At a meeting on 3 September 2025, North Northamptonshire Council discussed a range of issues, including public health, the appointment of independent persons, and political balance on council committees. Councillors approved the Director of Public Health’s annual report, the establishment of an Independent Remuneration Panel, and a scheme for the enrolment of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen. They also voted on several motions, approving those related to planning committees and business rates, while rejecting motions concerning a planning issue in Loddington/Cransley, service harmonisation and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Business Rates Support

Councillors supported a motion to address the impact of business rates and employer's national insurance contributions on local businesses. Councillor Emily Fedorowycz, who proposed the motion, highlighted the struggles faced by businesses, including a cafe in Kettering that had to downsize due to high rates. Councillor Graham Cheatley, who seconded the motion, noted that the financial pressures were having a real and damaging impact on high streets and town centres.

The approved motion commits the council to:

• Engage with local Members of Parliament to raise concerns with the government.
• Write to government representatives outlining the challenges faced by businesses in North Northamptonshire.
• Review how the council can assist businesses locally, including through partnerships and its website.

Councillor Ken Harrington supported the motion, saying that many businesses in Wellingborough were near to bankruptcy because of business rates. Councillor Bill McElhinney also endorsed the motion, stating that businesses felt they lacked government support. Councillor Martin Griffiths, Leader of the Council, said that the administration would support meaningful motions that put the interests of businesses and residents first.

Director of Public Health Annual Report

The council received the Director of Public Health’s (DPH) annual report for 2024-2025, which was presented by Jane Bethea, Director of Public Health, Communities and Leisure for the North Northamptonshire Council. The report focused on the first year of the local health and wellbeing strategy, highlighting key priorities such as smoking and vaping, keeping active, mental health and wellbeing, children, young people, and financial resilience.

The report noted that smoking rates in North Northamptonshire are higher than the national average, with 14.8% of adults smoking. Rates are even higher among routine and manual workers (21.8%) and people with long-term mental health conditions (nearly 30%). The council has strengthened its stop smoking service, with over 1,600 residents setting a quit date and 67% successfully quitting. The council has also launched Operation Stop, a joint initiative with the Trading Standards Team and Northamptonshire Police, which has led to the seizure of over 230,000 illegal cigarettes and more than 11,000 illegal disposable vapes.

The report also highlighted the Active Communities Partnership, which brings together the council's leisure team, the NHS, voluntary groups, and community stakeholders to deliver programmes such as the Activity Buddy Coordinator programme and wellbeing walks.

Councillor Brian Benneyworth, Executive Member for Health and Leisure, thanked Jane Bethea, Director of Public Health, and the Public Health team for their work. Councillor Mark Pengelly raised concerns about health inequalities in Corby, where life expectancy is lower than in other towns in the area. He also highlighted issues with housing inequalities and contaminated land. Councillor Emily Fedorowycz praised the video presentation and suggested sharing it with town and parish councils.

Planning Committee Structure

A motion was approved to revisit the decision to move to a single planning committee, with a debate and decision to be held at the council meeting on 11 December 2025. Councillor Helen Harrison, who proposed the motion, argued that the original decision was made without adequate information or debate, and that members of the public were unhappy with decisions being taken further away from their communities. Councillor Jenny Bone seconded the motion, saying that members' voices were not heard at the original meeting.

Councillor Emily Fedorowycz suggested that the issue should be considered by the Democracy and Standards Committee, but Councillor Helen Harrison said that the decision should be debated in public at full council. Councillor Helen Howell supported the motion, saying that residents should have a say in the council's decisions.

Independent Remuneration Panel

The council approved the establishment of an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) to review the scheme of members' allowances¹. The current scheme is required to be reviewed prior to 26 June, and officers recommended a review to reflect changes in the council's committee structure, the reduction in the number of councillors, and the reorganisation of warding arrangements.

The council approved the appointment of five members to the IRP for a period ending in May 2030:

• Mr Luke Bacon
• Mr Chris Davison
• Mr Gerard Dempsey
• Mr Craig Ellis
• Ms Sue Watts

The council also delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to fill any vacancies that may arise in the panel membership prior to May 2030, and to arrange for the reviews to be progressed and presented to the full council.

Independent Persons for Standards

The council approved the appointment of three independent persons to provide views on code of conduct allegations. Councillor Joseph Garner moved the recommendations, noting that the Committee for Standards in Public Life recommended that each authority has at least two independent persons. The appointees are Mark Bate, Claire Tilley, and Jessica Slater. The council also delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to appoint an independent person from another local authority in the event of unavailability.

Co-Opted Town and Parish Representative

The council appointed Councillor Lora Lawman of Loddington Parish Council as a co-opted town and parish representative to the Democracy and Standards Committee. Councillor Joseph Garner said that eight valid nominations had been received, and Councillor Lora Lawman received the most votes. Councillor Helen Harrison welcomed the recommendation, noting Councillor Lora Lawman's extensive experience. Councillor Mark Pengelly raised concerns about the short nomination period, which he said made it difficult for larger town councils to participate.

Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen

The council approved a scheme for the enrolment of Honorary Aldermen and Honorary Alderwomen to recognise the service of retired councillors. Councillor Martin Griffiths said that the title would be conferred on eligible members who had served for 12 years or more as councillors in the area of North Northamptonshire, and who met one of the following conditions: holding senior political office with distinction, or having an exceptional record of community service and leadership.

Councillor Tom Partridge-Underwood welcomed the report, saying that it would provide some recognition for councillors who had sacrificed a lot. Councillor Jim Hakewill said that it would be beneficial to see some of the intellect and personalities that did not get past the election coming back onto the council. Councillor Mark Pengelly suggested that the council should also recognise aldermen nominated by the former borough councils.

Political Balance on Council Committees

The council approved changes to the political balance on council committees following the resignation of Councillor Robert Bloom. Councillor Martin Griffiths said that the report set out the revised political balance for council committees following the resignation of Councillor Robert Bloom on 22 August 2025.

Loddington/Cransley Planning Issue

A motion to refer the planning issue near Loddington/Cransley to the Executive for consideration was rejected. Councillor David Howes, who proposed the motion, said that the occupiers of the site had not vacated the land and restored it to its previous use, as mandated by a planning inspectorate report dated 30 August 2022. He said that the situation was causing considerable anxiety among the local community.

Councillor Jim Hakewill criticised Councillor David Howes for belatedly taking an interest in the issue, and said that communications had improved since May. Councillor Kirk Harrison, Executive Member for Regulatory Services, said that the matter was already being dealt with, and that the council was working towards a positive way forward for all concerned. Councillor Brian Benneyworth said that imposing a fixed timetable for a report was not practical or responsible.

Service Harmonisation

A motion to give full consideration to the complete harmonisation of services across North Northamptonshire was rejected. Councillor Helen Howell, who proposed the motion, said that residents in the former East Northants area were paying twice for services that other residents received as part of their council tax.

Councillor Jim Hakewill said that the motion was four and a half years too late, and that the previous administration had failed to harmonise council tax. Councillor Chris McGiffen said that the council was already working on harmonisation, and that many services were already harmonised. Councillor Mark Pengelly asked Councillor Helen Howell whether she thought there should be free parking in Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

A motion to ensure that all future applications for funding consider all areas of North Northamptonshire was rejected. Councillor Helen Howell, who proposed the motion, said that children with special educational needs and disabilities in the former East Northants area did not have the same opportunities to access facilities as those elsewhere in the district.

Councillor Jim Hakewill said that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was designed to address the most deprived areas, and that there was no evidence that the former East Northants area was disproportionately excluded. Councillor Elizabeth Wright said that play areas in the former East Northants area were owned and managed by town and parish councils, and that the council did not hold a budget for their capital improvements or maintenance.

Councillor Questions

Councillors asked questions on a range of topics, including weed control and CCTV cameras. Councillor Emily Fedorowycz asked about the timelines for weed control and whether the council would consider piloting environmentally friendly alternatives. Councillor Chris McGiffen said that glyphosate remained the only cost-effective solution, and that the second round of weed control would start this week and take around six weeks to complete. Councillor Leanne Robinson said that there was confusion about a question she had asked about Mill Road, and that she would follow up with Greg Wilcox. Councillor Dez Dell asked when work would start on a flood alleviation scheme, following confirmation of a grant from the Environment Agency.