The Democracy and Standards Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Wednesday 03 June 2026 to discuss proposed updates to the Council's Constitution. The meeting agenda also included a review of the Constitution, proposed changes related to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and revised election recharges for parish and town councils.

Review of the West Northamptonshire Council Constitution

The Committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Task and Finish Panel regarding a review of the West Northamptonshire Council Constitution. This review aimed to ensure the Constitution remained fit for purpose, understandable, and reflective of the Council's values and culture. The report detailed proposed updates to various sections, including Council Procedure Rules, the Planning Protocol, and Officer Employment Procedure Rules. Specific areas for review included public participation, questions to portfolio holders, the process for submitting motions, and rules around budget meetings. The report also outlined proposed changes to the Planning Protocol to clarify the roles of members and officers, and to the Officer Employment Procedure Rules to address interim appointments. Additionally, the Task and Finish Panel had discussed proposals concerning free speech provisions within the Code of Conduct for both members and employees, and within Contract Procedure Rules and community rights. However, the panel was unable to reach a consensus on these free speech amendments.

Proposed Updates to the Constitution - Local Government Pension Scheme

Proposed changes to the Council's Constitution were scheduled for discussion, arising from the Council's decision to join the Border to Coast Pension Partnership (BCPP). These updates were necessary to reflect the material change in the Council's Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pooling arrangements. The report detailed the historical context of the Northamptonshire Pension Fund's involvement with the ACCESS asset pool and the subsequent evaluation process that led to the selection of BCPP as the preferred partner. The proposed constitutional amendments were intended to codify this decision and ensure the Council operates in a lawful manner regarding its pension fund arrangements.

Election Recharges to Parish and Town Councils

The Committee was set to receive an update on revised recharges for parish and town councils concerning uncontested elections. The report highlighted that the current model significantly subsidised election costs for these councils, and that rising costs for printing and postage necessitated a review. Following consultation with parish and town councils, three options for a new recharging model were presented. Option A proposed a flat administrative fee per parish and per ward, Option B combined a lower administrative fee with a portion of poll card costs, and Option C retained the existing Returning Officer fee with a small percentage of poll card costs. The report indicated that Option C, which linked recharges to council size, received significant support from the sector due to its perceived fairness.

Register of Members' Interests

A verbal update was scheduled regarding the operation of the Register of Members' Interests for the 2026/2027 period.

Review of Committee Work Programme 2026/2027

The Committee was also due to review and note the proposed Work Programme for the Democracy and Standards Committee for the 2026/2027 municipal year. This programme outlined the topics scheduled for discussion at future meetings, including updates on the Register of Members' Interests, the final report of the Constitution Review Task and Finish Panel, and national changes impacting ethics and standards.