No changes to North Northamptonshire Council's executive panel at annual meeting

North Northamptonshire Council’s (NNC) leader Jason Smithers has praised the council for coming together to create an ‘ambitious long-term vision’ for the county at the authority’s fourth annual meeting.

The meeting, which is tasked with setting out new appointments to key positions, confirmed there will be no changes to the nine members of its executive panel.

The most recent addition to the senior team was Cllr Gill Mercer who took on the adults, health and well-being portfolio in January after Cllr Helen Harrison stood down to run in the Wellingborough by-election.

Cllr Lora Lawman has also stepped up to be NNC’s new chairman and Cllr Jennie Bone was elected as the authority’s vice chairman for future meetings in 2024/25.

Leader of NNC Cllr Jason Smithers said: “Let me congratulate you and your vice chair on your election.

"We have a table adorned up here with remarkable, accomplished women exemplifying the diversity that has become the norm here at North Northamptonshire Council.

“Over the past year, the council has come together across political lines to work with our partners and create an ambitious long-term vision for North Northamptonshire.

“It is only fitting that we acknowledge some of the recent achievements and share in the strong sense of pride in our local area.”

However, leader of the Greens Cllr Emily Fedorowycz asked how far the council had come in the three years since its inception.

She praised the progress made with the new bus service improvement plan, homelessness strategy and developments in EV charging, but pointed out the improvements that still need to be made to SEND services, the Children’s Trust and reaching climate goals.

Cllr Fedorowycz said: “We have made progress in a fair few areas.

"We also know we have to hold our feet to the fire and be honest about where we are.

"“In a lot of ways we’re entering into a new and quite positive era with a new chief executive, a vision for Big 50 and once we get our customer service issues and the Children’s Trust sorted I think that we will be on our way to being that council that we aspire to be.”

Full executive line-up:

• Councillor Jason Smithers – Leader
• Councillor Helen Howell – Deputy Leader/ Sport, Leisure, Culture & Tourism
• Councillor Matt Binley – Highways, Travel & Assets
• Councillor David Brackenbury – Growth & Regeneration
• Councillor Lloyd Bunday – Finance & Transformation
• Councillor Scott Edwards – Children, Families, Education & Skills
• Councillor David Howes – Rural Communities & Localism
• Councillor Gill Mercer – Adults, Health & Wellbeing
• Councillor Harriet Pentland – Climate & Green Environment
• Councillor Mark Rowley – Housing, Communities & Levelling-Up