Council takes action to address in-year financial pressures

03 September 2026

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is working hard to address its budget pressures this year despite continuing to navigate significant challenges and increasing demand for services that protect the most vulnerable.

In February the Council approved a revenue budget for the current 2026/27 financial year of £464.3m (excluding the Dedicated Schools Grant), having initially started the budgetary process with a significant funding gap it worked hard to close.

At their meeting this month, Cabinet members will consider an update of the Council’s budget position four months into the current financial year (Period 4), an early snapshot that gives an indication of the in-year challenges facing the authority. These latest figures forecast a £13.1m overspend by the end of the financial year, representing approximately 2.8% of the Council’s overall revenue budget. Members of the Council’s Place and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee received an update on the position from finance officers at their meeting last night (2 September) ahead of more detailed information and discussion at Cabinet.

The forecast reflects continued financial pressures from the ongoing high demand for children's services, adult social care and home to school transport, in line with councils across the country. Work is ongoing towards addressing the projected overspend by the end of the financial year in March 2027. WNC also continues to make steady progress towards a £29m savings target within the current budget. This follows £115m of budget savings already made to date since the authority was formed in 2021.

Councillor John Slope, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "With limited funding and resources, alongside continued growth in demand for services that support our most vulnerable residents, managing our finances remains increasingly challenging.

"While it is not uncommon for councils to forecast overspend throughout the year, it is a concern and we are taking proactive steps to address the pressures identified. This includes planning ahead, robust financial management and targeted action across the organisation to identify further efficiencies and opportunities to deliver better value for money.”

Cabinet members will receive a detailed budget monitoring update at their meeting on Tuesday, 15 September in the Forum, Towcester, from 6pm. The report, along with the meeting agenda and other items to be discussed by Cabinet, will be published on the Council’s website from next week.