We asked, you said, we did

We invited young people (up to age 25) to share their experiences of smoking, vaping and other nicotine products. The survey explored patterns of use, reasons for starting or not starting, experiences of use, and what support young people might find helpful.

722 young people took part.

Use of nicotine: Most respondents had never used nicotine products, but around 1 in 5 reported current use, and around 1 in 3 had tried smoking or vaping. Vaping was the most common product.

Why young people start: The most common reasons were curiosity, stress or anxiety, and influence from friends. Flavours and family influence were also mentioned.

Experiences: Young people described a mixed picture - some use nicotine socially or to cope with stress or difficult emotions, while others feel unsure about their use or concerned about addiction.

Stopping and support: Some young people want to reduce or stop, mainly for health reasons, but others are not ready.

Barriers: Key concerns about accessing support included fear of judgement, worries about parents or carers finding out, and concerns about getting into trouble or confidentiality.

Preferences: Where support was acceptable, young people preferred informal, low-pressure options that feel accessible and confidential.

The survey findings have been analysed and used to develop a local evidence base on young people’s smoking and vaping behaviours, including drivers of use, barriers to stopping, and views on support.

The evidence is being used to inform the design of awareness sessions and resource development, with a particular focus on: - peer influence, curiosity and stress/anxiety as key drivers of use - ensuring approaches are non-judgemental and sensitive to concerns about confidentiality.

Results will be shared with relevant local partners to support a consistent understanding of young people’s experiences and inform ongoing discussions. This insight will continue to be used as part of the local evidence base to inform future planning and commissioning activity.

We asked parents and carers to share their experiences of support for their child’s early development and what matters most to families in the early years. This included views on early education, health checks, vaccinations and preparing for starting school.

Who responded

• 54 parents and carers completed the online survey
• 47 respondents answered all questions

What parents and carers told us - Key findings

View a summary of what we did/ will do in response to what you said here.

What will happen next

The results of the survey have been analysed by the Public Health team and shared with the Family Hubs team who lead on our Best Start in Life strategy with the following suggested recommendations:

This feedback will be used to:

• Improve awareness and uptake of childhood vaccinations and health visitor reviews
• Shape early years and school‑readiness support, particularly around key transition points
• Review how support is delivered to make sure it is accessible, timely and meets families’ needs

Parents’ and carers’ views will continue to inform how Best Start in Life support develops across the area.

Thank you to all parents and carers who shared their views. Your feedback is helping us improve how we support children and families through the Best Start in Life programme.

To receive proposals in respect of community governance arrangements for parish areas across North Northamptonshire.

We received 121 responses from various respondents including residents, parish/town councillors, parish clerks. The results have been collated and in accordance with legislation will be taken into consideration in formulating draft recommendations.

A report will be presented to Democracy and Standards Committee on 20 July setting out the draft recommendations. Once agreed the draft recommendations will be published and a further period of consultation will start. During this consultation process all those with an interest in the review will be able to submit further representations in respect of the draft recommendations. Those representations will be taken into consideration in formulating draft recommendations.

As part of the leisure visioning work, the Council undertook extensive engagement with the local community to gather views on the value and future direction of leisure services across North Northamptonshire.

There were 1,358 responses. We are working with consultants to produce a full analysis of the feedback.

Your feedback will help shape future priorities and determine how leisure services should be structured and delivered to best meet community needs. Recommendations on the future management and operating model of leisure facilities will be developed and submitted to the Council Executive for a final decision later this summer.

The draft Empty Homes Strategy outlined North Northamptonshire Council’s proposed approach to identifying, managing and bringing long-term empty properties back into use. We sought feedback on need and support for the strategy, strategic priorities, proposed options, financial and resource considerations, community impact and suggestions for improving the strategy.

There were 87 responses, which were overall positive.

Full details on the consultation responses can be found in Appendix B to the Executive report for 12 May 2026.

 

Once the draft Strategy is approved it will be implemented as soon as is practicable and continue with the staged enforcement approach.

We sought feedback on a proposal to introduce a PSPO for Hillside, Little Harrowden to reduce crime and disorder in the area. The PSPO would authorise the installation of gates and prohibit certain activities within the area.

There were 38 responses. 63% respondents expressed agreement / 24% expressed disagreement and 13% were neutral or didn't answer, at the introduction of the PSPO.
 

The results will be incorporated into a report that will be put before Executive for decision-making.

We asked which local facilities you and your child use to stay active, how easy they are to use, and any perceived gaps in provision.

The survey (89 respondents) was part of a wider piece of engagement in Raunds & Stanwick about opportunities for children and young people to be active. In addition to this survey we completed face to face engagement with parents at local play groups (40), face to face engagement with young people (12), and utilised the results of a pupil survey across Stanwick, Windmill & St Peters primary schools (116) and pupils in secondary schools in East Northants South (508). The priority areas of focus are: more active play for 0-5s, supporting teen girls to be more active, increasing reporting of ASB, increased holiday provision, and better awareness of opportunities to be active locally.

We held a community meeting to review and discuss the results of the engagement work in early March and now have 4 task groups to take forwards actions to improve active play for 0-5s, teen girl sessions, improve reporting of anti social behaviour, and a marketing campaign to increase awareness of what's on locally for young people.

The Council sought feedback on the draft proposals for a balanced revenue budget for 2025/27 and the medium-term financial plan for the next three years. The budget consultation period commenced on 16 December 2025 and closed on 23 January 2026.

The budget proposals set out a detailed spending strategy for the authority for the financial year 2026/27 as well as outlining the medium-term financial plan for the next two years. The budget proposed a balance net revenue budget for 2026/27 at £431 million.

The main proposals were:

• To increase Council Tax by 4.99%, comprising a ‘core’ Council Tax increase of 2.99% covering all services and a further 2% for the adult social care precept, which is the maximum amount permitted. This would contribute an additional £10.9m per year and would represent a Band D level of Council Tax of £1,918.23 for 2026/2027, or the equivalent of £36.89 per week.
• Draft Capital Programme 2026-30.

However, respondents were invited to comment on any proposal within the Draft Budget.

Using the various means available to consultees, local people and organisations contributed to the North Northamptonshire Council Draft Budget 2026/27 consultation 242 times.

Council Tax increase proposals:

• 47.9% of respondents said they strongly agreed or tended to agree with the proposal to increase core council tax by 2.99%, whilst 42.4% said they strongly disagreed or tended to disagree with the proposal.
• 51.9% of respondents said they strongly agreed or tended to agree with the proposal to add an adult social care precept of 2% to council tax, whilst 35.3% said they strongly disagreed or tended to disagree with the proposal.

For more information about your feedback please see:

Appendix C – Draft Budget 2026-27 Consultation Analysis Report

On Tuesday 10 February 2026, the North Northamptonshire Council approved the 2026 to 2027 budget for North Northamptonshire.

The report before Council presented a balanced revenue budget for 2026/27 as well as outlining the medium-term financial plan for the next three years.

Council Tax: The Council approved an increase in council tax of 4.99%, which includes the 2% adult social care precept and is the maximum increase permitted by Government.

This increase will contribute about an additional £10.9m per year and represents a Band D level of Council Tax of £1,918.23 for 2026/2027, or the equivalent of £36.89 per week.

This Band D figure does not include the Council Tax for individual Town and Parish Councils or the Council Tax set for Fire and Police by the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Capital Programme: Final proposals for capital projects were also approved, over a four-year period from 2026-30 across a number of schemes.

Housing Revenue Account: This year’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) sees a balanced position.

There will also be a rent increase of 4.8% for the next financial year, which accords with the Government’s rent setting policy for 2026/27. Any funding received by the HRA is retained within the HRA and will be used to support investment into the Council’s housing stock through improvements and maintenance.

For more information about the budget, please see:

Council papers for meeting held on 10 February 2026

The budget papers for 2026/27 were considered and approved by Full Council on 19 February 2026.

Council papers for Full Council held on 19 February 2026.

We sought feedback on schools term dates for the 2027-28 academic year.

We received 3 responses with some alternative suggestions.

The terms dates for 2027-28 academic year will proceed as suggested and can be found on the NNC website School term dates page.

We sought views and evidence on whether the PSPO for Laxton Close, Corby should be extended for a further 3 years.

There were 4 responses, which all agreed with the PSPO being extended for a further three years.

The decision on the extension of the PSPO will be taken by a future committee.

Update: The Laxton Close Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been approved for 2026 to 2029 and came into effect on 1 May 2026. View the PSPO here.

We sought the views of Hackney Carriage drivers and license holders, and the public, about proposed new fees and charges relating to hackney carriage and private hire driver licences, vehicle licences, and private hire operator licences. 

A total of 7 responses were submitted during the consultation period. In summary, the consultation responses were not in support of the proposed fee levels. This outcome was not unexpected given that some members of the licensed trade will be asked to pay an increased fee.

The full papers and analysis can be viewed via the Licensing and Appeals Committee papers dated 20 January 2026.

The Council’s Licensing and Appeals Committee considered the objections to the harmonised fees and charges proposals on 20 January 2026, and approved the increase.

The new fees will come into effect on 26 January 2026.

Currently, interims harmonised fees and charges apply to ensure parity and fairness for the licensed trade. The interim fees were set at the minimum fee currently charged by any of the four former authority areas and do not allow for full cost recovery.

A six‑week public consultation to gather feedback on 10 proposed changes to the Keyways Housing Allocations Scheme, aimed at keeping the scheme lawful, fair, and focused on households with the greatest housing need.

355 online responses were received, plus 16 consultation-related email contributions (from 37 emails received).

Overall sentiment (online): 57% agree/strongly agree, 19% disagree/strongly disagree, 24% neutral across all proposals. Email contributions (broad view): 25% in support, 44% not in support and 31% neutral.

The analysis shows a clear overall majority support (57%) for the proposed changes, providing evidence to support progression of the proposals. The proposed scheme will therefore be presented to the Council’s Executive at a future date for ratification before a go‑live date for implementation is agreed, if appropriate.

We sought feedback on a proposal to install CCTV in Corby at Oakley Road/ Burghley Drive corner and in the pedestrian/ cycle path tunnels on Oakley Road.

There were 25 responses, mostly supporting the installation of CCTV in the locations proposed and agreeing the CCTV would prevent and deter crime and make them feel safe in the area.

The proposal to install CCTV was well received. An application for planning permission for the CCTV has been submitted.

We sought views from over 65’s on issues such as housing, using the internet, community, health and wellbeing and transport to help shape future services that support healthy ageing and building age-friendly communities.

Public feedback was sought to inform the Health Needs Assessment for Healthy Ageing. This final assessment will be used to plan services, identify priorities, and ensure future efforts to enable healthy ageing are evidence-based.

We received 190 responses in total, including 164 submitted through our online platform and 26 via paper surveys. The insights gathered will be analysed and integrated into the Healthy Ageing Health Needs Assessment.

Key Insights

• Most respondents told us that they felt safe in community environments, though some said that parked cars and scooters obstructing pavements was a cause of stress and anxiety.
• Many reported being current drivers and some respondents shared worries about the potential impact on their health and wellbeing if they had to stop driving.
• Just under half of respondents told us they take part in clubs, and a similar proportion said they volunteered their time at least occasionally.
• Around 9% of respondents reported feeling isolated.
• 1 in 4 respondents expressed an interest in learning more about using digital tools to support their health and wellbeing.
• Among those who experienced a fall in the past year, most reported that it occurred outside the home.

The findings from this survey, alongside additional data and intelligence collected as part of the wider needs assessment and through engagement with key stakeholders, will be used to shape and inform the forthcoming recommendations.

The Health Needs Assessments will be published in Spring 2026. Updates will be shared following publication, outlining how the findings are being used to inform local planning and support actions to help residents lead healthier lives.

We sought the views of residents, stakeholders and interested parties as to whether they were in agreement, or not, to the principle of the proposal to take part in the Government’s High Street Rental Auction programme.

There were 121 responses, with 117 via our online platform and 4 email responses.

• 108 responses were in favour of the principle of the proposal.
• 3 respondents were not in favour of the principle of the proposal.
• 6 respondents indicated that they did not know whether they were in favour
• 4 responses were discounted as they gave no indication as to whether they were in favour or not.

Further work will be undertaken to gather evidence across North Northamptonshire’s four growth towns to propose an area with the greatest eligibility to the scheme.

A formal consultation on the proposed designated street or area will be undertaken, once that work has been completed, and proposed for adoption by Executive.

The purpose of the survey was to gather views on what supports people to be active, feel healthy, and enjoy activities such as moving more, eating well, and maintaining overall wellbeing. It aimed to improve understanding of the factors that make it easier or more difficult for individuals to be physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle, the types of support that are most effective, and how local services can be improved.

Public feedback was sought to inform the Health Needs Assessments for Keeping Active and Adult Weight, ensuring that future planning and services reflect the needs of residents.

There were 248 responses, with 224 via our online platform and 24 completed paper surveys. The findings of this survey will be summarised and incorporated into the Health Needs Assessments.

Overall 

• Most respondents recognised the important role physical activity plays in supporting overall health and wellbeing. Awareness of the UK Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines for physical activity was also reported to be high.
• The survey identified a range of barriers and enablers influencing participation in physical activity. Key barriers included health-related factors, while common enablers highlighted by respondents were social support and access to appropriate and accessible resources.
• Many respondents reported a strong level of motivation to increase their physical activity levels
• Most respondents thought that there was a relationship between weight and health, and that this was most influenced by psychological factors and environmental factors and least by genetic and biological factors.
• Most respondents felt that their emotions and food labelling frequently influenced their food and drink choices.
• The survey identified that the biggest factor in accessing food was the cost followed by the time required.

The findings from this survey, alongside additional data and intelligence collected as part of the wider needs assessment and through engagement with key stakeholders, will be used to shape and inform the forthcoming recommendations.

The Health Needs Assessments will be published in Spring 2026. Updates will be shared following publication, outlining how the findings are being used to inform local planning and support actions to help residents lead healthier lives.

We sought community opinion about the existing CCTV cameras in the Queensway area of Wellingborough and feedback on the plan to renew for a further 3 years from 2025 to 2028.

There were 8 responses, the majority of whom were happy to keep the CCTV in place for another 3 years.

The present CCTV will remain in place, to help keep crime levels down and for public safety. This is a joint project with Northamptonshire Police.

We sought community opinion about the existing Alley gates in the Queensway area of Wellingborough and feedback on the plan to renew them for a further 3 years from 2025 to 2028.

There were 239 responses, the majority of whom were happy to keep the alley gates in place for another 3 years.

The present Alley Gates will remain in place, to help keep crime levels down and for public safety. This is a joint project with Northamptonshire Police.

In accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) the council publicised the Grafton Underwood Neighbourhood Plan proposal and invited representations on whether, or not, the Plan proposal meets the basic conditions and other matters that an independent examiner is required to consider.

9 representations were received.

Representations received will be considered by an independent examiner who will examine the Neighbourhood Plan against the basic conditions. You can view full updates on the Neighbourhood Plan and its progress via the Neighbourhood Plans webpage.

In accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) the council publicised the Isham Neighbourhood Plan proposal and invited representations on whether, or not, the Plan proposal meets the basic conditions and other matters that an independent examiner is required to consider.

15 representations were received.

Representations received will be considered by an independent examiner who will examine the Neighbourhood Plan against the basic conditions. You can view full updates on the Neighbourhood Plan and its progress via the Neighbourhood Plans webpage.