North Northamptonshire Council advances hybrid working model alongside workspace transformation plans

18 July 2025

As a unitary council, North Northamptonshire Council provide a wide variety of services with staff working in many different ways across sites and out in communities across the local area.

Examples of this include those who work in our libraries, customer service centres, they provide care to those who need it. Our staff maintain the 8,000 homes we manage and are out collecting refuse and recycling across the area.

In keeping with most large organisations, we also have staff who work in our office spaces and in a remote capacity, in line with modern working practices. As part of the council’s wider workspace transformation plans, a new hybrid working model is set to be developed. 

The model will ensure that refurbished office spaces are being used effectively and efficiently as the council looks to the future, as well as helping to build a culture and team spirit across the council which comes from teams working together in an office environment.

North Northamptonshire Council is already currently undertaking a major project to transform workspaces across the council estate to bring teams together and support the development of its ‘One Council’ culture across the organisation. 

Staff have today been updated on the plans for Haylock House in Kettering and the current timeline for the project which will see the building undergo a complete refurbishment. Works due to take place across Winter 2025/26 include essential maintenance which would have had to be completed regardless of who is occupying the building. Works will also be undertaken on the council’s Bowling Green Road, Kettering and Corby Cube offices at a later date.

Alongside this vital work, North Northamptonshire Council are currently exploring a framework that defines clear worker types and outlines expectations for hybrid working. This approach will help ensure effective and efficient use of our workspaces across North Northamptonshire.

Due to space constraints, it will not be possible for all staff to be in the office at the same time. But it is currently anticipated that the model will provide for most staff to attend a North Northamptonshire Council workspace at least two days per week, averaged over a period of time, to provide flexibility for staff and business needs.

Since I became Leader in May, I have been so impressed by the professionalism and work ethic of all of our staff - they truly are our biggest asset and all work extremely hard, regardless of work base or pattern.

Hybrid working has become the norm in many organisations with many office-based staff working in a hybrid manner, alongside staff who are out and about across local communities. It’s vital that we look at how the council operates to ensure business needs are being met, whilst considering all options around hybrid working and also building team culture through staff working together in offices.

The Executive and I have been in very positive conversations with the senior Leadership team about the introduction of a more formal hybrid working model. This model will work in parallel with our workspace transformation project and will ensure that all spaces, once they are fully refurbished, are being used in an efficient way.Cllr Martin Griffiths, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council

Staff and unions will be kept informed as the council works through the model and how it will work in practical terms.