Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Scott Edwards and Graham Lawman.

The Chair, Cllr Jason Smithers spoke to offer his condolences in respect of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen and offered thoughts and prayers to King Charles and the Royal Family at this difficult time.

Members and officers were then invited to stand to observe a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

In line with official mourning protocols, the Chair sought approval to adjourn the meeting and the remaining business on the agenda to reconvene at the same venue at 10.00am on Tuesday 27^th September 2022.

It was proposed by Cllr Helen Howell and seconded by Councillor David Brackenbury, before it was

RESOLVED: That the meeting of Executive be adjourned to 10.00am on Tuesday 27^th September 2022

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Cllrs Lloyd Bunday, Scott Edwards and Helen Harrison.

RESOLVED that: The Executive agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th August 2022 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

No declarations were received.

The Chair, Councillor Jason Smithers reported that there were requests to

address the meeting as set out below:

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 4, 2022/23 as set out in the appendices to this report.

b)    Noted the progress being made in the development of the Council’s approach to performance management.

Reason for Recommendations – to better understand the Council’s performance as measured by performance indicators as at Period 4, 2022/23.

Alternative Options Considered – reporting performance data on a less frequent basis is an option but monthly reporting is considered useful at this stage of the Council’s existence, reporting alongside budget information.

The Chair introduced a report that sought to provide an update on the performance of the Council across a range of services as measured by performance indicators, as well as setting out the progress that was being made in the development of the Council’s performance monitoring arrangements.

The Chair reported that 60% of performance indicators were currently on target or overperforming, with 15% within 5% of their respective targets. A total of 25% of indicators were underperforming and outside the 5% tolerance.

The Chair highlighted a total of 14 underperforming indicators and noted that the recently introduced Corporate Plan indicators had been improved to better indicate improvement or deterioration to ongoing trends. Comments sections within the report had also been improved to provide additional clarity regarding actions taken to address performance issues.

The meeting received a number of highlights from Period 4, noting service levels in Customer Services for July, the number of road defects repaired and the volume of safeguarding concerns received. Members noted that staffing data provided as part of the report was continuing to be refined and improved.

Cllr Brackenbury spoke to highlight the performance of the Planning Department, noting improved trends within performance. In addition, the work of the Housing Department in significantly reducing the number of outstanding applications on the Keyways Housing Register was commended, with thanks offered to Cllr Matt Binley for driving this work.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 4, 2022/23 as set out in the appendices to this report.

b)    Noted the progress being made in the development of the Council’s approach to performance management.

Reason for Recommendations – to better understand the Council’s performance as measured by performance indicators as at Period 4, 2022/23.

Alternative Options Considered – reporting performance data on a less frequent basis is an option but monthly reporting is considered useful at this stage of the Council’s existence, reporting alongside budget information.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The Chair, Cllr Jason Smithers welcomed Cllr Martin Griffiths to the meeting to address the Executive. Cllr Griffiths spoke to reference the current performance of bin collections in the Wellingborough area and that the introduction of any charge for green waste collections given the current cost-of-living crisis was an error, especially as the vast majority of public consultation responses were against it. Cllr Griffiths concluded by noting that the introduction of a charge would set a dangerous precedent when tackling other levelling-up issues and requested that the issue be put to Full Council for decision.

Cllr John McGhee was then invited to address the meeting. Cllr McGhee stated that the service should be funded from general taxation and considered the imposition of a charge for the green waste service to be a stealth tax. He noted that harmonisation had to occur, but this did not require a charge to be levied across the board as residents had clearly stated that they did not wish to see the introduction of a charge in this regard.

The Chair then invited Cllr Jean Addison to speak on the item. Cllr Addison noted that the public consultation had been well supported, with the vast majority of respondents stating there should be no charge for the green waste service. Cllr Addison stated that a charge for all was not harmonisation, rather levelling-up in reverse and that the will of the people should be listened to.

Cllr Martyn Reuby, Chair of Corby Town Council was invited to address the meeting. Cllr Reuby felt that the proposal to level a charge for the service was regressive, unworkable, and impacted those who could not afford the additional cost, with Corby Town Council opposing the scheme in the strongest possible terms. Residents would not sign up to the scheme and there would be an issue of contaminated black bins. The Executive was requested to take onboard the outcome of the public consultation and not approve the scheme.

Mr Lee Forster then addressed the Executive and queried how the proposed scheme met with the Council’s ambition to have climate and environmental considerations as the golden thread running through its activities, stating that implementation of the charge would be an environmental disaster as residents chose other ways to dispose of their green waste by burning it or hiding it in general waste bins. Mr Forster noted that the Council needed to educate residents on the benefits of composting and provide them with the tools to do so, concluding that introducing a service charge was not the right thing to do in the current financial climate.

The Chair thanked the speakers for attending the meeting before inviting Cllr Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways Travel and Assets to introduce a report that asked Executive to consider the future of the garden waste service for North Northamptonshire and to make a decision as to how this would be funded based on a number of service models outlined in the report, together with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 286.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive;

a)     Approve an increase in fares in the Corby zone based upon the harmonised fare tariff detailed as option two in Appendix F to the report

b)     Approve an increase in fares in the East zone based upon the harmonised fare tariff detailed as option two in Appendix F to the report

c)      Approve an increase in fares in the Kettering zone based upon the harmonised fare tariff detailed as option two in Appendix F to the report

d)     Approve an increase in fares in the Wellingborough zone based upon the harmonised fare tariff detailed as option two in Appendix F to the report

e)     Refuse the automatic increases proposed every second and fourth year by the Wellingborough Hackney Carriage Association (WHCA)

Reason for Recommendation: The trade have made representation that an increase in fares is required to ensure that the increased costs of running the service are covered. Alignment of fares is considered to be important, so that all residents within North Northamptonshire will be subject to the same maximum fare, regardless of where they reside or work.

Alternative Options Considered: The alternative options which were also considered by the Licensing and Appeals Committee are;

a)     Corby Zone;

i)    To recommend the approval of the Corby Hackney Owners Association (CHOA)  proposed increase in fare tariff

ii)   To recommend a different increase in fares

iii) Refuse any increase

            b)   East Zone

i) To recommend a different increase in fares

ii) Refuse any increase

c)   Kettering Zone

i) To recommend the approval of the Central Taxis/Trade Proposal/Kettering Hackney proprietors proposed increase

ii) To recommend the approval of the Kings Kabs proposed increase

iii) To recommend the approval of the Burton Cabs/ Easy Cab/Kettering Hackney proprietors proposed increase

iv) To recommend a different increase in fares

v) Refuse any increase

d)  Wellingborough Zone

i) To recommend the approval of the WHCA proposed increase

ii) To recommend a different increase in fares

iii) Refuse any increase

The Chair invited to Cllr Martyn Reuby to address the meeting. Cllr Reuby noted his regular contact with Corby Hackney Carriage Association and the concerns raised regarding proposed increases to fares and the potential for these to be unaffordable for residents. Cllr Reuby noted that Corby as a town was more reliant on taxis than other areas in North Northamptonshire and may not benefit from harmonisation of fares in this regard. An increase in fares had the potential to decimate the taxi industry locally and leave the Council unable to operate certain statutory services.

Ian Robb was then provided with the opportunity to speak. Mr Robb requested that the harmonisation of fares proposal be rejected as it imposed an increase on the people of Corby in a price-sensitive industry. Mr Robb stated that a petition totalling 1300 signatories had been gathered against the fare increase and that the proposed increase went against the Department of Transport best practice guidance and would disenfranchise taxi drivers.

Tam McGuirn then addressed the meeting and stated harmonisation of fares would cause unfair harm to the people of Corby and enquired how fare charging would be monitored given current enforcement staffing levels. He concluded by stating that a rise in fares would result in unlicenced taxi operation.

Neil Rielly was provided with the opportunity to speak to the Executive and stated that the recommendations before members indicated a lack of knowledge and understanding of the taxi industry which would result in taxi owners being forced to leave the trade and leave customers confused as to pricing. He considered that harmonisation would benefit nobody except the Council.

Cllr John McGhee then addressed the Executive and noted the case of an individual who would see monthly taxi costs rise significantly as a result of the proposals, with harmonisation impacting a great many other people at a time of severe financial crisis.

The final speaker was Roy McArther who stated that on-street negotiation of fares was not good practice, and that harmonisation would damage Hackney Carriage operators to the benefit of the private hire trade that was not subject to the recommendations. He concluded by stating that elderly and vulnerable customers would not be able to afford increased prices and requested harmonisation take place gradually over a three-year period.

The Chair thanked the speakers for their comments before asking Cllr David Brackenbury, Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration to introduce a report that provided information regarding requests received from Hackney Carriage proprietors to implement fare increases for Hackney Carriage journeys and requested that Executive consider the requested fare increases and decide whether these should be accepted, and if so, whether in whole or in part, noting that any revised Fares Tariff recommended were the maximum amount that could be charged, with Hackney Carriage proprietors being at liberty to charge a lower fare.

Cllr Brackenbury thanked the speakers for their input as well as officers, members of the taxi trade and members of the public who had engaged with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 287.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The Chair invited Cllr Jean Addison to address the Executive. Cllr Addison spoke briefly to enquire as to when development on the stalled Cannock Road Housing Development would recommence.

The Chair then asked Cllr Matthew Binley, the Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Levelling Up to introduce a report which sought approval to amend the project budget for the Cannock Road, Corby housing development following a full review of the project, cost plan and risk register. The report also sought approval to procure a principal contractor via an open tender process as well as to delegate authority to the Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Levelling-up, in consultation with the Executive Director for Adults Communities and Wellbeing, to take any further decisions/actions to deliver the project.

Cllr Binley stated that the Cannock Road housing development was a scheme to convert a vacant commercial building into five new council homes in Corby specially designed to be accessible for disabled people, including a three bed home specifically designed for a family in need to be owned, managed, and maintained by the Council as part of its portfolio of Housing Revenue Account properties. The capital costs of the project would be covered over the longer-term by the rental income collected from the completed properties once occupied.

Following approval for the scheme from Corby Borough Council in 2019 and a contract awarded in 2020 for the construction of the homes, the appointed contractor had been liquidated in May 2021 resulting in a partly demolished building with no principal contractor to deliver the project. A full review of the project including an updated cost plan had identified that a budget of £1.49m would be required to deliver the project, with 40% of this funded from Right to Buy receipts. Due to the increase in the budget a full open tender process should be undertaken to allow a larger number of contractors and ensure that value for money was achieved.

It was anticipated that the technical design and award of contract would take approximately 20 weeks, with a further 52 week build programme assumed, although an exact programme was to be agreed during the contract award process. It was hoped that work could start on site in early 2023. It was noted that once complete, the development would increase the Council’s supply of affordable and disability-accessible properties which would be exempt from the Right to Buy scheme to ensure this housing was retained to meet needs.

The Chair noted that Council was being requested to approve the budget virement element of the recommendations with Executive to approve recommendations b) and c).

Councillors Brackenbury and Howell spoke to welcome the recommencement of the development, understanding the reasoning behind the escalated costs from the originally approved contract. Councillors Howes and Pentland welcomed the positive environmental credentials of the proposed development.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The Chair invited Cllr Matthew Binley, the Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Levelling Up to introduce a report which sought to provide an outline of the Government's First Home scheme and requested that Executive note the officer decision taken under delegated authority to apply the national eligibility criteria, level of discount, income cap and price cap for First Homes being delivered in North Northamptonshire. Executive were also asked to approve the decision to apply discretionary local connection criteria to First Homes so that they were sold to first-time buyers with a local connection to North Northamptonshire and that this would apply to any future First Homes being delivered.

The Executive was also asked to delegate authority to the Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Levelling Up, in consultation with the Executive Director for Place and Economy to enter Deeds of Variation on the basis set out above to enable the delivery of additional First Homes, where deemed appropriate.

It was noted that First Homes were a type of affordable housing introduced into the National Planning Policy Framework on 28^th June 2021. They comprised discounted market sale units which:

a) must be discounted by at least 30% against the market value;

b) be sold to households who meet the First Homes eligibility criteria;

c) remain discounted and sold to eligible households in perpetuity by way of

a restriction registered on the title at HM Land Registry in favour of the

Council; and,

d) cannot be sold for the first time at a price higher than £250,000 after the

discount has been applied

The Council could set its own eligibility criteria, discount levels and income caps, however the decision to do so must not be arbitrary and must be implemented via the Local Plan-making process. The Council was therefore not permitted to divert from the national First Homes policy until the Local Plan was updated to include an adopted local policy on First Homes in North Northamptonshire.

To expedite the delivery of First Homes, developers had been invited to bid for a grant from Homes England under the First Homes Early Delivery Programme to meet the costs associated with First Homes being sold at 70% of the open market.  Funding had been secured by Persimmon to provide six First Homes at Glenvale Park, Wellingborough. These homes were in addition to the affordable housing at the development secured via the Section 106 (S106) agreement. To secure the delivery of these six homes, a Deed of Variation was required to the existing S106 agreement to include the First Homes and the criteria that applied to them to ensure that the homes were legally protected as affordable homes in future, and that the relevant criteria would always be applied to any future sales.

It was noted that the Council could recover a £150 fee for each First Home sold to cover administration costs, although it was note believed that this would cover the full costs of the work involved. There was a risk  ...  view the full minutes text for item 289.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)     Noted the funding allocation under the Family Hubs and Start for Lifegrant which will be between £3.93m and £4.11m over the three-year period.

b)     Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills, in consultation with the Executive Director of Children’s Service, to distribute the full grant amount over the next three years.

c)      Receive an annual report detailing distribution of the grant and progress on the delivery of the programme.

d)     Noted that needs analysis work will continue to be undertaken and delegates authority to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills, in consultation with the Executive Director of Children’s Services the authority to determine the allocation of the prototype locality in accordance with the required timescale.

Reasons for Recommendation: This is being recommended due to the time sensitive nature of the grant deliverables and spend requirements within the criteria of the grant allocation.  This means that the Council must make arrangements to spend £996k before the end of the financial year, this money must be spent in accordance with the grant headings shown in the table under para 7.1. 

To ensure member oversight, it is recommended that an annual review process is put into place with the Executive to provide assurances of the programmes deliverables and spend against the grant allocation.  This will further support the implementation of the programme at the pace required.

Alternative Options Considered: That  delegated authority is not granted in relation to grant allocation. This is not recommended as it will add delay in developing the programme at the pace required and the Council  would lose the opportunity to enhance and co-ordinate services for families. Furthermore, the Council would lose the opportunity to spend the allocated funds within the short timescales which will impact on driving the required activity and reduce investment into the local area. Any unspent grant for the 2022/2023 allocation will have to be returned.

The Chair invited Cllr Jean Addison to address the meeting. Cllr Addison spoke favourably of Pen Green’s Children Centre, Corby as a potential location as a Family Hub given its current structure and value to the community.

Cllr John McGhee was then invited to speak, noting that the award of grant funding was very beneficial for North Northamptonshire and also spoke positively of Pen Green as an existing internationally recognised centre. Cllr McGhee queried why a decision as to where to site hubs was not being considered by the Council’s scrutiny function.

Phil Bromhall was asked to address the meeting and noted the tight deadlines to have the Family Hubs model programme mobilised and noted that Pen Green was well placed to become a prototype family hub, especially given its established partnership working and place in the community.

Anthony Lee attend and spoke to detail his positive experiences of Pen Green and requested the Executive look favourably on the centre when a decision was made as to where Family Hubs were to be sited.

The Chair then invited Cllr David Howes to introduce a report on behalf of Cllr Scott Edwards, Executive Member for Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills that sought to appraise Executive on successful confirmed funding allocations, spending criteria, milestones and expectations set for the Family Hubs and Start for Life transformation grant.

The Executive was also asked to delegate authority to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills in consultation with the Executive Director of Children’s Service to distribute and administer the grant between 2022-2025 in accordance with the grant criteria.

Cllr Howes stated that the location of Family Hubs would be taken as a separate decision and was not a factor of the report before members, which was purely to mobilise allocation of grant funding. It was heard that a total of £996,000 of the grant funding was required to be spent before the end of the current financial year, with a further requirement to develop and submit the full three-year delivery plan by 31^st December 2022, followed by publication of the Start for Life offer by 31^st March 2023, as required within the criteria of the programme and grant conditions.

Both Cllrs Lawman and Pentland spoke to welcome the report and the associated grant funding.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)     Noted the funding allocation under the Family Hubs and Start for Lifegrant which will be between £3.93m and £4.11m over the three-year period.

b)     Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills, in consultation with the Executive Director of Children’s Service, to distribute the full grant amount over the next three years.

c)      Receive an annual report detailing distribution of the grant and progress on the delivery of the programme.

d)     Noted that needs analysis work will continue to be undertaken and delegates authority to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills, in consultation with the Executive Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 290.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)  Confirmed the preferred procurement route of using an established framework agreement as set out paragraph 5.3 of the report;

b)  Delegated authority to procure and sign the necessary contracts to secure the fuel contract to the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, in consultation with the Executive Director for Place and Economy.

Reasons for Recommendation

·      The recommendation provides a cost-effective solution for the purchase of essential fuels and ensures the authority is compliant with its obligations under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Council’s contract standing orders.

·      The proposed option will provide a reliable fuel supply, providing reliable services for North Northamptonshire residents.

·      The proposed framework route will allow flexibility to secure preferential fuel rates, including access to low carbon fuels should the Council choose to do so.

Alternative Options Considered: The only other realistic option would be to procure bulk orders via suppliers or rely on forecourt supplies. Neither of these options provide the cost benefits or greater security of supply presented via the recommended option.

The Chair invited Lee Forster to address the meeting. Mr Forster spoke to note the lack of sustainable, green vehicle provision within the report, querying whether the Council was considering moving to electric vehicles as part of its fleet. Mr Forster also noted that the Council’s fuel hubs were located in Kettering and Wellingborough and queried whether it was environmentally friendly for vehicles from other areas to travel there to refuel.

The Chair thanked Mr Forster for his comments before inviting Cllr Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets to introduce a report that sought approval from the Executive to procure a new contract for the supply of fuel for the bulk tanks in the depots at Kettering and Wellingborough.

Cllr Lawman stated that the Council would champion use of electric vehicles for its fleet as soon as it became viable to do so and noted that use of an already established framework agreement to access one or more fuel supply companies would offer a flexible fuel supply accessing low carbon fuels.

Cllr Pentland spoke to note that the Council had a specific plan to reduce its fleet emissions, while Cllr Howell stated that it was important for the Council to obtain value for money for residents when considering how it procured fuel.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)  Confirmed the preferred procurement route of using an established framework agreement as set out paragraph 5.3 of the report;

b)  Delegated authority to procure and sign the necessary contracts to secure the fuel contract to the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, in consultation with the Executive Director for Place and Economy.

Reasons for Recommendation

·      The recommendation provides a cost-effective solution for the purchase of essential fuels and ensures the authority is compliant with its obligations under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Council’s contract standing orders.

·      The proposed option will provide a reliable fuel supply, providing reliable services for North Northamptonshire residents.

·      The proposed framework route will allow flexibility to secure preferential fuel rates, including access to low carbon fuels should the Council choose to do so.

Alternative Options Considered: The only other realistic option would be to procure bulk orders via suppliers or rely on forecourt supplies. Neither of these options provide the cost benefits or greater security of supply presented via the recommended option.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION       

That the Executive:

a.    Noted the government’s adoption of the Full Asylum Dispersal Strategy and the rationale for it.

b.    Noted the East Midlands model and approach for delivering the strategy in the region.

c.    Noted the role of North Northamptonshire Council in delivering the strategy in the Council area; and the approach Council Officers are taking to work with SERCO, the contract holder for Asylum Accommodation and Support Services across the North West, Midlands and East of England regions, on contingency accommodation (hotels) and property acquisitions (leases) in the private rented sector.

d.    Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing, to take any further decisions and/or actions required, including use of the funding, to support the dispersal and settlement, temporary or otherwise, of asylum seekers in North Northamptonshire. 

Reasons for Recommendation: To ensure that the Council fulfils its obligations under the national Full Asylum Dispersal Strategy and works with SERCO and other partners to effectively support asylum seekers to integrate into local communities.

Alternative Options considered: There is no alternative as this is a national policy, although the Council has worked closely with the Regional Migration Partnership in developing the model for the region. If the Council did not fully engage with SERCO over the selection of contingency hotels and dispersal properties then there is a risk, as the decisions will stand regardless, of negative impacts on community cohesion, local service provision and successful integration of asylum seekers into local communities.

In the absence of Cllr Helen Harrison, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, the Chair invited Cllr Matthew Binley, Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Levelling Up to introduce a report that sought to brief the Executive on the Government approach to Full Asylum Dispersal, on the recent consultation undertaken, the emerging regional model and on the Property Procurement (contingency hotel and private sector lease) arrangements being delivered in the Council area by SERCO.

Cllr Binley reported that in May 2022 the Government had announced a shift from an opt-in model for asylum dispersal to a Full Asylum Dispersal model where asylum seekers would be placed across all local authority areas due to the increase in the number of asylum seekers entering the country.

Although the Council had a limited direct role in asylum dispersal as the work was delivered by Government contractors, it was a key partner in a local multi-agency forum that would receive demographic data on how the dispersal model was operating and consider any impact on local communities and service delivery.

It was heard that the Government was providing funding of £3,500 per person for 2022-23 to councils for every asylum seeker accommodated in the council

area to support them to fully integrate into communities. For North Northamptonshire Council the allocation would be 289 asylum seekers in dispersed accommodation by December 2023, subject to final review. To date the Council had been notified of five properties being progressed by SERCO for asylum dispersal.

Challenges faced by the Council relating to service pressures and recruitment of resettlement staff were outlined to the meeting.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION       

That the Executive:

a.    Noted the government’s adoption of the Full Asylum Dispersal Strategy and the rationale for it.

b.    Noted the East Midlands model and approach for delivering the strategy in the region.

c.    Noted the role of North Northamptonshire Council in delivering the strategy in the Council area; and the approach Council Officers are taking to work with SERCO, the contract holder for Asylum Accommodation and Support Services across the North West, Midlands and East of England regions, on contingency accommodation (hotels) and property acquisitions (leases) in the private rented sector.

d.    Delegated authority to the Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing, to take any further decisions and/or actions required, including use of the funding, to support the dispersal and settlement, temporary or otherwise, of asylum seekers in North Northamptonshire. 

Reasons for Recommendation: To ensure that the Council fulfils its obligations under the national Full Asylum Dispersal Strategy and works with SERCO and other partners to effectively support asylum seekers to integrate into local communities.

Alternative Options considered: There is no alternative as this is a national policy, although the Council has worked closely with the Regional Migration Partnership in developing the model for the region. If the Council did not fully engage with SERCO over the selection of contingency hotels and dispersal properties then there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 292.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The Chair invited Cllr Helen Howell, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture & Tourism to introduce a report that sought to brief the Executive on the competitive process undertaken in July 2022 to determine the best organisation to take on the community management of Raunds Library and to seek approval to enter into a lease with the organisation with a reduction of 40% on the market rent in line with all other community managed libraries in North Northamptonshire.

Cllr Howell reported that following a final call for expressions of interest in May 2022, two organisations had expressed an interest in taking on the running of Raunds Library as a community managed facility. Both organisations had submitted business cases and a competitive process was undertaken in July with the successful business plan submitted by Creating Tomorrow Multi-Academy Trust in partnership with Raunds Community Library Trust. A decision to proceed with handover had been approved by Executive in June under delegated authority.

It was noted that this was the final stage of a long process started under the former County Council and would result in a positive outcome for the future of Raunds Library with no service interruption for customers.

Cllr Howell thanked all those who had been involved in the process, including the trust and volunteers operating the service since 2018.

Cllrs Brackenbury, Pentland and Lawman spoke to welcome the report and its outcomes and looked forward to a continuation of the service for the people of Raunds.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The Chair invited Lee Forster to address the Executive. Mr Forster made reference to waste incinerators in the North Northamptonshire area and queried how waste incineration accorded with the Council’s environmental pledges.

The Chair thanked Mr Forster for his attendance before inviting Cllr Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets to introduce a report that sought Executive approval for the Council’s Waste Service to undertake the action plan within the Waste Management Three Year Plan (2022-2025) that set out activities necessary to harmonise the systems designed to manage the increasing waste arisings, to align with new statutory burdens in respect of provision of recycling opportunities for materials such as food waste, to ensure appropriate future provision for facilities such as Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC), to engage new contracts and prepare for the direction of future waste services in North Northamptonshire.

The report also sought approval to commence Options Appraisals as set out in the Action Plan to inform future decisions, particularly in relation to the future of the HWRC service and waste and street cleaning services in the East Northamptonshire area and recommended commencing the procurement of the Council’s future waste disposal contract.

Cllr Lawman noted that many of the Council’s waste and recycling disposal and processing contracts were set to expire in 2025 and required re-tendering and rationalisation. This process would enable the Council to take account of new statutory burdens and as well as factor in the growth of housing locally. In order to do this, the Options Appraisals would be necessary to inform later decision-making to provide clarity for the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Plan.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

RESOLVED

That Executive considered and endorsed the Youth Justice Plan and recommended its approval to Full Council

Reasons for Recommendations:

·      To provide the Youth Offending Service with the strategic direction for their service area

·      To accord with the policy of the Council, the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework and is therefore a matter for  Council to approve.

Alternative Options Considered: As well as being a requirement of statute, the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework and approval by the Council is therefore required.

The Chair invited Cllr David Howes, Executive Member for Rural Communities and Localism to introduce a report in the absence of Cllr Scott Edwards, Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills which detailed the Council’s statutory duty to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan providing specified information about the local provision of youth justice services. The Executive was requested to recommended to Council that the plan be adopted.

The meeting heard that the report covered performance for the period 2021/22 and provided details of service budgets, operational and strategic developments within the service and partnership, service structure and the Service Improvement Plan for 2022 –2023.

In accordance with statutory requirements, the Plan had been placed before Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service Management Board in August 2022, where it was approved.

RESOLVED

That Executive considered and endorsed the Youth Justice Plan and recommended its approval to Full Council

Reasons for Recommendations:

·      To provide the Youth Offending Service with the strategic direction for their service area

·      To accord with the policy of the Council, the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework and is therefore a matter for  Council to approve.

Alternative Options Considered: As well as being a requirement of statute, the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework and approval by the Council is therefore required.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)     Noted the content and recommendations of the LGSCO’s annual review letter, and the outcomes of its investigations completed in 2021-22 that relate to the Council.

Reason for Recommendation: To appraise the Executive of the annual review letter and relevant information.

Alternative Options Considered: It would not be considered good practice to not provide the annual Ombudsman report to the Executive and as such there are no alternative options to be considered.

The Chair introduced a report, the purpose of which was to present the annual letter of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) that detailed complaints that had been received as a final stage for complaints about Councils and social care after the Council’s own complaints procedure had been exhausted.

It was noted that certain complaint investigations dated back several years covering the period of the Council’s legacy authorities. Total complaint numbers had fallen from 91 against legacy authorities in 2020-21 to 55 in 2021-22. Details of individual cases and remedies agreed were outlined, with the meeting noting that in all cases the Council had been able to conclude complaints fairly.

The Chair stated the Executive looked forward to receiving the report for 2022-23 to understand how the Council had made a difference to the quality and outcomes of its residents.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)     Noted the content and recommendations of the LGSCO’s annual review letter, and the outcomes of its investigations completed in 2021-22 that relate to the Council.

Reason for Recommendation: To appraise the Executive of the annual review letter and relevant information.

Alternative Options Considered: It would not be considered good practice to not provide the annual Ombudsman report to the Executive and as such there are no alternative options to be considered.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

i)       Approved the following changes to the capital programme:

a.     Disabled Facilities Grant – to increase the capital budget available in 2022/23 for associated works and services to £2,561,759 in accordance with the grant award.  An indicative sum of £1.9m was already included in the budget assumptions for 2022/23 and, therefore, this represents an increase of £0.662m.

b.     Kingswood Urban Development - £86,900 increase to the capital budget funded through external contributions.

a.     Housing Stores Project – virement of £162,820 to this scheme – funded from an existing capital budget underspend within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital budget.

b.     Cannock Road Housing Development – virement of £454,000 to this scheme – funded from existing capital budget within the HRA capital budget.

ii)      Recommended to Council to approve the additional virement in support of the Cannock Road housing development as the total virement requested for this scheme, including previous transfers, exceeds £0.5m.

Reasons for Recommendation: these are set out in greater detail within section 5 of the report, but can be summarised as:

·         To expand the capital budget available to support disabled facilities within homes.

·         To replace and improve the skate park as part of Kingswood Urban Development.

·         To improve the stores arrangements at Corby and Kettering depots through a new single system designed to hold appropriate stock levels to meet housing repair needs.

·         To improve and expand the housing provision in North Northamptonshire.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         For external funding (DSG and Kingswood Urban Development) - use of the funding is in line with the agreements, there is no alternative option proposed.

·         By not approving the stores recommendation the Council would not be able to improve productivity in respect of housing repairs.

·         There is not an alternative option for the Cannock Road housing development.  This is an approved scheme that is already in progress.

In the absence of Cllr Lloyd Bunday, Executive Member for Finance and Transformation, the Chair introduced a report that requested approval for capital schemes that had come forward for inclusion in the Council’s Capital programme. Approval of the funding would allow the schemes to move forward to procurement and delivery.

Four schemes were highlighted as per the report and recommendation below.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

i)       Approved the following changes to the capital programme:

a.     Disabled Facilities Grant – to increase the capital budget available in 2022/23 for associated works and services to £2,561,759 in accordance with the grant award.  An indicative sum of £1.9m was already included in the budget assumptions for 2022/23 and, therefore, this represents an increase of £0.662m.

b.     Kingswood Urban Development - £86,900 increase to the capital budget funded through external contributions.

a.     Housing Stores Project – virement of £162,820 to this scheme – funded from an existing capital budget underspend within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital budget.

b.     Cannock Road Housing Development – virement of £454,000 to this scheme – funded from existing capital budget within the HRA capital budget.

ii)      Recommended to Council to approve the additional virement in support of the Cannock Road housing development as the total virement requested for this scheme, including previous transfers, exceeds £0.5m.

Reasons for Recommendation: these are set out in greater detail within section 5 of the report, but can be summarised as:

·         To expand the capital budget available to support disabled facilities within homes.

·         To replace and improve the skate park as part of Kingswood Urban Development.

·         To improve the stores arrangements at Corby and Kettering depots through a new single system designed to hold appropriate stock levels to meet housing repair needs.

·         To improve and expand the housing provision in North Northamptonshire.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         For external funding (DSG and Kingswood Urban Development) - use of the funding is in line with the agreements, there is no alternative option proposed.

·         By not approving the stores recommendation the Council would not be able to improve productivity in respect of housing repairs.

·         There is not an alternative option for the Cannock Road housing development.  This is an approved scheme that is already in progress.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the Council’s forecast outturn position for 2022/23 as summarised in Section 4, alongside the further analysis, risks and other considerations as set out in Section 5 and Section 6 of the report.

b)    Noted the assessment of the current deliverability of the 2022/23 savings proposals in Appendix A.

Reason for Recommendations – to note the forecast financial position for 2022/23 as at Period 4 and consider the impact on this year and future years budgets.

Alternative Options Considered: The report focuses on the forecast revenue outturn against budget for 2022/23 and makes recommendations for the Executive to note the current budgetary position as such there are no specific choices within the report.

In the absence of the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation, the Chair again introduced a report that set out the forecast outturn position for the Council based on the Period 4 monitoring forecasts for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The meeting heard that the overall outturn forecast for the General Fund for 2022/23, as at Period 4 was a forecast overspend of £4.608m against the approved budget, an increase of £331,000 since the last report to Executive. It was reported that the main changes had arisen from inflationary cost pressures and a drop in the level of income, especially in regard to the Place and Economy directorate. The overall financial position was driven by the significant pressure of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust current forecast overspend as a result of volatility in the placements market for looked-after children and increased transport costs, the cost to the Council being £3.489m.

Further budgetary pressures were highlighted across council service areas, the meeting specifically noting that rising utility costs had impacted budgets for street lighting and traffic signals. These overspends were being offset by a number of underspends from staffing budgets and disaggregation costs.

The meeting heard that the Council’s Housing Revenue Account was currently forecasting a £335,000k underspend, although this did not take into account ongoing pay award negotiations that could result in an overspend should other factors remain unchanged.

It was noted that elected members and officers were working exceptionally hard to identify opportunities to mitigate budgetary impacts while delivering front line services. The full impact of the mini-budget announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the previous week had yet to be fully understood.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the Council’s forecast outturn position for 2022/23 as summarised in Section 4, alongside the further analysis, risks and other considerations as set out in Section 5 and Section 6 of the report.

b)    Noted the assessment of the current deliverability of the 2022/23 savings proposals in Appendix A.

Reason for Recommendations – to note the forecast financial position for 2022/23 as at Period 4 and consider the impact on this year and future years budgets.

Alternative Options Considered: The report focuses on the forecast revenue outturn against budget for 2022/23 and makes recommendations for the Executive to note the current budgetary position as such there are no specific choices within the report.

The Chair, Cllr Jason Smithers, informed members of the press and public that the remaining business for the meeting would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information and he was therefore proposing that the press and public be excluded in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

RESOLVED:- That the press and public be excluded from the meeting in order that consideration could be given to the following item of business which was exempt by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:-

·            Item 19 – Knuston Hall

The Chair invited Cllr Jon-Paul Carr to address the meeting. Cllr Carr referenced the longevity of adult learning operations at the site and noted the beneficial impact that the site had offered prior to its closure. A query was raised as to how the impact on users of the site was measured and the potential for alternative future uses of the site. Cllr Carr concluded that it was positive that ward members would be consulted as part of the marketing of the site.

The Chair then invited the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets Cllr Graham Lawman to introduce a report that sought to advise the Executive on options for the future use of Knuston Hall and to seek a resolution in that regard.

Cllr Lawman provided an overview of the facilities at the site, noting that it had formerly operated as an adult learning residential college prior to closure as part of the government response to the COVID19 pandemic. It had briefly opened in 2021 with heavily restricted guest numbers until it closed again in January 2022, prompting a review of the building, the business operations, and potential alternative uses.

Members considered potential future uses for the building and discussed marketing of the site.