The Place and Environment Scrutiny Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 2nd April 2026 to discuss the Highways Annual Plan and contract extension, the Empty Homes Strategy, and the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy. The committee requested updates on highways data and performance monitoring, and explored the feasibility of devolving powers for road defect repairs to town and parish councils. They also noted and considered the draft Empty Homes Strategy and the proposed Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy, providing feedback to officers.

Highways Annual Plan 2026-29 & Highways Contract Extension

The committee reviewed the Highways Annual Plan 2026-2029 and a draft Improvement Plan for the Highways Works and Services Contract with Kier Highways. Jonathan Pearson, Head of Highways Delivery, presented the report, noting that the Annual Plan had already been approved by the Highway Contract Strategic Board. The contract extension was deemed eligible following a Level 3 review, but required a formal Improvement Plan to ensure continued service enhancement.

Registered speakers Lyn Buckingham and Phillip Archer raised concerns about the absence of baseline highway condition data, a quantified backlog, and a lack of measurable outcomes demonstrating improvement. They also questioned value for money, repeat repairs, and the visibility of Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data underpinning the contract extension.

Members of the committee echoed these concerns, highlighting the difficulty of effective scrutiny without granular cost and performance data. They stressed the importance of clearer evidence of value for money, including cost per repair, and called for improved transparency in performance reporting. The need for clearer performance reporting and additional assurance regarding scheme delivery and in-year flexibility was also discussed. Concerns were raised about repeated reactive repairs instead of sustained preventative approaches.

Officers explained the contractual and operational arrangements, performance monitoring mechanisms, and the challenges of forecasting detailed costs for a three-year plan. The committee welcomed the prioritisation of preventative maintenance and the significant increase in investment in this area.

Following debate, the committee resolved to:

• Request that officers provide an update in six months on the data and performance monitoring of the highways contract extension and Highways Annual Plan.
• Request that officers explore the feasibility of devolving powers and funding for emergency road defect repairs to interested and capable town and parish councils, and bring an item for scrutiny on this possibility.

The committee also sought clarification regarding a recently approved Joint Scrutiny Panel for Highways, noting that its terms of reference and membership were yet to be finalised.

Empty Homes Strategy

Amy Plank, Head of Service for Private Sector Housing, presented the draft Empty Homes Strategy, which outlines North Northamptonshire Council's approach to identifying, managing, and bringing long-term empty homes back into use. The strategy aligns with the Council's housing priorities and aims to reduce empty homes, improve housing standards, increase affordable housing supply, support community regeneration, and reduce anti-social behaviour.

Members heard that nationally there are approximately 700,000 empty private sector properties, with nearly 400 in North Northamptonshire having been empty for over two years. While there is no mandatory requirement to address long-term empty properties, the Council has decided to utilise available powers for community benefit. Officers have proactively inspected and risk-rated long-term empty properties over the past 18 months. The strategy proposes using enforcement options under various Housing Acts to bring these properties back into use.

Members welcomed the strategy and noted positive early outcomes from informal engagement with property owners. Questions were raised regarding the role of council tax premiums as a deterrent, the resource implications of enforcement action, and the importance of linking the strategy to homelessness pressures and housing needs.

Following debate, the chair confirmed that the committee had noted and considered the report, raising comments and concerns for officers as part of the scrutiny procedure.

Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2026-2030

Kerry Purnell, Assistant Director for Communities and Leisure, presented the draft Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2026-2030. The strategy aims to reduce domestic abuse and sexual violence, support victims and survivors, and meet statutory duties related to safe accommodation, as required by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership Board will oversee its implementation.

Registered speakers Lyn Buckingham and Slyvia Parkes highlighted the importance of recognising children within the strategy, addressing their well-being, education, and safety, and ensuring trauma-informed responses and coordinated support, including housing suitability.

The strategy outlines five key objectives:

• Early intervention and Prevention: Focusing on stopping abuse before it occurs through education and cultural change, with a particular focus on children and young people.
• Support and Protection for all victims/survivors: Ensuring timely and accessible support tailored to diverse needs, regardless of protected characteristics.
• Trust and Confidence in Services: Building trust through transparency, accountability, and high-quality support, ensuring victims feel believed and understood.
• A Co-ordinated Community Response: Bringing together statutory services, voluntary organisations, and communities for a united approach to support and accountability.
• Holding Perpetrators to Account: Addressing the behaviour of those causing harm through interventions that support behaviour change and ensure justice.

Members raised questions regarding funding challenges, delivery risks, the need for stronger key performance indicators and performance monitoring, and ensuring victim confidence and trust. The adequate addressing of financial abuse and coercive control, and learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews, were also discussed.

Following debate, the committee resolved to:

• Recommend that officers present the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy action plan to a future meeting for further scrutiny.
• Recommend that officers consider amending the 2030 target for victims reporting feeling believed, supported, and safe in the Victim Confidence/Satisfaction survey to 100%.

Councillor Leon Gibbs declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 due to his spouse's employment activity.