Cabinet to decide on future management of Council housing in West Northants

31 October 2025

Proposals to bring over 11,000 council homes back under the direct management of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) are set to be considered by councillors.

The Council’s Cabinet will meet on 11 November to discuss options for the future management of WNC’s social housing stock and related housing services, which are currently delivered on their behalf by Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH).

It follows recent and extensive consultation with tenants and leaseholders, which showed that 60% of respondents (1,619) supported bringing services back under direct Council management, compared to just 9.6% (259) who were opposed. 

If recommendations are approved by Cabinet, the Council would move forward with a phased transition of services, with some back-office and corporate functions moving into WNC in April 2026, followed by the remainder no later than April 2027.

The proposals follow the introduction of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which strengthens oversight and accountability across the sector. Bringing housing services back in-house from NPH, an ALMO (Arms-length Management Organisation) would give the Council greater ability to meet new regulatory requirements, ensure compliance, and ensure more resources are directed towards property improvements and tenant support.

Earlier this year, the Council launched an independent consultation with all tenants and leaseholders to gather their views on the future of housing services. Conducted by Social Engine between July and September 2025, the consultation received feedback from 22% of tenants and leaseholders, demonstrating a strong response compared to similar consultations nationally.

Alongside the majority of respondents supporting bringing services back inhouse, 93% confirmed they understood it would not change their tenancy or rent arrangements. Tenants highlighted key priorities around repairs, communication and customer service, with many expressing hopes that a transfer would deliver improved efficiency and cost savings. 

“We’re committed to providing tenants with high-quality, safe and well-managed homes, and ensuring that residents’ voices continue to shape how services are delivered.

“The consultation has given us valuable insight into tenant priorities, and this proposed approach would enable us to strengthen oversight, improve compliance, and build a more integrated housing service across West Northamptonshire.

“If agreed, the Council would work closely with NPH, tenants and staff to ensure a smooth and well-supported transition, protecting service continuity and maintaining strong tenant engagement throughout.”Councillor Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities

The three options which will be considered by Cabinet are to: 

-    Retain the existing model and continue to work alongside NPH to improve services.
-    Cease operation of the existing model and ‘lift and shift’ services currently managed by NPH into the Council by April 2026.
-    Cease operation of the existing model and bring services currently managed by NPH over to the Council in a phased approach, by April 2027.

The full Cabinet report will be available to view on the West Northamptonshire Council website on Monday 3 November, and the meeting will take place at The Forum in Towcester on 11 November 2025.