Melanie Barnett

...to approve for consultation the 2025-26 Draft Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan, including a net revenue budget of £933.8m, an average Band D Council Tax of £1,866.98, proposed fees and charges, a provisional dedicated schools grant budget of £506m, and draft capital programme additions, while also noting the estimated tax base, delegating authority to the Executive Director – Finance to agree on the final tax base and introduce new premiums on second homes, and delegating authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services to determine the DSG 2025-26 schools funding formula, high needs funding arrangements and the Early Years Funding Formula.

...to consult on the draft 2025-26 Housing Revenue Account budget, a 2.7% increase in rents, service charges, garage rents, and commuter surcharges, the draft management fee to Northamptonshire Partnership Homes, and the draft HRA Capital Programme for 2025-26 to 2029-30.

...to approve and adopt the Tree and Woods Strategy, including its appendices, for West Northamptonshire.

...the Cabinet noted the content of the Corporate Plan Performance Report for the second quarter of 2024-25, covering performance from July to September 2024.

...to authorise the Chief Information Officer to award a contract for replacement audio-visual equipment and services for council meeting rooms, consolidating funding to achieve best value and address the risks associated with outdated equipment.