19 September 2025

Plans to transform a disused former Care Home into 18 much-needed affordable homes have been given the go ahead by West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet at their meeting yesterday (18 September).

The scheme, located in Ecton Brook, Northampton, will deliver a blend of 12 homes for social rent and 6 for shared ownership, helping to meet the high demand for affordable housing across the area.

The project forms part of the Council’s Affordable Homes Delivery Plan, which is focused on providing more homes that people can genuinely afford. With more than 1,000 new affordable homes needed in West Northamptonshire every year, the new scheme will make an important contribution to tackling local housing pressures.

Work is already underway to prepare the site, with demolition and asbestos removal funded by a £200,000 grant from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund. Construction of the new homes is expected to begin following a procurement process later this year, with completion anticipated in Spring 2027.

The development will be built to modern, sustainable standards, featuring air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points to help keep running costs down for residents while reducing environmental impact.

This is a really positive step forward, making the best use of a disused site to create high-quality affordable family homes for local people.

By maximising the number of social rent properties, we’re ensuring that some of the households most in need will benefit from secure, genuinely affordable housing. This is another important milestone in our mission to deliver the homes people need and can afford across West Northamptonshire.

Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing at WNC

The scheme will be funded through a combination of Homes England grant support and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing, with the Council also agreeing to transfer the site at a reduced land value to ensure the homes remain affordable.

19 September 2025

West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Administration has highlighted the difficult choices that will be needed as the authority works to bridge an estimated £50m shortfall in its budget for next year.  

The Council is currently forecasting the gap in its revenue budget for 2026-27 – the money it spends on the day-to-day running of services. In essence, the level of funding has not kept pace with our growing population and the continued rise in demand for services supporting the most vulnerable residents, such as children’s and adults social care, temporary housing for homelessness and SEND school transport. This means we have to find more efficiencies to balance our budget. 

Action is under way to identify more savings and efficiencies that will seek to address the shortfall, which equates to around 10% of its overall budget, so that the Council can balance the books for the next financial year.  

Like all councils across the country, WNC continues to face significant financial pressures annually and has already found £115m of savings since its creation over four years ago. 

When the new Administration took over in May, we could see the huge scale of financial challenges inherited and how the Council had continued to make significant savings year upon year. 

But we can also see that demand and costs to meet that demand escalate each year with two-thirds of our annual budget funding statutory services that protect our most vulnerable children and adults. As the Council benchmarks well in terms of its cost of delivery this makes closing next year’s budget gap even harder and possibly the most difficult to date. Tough choices lie ahead. But our top priority will always continue to be protecting essential services, wherever possible, and continuing to deliver the value for money that our residents rightfully expect.

Cllr Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council

We’ve started work on identifying and shaping proposals for next year’s draft budget to help us bridge the shortfall, which includes exploring further savings and efficiencies and looking at how we can be more consistent in our approach to things like fees and charges for discretionary services.  

There is also some uncertainty as we await the outcome of the Government’s Fair Funding consultation, which will provide greater clarity on funding and future budgets. While we are hopeful this will reflect the significant rise in our population and demand, the final position will not be known until mid-December, and we need to press on and be prudent in our approach in the meantime.  

We’ll leave no stone unturned in our budget work and by doing so we may need to consider proposals that not everyone will agree with, but it’s important we review every option to address these significant challenges.

Cllr John Slope, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Finance

We’ll be developing proposals over the coming months, with the draft 2026–27 budget due to go to Cabinet in December. Residents will then have the chance to give their views during public consultation before the final budget is agreed by Council in February. 

17 September 2025

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery will unveil a landmark exhibition this autumn, A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects, as part of the wider Histories of Northamptonshire project. 

Opening on Saturday 20 September 2025 and running until 8 February 2026, the exhibition takes visitors on a fascinating journey through 150 million years of the county’s past.

From prehistoric fossils to modern innovations, 100 remarkable objects have been handpicked to tell the stories of the people, industries and events that shaped Northamptonshire’s cultural, social and economic heritage.

This unique exhibition has been developed with the help of 51 guest curators from across the county - including historians, collectors, and community groups – who have worked alongside the museum team to select objects and craft narratives that reflect the diverse voices of Northamptonshire.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors and residents can enjoy:

• A 100-episode podcast series, hosted by broadcaster John Griff, uncovering the hidden stories and secrets behind each object.
• The Histories of Northamptonshire website, featuring an interactive timeline and opportunities for the public to contribute their own stories.
• The Explore Northampton app, turning phones into personal history guides with audio tours, augmented reality experiences, and trails across the county.
• Beyond the 100, a county-wide programme of displays in museums, libraries and community venues, linking local treasures back to the exhibition.
• Talks, workshops, and live demonstrations, led by guest curators and experts, giving people the chance to dive deeper into Northamptonshire’s heritage.
• A beautifully illustrated companion book, featuring all 100 objects with stunning photography and stories, available to buy from the museum gift shop for £9.99. 

“Histories of Northamptonshire is an extraordinary celebration of the stories, people and places that define our county.

“By working with communities and curators from every corner of Northamptonshire, this project ensures our heritage is shared in a way that is inclusive, engaging and truly reflective of the county we call home. I’d encourage everyone to visit the museum between 20 September and 22 February 2026 to experience it for themselves.”

Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure

The project is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. For more information and to explore the full events programme, visit the museum website.

“Northamptonshire boasts a vibrant and varied history. This new exhibition captures 100 objects handpicked by community groups, collectors and historians to tell the stories of the people, industries and events which shaped the county’s cultural, economic and social heritage.

“It’s been a privilege, not only to join them in this celebration, but to have introduced the exhibition’s accompanying podcast series.”

Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England

18 September 2025

From Thursday 25 September, West Northamptonshire Council’s customer services One Stop Shop will officially open its doors at One Angel Square, Northampton, providing residents with a modern, welcoming place to access help and advice. 

The move from the Guildhall marks a big step in bringing council services and local support partners together under one roof, making it quicker and easier for people to get what they need in one visit. 

The new location is easily accessed via the St John’s Street entrance, just a short walk from the bus station and other town centre amenities. 

Alongside West Northants Council teams like Housing Options, Wellbeing, and Adult Social Care, the new One Stop Shop will provide access, advice and signposting to a range of key local partners including Citizens Advice, Community Law Service, Jobcentre Plus, Migrant Help, NDAS, and Northampton Town FC Community Trust. Together, they’ll offer advice on a range of queries our residents may have including benefits support, legal support, domestic abuse help, health checks, EU Settlement Scheme support, and employability skills, all under one roof.  

This change is part of the Council’s wider work to use public buildings more efficiently and improve the way services are delivered. The new One Stop Shop at One Angel Square will be offering a more accessible environment, with modern self-serve areas whilst offering joined-up support from council and community partners. The new space was designed to give customers a better experience, whether they're popping in to ask about council tax, looking for housing support, or speaking to someone about benefits, health, or general advice. 

We’re excited to welcome residents to the new One Stop Shop from 25 September. This move is all about making life simpler, a place where you can come in, speak to the right people, and leave knowing you’ve had the help you need.

By creating a more modern and accessible space, we’re not only improving the experience for residents but also using our buildings more efficiently so that we can keep investing in frontline services.

Councillor Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate, and Regulatory Services

Residents can still access many council services online 24/7, and drop-in sessions continue to run across West Northamptonshire for those who prefer local support. Details of all these options are available on the Monthly drop-in sessions page.