The West Northamptonshire Council Cabinet met on 24 June 2025, and among other things, they discussed the 2024-25 revenue and capital outturn positions, future management options for council housing stock, and a report from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee. They approved a new delivery strategy for the Avenue Campus housing project, and also approved the procurement of a statutory advocacy contract.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee Report

The Cabinet considered the report from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding a review of the council's Key Performance Indicator (KPI) metrics. Councillor Ian McCord, Chair of the Place and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, presented the report, noting its potential value despite the change in council administration.

Several councillors commented on the report:

• One councillor welcomed the new administration's focus on internal processes.
• Another recognised the inevitability of changes to the metrics.
• A question was raised about how the Cabinet would approach changes to metrics, particularly those related to students with special educational needs and disabilities.
• A councillor emphasised the importance of prioritising metrics related to SEND students.

Councillor Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR and Corporate Services, assured members that the new administration was reviewing and adding KPIs to council priorities.

Decision: The Cabinet agreed to consider the recommendations of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee and provide a formal response.

Revenue Monitoring Provisional Outturn 2024-25

Councillor John Slope, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report, acknowledging the hard work and integrity of council officers. He stated that the new administration aimed to rebuild services and advocate for fairer national funding.

Key points raised by councillors included:

• Recognition of the previous finance portfolio holders' efforts to balance the budget.
• A request for the current administration's manifesto.
• Acknowledgement of ongoing challenges in balancing the budget, particularly with key pressures.
• Concerns about the Adult Services budget for the upcoming year.
• A question about the future of the Children's Trust.

Anna Earnshaw, Chief Executive, noted that increased funding alone would not solve the issues, and that prevention was key. Martin Henry, Executive Director of Resources, added that the council had a statutory obligation to fund many demand-led services. He also noted that transformation projects represented ongoing expenditure, and that despite an extension to the deadline, there would still not be enough funding in the system to cover the high needs department for SEND.

Decision: The Cabinet:

• Noted the provisional outturn position for 2024-25.
• Noted the deliverability assessment of the council's savings requirement for 2024-25.
• Noted the 2024-25 general fund reserve creation and carry forward requests.
• Noted the Treasury Management Update.
• Noted the 2024-25 reserve balances.
• Noted the 2024-25 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) carry forward requests.
• Noted additions to the flexible use of capital receipts strategy.
• Recommended that the Full Council approve a £1.473m General Fund Capital budget for additional capitalisation identified in 2024-25.
• Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to apply any budget virements¹ required to effectively manage the overall budget.

General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Provisional Outturn 2024-25

Councillor John Slope, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report, stating that the capital programme should be a tool for transformation, but many regeneration projects had been allowed to drift. He also stated that there should be fewer vanity projects going forward.

Councillors raised the following points:

• The importance of managing housing issues well to avoid future problems.
• The need for a full options appraisal to understand the council's stock and its management.
• The need for the cross-party bus strategy group to continue, given the poor state of bus facilities.
• Disappointment that the Ecton Brook Hub had been removed from the Capital Fund.

Councillor Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing, shared concerns about housing issues. Councillor Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health & Regulatory Services, said she would investigate the Ecton Brook Hub and provide a response.

Decision: The Cabinet:

• Noted the 2024-25 provisional capital outturn position for the General Fund and HRA.
• Approved the proposed capital carry forwards for the General Fund capital programme required due to rephasing in the 2024-25 programme, as detailed in Appendix C - GF Capital Carry Forwards.
• Approved the proposed capital carry forwards for the HRA capital programme required due to rephasing in the 2024-25 programme.
• Recommended that the Full Council approve a £6.52m General Fund Capital budget for capitalisation of expenditure identified in 2024-25 under the government-agreed capitalisation direction.

Options Appraisal of the Future Management of the Council's Housing Stock

Councillor Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing, presented the report, stating that transparency and accountability would be the driving forces for any change. He noted that any transition plan would need to consider the transfer of staff from Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) to West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), with the overall aim of creating a robust operating model. He also noted that the cost of potential independent consultants would be investigated during the creation of the business case.

Councillors commented:

• Changes were needed, but the process would not be quick.
• Bringing the service in-house could offer opportunities for better control and efficiency.
• A question was raised about whether WNC had the correct systems in place to bring the service in-house.
• A full options appraisal was needed, including information on stock structure, funding streams, and management.
• The report lacked information about how services would be improved.
• A question was raised about what other options were available and why they were discounted.
• Further information about the previous administration's handling of the stock was needed.

Councillor Hastie noted the comments and said that he felt that WNC officers were capable of completing any work resulting from bringing the service in-house.

The Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer), Sarah Hall, advised members that no decision had been made, and that a full legal process needed to take place first. She noted the enquiry into past decisions but emphasised the importance of using current resources for the present.

Decision: The Cabinet:

• Approved a minded-to decision to pursue Option 3, to develop a robust implementation plan before bringing NPH services under direct Council management, allowing for a more structured and collaborative transition while ensuring service quality.
• Approved that the Director of Communities and Opportunities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, undertake formal consultation with tenants at the appropriate time during the time-period of Option 3 and bring the findings and recommendations back to a future Cabinet for formal decision.
• Approved that during this time of transition and improvement, the NPH Board be retained, and agreed that the Director of Communities and Opportunities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, work with NPH and the Board to ensure that tenants are supported throughout the process with good quality services.
• Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance to approve a budget of £125,000 from the Housing Revenue Account Service Improvement Reserve to cover the estimated costs of implementation of the tenant consultation and project resources.

Facilities Contracts - Approval for Term Maintenance and Cleaning Contracts

Councillor John Slope, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report, stating that WNC would consider all types of providers, including local ones.

A councillor welcomed the report and noted that previous cross-party working had committed to an anti-poverty strategy, and that many people employed in this area would be on the lower pay scale.

Decision: The Cabinet authorised the Assistant Director of Assets & Environment, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and Cabinet Member for Finance, to:

1. Procure contracts, including awarding contracts to the successful bidders, for:

*   a) Servicing, inspection, and testing of electrics, mechanical and specialist equipment.
*   b) Cleaning services (including outsourcing in whole or part of services currently provided in-house).

1. In-source cleaning services, in whole or part.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2024

Councillor Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health & Regulatory Services, presented the report, stating that it promoted not only physical activity but mental and social activity. She noted that a video link with more information was available on the WNC's website.

Councillors commented:

• One member was pleased that the aging world was not going to be the sole aspect of public health.
• It would be helpful to see an up-to-date anti-poverty strategy.
• A question was raised about the differences between the original and updated versions of the report.
• The differences in life expectancy between the wards was concerning.
• The former Director of Public Health and Portfolio holder were thanked for their hard work.
• The creation of healthy communities was important.
• A question was raised about whether there was a plan to invest in central services and health infrastructure.

Chloe Gay, Interim Director of Public Health, advised that the annual report provided a snapshot of where the service currently was, and that further strategy was being worked on with various partners. She also noted that work was ongoing on the next phase of the anti-poverty strategy, and that the increasing disparity in life expectancy between wards was a national issue. She stated that the changes related to a data set presented within the report.

The Chair agreed that ample medical cover was needed for the expanding population. Councillor Couse advised that she had attended the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Decision: The Cabinet noted the contents of the report and recommendations made within.

Connect to Work Accountable Body

Councillor James Petter, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure, presented the report, stating that this was a national programme funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and a tangible opportunity to improve West Northants. He noted that the funding would support those with multiple and complex barriers, with one-to-one support over a twelve-month period, and that WNC would function as the accountable body for the programme in the South Midlands Region. He cautioned that government funding was always subject to change.

A councillor noted that getting people back in work could be part of the anti-poverty strategy and asked whether further education colleges would be used for the programme.

Stuart Timmiss, Executive Director Place & Economy, confirmed that further education colleges would be involved and that there was already a network of providers in place which was monitored annually.

Decision: The Cabinet:

• Noted that the Council is acting as the Accountable Body for the delivery of the Connect to Work programme for the South Midlands region in line with the hosting and Accountable Body role WNC has for the South Midlands wider services, accepting the risks and mitigations outlined in section 6.3 of the report.
• Approved the acceptance of the DWP Connect to Work grant funding of circa £32 million over a 5-year programme, noting that government funding can be subject to change.
• Delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer (or their nominated representative) to enter into the Grant Funding Agreement with the DWP to deliver the Connect to Work programme and to enter into agreements with each Local Authority in the South Midlands cluster who will be part of the delivery of the programme.

Statutory Advocacy Contract

Councillor Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health & Regulatory Services, presented the report, stating that the current contract was ending, and the service would need to be recommissioned.

A councillor noted that the contract was an important part of the council's mental health work.

Neil Cox, Assistant Director of Adult Social Care, advised that NHS England had been approached about costs, but as the statutory duties rested with WNC, it was not appropriate for the service providers to foot the bill.

Decision: The Cabinet:

1. Approved the procurement of the statutory advocacy contract in accordance with the Contract Procedure Rules.
2. Approved a proposed contract term of 3 years with an option to extend by up to 2 years, resulting in a maximum contract length of 5 years (3+1+1).
3. Granted delegated authority to the Director of Adult Social Care (DASS), in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) and the Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health & Regulatory Services, to take any further decisions to conclude this procurement and award the contract.

Large Housing Projects Update

Councillor Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing, presented the report, providing a detailed update on the three sites discussed in the report, including costs and development strategies. He noted that archaeological finds had affected the development of Castle Street, and that the building structure of Belgrave House had been deemed not suitable for housing and would now be included in the Greyfriars Regeneration Project.

Councillors commented:

• Concerns had been raised previously about these projects, and not enough questions had been asked at the time.
• Once resolved, it would be appropriate to take a step back and investigate the total losses that the WNC had accrued.
• It was concerning that sites that had been earmarked for social housing would potentially be returned to the open market.
• A full inquiry was needed, but it was important not to lay the blame completely at NPH, as WNC was also complicit.
• The effects on the nature reserve next to the Avenue Campus project seemed to have not been investigated properly, especially after recent groundwork, and a question was raised about what plans had been put in place to ensure that the nature reserve was not damaged further.
• There was a shared concern about the capacity of WNC to complete these projects.

Councillor Hastie advised that he could not discuss an inquiry at present but would seek further information about it. He shared the concern that Belgrave House had been given such a long lease, and that the loss of affordable homes was also a concern for the administration. He stated that the nature reserve at Avenue Campus was important and to be taken seriously, and that further investigation would be conducted.

The Director of Communities and Opportunities, Jane Carr, advised that a specialist ecologist had provided WNC with the assurance that there were no longer badgers on the site at the nature reserve, but officers would continue to seek advice on this matter.

The Executive Director Place & Economy, Stuart Timmiss, advised that the nature reserve would need to be re-assessed using the new guidelines provided, and that Homes England had been convinced by the project and had provided the funding for it.

Decision: The Cabinet:

• a) Noted the status and the implications of the financial challenges on the three large housing projects.
• b) Approved the new delivery strategy for Avenue Campus, which will require up to a further 2 land disposals and up to 2 infrastructure contracts, with the approvals for the former and one of the latter to be brought back to Cabinet for subsequent approval.
• c) Noted that the Section 151 Officer has accepted circa £1m of Brownfield Land Release Fund grant for Avenue Campus under his delegated authority.
• d) Authorised the Director of Communities and Opportunities to procure and award a contract(s) to supply utilities to Bassett-Lowke Hall, necessary for the already approved land disposal, and undertake the infrastructure works required on the Avenue Campus site in line with the Brownfield Land Release Fund grant funding agreement.
• e) Noted the use of up to £4.8m to provide utilities to Bassett-Lowke Hall, undertake the above infrastructure works and prepare and submit a revised planning application for Avenue Campus, with the costs for this to be met in part from the Brownfield Land Release Fund grant, with remaining costs funded within the existing HRA budget, and subject to the land sale being completed, the majority of this cost will be offset by the proceeds from the sale of Bassett-Lowke Hall.
• f) Noted the use of £1m from the existing Roof Gardens budget to carry out design work to enable the new delivery strategy for the Roof Gardens project, including submission of a new planning application for a scheme of at least 58 Council homes, which will be delivered as affordable homes.
• g) Noted that Belgrave House is now being taken forward as part of the wider plans for the Greyfriars https://www.google.com/maps/search/Greyfriars+Northampton+Council/ English Cities Fund development project and will no longer deliver the 122 key worker homes previously proposed by NPH.
• h) Noted that the changes to the above three projects, including the delivery of substantially fewer affordable homes, will reduce the capacity of the HRA to deliver further Council homes, approvals for which will follow in a further Cabinet report.
• i) Noted the use of funds from the HRA to undertake the above recommendations where applicable.

Landlord Services 2024-25 Annual Report

Councillor Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing, presented the report and summarised the salient points, noting that the report provided an overview of performance detailing how the Council's homes had been managed, and that while WNC delegates to NPH, it remains responsible for regulatory delivery.

Councillors commented:

• The waiting list to house people was sizeable, as was the number of homes that did not meet the required standards.
• NPH had been a disappointment.
• A more substantial approach was needed.
• There were around two thousand households living in houses that were not suitable much of the time due to a lack of repairs.
• A full options appraisal would be beneficial.
• The failures were not always on the part of NPH, WNC was also at fault.
• The service coming back in-house needed to be managed carefully.

Councillor Hastie noted members' concerns and thanked all the officers involved for their helpfulness, stating that many of the staff working within NPH were excellent and had done well under immense pressure.

The Director of Communities and Opportunities noted that there had been double the amount of housing requests with the same number of resources, and that all category one hazards had been dealt with.

Decision: The Cabinet noted the content of the reports in relation to the performance of the Housing Landlord Services.

The meeting closed at 9.33 pm.