The Leader Decisions meeting on Wednesday 29 July 2026 resulted in the delegation of authority to the Chief Executive to finalise grant agreements for the distribution of approximately £4.5 million in South Midlands reserves. This funding will be divided equally among six constituent authorities.

South Midlands Reserves Distribution

Authority has been delegated to the Chief Executive to enter into grant agreements with other South Midlands constituent authorities to facilitate the distribution of approximately £4.5 million in non-ringfenced South Midlands reserves. This decision was previously endorsed at the South Midlands Authorities Board meeting in March 2026, with Councillor Mark Arnull¹ in attendance and in agreement.

The decision was made following the consideration of options presented to the South Midlands Authorities, which include Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, Luton Borough Council, Milton Keynes City Council, North Northamptonshire Council, and West Northamptonshire Council. The unanimous preferred option was to distribute the £4.5 million of reserves in equal portions to these six authorities, in line with the original grant funding conditions. Councillor Arnull, as the Leader of West Northamptonshire Council and a representative on the South Midlands Authorities Board, was consulted and declared no conflicts of interest. The decision is not subject to call-in.