The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 16 July 2026, approving a new Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy, the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment for 2025, and a series of asset transactions. The meeting also noted the Landlord Services Annual Performance Report for 2025-26.

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy 2026–2031

Cabinet approved the Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy 2026–2031, which aims to promote a proactive and preventative approach to adult social care through the use of technology. The strategy endorses a TEC First approach, encouraging the development and expansion of TEC solutions to support resident independence and reduce reliance on traditional care services. This aligns with the Council's corporate priorities and prevention strategy, aiming to improve outcomes, delay or reduce the need for formal care, and reduce pressure on health and social care services. Alternative options considered included maintaining the current approach, which would limit innovation and increase service pressure and costs. The approved strategy is in line with the objectives of the NHS 10-year plan and the Better Care Fund.

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025

The Cabinet approved the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) for 2025, fulfilling the Council's statutory duty under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006. The assessment identifies gaps in childcare provision, particularly for children under two and two-year-olds, and will inform strategic decisions on planning, supporting, and commissioning childcare. The Council will proceed with the publication and implementation of the CSA, with ongoing monitoring of equality impacts. A key priority will be the development of inclusive childcare places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in underrepresented communities. The assessment highlights significant deficits in childcare places in several wards, including Castle, Billing and Rectory Farm, and Sixfields, particularly for younger age groups. The report also notes challenges within the childcare sector, including workforce issues, funding pressures, and the impact of national childcare reforms.

Asset Transactions

A series of asset transactions were approved by Cabinet. These included:

• Long Buckby Library: Approved for transfer to Long Buckby Parish Council at market value, subject to a restriction preserving its use as a library and community hub. A restricted value of £147,000 was agreed to secure the continued community use of the building.
• Milton Malsor Village Park: Approved for transfer to Milton Malsor Parish Council for a nominal sum, aligning with the Council's approach to transferring local open spaces to parish ownership.
• 44a Chalcombe Avenue and adjacent land: Approved for transfer to the existing tenant at market value, with a restrictive covenant and overage provision to protect the commercial use of the ground floor and capture future development value.
• Land at Browns Road, Daventry: Approved for a surrender and regrant of the lease to Daventry Town Football Club. This will facilitate approximately £600,000 of external investment in a new 3G pitch, with a new 25-year lease to be granted upon completion of the facility.
• Eastern Way Field, Daventry: A 125-year peppercorn lease was approved for Creating Tomorrow Academy Trust, conditional on Daventry Hill School providing at least 230 SEND places for West Northamptonshire children.
• Ransom Road, Northampton: Agreed to be placed on the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) available property list, with the strongest organisation to be selected through the community asset process. A further report will be presented to Cabinet in the autumn.
• Ladybridge Drive, Northampton: An option agreement was approved for the transfer of approximately half an acre of land to provide access to a housing allocation site. The transfer is conditional on planning permission and a capital receipt of at least £1.5 million. Any surplus land will remain with the Council. The statutory open space notice process will be completed before any transfer.
• Albion House, Northampton: Approved as part of a land swap arrangement to support the Greyfriars regeneration programme. Independent valuations will be obtained for both Albion House and East Island, with an equalisation payment made if necessary.
• Cornhill Close, Northampton: The continuation of a concessionary lease to Nordis Signs was supported, provided the organisation maintains its focus on employing people with disabilities.

Cabinet also approved revised terms for land transfers to town and parish councils, aimed at removing barriers that have previously stalled community transfers.

Landlord Services Annual Performance Report 2025-26

Councillor Charlie Hastie, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, presented the Landlord Services Annual Performance Report for 2025-26. The report indicated overall performance improvements, with positive results in property standards, safety compliance, rent collection, and customer satisfaction. Satisfaction with repair services had increased, and a significant rise was noted in the proportion of homes meeting the Decent Homes Standard. However, challenges remain in areas such as complaint handling, re-letting empty properties, lift compliance, and resident confidence in anti-social behaviour case handling. The report detailed progress made in addressing the Regulator of Social Housing's concerns following a C3 regulatory grading in 2024, with key actions from the Business Improvement Plan completed. The transfer of Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) services back to West Northamptonshire Council, planned for completion by April 2027, was also noted.