North Northamptonshire Council updates on financial position at mid-year
02 November 2026
North Northamptonshire Council has provided an update on its financial position for 2026/27, outlining the challenges facing local government services while highlighting the action being taken to safeguard services and improve long-term financial sustainability.
A report to the council's Executive next week shows a forecast General Fund overspend for 2026/27of £22.988 million based on Quarter 2 (September 2026) information, driven largely by continued pressures in demand-led services including adult social care and children's services.
The report also highlights the following:
- Housing Revenue Account forecast underspend of £932,000
- General Fund Capital Programme forecast underspend of £6.187 million
- Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme forecast underspend of £8.429 million
- Council Tax and Business Rates collection remaining on target
- Continued delivery of savings programmes across the organisation
The council is continuing to take active steps to manage in-year budget pressures and improve its long-term financial resilience.
This includes ongoing work to identify further efficiencies during the year, and investment in transformation programmes designed to modernise services and reduce costs over time.
One key element of this programme is the next phase of the Mosaic project, which will deliver a new adult social care system to support more efficient services and improved outcomes for residents.
The financial report notes that while reserves and contingencies are available to help manage financial pressures, the council's focus remains on identifying alternative mitigations and efficiencies wherever possible.
Performance information included within the report also shows many key services continuing to perform well despite the financial challenges. Across the council's suite of corporate indicators, 64 per cent of measures are meeting or exceeding target, including council tax and business rates collection, planning performance, homelessness prevention activity and a range of adult and children's services measures.
Like councils across the country, North Northamptonshire continues to face significant financial pressures, particularly in demand-led services such as adult social care and children's services where costs continue to rise and demand remains high.Cllr Graham Cheatley, North Northamptonshire Council's Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance, Efficiency and Change
While the current forecast position is challenging, we have a clear focus on managing these pressures responsibly. Services will continue to identify efficiencies, spending continues to be closely monitored and we are taking action through our transformation programme to ensure the council becomes more efficient and financially sustainable.
We remain committed to protecting essential frontline services for residents while ensuring public money is used as effectively as possible.
Local government continues to operate in an extremely challenging financial environment, but we are determined to address these issues whilst continuing to support our communities and deliver the services residents rely on every day.Leader of North Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Martin Griffiths
Alongside managing immediate financial pressures, we are investing in transformation and modernisation programmes that will help improve services, make better use of technology and deliver better value for taxpayers in the years ahead.
The council is taking a responsible and measured approach to financial management, and we will continue to work closely with partners, government and our communities as we plan for the future.
Executive will meet at Corby Cube from 10am on Tuesday, November 10 with the meeting broadcast live on YouTube.
Draft budget proposals for the financial year 2027-2028 are due to appear before Executive next month.