The Place and Environment Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 03 March 2026, approving recommendations for the Speed Management Policy and the Draft Housing Services Asset Management Strategy. The committee also agreed to add a joint scrutiny panel with the Corporate Scrutiny Committee regarding highways to its work programme.

Speed Management Policy

The committee reviewed and endorsed the draft North Northamptonshire Council Speed Management Policy, which formalises current practices for setting, signing, and managing speed limits across the local highway network. The policy aims to improve road safety, support vulnerable road users, and enhance community wellbeing by promoting self-explaining and consistent speed limits. It aligns with national guidance and is based on the three Es : Education, Engineering, and Enforcement, in partnership with Northamptonshire Police and the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance (NSRA). The policy prioritises schemes that are largely self-enforcing, particularly in areas with vulnerable users like schools, and outlines clear processes for speed limit changes through the Speed Limit Review Panel. The committee requested additional data on speed limits affecting local highways and sought clarification on the application process for speed limit reviews. Members also requested to observe a meeting of the speed management panel and recommended that ward members be notified and invited to provide representation on applications affecting their wards.

Draft Housing Services Asset Management Strategy 2026

The committee scrutinised the draft Housing Services Asset Management Strategy, which outlines how North Northamptonshire Council will manage, maintain, and invest in its housing assets, comprising over 8,000 homes primarily in Corby and Kettering. The strategy ensures compliance with statutory housing requirements, including the Decent Homes Legislation, energy improvements, the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS), the Void Property Lettable Standard, and aids and adaptations. The strategy aims to maintain and improve homes to a high standard, ensure they meet the Decent Homes and Lettable Standards, balance repairs with planned investment, improve energy efficiency, deliver value for money, ensure building safety compliance, and support sustainable neighbourhoods. Members raised concerns regarding access to 12% of the council's stock and the powers available to ensure access, noting that cultural and support needs require additional attention. The committee also discussed void properties, with an average of 80-90 voids at any time, and the increasing trend of major voids requiring significant investment. The strategy aims to ensure all new council housing stock meets an EPC C rating.

Place & Environment Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The committee noted its current work programme and agreed to the addition of a joint scrutiny panel with members of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee focusing on highways, including the Kier Highways contract. Arrangements for this panel will be communicated to members in due course.