Agenda, decisions and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

RESOLVED that: The Executive agreed the minutes of the meeting held and adjourned on 15^th September 2022 and reconvened on 27^th September 2022 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

A personal interest was declared by Cllr Lloyd Bunday in respect of agenda item 16, Legal Service Provision.

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

address the meeting as set out below:

In relation to Item 7 – Parking and Bus Lane Enforcement Service Options, Cllr Lyn Buckingham withdrew from speaking on this item. Cllr William Colquhoun arrived at the meeting after this item had been considered and therefore did not speak.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 5 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 5, 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 the information provided as part of the report had been streamlined to reduce the level of duplication and to focus attention on important data. The comment section of the appendices had been reworked to provide better explanation of any variance in performance and the actions taken to address any issues arising.

The meeting received highlights from the current reporting period, noting that:

·         90% of waste in collected in  North Northamptonshire had been diverted from landfill

·         97% of Council invoices were paid within 30 days

·         Customer Services had handled 189,000 phone calls since April 2022, with 2700 web-chat interactions with customers.

·         99% of face-to-face appointments had been kept within 5 minutes of the agreed time.

·         90% of planning applications had been dealt with inside the agreed 13-week timeframe.

·         8,200 road defects had been repaired across the Council area.

·         Workforce data outlining post and vacancy information was being improved and further defined.

Cllrs Brackenbury and Lawman spoke to welcome the information contained within the report as well as the improvements made to performance around planning applications and repairs to the road network.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

a)    Noted the performance of the Council as measured by the available indicators at Period 5 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 5, 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

That the Executive:

a.      Noted that the Household Support Fund (3) investment is to be managed locally.

b.      Approved the Recommended Scope and Diversity of Distribution as set out in section 4 of this report.

c.      Approved the control and oversight approach to be undertaken through a central operational team.

d.      Authorised any funds that have not been assigned or committed to by 31^st January 2023, according to the distribution methodology set out in section 4, to be redistributed in line with the wider Department for Work and Pensions Guidelines (attached as Appendix A to the report)

The Chair invited Cllr Dorothy Maxwell to address the Executive. Cllr Maxwell spoke to welcome the support for the most vulnerable in society as part of the grant funding process and queried how the grant funding message would be circulated to ensure all those eligible could access payments. Cllr Maxwell also queried what would be done to combat potential fraudulent claims.

The Chair thanked Cllr Maxwell for her contribution before inviting Cllr Lyn Buckingham to address the meeting. Cllr Buckingham also welcomed the report but noted that support services in the community were overstretched and funding for this sector could be of great benefit for residents.

The Chair thanked Cllr Buckingham for her comments before introducing a report that sought approval for the management and distribution of a third tranche of the Household Support Fund grant funding from central government totalling £2.465m to support households in the most need with food and energy bills because of the recent cost of living increases. It was noted that the fund could also be used to support households with essential costs related to those items and other essential household costs.

The Chair noted that the funding would allow for the continuation of the provision of food vouchers during the October half-term for those children eligible for free school meals, an offer the Council would not be in a position to make without this vital grant funding.

Cllr Helen Harrison spoke in support of the fund, noting the success in distributing the first two tranches of grant funding to the most vulnerable families in North Northamptonshire. Cllr Harrison noted that new government guidance would allow the Council to target funding at demographic groups who had yet to receive assistance to date.

Cllr Scott Edwards also spoke in support of the report and recommendations and noted that the continuation of food vouchers for those eligible for free school meals was a positive step that could only be undertaken as a result of this grant funding being provided to the Council.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a.      Noted that the Household Support Fund (3) investment is to be managed locally.

b.      Approved the Recommended Scope and Diversity of Distribution as set out in section 4 of this report.

c.      Approved the control and oversight approach to be undertaken through a central operational team.

d.      Authorised any funds that have not been assigned or committed to by 31^st January 2023, according to the distribution methodology set out in section 4, to be redistributed in line with the wider Department for Work and Pensions Guidelines (attached as Appendix A to the report)

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The recommended course of action is considered the lowest risk and the most cost-effective, within the disaggregation deadline provided, for the following reasons:

·         A detailed financial modelling exercise has been undertaken demonstrating that Option 2 (Delivery of enforcement services via an in-house enforcement team with external processing of penalty notices) is the most cost-effective option for delivery of the parking and bus lane enforcement system.  It carries start-up costs that are estimated to be £42,000 lower than Option 1 because it requires the induction and training of the fewest staff.

·         It is also estimated that the service can be provided under Option 2 on a cost neutral basis, with the ongoing revenue costs funded from the income generated largely by Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), which, as detailed in the finance section of this report is income that can only be used in accordance with section 55 (as amended) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Option 1 is estimated to cost around £14,000 a year more to operate than Option 2.

·         Option 2 minimises recruitment risks:  Based on the experiences of WNC, there are likely to be challenges to recruiting and training the back-office staff required for processing PCNs, who require specialist training to operate specialist systems in a complex area of law, often subject to challenge. In addition, the job market is currently challenging across all sectors, especially in specialist areas such as this.

·         Option 2 enables the council to have full control over the Civil Enforcement Officers, directing them to areas of need, both with regards to enforcement, but also to other duties in the event of unforeseen emergencies.

The Chair invited Cllr Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets to introduce a report that sought approval of an operational model for a North Northamptonshire Council Civil Parking and Bus Lane Enforcement service following the decision by the Shared Services Joint Committee to disaggregate the Highways and Transport service.

Cllr Lawman stated that parking and other traffic enforcement was currently delivered in North Northamptonshire (with the exception of the Kettering area) by the Highways and Transport Service on contract to West Northamptonshire Council, which hosted the service. This contract was due to end in March 2024; however, an earlier end had been negotiated for the North to March 2023.

As a result the Council would be required to arrange its own enforcement, including the back-office services needed to process any penalty charges and appeals. This would require a budget as well as a recruitment and procurement process to be undertaken.

It was recommended to run the enforcement service in-house, aligning it with the Kettering wardens, with the back-office functions requiring specialist skills and knowledge put out to external contract, at least initially, to ensure processing of penalty notices was in place on time and to provide resilience.

It was anticipated that having in-house enforcement officers would enable the Council to direct resources to where they were needed most. It was acknowledged that there would be some initial start-up costs as staff were recruited and trained, but it was expected that the service would become cost neutral at least, with any surplus directed to lawful highway improvements.

Cllr Helen Howell spoke to welcome the report, noting the positivity of taking control of enforcement in the Council area, with the ability to target specific areas and to be in full control of the service.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The recommended course of action is considered the lowest risk and the most cost-effective, within the disaggregation deadline provided, for the following reasons:

·         A detailed financial modelling exercise has been undertaken demonstrating that Option 2 (Delivery of enforcement services via an in-house enforcement team with external processing of penalty notices) is the most cost-effective option for delivery of the parking and bus lane enforcement system.  It carries start-up costs that are estimated to be £42,000 lower than Option 1 because it requires the induction and training of the fewest staff.

·         It is also estimated that the service can be provided under  ...  view the full minutes text for item 308.

The Chair invited Cllr Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets to present a report that sought approval to award a contract to WSP to deliver Highways service activities and projects until they reached a suitable stage to transition to the new Highways Services Contract provider (Kier), or be delivered by another specialist provider through a separate procurement process.

It was heard that on 12^th September 2022, the new Highways Contract with Kier had commenced. The previous contract had been with KierWSP, with WSP being their design partner, but not being a part of the new contract.

WSP were still undertaking significant and important work for the Council at the time the new contract commenced, and additional costs, re-working and delays could occur were any new contractor required to familiarise themselves with the projects, were that work not to be progressed to a point where it could be handed over to Kier, a new designer, or completed.

Works referred to above included responding to planning applications, managing the Council’s Strategic Transport Model, capital projects and Completion of the Local Cycling & Walking Improvement Plans for Corby and Kettering.

Cllr Lawman requested that Executive approve the award of a contract to deliver such activities outlined above, noting that an award was within the current budget envelope, that no new work would be commissioned through the award and that officers would seek to achieve handover at the earliest practical time.

Cllrs Harrison, Pentland, Howes and Brackenbury welcomed the recommendation and the continuity that an award of contract to WSP would bring to a number of important programmes and designs.

The Chair invited Cllr Matthew Binley, Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Levelling-up to introduce a report that sought approval for the implementation of the Safer Streets Round 4 projects for William Knibb and All Saints, Kettering; and Queensway, Wellingborough following a funding award from central government.

Cllr Binley noted that the proposed projects were designed to support the local community to tackle crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in neighbourhoods disproportionately affected by both based on information provided from police and crime prevention officers.

It was heard that the layout and structure of certain estates could cause issues relating to crime and ASB, with proposed alley-gating and CCTV installation potentially eliminating this aspect. In addition, vulnerable residents would be provided with home security packs and target hardening; and there would be provision and improvement of facilities and amenities to divert young people away from crime.  

It was heard that the Council was a key delivery partner in Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s (OPFCC) funding bid, with the Council managing the CCTV elements, outdoor gym equipment provision and enhancements to a local bike track in Wellingborough, totalling £285,000. Delivery of the projects would be ongoing to September 2023. Cllr Binley offered his thanks to the OPFCC for their support with the funding bid.

The Chair, Cllr Jason Smithers, welcomed the report noting the importance of residents being able to feel safe in their community and the input of the OFPCC and the power of partnership working.

Cllrs Pentland, Lawman and Harrison all spoke in support of the report and the projects detailed within it, with Cllr Harrison noting that the funding had wider potential than just preventing crime and ASB, with the opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing for residents as another outcome of the projects.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The Chair invited Cllr David Brackenbury, Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration to present a report that informed Members of the content of the Kettering Station Quarter Masterplan and sought approval of the Masterplan document and method for the Council to promote the delivery of improvements to the station and investment in the surrounding area.

Cllr Brackenbury noted that in 2019 Kettering Borough Council had made a successful application for funding to prepare a Masterplan for the reimagining of the Kettering Station Quarter. Details of the area and current site constraints were outlined to the meeting, including flooding issues caused in the vicinity of Slade Brook adjacent to the station.

It was noted that current access to the station did not provide an attractive or easily accessible gateway into the town and a lengthy piece of work had been undertaken factoring in other improvement works ongoing elsewhere in Kettering. The Masterplan outlined five proposed phases that would involve sequential moving of car-parking facilities and the redevelopment of these sites to result in more attractive, accessible gateway to the town. Significant engagement with stakeholders and landowners had been undertaken in the production of the Masterplan.

The ambition of the scheme was noted, and although there was a current identified funding deficit of £11m, work continued to be undertaken to seek other funding streams that could improve the viability of the project moving forward.

Cllr Brackenbury concluded by welcoming the input of both the Climate Change, Environment & Growth and Planning Policy Executive Advisory Panels (EAP) in consideration of the Masterplan.

Cllr Harriet Pentland stated that the Climate Change, Environment & Growth EAP had considered the importance of biodiversity and the mitigation required to avoid significant impact on this as the development came to fruition.

Cllrs Edwards and Howell welcomed the Masterplan, noting that it would be beneficial for local residents in reducing congestion and parking issues as well as forming part of the bigger picture as the Council developed its cycling, leisure facilities and Greenway.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

RESOLVED

The Chair invited Cllr Helen Harrison, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing to introduce an item that provided the Executive with a report of the work undertaken by the Chief Principal Social Worker (CPSW) during 2021/22, her reflections on this and the priorities for her work in 2022/23.

Cllr Harrison noted the huge amount of positive work and outcomes achieved by the CPSW in her short time in post and offered her thanks for a thorough, forward-looking report that was ambitious for both staff and the service in the future.

Cllr Harrison then invited David Watts, Executive Director of Adults, Communities and Wellbeing to provide some context behind the report of the CPSW. It was noted that it was the role of the CPSW to act as a conduit between service staff and the Executive Director as well as to improve social work practice and support social work staff in their roles within the organisation.

Details of the current workforce structure and support offered to trainee staff were provided to the meeting, as well as an outline of procedures reviewed since the CPSW came into post and priorities for 2023/24.

The Chair thanked the CPSW for her comprehensive, in-depth report and noted the checks and balances put in place to improve the current service offer to the benefit of North Northamptonshire residents.

Cllrs Brackenbury, Lawman and Harrison welcomed the honesty of the report, noting that it did not shy away from the issues faced by the social care service such as staff retention, but identified a clear path to service improvement going forward.

RESOLVED

RESOLVED

KEY DECISIONS

That the Executive:

a)     Considered the strategy and case for change and approve the proposal recommended option 3 (set out in section 3.3 of this report), to consult withregular users of NNC CQC regulated provider services on the futureproposed strategy and implications

b)     Approved the request to engage with Unions and staff affected on thestrategy, case for change and the four proposed phases of transformation

c)     Delegated final decision making, following consultation, to the ExecutiveMember for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, in Consultation with Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing, to conclude the statutory consultation with people that use those services

d)     Delegated the final decision, to the Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, in Consultation with the Executive Director for Adults,Communities and Wellbeing, as to whether to implement the strategy and phased proposals and after that decision to enter into formal consultation with unions and affected staff

e)     Noted that as part of phase 1 proposals that due diligence is being undertaken to consider and make recommendations to the Executive on the business case for running a Specialist Care Centre. It is anticipated that final proposals will be brought to the Executive for consideration at its meeting on 10^thNovember 2022

Reason for recommendations:

a)    The main physical buildings involved in delivering two of the services weretransferred to the council on vesting day having had insufficient investmentnecessary to develop the sites for the future.

b)     Investing in newer facilities will enable us to provide the environments for ourstaff to deliver better quality services & the right environments to maximiseassessment, re-ablement, enablement and opportunities for independentliving for people that use the services

c)      The current facilities are in poor condition and require significant investmentto return them to an acceptable level of quality, and even if that decision were made the buildings would need to be vacated for significant periods of timeto enable the level of works required to be completed and would still struggle to achieve the desired outcomes for the services due to limitations within both sites

d)      Our own staff had experienced impacts on their pay and reward growth overthe last decade, and their training and development has been minimal within previous organisations

e)     We have a finite budget within which to work with, which will require a phasedapproach to transforming ASC Provider Services over the coming threeyears and will focus initially on those Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulated services.

f)     There is a role for the local authority in delivering services that we struggleto get from the independent sector, or that with more direct control over there is the opportunity to significantly improve outcomes.

g)    It is beneficial for the local authority to retain some services to enable it to bea provider of last resort should that ever be required e.g., following provider failure.

h)    The people that use the services will get a  ...  view the full decision text for item 313.

The Chair invited Cllr Dorothy Maxwell to address the meeting in relation to this item. Cllr Maxwell stated that in terms of social care, the Council should ensure staff received suitable training and pay as well as recognition for their work as this was vital in ensuring retention and allowed the Council to offer a quality of service that was to a level expected by residents.

The Chair then invited Cllr Lyn Buckingham to address the meeting. Cllr Buckingham welcomed the report and the focus on the case for change but noted that a “one size fits all” approach should not be adopted given the breadth of services that Adult Social Care encompassed. 

The Chair thanked both speakers for their input before inviting Cllr Helen Harrison, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing to introduce a report that sought Executive approval to consult on the proposed strategy for transforming in-house Adult Social Care Provider Services with the people using those services with a view to allowing the Council to deliver the highest quality assessment, re-ablement and enablement to support people to live their lives independently and be ambitious for their future.

It was heard that approval of the strategy would transform services for the user, improve training, pay and career progression for staff and allow for the provisions of up-to-date facilities to provide the enhanced care required in North Northamptonshire. Members heard that the strategy was not a cost-cutting exercise, rather a strategy to provide an improved, better value service.

An honest assessment of the current service position was outlined, with members noting that the legacy service had suffered from poor investment and was not currently fit for purpose, with care staff low paid, receiving minimal training and development and working in poorly rated facilities. It was noted that the Council was competing with a well-established care market and struggled to access this level of quality for its own users. In addition, the Council faced a struggle to recruit and retain staff based on the issues outlined above and it was imperative that a plan was enacted to address these problems.

The Council had the opportunity to completely transform its service and it was proposed that this would be achieved through a phased approach. A number of options for service improvement had been considered, with Option 3 as outlined in the report recommended. Further recommendations to the Executive on the business case for running a Specialist Care Centre would be submitted to 10^th November meeting for consideration.

The Chair welcomed the report as it would begin the process of improving outcomes for residents and valued staff members. The Chair thanked Cllr Harrison and David Watts for driving the Council’s vision of an enhanced service offer.

Cllrs Lawman, Brackenbury, Edwards and Howes also spoke strongly in support of the proposed strategy in aiming to provide a service that would be fit for purpose and reward the hard work of staff.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISIONS

That the Executive:

a)     Considered the strategy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 313.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That Executive approved the following changes to the capital programme:

a.      Earls Barton Library Improvements, increase of £0.051m to the capital programme for 2022/23, to be funded from Section 106 Developer Contributions

b.      Safer Streets, increase of £0.546m to the capital programme; £0.312m in 2022/23 and £0.234m in 2023/24, which is to be funded from Home Office Safer Streets Fund and in partnership with the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

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

·         To improve facilities at the Earls Barton library.

·         To promote safer streets in targeted areas with higher-than-average crime and anti-social behaviour.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         Use of the funding is in line with the agreement, there is no alternative option proposed.

·         By not approving these recommendations there would be an adverse impact on service provision and the completion of projects in North Northamptonshire.

The Chair invited Cllr Lloyd Bunday, Executive Member for Finance and Transformation to introduce 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.

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

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That Executive approved the following changes to the capital programme:

a.      Earls Barton Library Improvements, increase of £0.051m to the capital programme for 2022/23, to be funded from Section 106 Developer Contributions

b.      Safer Streets, increase of £0.546m to the capital programme; £0.312m in 2022/23 and £0.234m in 2023/24, which is to be funded from Home Office Safer Streets Fund and in partnership with the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

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

·         To improve facilities at the Earls Barton library.

·         To promote safer streets in targeted areas with higher-than-average crime and anti-social behaviour.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         Use of the funding is in line with the agreement, there is no alternative option proposed.

·         By not approving these recommendations there would be an adverse impact on service provision and the completion of projects in North Northamptonshire.

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 of the report.

c)     Noted the release of £500k of the contingency budget which was set aside to fund increased utility costs when the budget was set (see paragraph 5.48 of the report)

d)    Noted an increase in the gross budget of £2.466m to provide support for families and individuals in specific financial hardship to be funded from the Household Support Fund 3 grant (see paragraph 5.72 of the report).

Reason for Recommendations – to note the forecast financial position for 2022/23 as at Period 5 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 invited Cllr Lloyd Bunday, Executive Member for Finance and Transformation to introduce a report that set out the forecast outturn position for the Council based on the Period 5 monitoring forecasts for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

Cllr Bunday drew attention to the status of legacy authority audited accounts and thanked the Finance team for their efforts in getting to this position, noting that the closure of the 2020/21 accounts for the former County Council was being led by West Northamptonshire Council and was progressing well with only a few small number of items to conclude.

The meeting heard that the overall outturn forecast for the General Fund for 2022/23, as at Period 5 was a forecast overspend of £3.7m against the approved budget, a favourable movement of £908,000 since the last report to Executive. It was reported that both Council Tax and Business Rates collection remained in a strong position. The contingency fund would be fully used by the end of the financial year to offset increased utility costs and the forthcoming pay award. The largest budgetary pressure came from the Children’s Trust at £3.082m, with additional budget variances outlined to the meeting, especially those of the Place and Economy Service that was facing several pressures relating to utility costs, waste management and fleet vehicles.

Despite departments working hard to stay within budget, the Council operated a number of demand-led services and still had much to do in terms of aggregation and disaggregation of services as well as restructuring and transformation in the face of a number of financial pressures both national and global.

The meeting heard that the Council’s Housing Revenue Account was currently forecasting a £126,000k underspend. Details of forecast rental positions, void rates and maintenance costs for both the Corby and Kettering accounts were provided to the meeting.

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 of the report.

c)     Noted the release of £500k of the contingency budget which was set aside to fund increased utility costs when the budget was set (see paragraph 5.48 of the report)

d)    Noted an increase in the gross budget of £2.466m to provide support for families and individuals in specific financial hardship to be funded from the Household Support Fund 3 grant (see paragraph 5.72 of the report).

Reason for Recommendations – to note the forecast financial position for 2022/23 as at Period 5 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.

It was reported that there were no urgent items of business to be transacted.

The Chair 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 items of business which were exempt by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:-

·         Item 16 – Fletton Field, Oundle

·         Item 17 – Legal Service Provision

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:-

a)    Confirmed the category of land use as public open space and so foregoes any potential development value from the site.

b)    Confirmed Fletton Field as surplus and authorised the transfer of the site, following the statutory process documented in the Asset of Community Value (England) Regulations and the Council’s Asset of Community Value Policy evaluation process.

c)    Noted that any transfer will be subject to a restriction of the main use as public open space.

d)    Noted that Oundle Town Council had already expressed an interest in acquiring the site to hold it as custodians for the community and maintain its use as public open space and that they will be eligible to bid for the site as part of the Asset of Community Value marketing process.

e)    Noted that Fletton Field Association continue to support community activity on Fletton Field and that this support is encouraged by the Council.

f)     Granted delegations to the Deputy Leader of the Council in consultation with the Assistant Director of Assets & Environment, to evaluate the bids, determine the preferred bidder and agree the financial terms of the transfer.

Reasons for Recommendations:

·      The recommendations provide certainty to the Council and the community regarding a local community asset.

·      The Asset Management team tasked with reviewing options for Fletton Field have identified issues that would affect development, furthermore, development was not supported through the planning process, evidenced by two failed planning applications made by NCC.

·      The Council is under an obligation to review surplus land holdings and bring sites forward within a reasonable timeframe. This site has been held surplus for over four years so a resolution to determine the outcome is due.

·      There is no alternative use identified for this land by the Council.

Alternative Options Considered: The only reasonable alternative for the site would be for the Council to own it as public open space, however, the Council does not currently maintain Fletton Field and considers that ongoing custodianship of the field as public open space is best supported locally (subject to ensuring the land has adequate restrictions registered on the title that protect future use as an open space).

The Chair invited Cllr Lyn Buckingham to address the meeting. Cllr Buckingham spoke in support of Fletton Field continuing to be utilised as a community space given its value to the residents of Oundle.

The Chair thanked Cllr Buckingham for her attendance before inviting Cllr Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets to introduce a report that sought confirmation of Fletton Field, Oundle as surplus to Council requirements and to authorise the transfer of the site following the statutory process documented in the Asset of Community Value (England) Regulations and the Council’s Asset of Community Value Policy evaluation process, noting that any transfer would be subject to a restriction of the main use as public open space.

It was heard that Fletton Field was a former school playing field located within the central area of Oundle. It was left over from the reorganisation of schools in the former East Northamptonshire area. The former County Council had planned to sell it for development, however these plans had not materialised, and the land became used by the local community for recreation, being declared an Asset of Community Value. Oundle Town Council had submitted a Community Asset Transfer request, so a decision on its future was required.

Both the Chair and Cllr Harrison welcomed the report noting that the status of the site had been a long-running issue and was one that required concluding.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:-

a)    Confirmed the category of land use as public open space and so foregoes any potential development value from the site.

b)    Confirmed Fletton Field as surplus and authorised the transfer of the site, following the statutory process documented in the Asset of Community Value (England) Regulations and the Council’s Asset of Community Value Policy evaluation process.

c)    Noted that any transfer will be subject to a restriction of the main use as public open space.

d)    Noted that Oundle Town Council had already expressed an interest in acquiring the site to hold it as custodians for the community and maintain its use as public open space and that they will be eligible to bid for the site as part of the Asset of Community Value marketing process.

e)    Noted that Fletton Field Association continue to support community activity on Fletton Field and that this support is encouraged by the Council.

f)     Granted delegations to the Deputy Leader of the Council in consultation with the Assistant Director of Assets & Environment, to evaluate the bids, determine the preferred bidder and agree the financial terms of the transfer.

Reasons for Recommendations:

·      The recommendations provide certainty to the Council and the community regarding a local community asset.

·      The Asset Management team tasked with reviewing options for Fletton Field have identified issues that would affect development, furthermore, development was not supported through the planning process, evidenced by two failed planning applications made by NCC.

·      The Council is under an obligation to review surplus land holdings and bring sites forward within a reasonable timeframe. This site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 318.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

The Chair introduced a report that set out how legal services were currently received by the Council, reviewed the options for legal provision and recommended that the Council utilised an in-house service to provide legal advice across unitary functions to support the Council in the future.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION