The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 9 June 2026, approving several key strategies and policies. Decisions included the adoption of the Active Travel Strategy, Rail Action Plan, and Mobility Hub Action Plan, alongside the approval of a Private Rented Sector Discharge Policy and a review of internal provider services. The Cabinet also addressed financial matters, noting the revenue monitoring outturn for the 2025-26 financial year and approving capital provisional outturns for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

Revenue Monitoring Outturn - Financial Year 2025-26

The Cabinet noted the provisional outturn position for the financial year 2025-26, which indicated an overall overspend of £7.0 million. This overspend was after the use of £11.4 million from general budget contingencies. Significant pressures were identified in Education Services (£1.2m overspend) and the Northamptonshire Children's Trust contract (£17.4m overspend), primarily driven by increased demand in areas such as Education, Health and Care Plans, and children's social care placements. Adult Social Care also reported an overspend of £12.1 million, attributed to increased demand and inflationary uplifts to contracted care providers. Conversely, the Communities and Opportunities Directorate, Place Directorate, and Resources Directorate reported underspends totalling £0.2 million, £3.7 million, and £5.1 million respectively. The Cabinet recommended that Full Council approve a £1.2 million General Fund Capital budget for additional capitalisation identified in 2025-26 and delegated authority to the Executive Director - Resources to manage the overall budget.

General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Provisional Outturn 2025-26

The Cabinet noted the provisional capital outturn position for 2025-26 for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). For the General Fund, provisional outturn expenditure was £109.5 million against a budget of £173.2 million, resulting in underspends and budget removals totalling £2.2 million and £2.6 million respectively. However, there were overspends totalling £2.3 million, primarily in Highways and Waste (£0.7 million), Place Shaping (£0.4 million), and Corporate (£0.6 million). A significant £61.085 million of the General Fund capital budget was rephased into 2026-27 and future years due to programme, funding, and delivery factors. For the HRA, provisional outturn expenditure was £56.6 million against a budget of £68.6 million, with proposed carry forwards of £12.1 million into future years. Notable overspends included £0.8 million in Disabled Adaptations due to demand exceeding budget, and £0.078 million in General Acquisitions.

Smartphones in Schools - Consultation Response

The Cabinet noted the findings of a public consultation regarding smartphones and similar devices in schools. The consultation revealed strong support from parents, teachers, and governors for restricting or banning smartphone use during the school day, citing concerns about classroom distraction, academic focus, mental health, and social behaviour. The Cabinet also noted the new non-statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE) in February 2026, which advises schools to prohibit mobile phone use throughout the school day, with exceptions only for justified reasons such as medical needs or SEND requirements. The Council will now focus on supporting schools in implementing this new DfE guidance, offering existing support for online safety education for pupils, parents, and professionals.

Adoption of West Northamptonshire Council Active Travel Strategy, Rail Action Plan and Mobility Hub Action Plan

The Cabinet endorsed and approved the adoption of the Active Travel Strategy, Rail Action Plan, and Mobility Hub Action Plan. These documents, developed in alignment with the Local Transport Plan, aim to promote sustainable travel choices. The Active Travel Strategy focuses on connecting people and places, collaborating for change, and communicating active travel benefits. The Rail Action Plan seeks to strengthen rail's role by improving connectivity, accessibility, and environmental sustainability, including addressing station accessibility and exploring the re-opening of former railway lines. The Mobility Hub Action Plan outlines the creation of integrated transport interchanges to encourage modal shift from private cars. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, to agree the final versions for publishing.

Private Rented Sector (PRS) Discharge Policy

The Cabinet approved the Private Rented Sector Discharge Policy, which sets out how the Council will discharge its homelessness duties through the use of suitable accommodation in the private rented sector. This policy aims to promote timely access to accommodation, reduce reliance on temporary accommodation, and support the sustainable use of housing resources, reflecting current legislation and the Renters' Rights reforms. The policy allows for the discharge of duties through suitable offers of PRS accommodation, with a structured suitability and vulnerability assessment tool to guide decision-making. Authority was delegated to the Director of Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, for any necessary amendments during implementation or future review.

Review of Internal Provider Services

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a formal public consultation on the future of the Council's internal adult social care provider services. This review will explore options including service remodelling, alternative delivery models, and potential decommissioning, where evidence suggests it is necessary for sustainability and to meet resident needs. Services under review include Obelisk House, Southfields, Eleanor Lodge, and Day Services. A further report will be presented to Cabinet in October 2026 following the consultation to analyse feedback and propose recommendations.

Procurement of a New Framework Agreement for Goods and Services associated with Temporary Accommodation

The Cabinet approved the procurement of a multi-supplier framework for Temporary Accommodation supplies and services, with an estimated value of £900,000 over three years, potentially extendable by one year. This framework aims to ensure a compliant and structured approach to procuring essential goods and services, improving quality, consistency, financial control, and flexibility. Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director Housing & Communities, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities, to undertake the procurement process and award contracts.

Affordable Housing Acquisition - Malabar site in Daventry

The Cabinet noted and approved the use of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital New Build Pool Budget for the acquisition of 47 new affordable homes at the Malabar development in Daventry. This acquisition will deliver homes for social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership, preventing the loss of 24 Section 106 affordable homes and adding a further 23 homes eligible for Homes England Grant funding. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Place, Economy and the Environment, in consultation with relevant officers and the Cabinet Member for Housing, to enter into agreements with Crest Nicholson, subject to due diligence and valuations.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The Cabinet resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting for a specific item of business, as it was likely that exempt information would be disclosed.

The meeting was held on Tuesday 9 June 2026 at 18:00.