The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to discuss a range of important matters, including updates on the Capital Programme, the budget timeline, and strategies for car parking and suicide prevention. The meeting will also address plans for managing the Council's strategic assets, procuring essential travel services, and utilising new powers to address high street vacancies.

Capital Programme Update 2026/27

Councillor Graham Cheatley, Executive Member for Finance, Efficiency and Change, is scheduled to present an update on the Capital Programme for 2026/27. The report is expected to seek approval for changes to the General Fund Capital Programme and note endorsements for various capital schemes. These may include an uplift of £850,000 for the Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG) scheme, funded by government grant, and a reprioritisation of £2.2 million from existing budgets to support the Workspace Transformation Programme at Haylock House. The report may also detail additions to the Capital Programme, such as a pedestrian crossing in Desborough and EV charging infrastructure, as well as drawdowns from block budgets for projects like the Northamptonshire Children's Trust and HRA Housing acquisitions.

Indicative Budget Timeline and Scrutiny Process 2027/28

Councillor Graham Cheatley is also scheduled to provide an update on the budget setting process and scrutiny arrangements for the 2027/28 financial year. The report is expected to outline the timeline for setting the General Fund budget, Housing Revenue Account budget, and the Capital Programme. It may detail proposed scrutiny arrangements, including dedicated sessions for the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to review draft budget proposals and the Council's financial position. The timeline may include key dates for budget monitoring reports, the Autumn Statement, provisional local government finance settlements, and the final budget setting meeting.

North Northamptonshire Council Draft Car Parking Strategy

Councillor Chris McGiffen, Executive Member for Highways and Travel, is scheduled to present the draft North Northamptonshire Car Parking Strategy. The report is expected to seek approval to commence public consultation on the strategy, which aims to introduce consistency, fairness, and transparency in car park management. Key objectives may include reducing congestion, promoting sustainable travel, reinvesting income into infrastructure improvements, and providing access to electric vehicle charging facilities. The strategy may propose a banding mechanism to determine parking charges and restrictions across the Council's 49 car parks, with proposed tariffs for different bands and concessions for Blue Badge holders. The plan may also outline a phased implementation approach, focusing on infrastructure preparation, tariff introduction, and expansion of EV charging.

Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-2031

Councillor Brian Benneyworth, Executive Member for Housing, Health and Leisure, is scheduled to present the Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-2031 and its accompanying Action Plan. The strategy is intended to provide a co-ordinated, evidence-based framework for reducing suicide, addressing risk factors, and supporting those affected by suicide across Northamptonshire. It aligns with national priorities and responds to local needs, combining population-level prevention with targeted interventions for at-risk groups. The report highlights that suicide remains a significant public health issue, with an average of 77 deaths by suicide each year across the county. The strategy builds on previous achievements and aims to improve mental wellbeing and reduce suicide-related harm.

Strategic Asset Management Plan

Councillor Ken Harrington, Executive Member for Assets, Waste & Environmental Services, is scheduled to introduce the draft Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP). This plan is intended to outline how the Council will manage, review, and develop its land and property assets to support service delivery, financial sustainability, inclusive growth, and environmental commitments. The Council's general fund portfolio comprises approximately 1,800 sites with an estimated value of £980.855 million. The SAMP may introduce an Asset Scoring Metrics tool to evaluate assets based on condition, financial viability, usage, and operational fit, guiding decisions on retention, investment, repurposing, or disposal. The plan aligns with the Council's Corporate Plan and aims to create a smaller, smarter, greener, and more financially sustainable estate.

Procurement of Travel to School Service Contract

Councillor Chris McGiffen, Executive Member for Highways and Travel, is scheduled to present a report requesting authorisation to procure an Open Framework for Travel to School and Social Care services. This is necessary due to changes in procurement legislation, replacing the current Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) with Dynamic Markets (DM), which is not deemed suitable for the Council's needs. An Open Framework is proposed to operate for up to eight years with an estimated maximum value of £350 million. The report may also seek approval to increase the value of the existing DPS contract by up to £34.5 million to ensure service continuity while the new framework is established.

High Street Rental Auctions

Councillor Jan O'Hara, Executive Member for Planning and Economic Growth, is scheduled to present an update on the High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) Early Adopter Programme. The report is expected to detail the outcome of engagement and statutory consultations regarding proposals to designate Wellingborough Town Centre as the first area where HSRA powers could be used. The HSRA process, introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, allows local authorities to require landlords to rent out persistently vacant commercial properties. The report may highlight strong support from respondents for the scheme, with 87.9% favouring the designation of Wellingborough Town Centre. Approval may be sought to designate a specific area within Wellingborough and pilot the HSRA process.

Extension of Existing Contract - Warm Homes Local Grant Energy Scheme Delivery Partner

Councillor Kirk Harrison, Executive Member for Regulatory Services, is scheduled to seek approval to extend the existing contract with Aran Insulation Ltd, the Delivery Partner for the Warm Homes Local Grant Energy Scheme. The extension is necessary to ensure continued delivery of energy efficiency measures to eligible residents and to maximise the utilisation of available external grant funding. The report is expected to outline the justification for the extension, financial considerations, and confirm that the proposal represents value for money and supports the Council's strategic priorities. The Council has secured grant funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) for the scheme, with allocations for 2025/26, 2026/27, and 2027/28.

The meeting will be available for the public to view live on the North Northamptonshire Council's Democratic Services YouTube channel.