Sustainability refocus set to progress after scrutiny meeting
20 August 2025
A refocus of West Northamptonshire Council’s sustainability work and the removal of local climate targets is set to move forward following further scrutiny by its councillors.
At their meeting last night (Tuesday, 19 August) the Council’s Place and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviewed the recent decision by Cabinet members to change the authority’s approach to its sustainability commitments and has decided to take no further action.
It means the Council will continue with its plans to remove local targets – to be net zero in its operational emissions by 2030 and for those of residents and business by 2045 – in favour of focusing its limited public resources on practical projects that deliver the greatest value to local residents and businesses. However, it is recognised that the Government’s target remains for the wider area to be Net Zero by 2050.
The refocus, led by the new political administration, recognises that while the Council cannot control global climate change, it can achieve better results for local communities and nature by focusing on matters within its control and for which it has significant influence. WNC will continue its wider sustainability work, still publishing its Annual Sustainability Report and working towards its environmental accreditation.
Last night’s meeting followed a call-in of the July Cabinet decision by a group of eight councillors who requested full scrutiny took place by the committee.
With the committee determining that no action should be taken on the Cabinet’s original decision, WNC will remove its local net zero targets and progress with work to develop and deliver a new Sustainability Strategy that has direct positive impacts and tangible projects for communities.
Cllr Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council said: “We are dedicated to protecting and improving our environment and with limited budgets and resources, pursuing these net-zero targets is simply not affordable for our residents and detracts our focus from more realistic, tangible projects we can deliver within our communities to improve their lives and reduce energy bills.
“With Cabinet’s decision scrutinised and found to be a sound approach, we will now move forward with the removal of these targets and refocus our sustainability efforts for the benefit of residents.”
Environmental initiatives set to move forward include local walking and cycling infrastructure projects and activities through the local nature recovery scheme as well as energy efficiency measures to make homes warmer and reduce bills.