The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council met on Tuesday 14 April 2026, approving a new Highway Maintenance Inspection and Response Framework, a Speed Management Policy, and a Crisis Resilience Fund. The council also agreed to recommission Lifestyle Services, Education Outreach and Inclusion Support Services, and to proceed with a Housing ICT Harmonisation Project and new Housing Property and Land Acquisitions. The Ward Member Empowerment Fund was also reviewed, with a proposal to withdraw it and establish a new Youth Empowerment Grant Scheme.

Highway Maintenance Inspection and Response Framework

The council has adopted a new Highway Maintenance Inspection and Response Framework (HMIRF), which updates the previous 2019 manual. This framework introduces a risk-based methodology for inspecting and responding to highway defects, aiming to improve safety, consistency, and repair times. Key improvements include clearer investigatory triggers, faster response times for certain defect categories, and a greater focus on permanent repairs. The framework also broadens its scope to include issues beyond safety defects, such as obstructions and illegal signs. The Executive delegated authority to the Assistant Director Highways & Waste, in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways and Travel, to make future minor technical updates to the HMIRF.

Speed Management Policy

A new Speed Management Policy was approved, establishing an evidence-led approach to setting, signing, and managing speed limits across the local highway network. The policy aims to improve road safety, support vulnerable users, and enhance community wellbeing. It aligns with national guidance and promotes a three Es approach: Education, Engineering, and Enforcement, in partnership with Northamptonshire Police and the Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance. The policy prioritises 20mph limits and zones in areas where vulnerable users are most at risk, particularly near schools. Clear processes for changing speed limits have been established through the Speed Limit Review Panel. The Executive delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Economy, in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways and Travel, to make minor technical changes to the policy.

Crisis Resilience Fund

The council has approved its approach to delivering the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) from April 2026 to March 2029. This national programme replaces the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments with a single, multi-year model. The CRF will operate with four key strands: Crisis Payments, Housing Payments, Financial Resilience Services, and Community Coordination. The council will deliver Crisis Payments through a single front door, with proportionate evidence requirements and warm referrals to the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector for financial resilience services. Housing Payments will continue to be delivered by the specialist Housing Team within Revenues and Benefits. The Executive delegated authority to the Assistant Director Communities and Leisure, in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities, to take necessary actions for the mobilisation of the CRF, including reprocurement of the Huggg voucher platform and grant agreements with VCSE providers. They also delegated authority to make in-year adjustments to the fund and to distribute any underspends to Financial Resilience services.

Commissioning of North Northamptonshire Lifestyle Services

The Executive has approved the recommissioning of three adult health improvement services: an integrated Healthy Lifestyle Service, GP-delivered NHS Health Checks, and GP-delivered Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) services. The integrated Healthy Lifestyle Service will move away from fragmented commissioning to a single, coordinated model with a no wrong door approach, offering digital, community-based, and targeted clinical interventions. GP-delivered NHS Health Checks and LARC services will be commissioned under the Provider Selection Regime using Direct Award Process B. Delegated authority was given to the Director of Public Health, Communities and Leisure, in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Leisure and the Director of Finance, to approve the procurement and award contracts for these services, which are set to commence from 1 April 2027.

Re-commissioning Education Outreach and Inclusion Support Services

The council has agreed to a two-stage re-commissioning process for Education Outreach and Inclusion Support Services. This aims to strengthen how the council works with commissioned providers to improve educational outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those at risk of permanent exclusion. Stage one will involve formalising current arrangements and strengthening quality assurance over a one-year period, with a potential one-year extension. Stage two will focus on wider re-commissioning based on co-production with parents, carers, young people, schools, and providers, with longer-term contracts anticipated from 2027. Delegated authority was given to the Executive Director of Children's Services, in consultation with relevant officers and the Executive Member for Children, Education and Families, to approve the re-commissioning and procurement approach, and to award contracts.

Housing ICT Harmonisation Project

The Executive has approved the procurement and implementation of a single Housing and Property case management system to replace multiple legacy systems. This project aims to improve regulatory compliance, reduce technical and cyber risks, enhance operational efficiency, and provide a more integrated and modern housing service. Residents will benefit from more consistent services, quicker responses, clearer communication, and improved digital and self-service options. Delegated authority was given to the Executive Director for Adults, Health Partnerships and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing, to conclude the procurement and implement the system.

New Housing Property and Land Acquisitions

The council has approved a proactive programme of housing, property, and land acquisitions to support the delivery of affordable housing and meet local housing needs. This initiative is crucial for strengthening the long-term sustainability of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and ensuring the effective use of Right to Buy capital receipts. The programme aims to increase the supply of social and genuinely affordable homes, contributing to inclusive growth, homelessness prevention, and community wellbeing. Delegated authority was given to relevant officers to purchase land and properties, and to commence procurement for necessary works and services, subject to business case approval through the Strategic Capital Board.

Empowerment Funding Review

The Ward Member Empowerment Fund is to be withdrawn and replaced with a new Youth Empowerment Grant Scheme. The Executive agreed to revise the Ward Member Empowerment Fund Policy, opening it for a reduced allocation of £68,000 for a limited period in 2026/27. Following this, the fund will be formally withdrawn, with any unused budget returned to the general revenue fund. The £68,000 will be allocated to the Grants team to develop the Youth Empowerment Grant Scheme in co-design with the Youth Advisory Council, with a target launch date of September 2026. This new scheme aims to empower young people, strengthen communities, and reduce harm, aligning with the council's corporate priority of 'Family'.