The Council meeting scheduled for Monday 13 July 2026 was set to discuss a range of important issues, including the council's annual report, financial outturn for the previous year, and a review of the council's constitution. Several motions were also scheduled for debate, covering topics such as business rates, pavement parking, housing policies, support for disabled people, and government planning reforms.

Opposition Priority Business: Business Rates

Councillor Daniel Lister, proposed by Councillor Peter Matten, put forward a motion concerning business rates. The motion highlighted that business rates are a significant fixed cost for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses, and that recent government reforms, including a revaluation of non-domestic properties from April 2026, have produced widely varying outcomes. The motion noted that many businesses, particularly smaller independents, may be unaware of available reliefs or the process to challenge rateable values. It was also noted that the council has discretionary powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to develop a Local Discounts and Incentives policy. The council was urged to take an active role in supporting businesses through this transition.

The motion proposed that the Council resolves to:

• Request a written statement from the relevant Cabinet Member within three months confirming the adoption and application of the pubs and live music venues relief for 2026/27.
• Request a report on the number and value of Supporting Small Business Relief awards made, confirming proactive application of reliefs, and outlining communication strategies for available reliefs.
• Request officers to review and improve communications with businesses about the 2026 changes, ensuring understanding of bill variations and signposting to the Check, Challenge, Appeal process.
• Request the Cabinet Member responsible for economic development to report on options for developing a Local Discounts and Incentives policy.
• Request officers to develop a proposal for a West Northamptonshire High Street Business Support Programme.
• Request the Cabinet Member responsible for planning and infrastructure to ensure town centres are priority locations in Community Infrastructure Levy allocation decisions.
• Request a written update on progress made since July 2025 in implementing High Street Rental Auctions powers.
• Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer pressing for a permanent reduction in business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties.

Motion 1: Pavement Parking

Proposed by Councillor Andrew Kilbride and seconded by Councillor Phil Bignell, this motion addressed the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which enables local transport authorities to prohibit the parking of motor vehicles on footways and verges. The motion noted that pavement parking remains legal outside London, limiting local authorities' practical tools to act against it until secondary legislation is in force. Research by the RAC indicated that 83% of drivers support action on pavement parking, provided sensible exemptions are made.

The Council was asked to resolve to:

• Welcome the provisions of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 and support the government's intention to introduce civil enforcement powers.
• Request the relevant Cabinet Member to commission a report on how the authority should prepare for the new powers, including enforcement options, resource implications, identification of hotspot locations, and necessary partnership arrangements.
• Ask officers to begin preparatory work immediately to ensure the authority can act without delay once secondary legislation is commenced.
• Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Transport welcoming the Act and pressing for an urgent timetable for the commencement of secondary legislation.

Motion 2: Housing Allocation Policy

Proposed by Councillor Sally Keeble and seconded by Councillor Bob Purser, this motion recognised the role of housing in creating thriving communities and the hardship caused by homelessness. It called on the Cabinet to reconsider the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Discharge policy following concerns raised at a recent Children, Schools and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. These concerns included the policy stating that the private sector would be the Council's primary route for housing homeless people, a lack of adequate financial content requiring revision, and a lack of clarity regarding consent for private sector placements and the use of out-of-area placements.

The Council was called upon to:

• Reconsider the policy, with pre-decision scrutiny by the relevant scrutiny committee.
• Provide the criteria for placements and safeguards for residents, similar to policies by comparable authorities.

Motion 3: Support for Disabled People

Proposed by Councillor Farzana Aldridge and seconded by Councillor Christine Ware, this motion highlighted the additional costs faced by disabled people, citing a Scope UK report indicating disabled households need an extra £1,095 per month on average. It also noted the disability employment gap and disability pay gap.

The Council was resolved to:

• Note and endorse work to re-establish the West Northamptonshire Disabled People's Forum.
• Create disability champions within all council service directorates to ensure decisions are viewed through the lens of the 'social model of disability'.
• Revisit and update, if necessary, the equality, diversity and inclusion policy.
• Ensure the Council's Annual Equalities Report is updated.

Motion 4: Government Planning Reforms

Proposed by Councillor Mark Arnull and seconded by Councillor Thomas Manning, this motion noted that government planning reforms, introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, shift power away from elected councillors towards planning officers. It stated that the new system restricts councillors' routes to bring applications before committee, effectively limiting local call-in rights.

The Council believed that:

• Planning is about communities, not just process, and decisions should not be handed from elected members to unelected officials.
• This could be perceived as centralisation, taking power from residents.
• Councillors represent those who elected them and should not be cut out of decisions shaping their communities.
• Elected members have a duty to use all available levers if the government weakens the role of local authorities.

The Council resolved to:

• Oppose the loss of local democratic oversight in government planning reforms.
• Make clear that West Northamptonshire Council will not accept councillors being reduced to bystanders.
• Instruct officers, within the bounds of the law, to do as much as possible to support elected members in the planning process, including ensuring ward councillors are briefed, providing early engagement, maximising transparency, making full use of provisions for committee consideration, and strengthening training.
• Request a report setting out powers members are losing and how the Council will mitigate that loss.
• Provide a public guidance note to residents on how the changes impact them and what support the Council can offer.
• Write to Ministers demanding the restoration of meaningful member involvement.
• Affirm that the Council stands for local accountability, transparency, and democratic control.

West Northamptonshire Council Annual Report 2025-26

The Council was scheduled to consider the West Northamptonshire Council Annual Report for 2025-26. This report provides a summary of the Council's performance against the priorities of the One West Northamptonshire Plan and the WNC Administration Delivery Plan for 2025-29. It outlines progress made against seven key priorities: Productive, Inclusive and Enterprising; Accessible and Connected; Thriving Towns and Neighbourhoods; More and Better Quality Homes; Best Place to Grow Up; Best Place to Live and Age Well; and Efficient and Enabling Council. The report also aligns service performance with four key missions of the Delivery Plan: Boosting Business Growth and Prosperity; Creating Stronger and Safer Communities; Caring for People; and Delivering Efficient Public Services.

Remuneration June 2026

A report on remuneration for June 2026 was scheduled for consideration. This report would likely address the remuneration packages for senior roles within the council, particularly those exceeding the £100,000 threshold, as required by Section 40 of the Localism Act. The report specifically mentioned the Service Director, SEND & Inclusion, and the Executive Director, Place, Economy and Environment roles.

Revenue Monitoring Outturn Financial Year 2025-26

The Council was set to review the Revenue Monitoring Outturn for the financial year 2025-26. This report would provide an assessment of the Council's financial performance against its approved budget, incorporating key financial risks, issues, and opportunities identified throughout the year. It would detail the provisional outturn position for General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), including any overspends or underspends by directorate.

Review of the West Northamptonshire Council Constitution

A review of the West Northamptonshire Council Constitution was scheduled for discussion. This review, undertaken by a Constitution Task and Finish Group and overseen by the Democracy and Standards Committee, aimed to update the Constitution to ensure it remained legally compliant, reflected the council's character and culture, and supported effective decision-making. Updates arising from changes to the Council's Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) asset pooling arrangements were also to be incorporated.

Annual Reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The Council was to receive the Annual Reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for 2025-26. These reports would detail the scrutiny activities undertaken by the Adult Social Care, Health and Communities; Children, Education and Housing; and Place and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committees throughout the year, highlighting key areas of work and their outcomes.

Cabinet Member Reports and Records of Decisions

The Council was also scheduled to receive Cabinet Member Reports and Records of Decisions, providing updates on the activities and decisions made by Cabinet members in their respective portfolios.

Urgent Business

The Chairman would advise whether any items of urgent business had been agreed to be admitted to the agenda.

Exclusion of Press and Public

A resolution was to be moved to exclude the press and public from the meeting for specific items of business on the grounds that exempt information would likely be disclosed.