The Place and Environment Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 02 April 2026 to discuss the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2026-2030, the Highways Annual Plan 2026-29 and Highways Contract Extension, and the Empty Homes Strategy. The committee recommended approving the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy, with a suggestion to amend the target for victims reporting feeling believed, supported and safe to 100%. They also requested updates on the highways contract and explored devolving powers for road defect repairs to town and parish councils. The Empty Homes Strategy was noted and considered, with feedback and concerns raised to officers.

Highways Annual Plan 2026-29 & Highways Contract Extension

The committee discussed the Highways Annual Plan 2026-2029 and the proposed extension of the Highways Contract with Kier Highways. 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 the value for money, repeat repairs, and the limited visibility of Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data underpinning the contract extension.

Jonathan Pearson, Head of Highways Delivery, presented the report, explaining that the Highways Annual Plan is a delivery document aligned with the Council's Highway Asset Management Strategy, focusing on preventative maintenance. Regarding the contract extension, a Level 3 review confirmed eligibility but required a formal Improvement Plan to ensure continual service improvement. This plan would be structured around key strategic performance themes: Policy Impact, Service Excellence, and Contract Resilience.

Members expressed concerns about the difficulty of effective scrutiny without granular data and stressed the importance of clearer evidence of value for money. They also sought assurances regarding the delivery of schemes and flexibility in-year. Officers explained contractual and operational arrangements and performance monitoring.

Following debate, the committee resolved to request an update in six months on the data and performance monitoring of the highways contract extension and Annual Plan. They also proposed exploring the feasibility of devolving powers and funding for emergency road defect repairs to interested town and parish councils.

Empty Homes Strategy

Amy Plank, Head of Service for Private Sector Housing, presented the new Empty Homes Strategy, which outlines North Northamptonshire Council's approach to identifying, managing, and bringing long-term empty homes back into use. The strategy aims to reduce the number of empty homes, improve housing standards, increase affordable housing supply, support community regeneration, and maximise income through council tax premiums and enforcement.

Members heard that nationally there are approximately 700,000 empty properties, with nearly 400 in North Northamptonshire having been empty for over two years. The strategy aligns with the Council's wider housing priorities and sets out various options for bringing properties back into use, including enforcement options under relevant housing legislation.

Members welcomed the strategy and raised questions about the role of council tax premiums, the resource implications of enforcement, and the importance of linking the strategy to homelessness pressures and housing need. Following the debate, the chair confirmed that members had noted and considered the report, raising comments and concerns for officers.

Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2026-2030

Kerry Purnell, Assistant Director for Communities and Leisure, presented the 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.

The strategy outlines five key objectives: Early Intervention and Prevention, Support and Protection for all victims/survivors, Trust and Confidence in Services, A Co-ordinated Community Response, and Holding Perpetrators to Account.

Registered speakers Lyn Buckingham and Slyvia Parkes highlighted the importance of recognising children within the strategy, the need for empathy and trauma-informed responses, and ensuring housing safety and suitability.

Members raised questions regarding funding challenges, delivery risks, the need for stronger key performance indicators, and performance monitoring. They also emphasised the importance of ensuring victim confidence and trust in services, and that financial abuse and coercive control were adequately addressed. The importance of learning from Domestic Homicide Reviews was also discussed.

Following debate, the committee resolved to recommend that officers present the strategy's action plan to a future meeting for further scrutiny. They also recommended considering amending the 2030 target for victims reporting feeling believed, supported and safe to 100%.