Laura Couse - Councillor for West Northamptonshire ( Nene Valley)

Councillor Laura Couse

 Reform UK  Nene Valley  Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services

Email: laura.couse@westnorthants.gov.uk

Council: West Northamptonshire

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: West Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board (Chairman) Children's Trust Joint Committee (Committee Member) Council (Committee Member) Cabinet (Committee Member) Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Guest) Senior Appointments Committee

Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

19 meetings · Page 1 of 4

West Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board Chairman

West Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board - Thursday 4th December 2025 1.30 pm

The West Northamptonshire Health and Wellbeing Board convened to discuss several key issues, including the Better Care Fund, support for migrant workers, and updates to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Improvement Plan. The agenda also included discussion of winter preparedness, the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plan, and the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland Integrated Care Board Cluster Executive Structure.

December 04, 2025
Council Committee Member

Council - Thursday 27th November 2025 5.00 pm

The West Northamptonshire Council was scheduled to meet on 27 November 2025 at The Guildhall, Northampton. The agenda included discussion of the Local Government Pension Scheme, the Youth Justice Plan, changes to committee places, and a new public mortuary. Councillors were also expected to discuss motions on rural road safety, family support, blue badges[^2] and digital IDs.

November 27, 2025
Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Guest

Adult Social Care, Health and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday 24th November 2025 6.00 pm

The Adult Social Care, Health and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss adult social care performance, workforce planning, and preventative measures. The committee was also scheduled to review its work programme for the 2025-26 municipal year.

November 24, 2025
Children's Trust Joint Committee Committee Member

Children's Trust Joint Committee - Wednesday 12th November 2025 2.00 pm

November 12, 2025
Cabinet Committee Member

Cabinet - Tuesday 11th November 2025 6.00 pm

West Northamptonshire Council's Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including housing management, budget adjustments for the Market Square project, and several annual reports related to safeguarding and education. The Cabinet approved a phased approach to bring housing services management back into the council, an increase to the Market Square capital budget, and the adoption of a policy statement for supporting children unable to attend school.

November 11, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

48 decisions · Page 1 of 10

Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) Annual Report 2024-2025

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 11th November 2025 6.00 pm - November 11, 2025

...to receive the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board's annual report for 2024-2025 and note its findings, fulfilling a duty under the Care Act 2014 and providing assurance on safeguarding activities across West Northamptonshire and the county.

Recommendations Approved

Buckton Fields Affordable Housing Opportunity

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 11th November 2025 6.00 pm - November 11, 2025

...to address the need for affordable homes, the Cabinet approved the Housing Revenue Account Capital Budget and Viability Appraisal for the Buckton Fields Affordable Housing Opportunity and delegated authority to the Director of Communities and Opportunities to negotiate and enter into agreements with Taylor Wimpey to acquire 36 flats, subject to due diligence and valuations.

For Determination

Local Government and social care ombudsman annual review 2024-25

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 11th November 2025 6.00 pm - November 11, 2025

...to improve the handling of complaints, the Cabinet approved recommendations focused on encouraging local resolution, empowering managers, and familiarizing members with best practices, including encouraging members' involvement in the overview and scrutiny of complaints handling.

For Determination

Options Appraisal of the future management of the Councils housings stock - update

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 11th November 2025 6.00 pm - November 11, 2025

...to bring management of its housing services from Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) back into the Council, a phased approach was approved, with some services transitioning in April 2026 and the remainder by April 2027, with £490k allocated from Housing Revenue Account Reserves to cover implementation costs.

Recommendations Approved

Market Square Final Budget Position

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 11th November 2025 6.00 pm - November 11, 2025

...to resolve the final account for the Market Square project, the Cabinet recommended to Council an increase of £1 million to the capital budget, bringing the total to £13.518 million, and delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place to sign a confidential settlement agreement.

Recommendations Approved

Summary

Meetings Attended: 19

Average per Month: 2.4

Decisions Recorded: 48