High Court no to Northants review

Campaigners have failed to win a judicial review of Northamptonshire Council’s plans to cut 13 services for people with learning difficulties and other vulnerable groups.

The High Court last week rejected claims that the planned cuts were “unlawful” and concluded that the council had not finalised its decision.

The ruling followed a legal challenge by campaigners representing about 1,500 service users who argued they would be left “devastated” by the proposed cuts outlined in the council’s budget.

The budget included a plan to save more than £4m by tightening eligibility criteria for community services.

Earlier this month, residents won a High Court injunction preventing the council setting its budget, but this was lifted on the condition that the council would take no action on the proposed cuts until after the judicial review preliminary hearing.

During the two-day hearing last week, James Goudie QC, for Northamptonshire, said the campaigners’ case was “misconceived” because the council had not taken a final decision and was consulting residents.