Council bid to manage social housing to be reviewed

Alliston Gardens, Northampton, is one of the properties managed by NPH

A council's decision to bring the management of its 11,500 social homes back in-house has been called in for a review.

A report last year found "serious failings" in how Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) adhered to home safety and quality standards.

Earlier this month, the Reform UK-controlled cabinet on West Northamptonshire Council voted unanimously to close down NPH.

But a call-in on the decision, which has been jointly signed by seven elected members from the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrat group, will be discussed at a children, education and housing overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Monday.

NPH is currently responsible for managing the properties in Northampton, including carrying out repairs, maintenance, and supporting vulnerable tenants.

The plans, which require approval from the secretary of state, would mean the council taking direct control by April 2027.

But, the Local Democracy Reporting Service found, opposition councillors criticised a lack of detailed or transparent financial information before the decision was made by cabinet.

That included projected costs, expected savings and delivery timelines, and financial risks and contingency provisions.

They also said that previous requests at scrutiny meetings for such detailed financial data were "inadequately addressed, hampering effective scrutiny and informed decision-making".

NPH employs about 350 staff and has an annual budget of £67m.

The transfer is estimated to cost £1.6m, but the council said it could reduce costs and create efficiencies from 2027, with potential annual savings of £85,000.

The scrutiny committee can request that the cabinet revisit its decision and consider a range of recommendations, however it has no power to overrule the administration's decision on NPH or demand any action.