Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

The minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 7^th March 2024 to be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council.

(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.

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

To provide an update on the progress of the 2022/23 Annual Review of the Service Delivery Contract which includes the 2022/23 Annual Report.

This item was withdrawn.

To inform the Council on the work of the Audit and Governance Committee during the twelve-month period of 1st October 2022 to 31st September 2023.

That Council:

a)    Welcomes the work of the Audit and Governance Committee during the twelve-month period of 1^st October 2022 to 31^st September 2023;

b)    Approve the Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report 2023.

Reason for Decisions:

·         To comply with the Audit and Governance Committee’s terms of reference and best practice guidance on effective audit committees.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         None – it is best practice and consistent with the Council’s Code of Corporate Governance for Council to consider and approve the annual report of the Audit and Governance Committee.

To advise Council of the findings of an internal review and propose the adoption of a Planning Improvement Plan (PIP) and Planning Improvement Board (PIB) to address the action plan recommended in the report.

That Full Council:

a)        Approves the establishment of the Planning Improvement Board and its draft Terms of reference (attached at Appendix B to the report). The Board will be chaired by a member of the administration and will be made up of 4 conservative members (including the chair) plus one representative from each of the recognised political groups;

b)        Approves the establishment of a Planning Improvement Plan that will be overseen by the Planning Improvement Board and reported on to Place and Environment Scrutiny Committee, Audit and Governance Committee, Executive and full Council as required;

c)         Notes the specific remedial actions taken thus far and proposed with regards to the processing of planning applications as set out at paragraph 4.9 of the report;

d)        Notes the proposedgovernance arrangementsas setout atparagraphs 4.11 to 4.14 to ensure effective oversight and monitoring of progress in relation to the Planning Improvement Plan and the work of the Planning Improvement Board.

Reasons for Decision:

·         The PIP and PIB would be formulated to address the issues identified in the independent review. The review has highlighted a need for the Council to address issues that appear to have developed following LGR specifically relating to the processing of planning applications. Upon identification of specific issues, the Council has responded promptly and diligently to rectify weaknesses and the PIP will show a significant and continuing commitment to improving standards in the planning service.

·         The Council, as local planning authority has a duty to comply with legislation and its own policies in processing planning applications. Failure to do so leaves the Council vulnerable to challenge and negatively impacts public and stakeholder confidence in the service.

·         The proposal to establish a PIP and PIB reporting to Place and Environment Scrutiny, the Audit and Governance Committee, and full Council, as required, provides a focus on key areas which means there is greater oversight and accountability from the leadership of the organisation and Councillors to address the issues that have been identified within the planning service as a key priority. Officers will support development of the PIP. The governance arrangements proposed will provide even greater focus and scrutiny from Councillors giving assurance to the Council of the work that is to be undertaken.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         Given the Council’s statutory duties as Local Planning Authority and the risks highlighted in respect of compliance, maintaining the status quo (do nothing) is not deemed acceptable and further resource and focus will be required to ensure compliance with legislation and planning policy. 

To determine the start time of future full council meetings.

That the start time of ordinary council meetings not be changed.

Reason for Decision

·         The Council has trialled afternoon and evening start times for full Council meetings since 1 April 2021. Having done so it is prudent to review the effectiveness and efficiency of meetings during this period so that a start time can be settled on.

Alternative Options Considered

·         The start time of full Council meetings is a matter of local choice for Council.

To set out the revised political balance of the Council following the results of the Council’s Desborough Ward by-election held on 4th April 2024.

a)    That Council approves, in order to maintain political balance on Ordinary Committees, the revised distribution of seats across the political groups as follows:-

[Note:- This results in the Conservative Group gaining one seat on the Scrutiny Management Board which was previously held as vacant seat pending the Desborough by-election. There are no changes to other Group entitlements as a result.]

b)    That Council notes that in order to maintain political balance on Area Planning Committees, it be noted there is no requirement to revise the distribution of seats across the political groups.

[Note:- For completeness, the distribution remains as follows:-]

c)    That Council notes, in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, that any changes to places on committees arising from the new political balance will be made by the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the leaders of the political groups represented on the Council.

Reason for Decisions

·         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.

To request a dispensation to a Councillor who is currently unable to attend any Council meetings due to illness.

That Council grants a dispensation to Councillor Peter McEwan from attending meetings of the Council for a six-month period, from the date of this meeting, 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.

Alternative Options Considered

·         To not approve the dispensation. This was not recommended as the reasons for it were considered reasonable and failure to grant would result in Councillor Peter McEwan ceasing to be a member of North Northamptonshire Council.

Motions on Notice

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

Motion 1

To be proposed by Cllr Jim Hakewill and seconded by Cllr Joseph Smyth -

“We call upon North Northamptonshire Council to place all current and potential locations (permanent and temporary) for our Gypsy and Traveller communities into the council’s agreed Local Plan preparation and consultation stages concluding with formal adoption in March 2026.”

Motion 2

To be proposed by Cllr John McGhee and seconded by Cllr Matt Keane –

“Corby and North Northants has had steel making and tube making in the area for decades now and with that many people past and present have been employed in the industry. There is a long history in our area of steel and how it has helped grow the area and provided employment for people from all over North Northants.

This council believes that keeping a steel industry in the UK is vital for the long-term economy of Corby, North Northants and the UK. 

This is the time for all MPs to stand up and be counted and back UK Steel and UK workers. 

With the right investment nationally, linked to job guarantees, the UK can become the green capital of steel – creating more jobs not losing them. This will save 1000s of jobs and help keep the Corby and North Northants economy strong and keep our residents in Employment. 

We call on this Council to support the safe UK steel campaign and ask the Leader of the Council to write to the prime minister asking that Parliament support our local people and the economy by supporting the campaign to save UK steel by supporting these 5 points. 

1.            Expand steelmaking ability by at least double.?This            would take us back towards the European average,      while introducing innovative technology and increasing      jobs. 

2.            Tackle energy prices.?Bring in electricity price caps    and public ownership of the grid to make our steel   even more competitive. 

3.            Change procurement rules?to ensure UK public         contracts use 100% UK steel. This alone can create           thousands of jobs. 

4.            Take a public stake in our steel industry.?No more money for nothing. Public investment for steel must   come with solid job guarantees. 

5.            Public investment of £12 billion.?This will fund a        Workers Transition that doubles ability and protects           every job. It will pay for itself in as little as 10 years.”

Motion 3

To be proposed by Cllr Alison Dalziel and seconded by Cllr Zoe McGhee

“North Northamptonshire Council is committed to ensuring that any waste product should be recycled where possible to do so. Community Centre waste management currently falls under the commercial waste provision, and centres are provided with a large, single commercial waste bin, for all waste types.

While waste is sorted and recycled after collection, a large proportion of community centre waste could be placed into recycle bins, which includes both dry recyclable and green waste. There is no current provision  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

To receive questions from members.