Members of the West Northants Shadow Executive have taken their first steps towards a fresh collaborative approach to managing land, buildings and finances in the run-up to the creation of the new West Northants Council.
At their latest online meeting, members discussed the need for an agreed approach from any council that wishes to buy, sell or transfer any assets over £100,000 in value to bring them to a future Shadow Executive meeting so that the new West Northants Authority can assess its long term impact on the new council’s finances.
The proposed way of working also applies to projects such as new building developments and infrastructure (known as capital projects), which existing councils are not already financially committed to. The protocol will also apply to the use of reserves for any project that has not been agreed in existing budgets.
Councillor Ian McCord, Leader of the West Northamptonshire Shadow Executive said:
“A major part of setting up the new West Northamptonshire Council is bringing together assets and finances of the existing councils. It makes sense that we have collective agreement on how these are managed now, in preparation for April next year when the new council goes live.
“It’s important that the four councils continue with the projects already underway and budgeted for, however before starting any new project, the effect on West Northants Council is properly considered.”
You can view a recording of the latest meeting on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujrRO-y6RzkN6zPQ-xNAtA
