Councillor Hayley Adkins

The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council decided to approve the CQC Improvement Plan and noted that the Council would submit it to DHSC by 24th April 2026. The plan includes actions for workforce development, communication, leadership, data management, partnership working, and equity.

The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council approved amended policies on the use of Council property on 15/04/2026. The Cabinet approved the amended VCSE use of property policy and adopted the proposed policy on community gardening on Council land. The policies include a continuity presumption for existing VCSE tenants and a framework for community gardening on Council land.

The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council decided to authorise the Assistant Director Assets & Environment to take leases of two properties for temporary accommodation. The Cabinet also granted standing authorisation for the Assistant Director Assets & Environment to take leases of properties for service delivery, provided costs are covered by existing budgets and do not exceed ten years and six months commitment. The Constitution will be amended accordingly.

...to re-procure a corporate Customer Records Management system via direct award through the GCloud 14 framework, delegating authority to the Executive Director for Resources to secure the best contract and award it to the provider, with the new contract starting in May 2026.

...to facilitate the letting of vacant town centre and high street units, the Cabinet endorsed a structured approach to using powers under Part 10 of the Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023, aiming to revitalize these areas while minimizing costs, risks, and interference with the property market.