Bridging a £50 million budget gap in West Northamptonshire
06/11/2025
The Council’s Leaders have warned that difficult decisions remain ahead
West Northamptonshire Council is taking urgent action to address a projected £50 million budget gap for 2026–27, caused by rising demand for services and funding not keeping pace with population growth.
Through intensive so-called “Star Chamber” budget reviews, councillors and senior officers have identified around £20 million in savings, including £16 million in efficiencies and £4 million from the pension fund.
The council aims to protect frontline services while cutting costs and reviewing fees and charges.
Councillor Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said the sessions were a strong start to tackling the authority’s funding pressures next year, but difficult choices would still be needed in the months ahead: “Closing such a significant funding gap in next year’s budget is a huge task but we’re firmly focused on achieving this and have made an encouraging start.
“The £20m of savings and efficiencies we have identified so far through the recent Star Chambers sessions reflects the close and effective working between our administration and senior officers in leaving no stone unturned to tackle our financial pressures.
“All services across the Council have been set targets to reduce their spend for the year ahead and staff are rising to the challenge. Alongside our work with staff to identify savings and efficiencies we will also be looking at other things, such as how we can be more consistent in our approach to fees and charges for discretionary services.”
The Council’s Leaders have warned that difficult decisions remain ahead, pending the outcome of the Government’s Fair Funding review.
Draft budget proposals will be published in December for consultation.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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