The Council of North Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 22 January 2026, approving recommendations on a Corporate Peer Challenge progress review, a review of planning committee arrangements, and the Independent Remuneration Panel's review of members' allowances. The Council also approved the Municipal Timetable for 2026/27.

Corporate Peer Challenge - Progress Review

The Council accepted the findings of the Local Government Association's (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) Progress Review report, noting the ongoing progress detailed in the council's action plan. Recommendations and further actions will be incorporated into the Council's Annual Delivery Plan. The CPC process is a valued improvement and assurance tool, with councils expected to undergo a challenge at least once every five years. North Northamptonshire Council's first CPC was in September 2024, and this progress review, conducted in October 2025, found strong evidence that the Council has made real and meaningful progress in all seven of the recommendations set out in the CPC. ¹ The review highlighted that this progress was particularly impressive given the political changes that brought in a new administration and 47 newly elected members. The peer team commended the council for making significant improvements in governance, planning, and service delivery. Key areas for future focus include embedding the council's strategic priorities in all service plans, enhancing the council's regional and national presence, and building on financial management steps to support long-term sustainability.

Review of Planning Committee Arrangements

The Council approved the adoption of a single Planning Committee with a membership of 13 councillors, reflecting existing arrangements. The Council also noted the Planning Infrastructure Act 2025 and anticipated subsequent regulations that may prescribe mandatory parameters for committee size and composition. This decision aligns with best practice identified by the Planning Advisory Service. The review followed a motion agreed by the Council on 3 September 2025, which sought to debate and decide upon the number, configuration, and membership of planning committees. Data presented indicated that the previous two-area planning committee model was underutilised, with an average of only 3.25 reports per meeting. The current single Planning Committee has shown a similar demand to the estimated capacity of the previous two-committee model.

Independent Remuneration Panel - Review of Members Scheme of Allowances

The Council rejected the recommendation from the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) that allowances be increased and backdated to 23 May 2025. This included a proposed 1.5% increase to the basic allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs). However, the Council approved several other recommendations from the IRP. These include that only one SRA be payable to any member, and that the total number of SRAs payable at any one time should not exceed 50% of Council Members (34 Members). The SRA for the Chair of the Planning Committee will be set at the same level as the Chair of the Licensing and Appeals Committee. Mileage and subsistence allowances will remain unchanged, as will the childcare and dependants' carers allowance, capped at £1,500 per annum. The LGA model parental leave policy will be adopted. Co-opted Members and Independent Persons' allowances will remain at £400 per meeting but will be uncapped, paid only on attendance. Basic allowances and SRAs will be subject to annual indexation in line with the NJC national pay award for officers. No changes will be made to the Approved Duties outlined in the Members' Allowance Scheme. The IRP's review considered changes since the last review in 2022, including governance changes, a reduction in councillor numbers, and workload implications.

Municipal Timetable 2026/27

The Council approved the Municipal Timetable for 2026/2027. This timetable provides a framework for council meetings, including those of the Council, Executive, and various committees, allowing for timely planning by members, officers, and the public. The timetable includes draft dates up to December 2027 to provide certainty. The Constitution requires the approval of a timetable of meetings before the start of each municipal year.