The first draft budget for West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) was published yesterday with the papers for the meeting of the WNC shadow executive committee being held on 5 January 2021. In a joint statement, Cllr Ian McCord, Leader of the West Northants Shadow Authority and Anna Earnshaw, Chief Executive, said "We have an opportunity to deliver better and more joined up services for residents and in a more cost efficient and effective way. West Northamptonshire Council is focussed on becoming a greener and cleaner authority, and supporting an already great place in which people can live and work, and visit. The Council aims to support the recovery and growth of the local economy, while establishing strong and safe communities with good housing. We want our residents to have the best prospects and the skills to succeed and our children to have the best start in life." The draft budget will be discussed on 5 January 2021 and, if approved, a consultation period will go live on 6 January. Following the consultation, final budgets proposals will be put to the shadow executive on 12 February before appearing before the full shadow authority for final approval on 23 February 2021. See the draft budget at http://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/cmis5live/MeetingsCalendar/tabid/73/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/410/Meeting/3681/Committee/463/Default.aspx.