Melanie Barnett

...to approve the 2025-26 budget for West Northamptonshire, including a net revenue budget of £959.6m, an average Band D Council Tax of £1,866.98, proposed fees and charges, a dedicated schools grant budget of £527.7m, capital strategy additions, the Medium Term Financial Strategy from 2025-2030, the Flexible use of Capital Receipts Strategy, and the Treasury Management Strategy, and to recommend it to the Full Council.

...to approve the admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled West Northamptonshire schools for the 2026 intakes, including reductions in the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Delapre Primary School and Croughton All Saints CE Primary School, revised criteria for Brackley Junior School, and the addition of a criterion giving priority to children of staff.

...to consider the report and recommendations from the Children, Education and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee's review of foster carer support and provide a formal response at a later meeting.

...it noted the latest capital monitoring position for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the new capital schemes and changes to the Capital Programme since the approved budget position considered in December 2025.

...the Cabinet recommended to Council the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2025-26, including a revenue budget of £67.4m, an average maximum rent increase of 2.7% for dwellings, a 2.7% increase in garage rents and commuter surcharges, a 2.7% average increase in tenant and leaseholder service charges, the HRA capital programme, a £35.6m management fee for NPH, a £6m working balance, delegated authority for financial transfers and capital programme amendments to the Executive Director of Finance, and delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance to finalize and publish the HRA Business Plan 2025.