Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Scott Edwards.

The Chair, Councillor Jason Smithers, reported that there was one request to address the meeting, from Councillor Jim Hakewill in respect of the National Bus Strategy report (minute 7 refers).

The Chair invited those who wished to do so, to declare interests in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations were received.

To note the special urgency decision made between meetings:-

·         Residential Care Nursing Framework & Dynamic Purchasing System (link to notification on website)

Under the special urgency provisions at section 6 of the Council’s Constitution, the Executive noted the urgent key decision, taken on 27 May 2021, by the Leader of the Council and the Chair of Scrutiny Commission, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Adults, Health and Wellbeing and underwritten advisement from the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer or S151 officer, using their powers under the special urgency provisions at section 6 of the Council’s Constitution, in order to:

a)    Approve the described approach to procure the Older Person’s Residential and Nursing Care Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for a period of 1 year from 01 September 2021 until 31 August 2022 using the Light Touch Regime (CPR 2015); and

b)    Delegate this activity to the Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing in consultation with the Portfolio Lead for Adults, Health and Wellbeing.

To approve the ‘School’s Minor Works’ budget for 2021/22, funded by the Department for Education ‘School Condition Allocation’ grant.

(KEY DECISION)

a)    That the 2021/22 ‘School Minor Works’ budget to rectify condition issues in North Northamptonshire Councils maintained schools to ensure the Council continues to fulfil its statutory obligation of maintaining its school estate be approved;

b)    That it be noted that North Northamptonshire Councils allocation of ‘School Condition Allocation’ funding for 2021/22 has been confirmed by the DfE at £1,935,564 and that this grant funding will be utilised as the Councils ‘School Minor Works’ budget for 2021/22;

c)    That it be noted that any works undertaken under the ‘Schools Minor Works’ budget will be delivered as part of a rolling programme of conditions surveys at maintained schools in the Local Authority;

d)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Childrens’ Services, to authorise all necessary legal, property and financial agreements to ensure effective delivery of condition schemes.

(Reasons for Decision:

The Council will continue to fulfil its statutory obligation of maintaining its school estate;

The recommended course of action is the most effective and prevents delays in procuring essential works;

This is the third year of the ‘School Minor Works’ programme which has been managed effectively within Northamptonshire.)

Councillor Lloyd Bunday, on behalf of Cllr Scott Edwards Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills, introduced  a report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services which provided Executive members with details of the proposed 2021/22 School Minor Works budget, in order to rectify condition issues in North Northamptonshire Council’s maintained schools.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 5’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

(KEY DECISION)

a)    That the 2021/22 ‘School Minor Works’ budget to rectify condition issues in North Northamptonshire Councils maintained schools to ensure the Council continues to fulfil its statutory obligation of maintaining its school estate be approved;

b)    That it be noted that North Northamptonshire Councils allocation of ‘School Condition Allocation’ funding for 2021/22 has been confirmed by the DfE at £1,935,564 and that this grant funding will be utilised as the Councils ‘School Minor Works’ budget for 2021/22;

c)    That it be noted that any works undertaken under the ‘Schools Minor Works’ budget will be delivered as part of a rolling programme of conditions surveys at maintained schools in the Local Authority;

d)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills in consultation with the Director of Childrens’ Services, to authorise all necessary legal, property and financial agreements to ensure effective delivery of condition schemes.

(Reasons for Decision:

The Council will continue to fulfil its statutory obligation of maintaining its school estate;

The recommended course of action is the most effective and prevents delays in procuring essential works;

This is the third year of the ‘School Minor Works’ programme which has been managed effectively within Northamptonshire.)

To set out the shortlisted projects submitted for the Council for the UK Community Renewal Fund and to seek the creation of a small advisory panel to support related activities.

a)    That the submission made to Government based on the shortlisted projects set out in Appendix A of the report be endorsed.

b)    That the creation of a small advisory panel to support programme monitoring and help look ahead to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as outlined in paragraph 5.17 of the report be approved.

(Reasons for Decision:

To provide oversight of the Community Renewal Fund process, to review programme delivery  and to (to ensure the Council is well-prepared

preparations for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, commencing in 2022.)

Councillor Steven North, Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, introduced a report of the Executive Director of Place and Economy which set out the shortlisted projects submitted for North Northamptonshire in respect of the UK Community Renewal Fund. The report also outline the process which was followed to invite and receive bids, and to produce the shortlist.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 6’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

It was noted that the Council had received 23 applications, 19 of which had met the criteria and 4 of which had not. A full list of the applications could be found in appendices 1 and 2 of the report.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the submission made to Government based on the shortlisted projects set out in Appendix A of the report be endorsed.

b)    That the creation of a small advisory panel to support programme monitoring and help look ahead to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as outlined in paragraph 5.17 of the report be approved.

(Reasons for Decision:

To provide oversight of the Community Renewal Fund process, to review programme delivery  and to (to ensure the Council is well-prepared for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, commencing in 2022.)

To note the challenges faced by the bus industry due to Covid-19, to form an Enhanced Partnership, and to delegate authority to prepare an Enhanced Partnership and Bus Service Improvement Plan.

a)    That the challenges faced by the bus industry due to COVID-19 and the funding that is being provided by the Government and Council to support bus services during the disruption to normal travel patterns as a result of Covid-19, as set out in Section 5 of the report, be noted;

b)    That the publication of Bus Back Better, the National Bus Strategy for England, as summarised in Section 6 of the report, be noted;

c)    That commitment be given to the formation of an Enhanced Partnership under the Bus Service Act 2017, for the reasons set out in Section 7 of the report;

d)    That the £100,000 capacity funding received from Government, as outlined in Section 8 of the report, be noted; and    

e)    That authority be delegated to prepare, for approval by the Executive, an Enhanced Partnership and Bus Service Improvement Plan, to the Executive Director for Place and Economy, in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets.

Reasons for Decisions:

To improve bus services for North Northamptonshire communities and minimise the risk of any communities losing their bus service;

To facilitate climate and environmental benefits through increasing bus use and the operation of more low emission buses;

To contribute to the implementation of the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan (the Local Transport Plan); and

To enable the Council to access the funding being made available by Government to support the National Bus Strategy.

Councillor Graham Lawman, Executive Member for Highways, Travel & Assets, introduced a report of the Executive Director for Place and Economy which informed the Executive on the current situation with regard to funding of bus services in North Northamptonshire and the Government’s National Bus

Strategy for England: Bus Back Better. The report also sought a commitment to the formation of an Enhanced Partnership scheme in order to facilitate the improvement of local bus services for North Northamptonshire's residents by being able to access Government funding which would be made available to support implementation of the National Bus Strategy.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 7’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Jim Hakewill to the meeting who wished to speak in favour of the principals within the report. Cllr Hakewill noted the work undertaken by the prior County Council and four District and Borough Councils and hoped that such work would not be lost and be built upon in developing new strategies for North Northamptonshire Council.

Cllr Hakewill also hoped that work would continue in respect of provision of bus subsidies to rural communities where there were measures of deprivation, such as that of assistance to voluntary groups.

The Chair thanked Cllr Hakewill for his comments.

Both Cllr Lawman and Cllr David Howes, Executive Member for Rural Communities & Localism welcomed Cllr Hakewill’s comments.

The Executive looked forward to engaging with local communities and groups to progress the bus strategy and seek to open up travel to rural areas.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the challenges faced by the bus industry due to COVID-19 and the funding that is being provided by the Government and Council to support bus services during the disruption to normal travel patterns as a result of Covid-19, as set out in Section 5 of the report, be noted;

b)    That the publication of Bus Back Better, the National Bus Strategy for England, as summarised in Section 6 of the report, be noted;

c)    That commitment be given to the formation of an Enhanced Partnership under the Bus Service Act 2017, for the reasons set out in Section 7 of the report;

d)    That the £100,000 capacity funding received from Government, as outlined in Section 8 of the report, be noted; and    

e)    That authority be delegated to prepare, for approval by the Executive, an Enhanced Partnership and Bus Service Improvement Plan, to the Executive Director for Place and Economy, in consultation with the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets.

Reasons for Decisions:

To improve bus services for North Northamptonshire communities and minimise the risk of any communities losing their bus service;

To facilitate climate and environmental benefits through increasing bus use and the operation of more low emission buses;

To contribute to the implementation of the Northamptonshire Transportation Plan (the Local Transport Plan); and

To enable the Council to access the funding being made available by Government to support the National  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To set out the proposed increase for care and support service areas and direct payment cost rate, and to outline the methodology used to develop the new rates.

(KEY DECISION)

a)     That the following increases in fee levels for 2021-2022 be approved.

b)     That approval be given to the full breakdown of current service fees with comparison of 2.25% and 2.70% increases and definitions of “provision type” in Appendix A to the report.

(Reasons for Decision:

The Care Act 2015 establishes a general responsibility and duty on local authorities and Directors of Social Services to promote diversity and quality in care provision and ensure a sustainable market of care in their areas.)

Councillor Helen Harrison, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, introduced a report of the Executive Director for Adults, Health and Wellbeing which set out the proposed increase for care and support service areas and direct payment cost rate, and to outline the methodology used to develop the new rates.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 8’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

It was noted that the proposed uplifts had been benchmarked against neighbouring authorities and that the Council would work within its own marketplace to benchmark and set its own rates. It was also noted that further work needed to be undertaken in establishing uplift options for mental health activity as this moved across from the clinical commissioning groups to the Council.

The Executive wished to pay tribute to the hard work of dedicated individuals on the front line, particularly through the current pandemic.

RESOLVED:

(KEY DECISION)

a)     That the following increases in fee levels for 2021-2022 be approved.

To request approval for capital schemes to be approved into the Capital Programme.

(KEY DECISION)

That approval be given to the following changes to the Council’s capital programme totalling £1.936m:

·         Schools Minor Works 2021-22 of £1.936m funded from the Department for Education (DfE) School Condition Allocation Grant.

(Reasons for Decision:

The recommended course of action will allow the timely progression of capital works.

To enable the Council to continue to fulfil its statutory obligation of maintaining its school estate.)

Councillor Lloyd Bunday, Executive Member for Finance and Transformation, introduced a report of the Executive Director for Finance which requested approval for capital schemes which were either identified as part of the Development Pool approved by the North Northamptonshire Shadow Executive as part of the February 2021 budget papers, or for other schemes that have come forward since, to be approved into the Capital Programme.

It was noted that the 2021/22 Capital Strategy had been approved by the Shadow Authority in February 2021 and that a capital programme update report would usually be provided to the Executive on a monthly basis.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 9’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

(KEY DECISION)

That approval be given to the following changes to the Council’s capital programme totalling £1.936m:

·         Schools Minor Works 2021-22 of £1.936m funded from the Department for Education (DfE) School Condition Allocation Grant.

(Reasons for Decision:

The recommended course of action will allow the timely progression of capital works.

To enable the Council to continue to fulfil its statutory obligation of maintaining its school estate.)

To make recommendations regarding the disaggregation of hosted services between North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council.

That the Transformation Priority Plan timeline to disaggregate the hosted services between North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council be endorsed.

(Reasons for Decision:

To progress the process of disaggregation of hosted services during years 1 and 2 of the new councils.)

Councillor Lloyd Bunday, Executive Member for Finance and Transformation, introduced a report of the Director of Transformation which set out the principals for the transformation of services in North Northamptonshire, as set out by the Shadow Executive on 3^rd February 2021, and outlined the Transformation Priority Plan timeline to disaggregate the hosted services between North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire councils.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 10’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

Cllr Steven North, as Chair of the Transformation Task and Finish Group, wished to thank all members who had sat on the Group and contributed to this piece of work during the Shadow Authority period. He reported that the West Northamptonshire Cabinet had approved the same recommendations being proposed to this meeting, on 8 June, and that the two authorities looked forward to continuing to progress their work in disaggregating the remaining hosted services.

RESOLVED:

That the Transformation Priority Plan timeline to disaggregate the hosted services between North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council be endorsed.

(Reasons for Decision:

To progress the process of disaggregation of hosted services during years 1 and 2 of the new councils.)

To formally make the Gretton Neighbourhood Plan.

That approval be given to the Gretton Neighbourhood Plan being made, so that it becomes part of the statutory development plan for the area.

(Reason for Decision:

Following the community’s endorsement of the Plan at a local referendum this forms the final step is for it to be formally ‘made’ by this Council.)

Councillor Steven North, Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, introduced a report of the Director of Place and Economy which sought to formally make the Gretton Neighbourhood Plan as part of the statutory development plan for the area, following the local referendum held on 6 May 2021.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 11’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the Gretton Neighbourhood Plan being made, so that it becomes part of the statutory development plan for the area.

(Reason for Decision:

Following the community’s endorsement of the Plan at a local referendum this forms the final step is for it to be formally ‘made’ by this Council.)

To formally make the Ecton Neighbourhood Plan.

That approval be given to the Ecton Neighbourhood Plan being made, so that it becomes part of the statutory development plan for the area.

(Reason for Decision:

Following the community’s endorsement of the Plan at a local referendum this forms the final step is for it to be formally ‘made’ by this Council.)

Councillor Steven North, Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, introduced a report of the Director of Place and Economy which sought to formally make the Ecton Neighbourhood Plan as part of the statutory development plan for the area, following the local referendum held on 6 May 2021.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 12’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the Ecton Neighbourhood Plan being made, so that it becomes part of the statutory development plan for the area.

(Reason for Decision:

Following the community’s endorsement of the Plan at a local referendum this forms the final step is for it to be formally ‘made’ by this Council.)

To approve Head of Terms set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in connection with Corby’s Towns Fund.

a)    That the continuation of the Corby Town Deal Board which was established by Corby Borough Council be confirmed and approved;

b)    That membership of the Town Deal Board as detailed in section 5 of the report be approved.

c)    That authority be delegated to the Leader and Portfolio holder for Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Chief Executive and Executive Director of Place and Economy to approve and sign Heads of Terms in connection with Corby’s Town Fund from MHCLG.

(Reasons for Decisions:

To ensure that North Northamptonshire Council is appropriately represented on the Corby Town Deal Board.

The options proposed align with MHCLG’s guidance on the Town Fund.)

Councillor Steven North, Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, introduced a report of the Director of Place and Economy which presented a revised Corby Town Deal Board (the Board) membership and sought to approve Head of Terms set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in connection with Corby’s Towns Fund.

A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 13’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

The Executive welcomed the Council’s successful bid in being awarded £19.9m for delivery of a smart, connected Corby via its Town Investment Plan and looked forward to the revised Board membership continuing its positive work to date.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the continuation of the Corby Town Deal Board which was established by Corby Borough Council be confirmed and approved;

b)    That membership of the Town Deal Board as detailed in section 5 of the report be approved.

c)    That authority be delegated to the Leader and Portfolio holder for Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Chief Executive and Executive Director of Place and Economy to approve and sign Heads of Terms in connection with Corby’s Town Fund from MHCLG.

(Reasons for Decisions:

To ensure that North Northamptonshire Council is appropriately represented on the Corby Town Deal Board.

The options proposed align with MHCLG’s guidance on the Town Fund.)

The Chair, Councillor Jason Smithers, informed members of the press and public that the remaining business for the meeting involved the exclusion of the press and public in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Thanks were given to all those members of the press and public who had attended the public part of the first meeting of the Executive.

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:-

·         Kettering Alfred East Art Gallery, Library and Manor House Museum – (GLaM) Main Contract Award

(KEY DECISION)

a)    That approval be given to the award of the Main Capital Works JCT contract to contractor A; and

b)    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Housing and Communities in collaboration with the ?Director of Legal & Democratic to conclude the appointment.

(Reason for Decisions:

To accord with legislation and the constitutional policy of the Council.)

Councillor Helen Howell, Executive Member for Sport Leisure, Culture and Tourism, introduced a report of the Executive Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing which presented updates related to the capital project, GLaM, and which sought to award the main contract of works.

A copy of the exempt report, marked ‘Agenda Item 14a’, was provided as part of the agenda document pack provided to members prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:

(KEY DECISION)

a)    That approval be given to the award of the Main Capital Works JCT contract to contractor A; and

b)    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Housing and Communities in collaboration with the ?Director of Legal & Democratic to conclude the appointment.

(Reason for Decisions:

To accord with legislation and the constitutional policy of the Council.)

The Chair confirmed that there were no items of business for consideration.