The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council was scheduled to meet on 1 April 2025 to discuss local cycling and walking infrastructure plans, and a resident access strategy. A report on a housing IT system was expected to follow. Some items on the agenda were expected to be discussed in a closed session, excluding the press and public.

Adoption of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans

The cabinet were to consider a report regarding the adoption of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) for Brackley, Daventry and Towcester. LCWIPs are intended to support the policies outlined in the Local Transport Plan (LTP) for West Northamptonshire, specifically policy 1 which prioritises safe active travel, and policy 6, which concerns the delivery of high-quality active travel schemes. The report pack states that LCWIPs identify a prioritised list of proposals to enhance local cycling and walking networks over a ten-year period, taking into account where people live and work, and how areas will grow in the future. The report pack notes that public consultation on the LCWIPs took place between 15 January and 25 February 2024, and that the consultation responses overall showed strong support for the LCWIPs. The report pack included summaries of the plans for each of the towns:

Brackley

The Brackley LCWIP outlines proposals in Brackley for Manor Road, Banbury Road/Market Place, Market Place/High Street, High Street/Northampton Road and six routes to surrounding settlements:

• Sysresham, Crowfield and Whitfield
• Syresham to Silverstone
• Turweston
• Croughton, Hinton and Evenley
• Westbury
• Radstone and Helmdon

The report pack notes that 64% of respondents considered that overall, the Brackley LCWIP was good or very good. It also notes that 84% of people strongly agreed that it should be made easier for people to walk, cycle or wheel for everyday trips to work, school and shops. The report pack also notes that following the consultation feedback the key alterations have been made to the Brackley LCWIP:

• Update Manor Road proposals to reflect that a study is being undertaken to consider the Manor Road area
• Market Place/ High Street – remove reference to a bus gate and traffic management measures, any reference to review of parking charges and add in reference to considering active travel as part of wider future placemaking/ public realm schemes
• Sysresham, Crowfield and Whitfield – amendments made as agreed with National Highways
• Silverstone – minor amendments to align with Towcester LCWIP
• Turweston – minor amendments to proposals to be less prescriptive at this stage
• Croughton, Hinton and Evenley – amendments made as agreed with National Highways and reference added to working with Buckinghamshire Council
• Westbury – amendments made as agreed with National Highways, reference added to considering the existing former railway line between Brackley and Westbury in the longer term
• Cycle parking – reference added to include cycle parking as part of scheme development
• Additional paragraph added to clarify that full engagement and consultation with key stakeholders will be undertaken for individual proposals

Daventry

The Daventry LCWIP outlines the types of proposals that can be applied to different road typologies within Daventry along with some worked examples:

• Routes along main roads (Drayton Way and Ashby Road)
• Routes along industrial roads (Long March)
• Quietways (Shackleton Way and Speke Drive)
• Traffic free routes

In addition, the LCWIP has proposals for the following routes to surrounding settlements:

• Braunston
• Staverton
• Long Buckby
• Weedon Bec

The report pack notes that 62% of respondents thought the plan was very good or good. It also notes that 83% of people strongly agreed that it should be made easier for people to walk, cycle or wheel for everyday trips to work, school and shops. The report pack also notes that following the consultation feedback the key alterations have been made to the Daventry LCWIP:

• Additional references added to stakeholder engagement as part of scheme development particularly in relation to any speed limit changes
• Removal of reference to a bridge over the A5 at the request of National Highways
• Added reference that street lighting should be appropriate to the local context and that secure and covered cycle parking is provided in Daventry town centre
• Added clarification regarding what walking and cycling infrastructure is being provided as part of developments

Towcester

The Towcester LCWIP outlines proposals in Towcester for Town Centre North, Town Centre Central, Town Centre South and Wood Burcote and Enhancements to A5 National Highways scheme. In addition, the LCWIP has proposals for the following routes to surrounding settlements:

• Greens Norton
• Blisworth
• Tiffield
• Silverstone

The report pack notes that 67% of respondents thought the plan was very good or good. It also notes that 90% of respondents strongly agreed that it should be made easier for people to walk, cycle or wheel for everyday trips to work, school and shops. The report pack also notes that following the consultation feedback, key alterations have been made to the Towcester LCWIP:

• Document amended in line with National Highways request for proposals to be less prescriptive and reference added for a longer-term solution at Tove roundabout balancing the needs of active travel and the Strategic Road Network
• Bridleway SB32 added to mapping and wording in document amended to refer to a grade separated crossing of the A43, determination of the crossing location has been left for further review
• Reference removed to levelling Sawpit Green
• Document update to reflect most recent proposals being put forward by National Highways for A5 and reference added to working with National Highway on the traffic calming scheme once the relief road is complete
• Additional references to stakeholder engagement as part of scheme development particularly in relation to any speed limit changes or changes in traffic volumes, and additional references to consultation on individual schemes as they come forward
• Reference added regarding cross-boundary link from Silverstone to Buckingham as identified in England’s Economic Heartland Active Travel Strategy
• Additional reference to include cycle parking in any schemes taken forward where appropriate

The report pack states that an Equalities Screening Assessment was undertaken and overall, the LCWIPs were found to have a positive impact on the protected groups and a positive impact on those experiencing poverty.

Resident Access Strategy 2025-2029

The cabinet were to consider a report regarding the adoption of the Resident Access Strategy 2025-2029. The report pack states that the strategy sets out the council's ambitions for how it will engage with residents, with a focus on making it easier for them to get the information they need, and freeing up more resources towards those residents who might be vulnerable or with the most complex needs. The report pack notes that the strategy proposes a number of access principles that will apply to the design of services and the changes the council implements:

• ensuring the customer is at the centre of everything we do
• aiding self-service where possible
• making it easy for people to get a solution or response at the first point of contact
• adding value to the user
• working as a single organisation.

The report pack states that the strategy is informed by feedback and engagement collated over the past few years, and reflects the requirements made by the people the council has spoken to. The report pack also notes that the strategy is an important part of the council’s One West Northamptonshire plan and in particular its commitment to act as an efficient and effective organisation facilitating the delivery of its priorities and especially how it supports its vulnerable residents to live well and thrive. The report pack states that the resident access strategy brings together the principles of:

• Think Family (considering all aspects of a person’s life, not just their immediate request for a specific service)
• Making Every Contact Count (using every opportunity to intervene and prevent needs from getting worse)
• Human-centred Design (organising services and information in ways which mirror life events and circumstances, rather than the structure of our services and organisation).

The report pack states that the strategy will be delivered through the Resident Access Strategy programme, via a range of projects resourced by existing staff and minimal transformation resources, with separate investment sought for technological developments if needed. The report pack also states that by maximising the availability of online information and diversifying the offer, the council will reduce the need for people to call, write to or visit, therefore reducing the impact on the environment.