the use of technology. This strategy champions a TEC First approach within Adult Social Care, meaning technology will be routinely considered as part of care assessments. The strategy aligns with the Council's statutory duties under the Care Act 2014² and its wider prevention agenda, focusing on improving outcomes, delaying or reducing the need for formal care, and reducing pressure on health and social care services. Key ambitions include tackling digital exclusion and increasing the use of predictive analytics and AI. Councillor Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Public Health, highlighted that while some residents may not wish to engage with technology, the majority adapt quickly, and that technology enhances rather than replaces human contact.

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025

The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025³ was approved, providing an overview of childcare availability, accessibility, quality, and affordability across West Northamptonshire. The assessment fulfils the Council's statutory duty under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006⁴ and identifies areas where childcare provision needs to be strengthened, particularly for children under two years old and for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Councillor Michael Stratton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, noted that while there is sufficient provision for three and four-year-olds, challenges remain in areas such as workforce recruitment and retention, and the need for inclusive childcare places. The assessment will inform future planning and the allocation of funding, aligning with the Government's Best Start in Life⁵ ambitions.

Landlord Services Annual Performance Report 2025-26

Cabinet noted the Landlord Services Annual Performance Report 2025-26⁶, which detailed the performance of housing landlord services, primarily managed by Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH). The report indicated improvements in property standards, safety compliance, and income collection, with increased customer satisfaction regarding repairs. However, challenges persist in complaint handling, void property re-let times, and resident confidence in addressing anti-social behaviour. Significant progress has been made in responding to the Regulator of Social Housing following a C3 grading in 2024, with key improvement actions completed. The report also noted that NPH services are scheduled to transition back into West Northamptonshire Council by April 2027. Councillor Charlie Hastie, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, acknowledged the mixed picture but highlighted the positive direction of travel and the ongoing work to address identified weaknesses.

Asset Transactions

A series of asset transactions were approved, involving the disposal and transfer of various Council-owned properties and land. Key decisions included:

• Long Buckby Library: Approved for freehold disposal to Long Buckby Parish Council⁷, subject to a restriction preserving its use as a library and community hub. The transfer will be at market value, with a restricted value of £147,000 agreed to secure community use.
• Milton Malsor Village Park: Approved for freehold disposal to Milton Malsor Parish Council⁸ for a nominal sum, aligning with the Council's policy of transferring local open spaces to community management.
• 44a Chalcombe Avenue and Land Adjacent: Approved for freehold disposal to the sitting tenant⁹, correcting a previous omission from disposal plans and including a restrictive covenant and overage provision.
• Land at Browns Road, Daventry: Approved for the surrender and re-grant of a lease to Daventry Town Football Club¹⁰, facilitating approximately £600,000 of external investment in a new 3G pitch.
• Eastern Way Field, Daventry: Approved for a 125-year peppercorn lease to Creating Tomorrow Academy Trust¹¹, conditional on the school providing at least 230 SEND places for West Northamptonshire students.
• Land at Ladybridge Drive, Northampton: Approved for an option agreement for the transfer of approximately half an acre to provide access to a housing allocation site¹². The transfer is conditional on planning permission and a capital receipt of at least £1.5 million, with any unused land returning to the Council.
• Albion House, Northampton and East Island: Approved as part of a land swap arrangement¹³ to support the Greyfriars regeneration programme. Independent valuations will determine any necessary equalisation payment.
• Cornhill Close, Northampton: Approved for the continuation of a concessionary lease to Nordis Signs¹⁴, conditional on the business maintaining its focus on employing people with disabilities.
• Ransom Road, Northampton: Agreed to be placed on the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Available Property list¹⁵, with the selection of an organisation to be brought back to Cabinet in the autumn.
• Revised Parish Transfer Terms: Approved a revised approach to retained rights over land transferred to town and parish councils¹⁶, developed with the Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils (NCALC), to address concerns and facilitate transfers.

Councillor John Slope, Cabinet Member for Finance, highlighted that these transactions aim to generate capital receipts, reduce holding costs, and move assets into more productive community, educational, and regeneration uses. Concerns were raised by Councillor Daniel Lister regarding the restrictive covenants on Long Buckby Library and the potential community opposition to the Ladybridge Drive land transfer, while Councillor Keith Holland-Delamere questioned the strategic alignment of the Albion House transaction.