Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

As notified to councillors prior to the meeting, the Chair confirmed to councillors her formal acceptance of two urgent items: ‘Request for Dispensation for Attendance’ and Political Balance on Council Committees', following consultation with the Monitoring Officer and in accordance with meeting procedure rule 11.

The urgent items were accepted for consideration in each case as decisions needed to be made prior to the next scheduled meeting of Council.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Brackenbury,  Jon-Paul Carr, Melanie Coleman, William Colquhoun, Scott Edwards, Bert Jackson, Graham Lawman, Richard Levell, Zoe McGhee, Steven North, David Sims, Jason Smithers, Sarah Tubbs, Michael Tye, Malcolm Waters, and Keli Watts.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29^th August 2024 were approved as a correct record and duly signed by the Chair of the Council, subject to the following approved amendments:-

• Cllr Fedorowycz and Cllr Griffiths were both present, rather than having given their apologies;
• Cllr Kirk Harrison gave his apologies rather than being present;
• Cllr Prentice gave his apologies, but these were not originally listed.

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at the meeting.

The Chair asked those members who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair invited Councillor Helen Howell, Deputy Leader of the Council, to welcome its latest addition as a member of the Council.

The Deputy Leader warmly welcomed, in the absence of Councillor Smithers and with his full support, the newly elected member Councillor Alex Evelyn for the Burton and Broughton Ward following the by-election held on 10 October 2024. Opposition leaders also joined in welcoming Councillor Evelyn to the Council.

The Chair also joined in welcoming Councillor Evelyn to the Council.

The Chair also announced that she had attended a number of recent engagements/events which she had been very pleased to attend, which included:-

·         Visiting four of the customer service centres and learning of the outstanding work and knowledge that advisors passed on to residents and customers of the Council;

·         Opening of a restaurant in Kettering, noting what a pleasure it was to represent the Council at any event.

To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council.

In the absence of the Leader, the Deputy Leader confirmed there were no announcements to make on this occasion.

(i)         Public Statements

To consider public statements received in accordance with public meeting procedure rule 15.

(ii)        Public Questions

To consider public questions received in accordance with public meeting procedure rule 16.

(iii)       Petitions

To receive petitions qualifying for full Council in accordance with the council’s petition scheme.

The Chair confirmed there were no public statements or petitions requested at this meeting.

There had been one public question received from Julie Heron relating to the brightness of street lights on Deeble Road, Kettering. Ms Heron was unable to attend the meeting so as the question and answer had already been circulated to councillors and published on the website - they were taken as read.

A copy of the public question and response is filed with these minutes, as Appendix A.

To receive any presentations from the Executive in accordance with meeting procedure rule 3.1 (vi).

The Deputy Leader confirmed that there were no Executive presentations to be made on this occasion.

Councillor Howell rose to request under meeting procedure rule 9.2 that the urgent items ‘Request for Dispensation for Attendance’ and  Political Balance on Council Committees' be brought forward on the agenda for consideration immediately after item 9 ‘Northamptonshire Youth Justice Plan 2024/25’ and prior to Item 10 ‘Motions on Notice.’”

The Chair confirmed her acceptance of the request.

That Council:

a)    Approves the content of the North Northamptonshire Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report 2023 – 2024 which gives an overview of the Corporate Parenting Board’s activities.

b)    Notes that the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Corporate Parenting Strategy 2021-25 sets out four key priorities and the update on each areas progress contained in the annual report.

Reasons for Decisions:

·         To promote and monitor the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Corporate Parenting Strategy;

·         To encourage all Members and employees to recognise their role as corporate parents;

·         Provides Members with an overview of the work of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and supports the discharge of their Corporate Parenting duties.

Alternative Options Considered

·         Do Nothing – Councils have statutory duties as Corporate Parents for children in care and care leavers. Whilst the role of the Directors of Children’s Services and Lead Members are defined in legislation there are wider corporate responsibilities on all staff and elected Members. By not approving the Corporate Parenting Annual Report it would mean that the Council may fail to deliver all or parts of its statutory responsibilities in this area.

Council considered a report seeking approval of Northamptonshire County Council’s Corporate Parenting Board’s Annual Report for 2023/24.

A copy of the report, marked as ‘Item 8’ on the agenda is filed with the agenda papers for the meeting.

The report was presented to promote and monitor the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Corporate Parenting Strategy, to encourage all Members and employees to recognise their role as corporate parents, and to provide Members with an overview of the work of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and support the discharge of their Corporate Parenting duties.

Councillor Wendy Brackenbury moved and Councillor Kirk Harrison seconded the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

In welcoming the report and the important role that all councillors played in terms of corporate parenting, it was further welcomed that Councillor Scott Edwards, Executive Member for Children, Families and Skills had that day signed the care leavers covenant.

The motion was voted on, with 58 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved that Council:-

a)    Approves the content of the North Northamptonshire Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report 2023 – 2024 which gives an overview of the Corporate Parenting Board’s activities.

b)    Notes that the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Corporate Parenting Strategy 2021-25 sets out four key priorities and the update on each areas progress contained in the annual report.

Reasons for Decisions:

·         To promote and monitor the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Corporate Parenting Strategy;

·         To encourage all Members and employees to recognise their role as corporate parents;

·         Provides Members with an overview of the work of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and supports the discharge of their Corporate Parenting duties.

Alternative Options Considered

·         Do Nothing – Councils have statutory duties as Corporate Parents for children in care and care leavers. Whilst the role of the Directors of Children’s Services and Lead Members are defined in legislation there are wider corporate responsibilities on all staff and elected Members. By not approving the Corporate Parenting Annual Report it would mean that the Council may fail to deliver all or parts of its statutory responsibilities in this area.

That Council:

a)    Approves the contents of the Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service Youth Justice Plan 2024/25;

b)    Notes Northamptonshire’s Youth Offending Service priorities for 2023/24 as set out in the plan;

Reasons for Decisions:

·         To accord with the Councils Constitution which sets out that the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Policy Framework that is decided by full Council.

·         To provide strategic direction to the Youth Offending Service that is delivered by Northamptonshire Children’s Trust.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         To take no action – The Youth Justice Plan is a statutory requirement, failure to produce and submit a Youth Justice Plan would result in non-compliance with a statutory requirement. Further to this the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework and approval by the Council is therefore required. For the reasons set out this option was discounted.

Council considered a report seeking approval of the Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service Youth Justice Plan 2024/25 and to note its priorities.

A copy of the report, marked as ‘Item 9’ on the agenda is filed with the agenda papers for the meeting.

The report was presented to accord with the Councils Constitution which sets out that the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Policy Framework and to provide strategic direction to the Youth Offending Service delivered by Northamptonshire Children’s Trust.

Councillor Gill Mercer moved and Councillor Jan O’Hara seconded the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

Councillors welcomed the report and the work being undertaken to reduce and prevent offending by children and young people on a multi-agency basis..

The motion was voted on, with 57 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved that Council:-

a)    Approves the contents of the Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service Youth Justice Plan 2024/25;

b)    Notes Northamptonshire’s Youth Offending Service priorities for 2023/24 as set out in the plan;

Reasons for Decisions:

·         To accord with the Councils Constitution which sets out that the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Policy Framework that is decided by full Council.

·         To provide strategic direction to the Youth Offending Service that is delivered by Northamptonshire Children’s Trust.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         To take no action – The Youth Justice Plan is a statutory requirement, failure to produce and submit a Youth Justice Plan would result in non-compliance with a statutory requirement. Further to this the Youth Justice Plan forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework and approval by the Council is therefore required. For the reasons set out this option was discounted.

That Council grants a dispensation to Councillor Malcolm Waters from attending meetings of the Council for a six-month period by reason of illness.

Reason for Decision:

·         Pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 where a Councillor fails to attend any meeting of the Council for six months, they cease to be a Member of the Council unless a dispensation has been granted by the Council.

Other Options Considered:

·         That Council decides not to approve the dispensation. This was not recommended as the reasons for it are considered reasonable and failure to grant would result in Councillor Malcolm Waters ceasing to be a member of North Northamptonshire Council.

Council considered an urgent item which advised of a request for a dispensation from attending meetings to Councillor Malcolm Waters who was currently unable to attend any Council meetings due to illness.

A copy of the urgent report is filed with the agenda papers for the meeting.

The report was considered under the urgency provisions because, pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 where a Councillor fails to attend any meeting of the Council for six months, they would cease to be a Member of the Council unless a dispensation had been granted by the Council.

Councillor Helen Howell moved and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded the motion setting out the recommendations in the report.

The Chair informed councillors that she would pass on their best wishes to Councillor Waters for a speedy recovery.

The motion was voted on, with 58 votes in favour, 0 abstentions and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council grants a dispensation to Councillor Malcolm Waters from attending meetings of the Council for a six-month period by reason of illness.

Reason for Decision:

·         Pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 where a Councillor fails to attend any meeting of the Council for six months, they cease to be a Member of the Council unless a dispensation has been granted by the Council.

Other Options Considered:

·         That Council decides not to approve the dispensation. This was not recommended as the reasons for it are considered reasonable and failure to grant would result in Councillor Malcolm Waters ceasing to be a member of North Northamptonshire Council.

That Council approves the recommendations set out in Appendix A to the report, inclusive of the revised allocation of seats for the committees to the recognised political groups, in accordance with statutory proportionality requirements and the Constitution.

Reason for Decision:

·         To ensure that the revised political balance of the Council is applied to the governance structure of the Council, in accordance with law and approved guidelines contained in the Council Constitution.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         None, as the revised political balance calculation is required to be reported to full Council under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

Council considered an urgent item which set out the revised political balance of the Council following the Burton and Broughton Ward by-election held on Thursday 10 October 2024 and other recent group changes.

A copy of the urgent report is filed with the agenda papers for the meeting.

The report was considered as an urgent item to ensure that the revised political balance of the Council would be applied to the governance structure of the Council, in accordance with law and approved guidelines contained in the Council Constitution.

Councillor Helen Howell moved and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded the motion setting out the recommendations in the report.

The motion was voted on, with 57 votes in favour, 1 abstention and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council approves the recommendations set out in Appendix A to the report, inclusive of the revised allocation of seats for the committees to the recognised political groups, in accordance with statutory proportionality requirements and the Constitution.

Reason for Decision:

·         To ensure that the revised political balance of the Council is applied to the governance structure of the Council, in accordance with law and approved guidelines contained in the Council Constitution.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         None, as the revised political balance calculation is required to be reported to full Council under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

Motions on Notice

To consider motions received in accordance with Meeting Procedure Rule 18 as follows: -

To be proposed by Cllr Russell Roberts and seconded by Cllr Ian Jelley –

“The Labour Government’s decision to block Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners who do not receive benefits such as pension credit will impact around 57,000 pensioners in North Northants. This will affect the health & well-being of our poorest older residents.

44% of pensioners entitled to pension credit do not claim it. Many pensioners are too proud to ask for means tested benefits or could find it difficult to manage the 22 page application form to apply for pension credit.

Pensioners have received this payment without means testing since its inception. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fuel costs have increased, and the Government is raising the energy price cap by 10% this winter. There is also a prediction that the price cap will rise another 3% in early 2025.

Pensioners will therefore need the winter fuel allowance more than ever as without it, many vulnerable pensioners will be forced to choose between heating and eating.

Therefore, this Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer  asking them to reverse the decision to stop Winter Fuel payments for our pensioners.”

To be proposed by Cllr Philip Irwin and seconded by Cllr Lee Wilkes –

“The Government has said that it will remove the exemption for 20% VAT in fees for private schools. This Council is concerned that this may lead to many parents having to remove their children from their private school and send them to a state school. Many parents struggle and go without to pay for their children’s private education and would not be able to afford a rise of 20% in the fees.

In view of the lack of school places particularly in our secondary schools, we are concerned that this will have a big impact on schools in North Northants and on the pupils.

This Council therefore calls on the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Education to ask:

1.     What estimates have you made of the effect of this decision on schools in North Northamptonshire? i.e. How many extra pupils in what year groups are expected to move to the state system?

2.     What estimates have been made of the cost to North Northants Council to provide school places and home to school transport for these displaced pupils?

3.     Is the Government going to provide new burden funding for local authorities to cope with the capital cost of buildings and facilities to cope with this increase in pupils at our state schools?

4.       Is the Government going to provide funding for local authorities to cope with the revenue cost for our state schools if they have sudden influx of new pupils?”

Motion 1 – Winter Fuel Payments

That Council approves the following motion:-

“The Labour Government’s decision to block Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners who do not receive benefits such as pension credit will impact around 57,000 pensioners in North Northants. This will affect the health & well-being of our poorest older residents.

44% of pensioners entitled to pension credit do not claim it. Many pensioners are too proud to ask for means tested benefits or could find it difficult to manage the 22 page application form to apply for pension credit.

Pensioners have received this payment without means testing since its inception. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fuel costs have increased, and the Government is raising the energy price cap by 10% this winter. There is also a prediction that the price cap will rise another 3% in early 2025.

Pensioners will therefore need the winter fuel allowance more than ever as without it, many vulnerable pensioners will be forced to choose between heating and eating.

Therefore, this Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer  asking them to reverse the decision to stop Winter Fuel payments for our pensioners.”

Motion 2 – VAT on Private School Fees

That Council approves the following motion:-

“The Government has said that it will remove the exemption for 20% VAT in fees for private schools. This Council is concerned that this may lead to many parents having to remove their children from their private school and send them to a state school. Many parents struggle and go without to pay for their children’s private education and would not be able to afford a rise of 20% in the fees.

In view of the lack of school places particularly in our secondary schools, we are concerned that this will have a big impact on schools in North Northants and on the pupils.

This Council therefore calls on the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Education to ask:

1.    What estimates have you made of the effect of this decision on schools in North Northamptonshire? i.e. How many extra pupils in what year groups are expected to move to the state system?

2.    What estimates have been made of the cost to North Northants Council to provide school places and home to school transport for these displaced pupils?

3.    Is the Government going to provide new burden funding for local authorities to cope with the capital cost of buildings and facilities to cope with this increase in pupils at our state schools?

4.    Is the Government going to provide funding for local authorities to cope with the revenue cost for our state schools if they have sudden influx of new pupils?”

Motion 1 – Winter Fuel Payments

Councillor Russel Roberts moved and Councillor Ian Jelley seconded the following motion to Council:

“The Labour Government’s decision to block Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners who do not receive benefits such as pension credit will impact around 57,000 pensioners in North Northants. This will affect the health & well-being of our poorest older residents.

44% of pensioners entitled to pension credit do not claim it. Many pensioners are too proud to ask for means tested benefits or could find it difficult to manage the 22 page application form to apply for pension credit.

Pensioners have received this payment without means testing since its inception. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fuel costs have increased, and the Government is raising the energy price cap by 10% this winter. There is also a prediction that the price cap will rise another 3% in early 2025.

Pensioners will therefore need the winter fuel allowance more than ever as without it, many vulnerable pensioners will be forced to choose between heating and eating.

Therefore, this Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer  asking them to reverse the decision to stop Winter Fuel payments for our pensioners.”

During debate, a range of views were heard relating to the impact of changes to the provision of winter fuel payments to residents in North Northamptonshire.

Following the debate’s conclusion, a recorded vote on the motion was requested and accepted, with the requisite number of councillors rising from their seats. The motion was voted on and recorded as follows:-

In favour (45 votes)

-            Councillors Tim Allebone, Paul Bell, Matt Binley, Jennie Bone, Wendy Brackenbury, Cedwien Brown, Scott Brown, Lloyd Bunday, Robin Carter, John Currall, Dez Dell, Jonathan Ekins, Alex Evelyn, Emily Fedorowycz, Martin Griffiths, Jim Hakewill, Clive Hallam, Ken Harrington, Helen Harrison, Larry Henson, Helen Howell, David Howes, Philip Irwin, Ian Jelley, Barbara Jenney, King Lawal, Lora Lawman, Paul Marks, Dorothy Maxwell, Bill McElhinney, Andy Mercer, Gill Mercer, Macaulay Nichol, Jan O’Hara, Anup Pandey, Tom Partridge-Underwood, Harriet Pentland, Roger Powell, Russell Roberts, Mark Rowley, Geoff Shacklock, Joseph Smyth, Malcolm Ward, Kevin Watt, and Lee Wilkes.

Abstained (0 votes)

Against (12 votes)

-            Councillors Jean Addison, Valerie Anslow, Charlie Best, Lyn Buckingham, Leanne Buckingham, Matt Keane, Anne Lee, Peter McEwan, John McGhee, Mark Pengelly, Elliot Prentice, and Simon Rielly.

Resolved:-

That the motion be approved.

Motion 2 – VAT on Private Schools

Councillor Philip Irwin moved and Councillor Lee Wilkes seconded the following motion to Council:-

“The Government has said that it will remove the exemption for 20% VAT in fees for private schools. This Council is concerned that this may lead to many parents having to remove their children from their private school and send them to a state school. Many parents struggle and go without to pay for their children’s private education and would not  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/384

To receive questions from members.

The Chair noted that 14 councillor questions had been received for this meeting in accordance with meeting procedure rule 17.

Each of the 14 questions were asked and responded to, as well as supplementary questions and answers, where requested.

A full copy of the questions and responses made, as well as any supplementary questions and responses, are filed with these minutes at Appendix B.

There being no further business to be transacted, the Chair thanked members, officers and the public viewing the meeting both in person and online for their attendance and closed the meeting.