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Cabinet - Tuesday, 15 September 2026 - 6.00 pm
September 15, 2026 at 6:00 pm Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council convened on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, addressing a range of critical issues including financial monitoring, waste infrastructure, housing IT systems, and environmental strategies. Key decisions included recommending to Council the approval of £1 million in capital funding for structural works at Brackmills Waste Transfer Station, adopting the West Northamptonshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and approving the adoption of the Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-2031.
Revenue and Capital Monitoring Reports
Cabinet noted the forecast outturn position for 2026-27, associated risks, and the deliverability assessment of savings requirements. Cabinet also noted the latest capital monitoring position for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account and approved HRA budget virements. The five-year General Fund programme now stands at £214.3 million, an increase of £92.8 million since February 2026, largely due to carried-forward schemes and new government-funded projects. Schemes no longer deemed viable, such as the Brackley long-stay car park and a property acquisition for care leavers, were removed from the programme.
Waste Infrastructure Project - Brackmills Waste Transfer Station
Cabinet approved the proposal and recommended to Council the approval of £1 million in capital funding for essential structural works at the Brackmills Waste Transfer Station. This funding is required to extend the operational life of the 40-year-old facility, which has recently experienced structural issues. The works, estimated at £1.2 million, will restore the station to full operational capacity and extend its life by at least five years, allowing time for a long-term waste strategy to be developed. This investment is considered the best value for money compared to contingency operations, which would cost approximately £1.5 million per year.
IT Infinity - BRIK Leading Housing Management System
Cabinet noted the progress made since the approval of the Housing IT System Programme in 2024, noted the findings and recommendations from the programme review and reset, and noted the revised programme delivery approach (Option 4). Cabinet also approved the award of a new contract to MRI for Open Housing and associated supporting systems for up to two years to maintain business continuity while the BRIK solution is implemented. The additional costs, estimated at £1.6 million, will be managed within the Housing Revenue Account's financial framework.
Recommissioning of The Holiday Activity and Food Programme
Cabinet approved the acceptance of Department for Education (DfE) Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme grant funding, worth approximately £1.1 million annually. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Children's Services, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, to procure and commission a specialist HAF Coordinator service to manage the programme's strategic coordination, administration, and quality assurance from Easter 2027 to December 2029. This coordinator-led model was deemed the most effective and deliverable approach.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Cabinet adopted the West Northamptonshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy and delegated authority to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services to make minor editorial and design changes to the final published document. The strategy sets out priorities and actions for nature recovery across the area.
Moving Traffic Enforcement Update Report
Cabinet confirmed ongoing support for the Moving Traffic Enforcement programme and confirmed their support for the locations identified where additional Moving Traffic Enforcement will be undertaken. The programme aims to improve compliance with traffic regulations, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety.
Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy (2026-2031)
Cabinet approved the adoption of the Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-2031 and its five-year action plan. Cabinet also endorsed the strategic priorities set out within the Strategy, recognising suicide prevention as a shared responsibility across partners and communities, and supported the implementation of the strategy with continued partnership delivery and governance arrangements.
Avenue Campus Northampton - EXEMPT
Cabinet approved the increased expenditure for the Avenue Campus project, aligning with Option 1 to enable the completion of works associated with the Delivery Strategy. This funding, to be managed within existing approved budgets, will facilitate the sale of land parcels and the full implementation of the Delivery Strategy.
Hardingstone Affordable Housing Opportunity - EXEMPT
Cabinet noted and approved the use of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital New Build Pool Budget for the acquisition of 87 new affordable homes at Landimore Road, Hardingstone. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Place and Assets, in consultation with the Director of Communities and Opportunities, the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Chief Financial Officer and the Monitoring Officer to negotiate and agree final terms for the purchase and enter into agreements with Tilia Homes Ltd.
Annual Housing Complaints Report
Cabinet noted the content of the report on the complaints handling performance of Housing Landlord Services for 2025-26 and approved the submission of the Landlord statement and Appendices A & B to the Housing Ombudsman. The report indicated a positive direction of travel, with total complaints reduced and compliance with response timescales improved.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Moving Traffic Enforcement Update Report
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council decided on 15 September 2026 to confirm ongoing support for the Moving Traffic Enforcement programme and support the identified locations for additional enforcement. This decision includes proceeding with enforcement at Upton Valley Way East, Collingwood Road, Abington Square, St Peter's Way, Cliftonville Road, Harborough Road, Harborough Road & Mill Lane, Weedon Road, Mere Way (Fire & Ambulance access), and St Giles' Square.
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Revenue Monitoring Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council on 15 September 2026 noted the forecast outturn position for 2026-27, the deliverability assessment of savings requirements, and the Treasury Management update. The decision was made to update members on the financial position of the Council and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
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IT Infinity- BRIK Leading housing management system
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council decided on 15 September 2026 to approve the award of a new contract to MRI for Open Housing and associated supporting systems. They also noted progress, findings from a programme review, and a revised delivery approach. This decision includes awarding a contract for up to two years to maintain business continuity while the BRIK solution is implemented.
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Hardingstone Affordable Housing Opportunity- EXEMPT
For DeterminationWest Northamptonshire Council Cabinet decided to note and approve the use of the Housing Revenue Account Capital New Build Pool Budget for the Hardingstone Affordable Housing Acquisition. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director of Place and Assets, in consultation with others, to negotiate and agree final terms for the purchase from Tilia Homes Ltd. This delegation is subject to satisfactory due diligence and independent valuations.
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Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy (2026-2031)
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council approved the adoption of the Northamptonshire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2026-2031 on 15 September 2026. They also endorsed its strategic priorities and supported its implementation through partnership arrangements. The decision included approving the strategy and its five-year action plan, endorsing strategic priorities, and supporting implementation with continued partnership delivery.
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Waste Infrastructure Project - Brackmills Waste Transfer Station Capital Projects (General Exception Rule)
For DeterminationWest Northamptonshire Council's Cabinet decided on 15 September 2026 to approve a proposal recommending to Council the approval of £1m in capital funding. This funding is for structural works at Brackmills Waste Transfer Station to extend its operational life. The decision includes a plan for phased work to strengthen the tipping hall floor, with the Council's waste property officers overseeing and monitoring the works.
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Annual Housing Complaints Report
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council noted the content of reports on Housing Landlord Services' complaints handling performance and approved the submission of the Landlord statement and Appendices A & B to the Housing Ombudsman on 15 September 2026. The decision included noting the annual self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code and a qualitative and quantitative analysis of complaint handling performance.
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Capital Monitoring Report
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council on 15 September 2026 noted the latest capital monitoring position for the General Fund and HRA, and approved HRA budget virements. The Cabinet also noted new capital schemes and changes to the Capital Programme since February 2026.
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Recommissioning of The Holiday Activity and Food Programme for West Northamptonshire
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council decided on 15/09/2026 to accept Holiday Activity and Food programme grant funding. They approved delegating authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education. The Cabinet also approved the procurement and commissioning of a Holiday Activity and Food Programme Coordinator service for delivery periods between Easter 2027 and Winter 2029.
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Avenue Campus Northampton- EXEMPT
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council decided on 15 September 2026 to approve increased expenditure for the Avenue Campus project. This decision enables the completion of works associated with the Delivery Strategy, funded by existing approved budgets.
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Local Nature Recovery strategy
For DeterminationThe Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council adopted the West Northamptonshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy on 15 September 2026. They delegated to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services authority to make minor editorial and design changes to the strategy. The council will develop User Delivery Guides for different audiences and has added a new section explaining how the LNRS will be delivered.
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