The Cabinet of West Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 16 July 2026, approving a new Technology Enabled Care Strategy, the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment for 2025, and a series of asset transactions. The meeting noted the content of the Landlord Services Annual Performance Report for 2025-26.

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy 2026–2031

Cabinet approved the Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Strategy 2026–2031, which aims to promote a proactive and preventative approach to adult social care through the use of technology. The strategy endorses a TEC First approach, encouraging the development and expansion of TEC solutions to support independence and prevent crises. This aligns with the Council's corporate priorities and the Care Act 2014 duty to promote wellbeing and prevent the need for care and support. The strategy acknowledges that TEC can improve outcomes, delay or reduce the need for formal care, and provide cost-effective alternatives to traditional care services. Alternative options considered included maintaining the current approach, which would limit innovation and increase pressure on services. The approved strategy aims to embed a TEC First approach, modernise the current offer, tackle digital exclusion, and increase the use of predictive analytics and AI.

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2025

The Cabinet approved the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) 2025, fulfilling the Council's statutory duty under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006. The assessment evaluates the availability, accessibility, quality, and affordability of childcare across West Northamptonshire. It identifies current strengths, emerging pressures, and gaps in provision, particularly for children under two years old and for two-year-olds, with specific wards identified as having significant deficits. The report highlights the impact of national childcare reforms, including the expansion of funded early education entitlements and wraparound childcare. The Council will proceed with the publication and implementation of the CSA, with ongoing monitoring of equality impacts. A key priority will be the development of inclusive childcare places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through integrated, locality-based approaches. The assessment found that while overall childcare provision for three- and four-year-olds is sufficient, there are significant shortfalls for younger age groups. The Council plans to address these gaps through targeted capital funding and by working with schools and providers.

Landlord Services Annual Performance Report 2025-26

Cabinet noted the content of the Landlord Services Annual Performance Report for 2025-26, which detailed the performance of housing landlord services, primarily delivered by Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH). The report indicated overall performance improvements across most key measures, including property standards, safety compliance, rent collection, and customer satisfaction, particularly in relation to repairs. However, challenges remain in areas such as complaint handling, re-letting empty properties, lift compliance, and resident confidence in anti-social behaviour cases. Significant progress has been made in addressing regulatory compliance following a C3 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing, with key improvement actions completed. The report also noted that NPH services are scheduled to transfer back to West Northamptonshire Council by April 2027.

Asset Transactions

Cabinet authorised a series of asset transactions, including disposals, acquisitions, and lease agreements, aimed at optimising the Council's property portfolio and delivering community benefits. Key decisions included:

• Long Buckby Library: Approved for transfer to Long Buckby Parish Council at market value, subject to a restriction preserving its use as a library and community hub.
• Milton Malsor Village Park: Approved for transfer to Milton Malsor Parish Council for a nominal sum, aligning with the principle of local asset management by communities.
• 44a Chalcombe Avenue and Land Adjacent: Approved for transfer to the existing tenant at market value, with a restrictive covenant and overage provision to protect community use and potential future development value.
• Land at Browns Road, Daventry: A surrender and re-grant of the lease to Daventry Town Football Club was supported to facilitate external investment in a new 3G pitch, with a new 25-year lease to be granted upon completion.
• Eastern Way Field, Daventry: A 125-year peppercorn lease was granted to Creating Tomorrow Academy Trust for play space and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), conditional on the school providing at least 230 SEND places for West Northamptonshire children.
• Ransom Road, Northampton: Agreed to be placed on the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) available property list for future expression of interest.
• Ladybridge Drive, Northampton: An option agreement was approved for the transfer of approximately half an acre of land to provide access to a housing allocation site, conditional on planning permission and a capital receipt of at least £1.5 million. Any surplus land will return to Council ownership.
• Albion House, Northampton: Approved as part of a land swap arrangement to support the Greyfriars regeneration programme, with independent valuations to determine any equalisation payment.

• Cornhill Close, Northampton: The continuation of a concessionary lease to Nordis Signs was supported, provided the organisation maintains its focus on employing people with disabilities.

• Parish Transfer Terms: Revised terms for land transfers to town and parish councils were approved, aiming to remove barriers and facilitate community asset management.

During the discussion on asset transactions, concerns were raised regarding the sale of Long Buckby Library without a full market value, the potential loss of open space at Ladybridge Drive, and the transparency of the Council's disposal programme. Officers provided clarification on legal advice, planning processes, and the benefits of the proposed transactions in securing community use, capital receipts, and supporting regeneration objectives.