The Place and Environment Scrutiny Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 25 August 2026 to discuss the Strategic Asset Management Plan, the Carbon Management Plan Annual Report, and the committee's forward plan. Key decisions included approving comments and feedback on the Strategic Asset Management Plan and requesting a member briefing on the topic, noting positive work on the Carbon Management Plan and recommending that a related task and finish group not proceed, and approving an amended forward plan that includes Home to School transport.

Strategic Asset Management Plan

The committee provided comments and feedback on the draft Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP), which outlines how the council will manage, review, and develop its land and property assets. The SAMP aims to support service delivery, financial sustainability, inclusive growth, and environmental commitments. Councillor John Barry Lumsden questioned how garages and lock-up units were classified within the 1,261 commercial properties listed, and officers agreed to investigate this further. The committee resolved to request that officers facilitate and provide a member briefing to all North Northamptonshire Councillors regarding the SAMP. This plan is a five-year strategy designed to ensure an evidence-led approach to managing the council's extensive property portfolio.

Carbon Management Plan Annual Report 2025/26

The committee noted the positive work undertaken towards the delivery of the Carbon Management Plan (CMP) and the publication of emission data. The CMP Annual Report details progress made between April 2025 and March 2026, with the council aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050. Councillor Leon Gibbs asked for more details on the financial savings made by the plan. Councillor David Howes provided an example of savings from LED lighting at Redwell Leisure Centre, amounting to £17,000, but acknowledged that a full financial picture for newer projects like solar panels and heat pumps would only be available in the next financial year.

Concerns were raised about an amber status activity concerning motion-activated lighting in council-owned car parks, which had stalled due to police concerns about increasing antisocial behaviour and crime. Councillor Emily Fedorowycz highlighted the importance of measuring the impact of CMP activities and suggested that emissions be broken down into percentages and tonnes for clearer focus areas. She also expressed concern that the shift in the carbon neutral target date to 2050, from the previous 2030 target, might have led to a change in pace for some actions, potentially impacting in-year savings needed due to budgetary pressures.

The committee recommended that the Carbon Management Task & Finish Group not proceed, following a referral from the Scrutiny Management Board due to insufficient member interest. However, they requested that a briefing note be provided to members regarding the financial and carbon savings associated with CMP projects, with this data to be included in the annual update report. Councillor Emily Fedorowycz also inquired about initiatives such as the Green Team and Green Staff Network being available to councillors, and how the council measures success in increasing low-carbon commuting. Officers confirmed that while staff networks are for employees, councillors could form their own network if they wished. Discussions also touched upon car-sharing platforms and the council's efforts to encourage sustainable travel.

The committee also debated the effectiveness of tree planting initiatives, with Councillor Emily Fedorowycz questioning the survival rates of planted trees and accountability for their maintenance. Officers explained that while the 10,000 trees planted were an NNC initiative, survival rates are monitored, and grant funding often has survival rate requirements. The discussion also covered the council's influence on Scope 3 emissions, particularly through procurement, and the ongoing work to analyse contract emissions.

Place & Environment Scrutiny Committee Forward Plan 2026/27

The committee approved the amended work programme for 2026/27, which includes an additional item on Home to School transport.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Chris Munday (Chair), Councillor Matt Davies (Vice-Chair), Councillor David Baker, Councillor Scott Brown, Councillor Emily Fedorowycz, Councillor Leon Gibbs, Councillor David Howes, Councillor Frank Kilgallon, and Councillor John Barry Lumsden.