The Corporate Scrutiny Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 18 August 2026 to review the council's financial performance for the first quarter of 2026/27 and to discuss the indicative budget timeline and scrutiny process for 2027/28. The committee noted the council's performance against key indicators and identified areas for further scrutiny, including a request for the Chief Executive to write to the Ministry of Justice regarding the financial impact of young people being remanded into local authority care. The committee also approved its work programme for 2026/27.

Finance and Performance 2026/27 – Q1

The committee reviewed the council's financial performance for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. Councillor Graham Cheatley, Executive Member for Finance, Efficiency and Change, presented the report, highlighting a forecast General Fund overspend of £14.96 million. Key pressures were identified in children's services (£7.98 million), adult social care (£4.23 million), and home-to-school transport (£1.5 million). The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit was forecast to increase to £29.5 million.

Councillor Helen Harrison raised concerns about the accuracy of demand forecasting in children's and adult social care services, noting that the Northamptonshire Children's Trust had overspent by approximately £97 million over the previous four years. Councillor Cheatley acknowledged these concerns but expressed confidence that closer working and data sharing with the Trust would improve future forecasting. The committee resolved to note the performance indicators, identify items for further scrutiny, and requested that the Chief Executive write to the Ministry of Justice regarding the financial and practical impact on the council of young people being remanded into local authority care whilst awaiting progression through the criminal justice system.

Indicative Budget Timeline and Scrutiny Process 2027/28

The committee considered the proposed timeline and scrutiny arrangements for the 2027/28 budget setting process. The report outlined the key dates for budget preparation, including the provisional local government finance settlement in December 2026 and the final budget approval in February 2027. A risk-based approach to scrutiny was proposed, focusing on high-risk areas such as adult social care, the Northamptonshire Children's Trust contract, and home-to-school transport.

Specific scrutiny sessions were planned for November 2026 to review draft budget proposals, with a particular focus on changes exceeding £250,000, the Dedicated Schools Grant, the Housing Revenue Account, and the Capital Programme. The committee resolved to note the proposed timeline, comment on the Scrutiny Task and Finish Panel Scoping Document, and note and comment on the proposed budget setting and scrutiny arrangements for the Children's Trust. It also recommended the draft timeline and areas for the 2027/28 scrutiny process to the Executive.

Corporate Scrutiny Work Programme 2026/27

The committee noted its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year.

Minutes of Meeting held on 29 June 2026

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 June 2026 were approved as a correct record. Councillor Helen Harrison noted her disappointment that a dedicated scrutiny session on the Northamptonshire Children's Trust had not taken place as previously resolved.