£100m capital programme for 2025/26 is unveiled
03 December 2024
In a bid to strengthen local communities and pave the way for a more sustainable future, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is set to invest £100 million in capital funding next year.
The Council has unveiled an ambitious £100m capital programme for 2025-26, rising to £155m over the next four years, demonstrating its commitment to improving infrastructure, supporting residents, and encouraging sustainable growth.
The capital programme is different to the Council’s revenue budget, which funds day-to-day services like waste collection and social care. Instead, capital funding is used to improve local infrastructure and assets such as land, buildings and equipment, as well as other projects that will deliver long-term benefits for the area.
Among the key projects planned for the coming year is a substantial £12.4 million allocation to improve highways. This funding will support a wide range of projects and activities including road improvements across the area.
Projects such as the ongoing regeneration of Northampton town centre will continue to drive economic growth across the area. This includes a multi-million-pound investment in the Greyfriars redevelopment, which will also see the vacant Corn Exchange transformed into a hub for performance and creativity. Providing a link from Greyfriars to the wider town centre, this project will attract significant footfall and investment, revitalising the area as a vibrant urban hub.
Parking infrastructure will also receive a modern upgrade, with investments in Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology at key locations like Sixfields Reservoir, Racecourse, and Primrose Hill car parks. This initiative aims to improve the parking convenience and safety for residents and visitors.
To support families and strengthen community resources, the Council has committed
£2 million towards the creation of new family hubs in Daventry and Northampton, providing essential services for families.
The plans also include improvements to the Central Library. The library enhancements will include a new adult learning service, a dedicated children’s area, and modernised reception facilities, as well as the addition of public toilets to improve accessibility for all users.
Housing remains a key focus, with £10 million allocated to addressing the need for temporary accommodation. This funding will enable the Council to purchase 50 properties, providing safe, secure homes for residents facing urgent needs.
The programme also funds adaptations to homes for vulnerable adults, enabling them to live independently with greater comfort and security, reducing reliance on more intensive forms of care.
We’re always looking to invest in innovative and efficient ways to support and deliver services, and using capital budgets to not only improve our local communities but help us make ongoing savings or generate new income is something we’re particularly focusing on.Cllr Adam Brown, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council
This is about more than infrastructure; it’s about building a West Northamptonshire that works for everyone. By investing wisely in projects that enhance communities and reduce costs, we’re not only improving the quality of life for residents but also setting the stage for a sustainable future. Innovation and efficiency are at the heart of everything we do.
Undertaking these transformative initiatives supports our aims for a sustainable, prosperous and vibrant West Northants, with innovation and efficiency going hand in hand.
Beyond the capital programme, the Council remains committed to residents' well-being, addressing health inequalities, and supporting communities through the challenges posed by the ongoing cost of living crisis, with initiatives funded through government public health funding.
The Council’s Cabinet will consider the full range of General Fund Capital proposals during its meeting at The Forum, Towcester, from 6pm on Tuesday, 10 December. This can be viewed live on our YouTube Channel
View the 2025/26 draft budget reports
Public consultation on the proposals will launch on Wednesday, 11 December, when further information on how to get involved will be available on our Consultation Hub