The North Northamptonshire Council Executive will meet on 12 May 2026 to discuss a proposal that would shift funding away from individual councillor grants to establish a new youth-focused initiative. The meeting, which takes place at 10:00am at the Corby Cube, will determine the future of the current community funding system.
The proposed Youth Empowerment Grant Scheme would see £68,000 from the existing Ward Member Empowerment Fund redirected to support projects for children and young people. This new scheme, expected to launch in September 2026, would be designed in partnership with the Youth Advisory Council. The aim is to allow young people to influence local funding decisions, improve outcomes for their peers, and help reduce anti-social behaviour.
The current Ward Member Empowerment Fund was set up in June 2025 to give councillors £2,000 each to support local projects. However, the council reported that only 63 percent of the fund was used during the 2025/26 period. Cllr Graham Cheatley, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Finance, Efficiency and Change, stated that the move is intended to ensure the council spends money in the right way by using alternatives that better fit the organisation’s corporate goals.
Council Leader Cllr Martin Griffiths noted that the shift aligns with the council’s focus on families and the local vision for the area, stating that the council recognises the importance of listening to younger residents. If the current plan is approved, the remaining £68,000 from the original fund would be returned to the general revenue budget as a saving.
The proposal has already been discussed by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. While members supported the creation of the youth grant, they recommended that the remaining £68,000 should instead be made available to individual councillors through an extended 12-month application window, rather than being returned to the general budget.
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