The West Northamptonshire Council meeting scheduled for Thursday 26 February 2026 was set to focus on the finalisation of the council's budget for the upcoming financial year, including detailed calculations for Council Tax. Alongside the budget, the meeting agenda also included discussions on the Housing Revenue Account budget and its associated medium-term financial plan.

2026-27 Final Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan

The council was scheduled to discuss and consider the final budget for 2026-27 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2030-31. This comprehensive report, presented by Councillor John Slope, Cabinet Member for Finance, outlined the proposed revenue budget of £1,024.4m (excluding the Dedicated Schools Grant budget of £560m). A key element of the discussion was the proposed average Band D Council Tax increase of 4.95%, bringing the annual charge to £1,959.40. This increase comprises a 2.95% rise in the 'core' Council Tax and the full 2% allowable Adult Social Care Precept. The report also detailed proposed fees and charges, the Capital Strategy and Programme to 2030-31, the Flexible use of Capital Receipts Strategy, and the Treasury Management Strategy. The report highlighted the challenging economic landscape, with significant increases in the cost and demand for statutory services such as Adult and Children's Social Care and SEND services. To manage these pressures, the budget included £64.3m of base budget growth and proposed service efficiencies totalling £29.0m. The report also noted the updated funding assumptions reflecting changes announced in the provisional and final Local Government Financial Settlements.

Housing Revenue Account Budget 2026-27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan

The meeting agenda also included the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2026-27 and its Medium-Term Financial Plan. This report detailed the proposed rent increase of 4.8% from 1 April 2026, aligning with government policy, which would result in an average weekly increase of £5.51. Service charges and garage rents were also proposed to increase by 4.8%. A significant planned investment of £78.6m in social housing for the next financial year was outlined, forming part of a larger five-year capital programme totalling £359.6m. This investment is intended for external and internal improvements, structural works, safety compliance, energy efficiency measures, adaptations, new build programmes, and property acquisitions. The report also addressed the management fee to Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH) for landlord services and the proposed setting of the working balance at £6m.

2026/27 Council Tax Calculations and Council Tax Report

A crucial item on the agenda was the calculation of Council Tax for West Northamptonshire Council for the financial year 2026-2027. The report detailed the Council Tax Base for the entire council area as 147,712.6 Band D equivalent properties. It sought approval for the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes, excluding Parish Precepts but including Special Expenses, which was calculated at £289,428,260. The report also included the precepts issued by the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and proposed the final Council Tax amounts for each dwelling category across the area, as detailed in Appendix D. The report confirmed that the Council's basic amount of Council Tax for 2026-27 was not deemed excessive, meaning a local referendum would not be required.

Other Items

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and the confirmation of minutes from previous meetings. Additionally, there were announcements from the Chairman of the Council and the Leader of the Council. The report pack also indicated that there would be a discussion on urgent business, if any had been agreed with the Chairman, and a resolution regarding the exclusion of the press and public for specific items where exempt information might be disclosed.