West Northants Council - Liberal Democrat Group Alternative Budget priorities for 2026–27
Liberal Democrat councillors on West Northamptonshire Council have published a series of alternative proposals for the 2026–27 Council Budget, aimed at protecting communities, supporting growth and investing in prevention rather than short-term cuts.
The Liberal Democrat Group says its plans show there are fairer choices available—without placing extra pressure on residents or damaging local towns and services.
Key proposals include:
- No parking charges in market towns
Opposing new parking fees in Daventry, Towcester and Brackley, warning they would damage town centres, local businesses and rural communities. - Fair funding through visitor levies
Calling on the Government to give the council the power to introduce a modest visitor levy, which could raise up to £7.4 million a year—removing the need for market-town parking charges altogether. - Solar panels over car parks to cut bills and carbon
Investing in solar panel canopies on council-owned car parks, generating clean energy, reducing running costs and helping West Northamptonshire play its part in meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero target. - Protecting community grants and parks
Reversing cuts to community grants and biodiversity planting, supporting voluntary groups and improving green spaces for residents and wildlife. - Investing in homes, not crisis
Allocating an additional £8 million to purchase homes for social housing, speeding up delivery and creating long-term council assets. - Better support for children and families
Expanding the Action for Happiness programme in schools, investing in foster carers, and accelerating the acquisition of community-based children’s homes to reduce reliance on costly private provision. - Backing local democracy and rural communities
Funding a dedicated council team to help villages develop Neighbourhood Development Plans, giving communities support and a real say over housing growth plans - Growing better-paid jobs
Investing in feasibility work to attract digital, creative, life sciences and green
energy industries, rather than over-reliance on low-paid logistics jobs. - Councillors leading by example
Cutting councillor allowances and expenses, saving almost £118,000, with funds redirected to training, community grants and economic growth.
This budget shows that there are better and fairer choices available. Instead of hitting residents with parking charges and cutting community support, we should be investing in prevention, local decision-making and long-term solutions that actually save money in the future. Our proposals protect market towns, support vulnerable residents and with the current economic pressures ensure councillors lead by example.
Cllr Jonathan Harris, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group
The Liberal Democrats say their proposals prioritise long-term value, prevention and fairness, while challenging what they describe as short-sighted cuts and rushed decisions in the Council’s draft budget.
