Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair until the next Annual Meeting of the Council on 22^nd May 2025.

That Councillor Lora Lawman be elected as Chair of North Northamptonshire Council for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

Nominations were sought for the office of Chair of North Northamptonshire Council for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

Councillor Barbara Jenney moved the nomination of Councillor Lora Lawman. Councillor Helen Howell seconded the nomination. No other nominations had been received.

Resolved that: -

Councillor Lora Lawman be elected as Chair of North Northamptonshire Council for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

To appoint a Vice Chair until the next Annual Meeting of the Council on 22^nd May 2025.

That Councillor Jennie Bone be appointed as Vice-Chair of North Northamptonshire Council for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

Nominations were sought for the office of Vice Chair of North Northamptonshire Council for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

Councillor Lora Lawman moved the nomination of Councillor Jennie Bone. Councillor Lee Wilkes seconded the nomination.

Councillor Matt Keane moved the nomination of Councillor Ross Armour. Councillor John McGhee seconded the nomination.

The nominations were put to a vote by raising of hands, with the Chair confirming more votes had been cast in favour of Councillor Jennie Bone as opposed to Councillor Armour.

Resolved that: -

Councillor Jennie Bone be appointed as Vice Chair of North Northamptonshire Council for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Charlie Best, Cedwien Brown, William Colquhoun, Alison Dalziel, Mark Dearing, Leanne Buckingham, Clive Hallam, Ken Harrington, Ian Jelley, Peter McEwan, Harriet Pentland, King Lawal, Michael Tye, Chris Smith-Haynes, Joseph Smyth, David Sims, Kevin Watt, and Keli Watts.

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

There were no Declarations of Interest on this occasion.

The minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 25^th April 2024 to be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Lora Lawman moved and Cllr Helen Howell seconded that the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th April 2024 be approved as a true and accurate record, and were duly signed by the Chair.

Resolved that: -

The minutes of the Full Council meeting held on the 25^th April 2024 be agreed.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair welcomed members of the public to the meeting, including her personal guests present and those watching online, especially her family in Germany.

The Chair paid tribute to Cllr Barbara Jenney who had been an excellent Chair during the 2023/24 municipal year and who had attended over 160 events during her tenure. She had also been a brilliant advocate for North Northamptonshire Council alongside her daughter and consort, Fiona.

Introducing herself as the new Chair of the Council, Cllr Lawman herself as having been born in Germany, having first been elected as a councillor in 2003 and being married to fellow councillor Graham Lawman, who would be her consort for the year ahead.

The Chair then confirmed that her civic service would be held on Sunday 23^rd June 2024 at 2.00pm, at All Hallows Church, Wellingborough and all members were invited to attend.

Cllr Lawman then introduced her charity for the year as the Teamwork Trust and introduced the Trust’s Chief Executive, Helen Burdett-Wright and its Head of Development, Richard Ellis to provide a short presentation about its work. The Trust was a Northamptonshire day service provider for adults with learning disabilities, autism and or mild mental health issues.

This is an information report only confirming Group leadership for 2024/25.

That the leadership arrangements of the recognised political groups for the Municipal Year 2024/25 be noted.

Reason for Decision

·         To inform the Council, press and public of the leadership arrangements of the recognised political groups.

Alternative Options Considered

·         None, this item is for information only.

Council received a report confirming the leadership of the recognised political groups for the Municipal Year 2024/25, as follows:-

• Leader of the Conservative Group – Councillor Jason Smithers
• Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group – Councillor Helen Howell
• Leader of the Labour Group – Councillor Matt Keane
• Deputy Leader of the Labour Group – Councillor Leanne Buckingham
• Leader of the Green Alliance Group – Councillor Emily Fedorowycz
• Deputy Leader of the Green Alliance Group – Councillor Charlie Best
• Leader of the independent Alliance Group – Councillor Cedwien Brown
• Deputy Leader of the Independent Alliance Group – Councillor Jim Hakewill

Resolved that: -

(i)            The leadership arrangements of the recognised political groups for the Municipal Year 2024/25 be noted.

To receive an address from the Leader.

Councillor Jason Smithers, as Leader, addressed Council. He wished to recognise the work Cllr Barbara Jenney had undertaken over the last 12 months leading the council in its civic activities and at full council meetings. He also welcomed Cllr Lora Lawman to her new role as Chair.

Key achievements highlighted by the Leader over the last 12 months included:-

·         Praising the development of the Big 50 Vision which aimed to make North Northamptonshire a proud, prosperous and proactive place;

·         Congratulating Enterprise Matrix Court Limited and Rock Lee Limited for being awarded the Kings Award for Enterprise;

·         Congratulating Lodge Park Sports Centre for winning the Association of Public Sector Excellence Awards for sport and leisure facility management;

·         Praising the work of the Council and partners in being highly commended in the prestigious MJ Awards in 2023 for an innovative wellbeing initiative for HGV drivers;

·         Highlighting that the Bereavement Service care team at the Nene Valley Crematorium had received a top award for service excellence from the Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce;

·         Recognising the global recognition for a pioneering women’s safety initiative that the Council had worked on relating to taxi drivers;

·         Wishing the Council’s Learning and Development team luck following its shortlisting as a finalist in the National Learning and Disability and Autism Awards 2024 in the making a difference category;

·         Highlighting the Legal Services team’s shortlisting for legal team of the year in the Local Government Lawyer awards;

·         Recognising the Council’s first hosting of its Apprenticeships awards, with 22 having completing their apprenticeships and receiving their certificates.

The Leader also wished to highlight key investments in the future of North Northamptonshire:-

·         New pay arrangements to be introduced to attract and retain talented staff working for the Council;

[The Council rose to give a standing ovation to all the Council’s hard-working and dedicated staff.]

·         Setting of a balanced budget for a fourth year in a row and funding in key areas to invest in key services.

The Leader wished to end his speech firstly by paying tribute to Councillor Mike Tebbutt who had very sadly passed away at the beginning of the year.

The Leader also paid tribute to Janice Gotts who was attending her final council meeting before leaving to work for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, praising the huge role she had played at North Northamptonshire Council.

[The Council rose to give a standing ovation to Janice Gotts for all her hard work and dedication to the Council and to wish her the absolute best for the future.]

Councillor Matt Keane (Leader of the Labour Group), Councillor Emily Fedorowycz (Leader of the Green Alliance) and Councillor Jim Hakewill (Deputy Leader of the Independent Alliance Group) also addressed Council.

The Council is requested to note the appointment of the Deputy Leader as may be announced by the Leader.

The Council is requested to note the appointment of members of Executive and Executive Portfolios as may be announced by the Leader.

That it be noted that the Executive appointments for 2024/25 remain unchanged, as follows:-

Councillor Helen Howell             Deputy Leader/Sport, Leisure, Culture & Tourism

Councillor Matt Binley                 Highways, Travel & Assets

Councillor David Brackenbury   Growth & Regeneration

Councillor Lloyd Bunday             Finance & Transformation

Councillor Scott Edwards           Children, Families, Education & Skills

Councillor David Howes             Rural Communities & Localism

Councillor Gill Mercer                 Adults, Health & Wellbeing

Councillor Harriet Pentland         Climate & Green Environment

Councillor Mark Rowley             Housing, Communities & Levelling-Up

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Jason Smithers) informed Council of the Executive appointments for 2024/25.

To consider and determine the allocation of seats to Committees in accordance with political balance rules set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

a)       That the proportionality rules applied be approved (as detailed in Appendix A to the report);

b)       That the appointments to committees made by the recognised political groups be approved (as detailed in Appendix B), subject to the results of the contested elections being:-

              i.   Cllr Wendy Brackenbury being elected as Chair of Area Planning North Committee;

            ii.   Cllr Robin Carter being appointed as Vice-Chair of Area Planning North Committee.

c)       That the existing delegated authority granted to the Monitoring Officer to make any in-year changes to the membership of committees on behalf of the Council, in consultation with the respective leaders of the recognised political groups, be noted.

Reason for Decisions

·         To ensure that the 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

·         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 could have departed from the political balance requirements as set out in this report, but only if no member present votes against the resolution - in accordance with the law.

Annual Council was requested to confirm the membership of the Council’s committees and bodies, where it was the responsibility of full Council to make such appointments. Details of nominations received from the recognised political groups had been circulated prior to the meeting.

It was noted that the Monitoring Officer had delegated authority, upon receiving a request from a recognised political group, to authorise in-year changes to membership.

Councillor Jason Smithers moved and Councillor Helen Howell seconded recommendations (a), (b) & (d) as detailed in the report, to agree the political proportionality applied as per Appendix A, to note the respective group nominations to committees as contained in Appendix B, and to note the delegation of the Monitoring Officer at Appendix D.

The proposal was put to a vote, with 56 in favour, 1 abstention and 0 against.

Councillor Helen Howell then moved and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded recommendation c) the uncontested Chair and Vice-Chair nominations only, as detailed in Appendix B.

The proposal was put to a vote, with 55 in favour, 1 abstention and 0 against.

Contested elections were then undertaken for the positions of Chair of Area Planning North Committee and Vice Chair of Area Planning North Committee.

Councillor Helen Howell moved and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded the nomination of Councillor Wendy Brackenbury as Chair of Area Planning North Committee.

Councillor Matt Keane moved and Councillor Zoe McGhee seconded the nomination of Councillor Simon Reilly as Chair of Area Planning North Committee.

The nominations were put to a vote by raising of hands, with the Chair confirming that Councillor Wendy Brackenbury had been confirmed as Chair of Area Planning North.

Councillor Helen Howell then moved and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded the nomination of Councillor Robin Carter as Vice-Chair of Area Planning North Committee.

Councillor Matt Keane then moved and Councillor Zoe McGhee seconded the nomination of Councillor Simon Reilly as Vice-Chair of Area Planning North Committee.

The nominations were put to a vote by raising of hands, with the Chair confirming that Councillor Robin Carter had been confirmed as Vice-Chair of Area Planning North.

Resolved that: -

a)       That the proportionality rules applied be approved (as detailed in Appendix A to the report);

b)       That the appointments to committees made by the recognised political groups be approved (as detailed in Appendix B), subject to the results of the contested elections being:-

              i.   Cllr Wendy Brackenbury being elected as Chair of Area Planning North Committee;

            ii.   Cllr Robin Carter being appointed as Vice-Chair of Area Planning North Committee.

c)       That the existing delegated authority granted to the Monitoring Officer to make any in-year changes to the membership of committees on behalf of the Council, in consultation with the respective leaders of the recognised political groups, be noted.

Reason for Decisions

·         To ensure that the 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

·         The revised political balance calculation is required  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/349

To note the appointments to strategic outside bodies made by the Leader and to consider and determine the appointments to community outside bodies.

a)    That Council notes the Strategic Outside Bodies representation, as approved by the Leader; and

b)    That Council approves the Community Outside Bodies representation, as per the list provided, subject to the results of the contested elections being:-

·         Cllr Graham Lawman being appointed as Outside Body representative for LANRAC;

·         Cllr Lora Lawman being appointed as Outside Body representative for Wellingborough School.

The Leader of the Council introduced this item, which provided details of the proposed Outside Bodies appointments for 2024/25 noting the proposed list of both Strategic and Community appointments had been formulated following a review by Scrutiny members.

It was noted that strategic appointments were in the gift of the Leader, whilst community appointments were the responsibility of Full Council. Nominations for the community appointments had been sought and were detailed in the report.

Councillor Helen Howell moved and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded the uncontested community nominations set out in the appendix to the report.

The uncontested nominations were put to the vote, with 46 in favour, 5 abstentions and 7 against.

Contested elections were then undertaken for the positions of community representative for the Northamptonshire Rail Action Committee (LANRAC) and community representative for Wellingborough School.

Councillor Helen Howell moved and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded the nomination of Councillor Graham Lawman as community representative for the Northamptonshire Rail Action Committee (LANRAC).

Councillor Zoe McGhee moved and Councillor Anne Lee seconded the nomination of Councillor Matt Keane as community representative for the Northamptonshire Rail Action Committee (LANRAC).

The nominations were put to a vote by raising of hands, with the Chair confirming that Councillor Graham was the community representative for the Northamptonshire Rail Action Committee (LANRAC).

Councillor Helen Howell then moved and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded the nomination of Councillor Lora Lawman as community representative for Wellingborough School.

Councillor Matt Keane then moved and Councillor Anne Lee seconded the nomination of Councillor Valerie Anslow as community representative for Wellingborough School.

The nominations were put to a vote by raising of hands, with the Chair confirming that Councillor Lora Lawman was the community representative for Wellingborough School.

Resolved that: -

(i)            Council notes the Strategic Outside Bodies representation detailed in the report and addendum; and

(ii)          Council notes the Community Outside Bodies representation detailed in the report and addendum (as amended), subject to the results of the contested elections being:-

·         Councillor Graham Lawman as community representative for the Northamptonshire Rail Action Committee (LANRAC).

·         Councillor Lora Lawman as community representative for Wellingborough School.

To recommend the appointment of an interim Executive Director of Finance & Performance & Section 151 Officer (S151).

a)    That Council appoints Claire Edwards, Assistant Director of Finance and Accounting, as interim Executive Director of Finance & Performance and Section 151 Officer, with effect from 3rd of June 2024, pending the permanent appointment to the role and statutory Section151 designation.

b)    That Council agrees that Claire Edwards be paid in accordance with the council’s agreed pay policy, at the first spinal column point of Band 16 of the NNC pay structure, equivalent to £140,683 per annum, for the period of the interim acting up arrangement.

Reasons for Decisions

·         Under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 local authorities are required to make arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs and appoint a Chief Financial Officer, also known as a Section 151 Officer, to ensure fiscal/financial decision making; promote and maintain high standards of conduct and report any instances of maladministration.

·         The duties of the role of Executive Director of Finance and Performance (S151) are also critical for the effective fiscal/financial functioning of the Council. Therefore, the recommendations within this report ensure that the Council will continue to comply with its statutory, financial and legal obligations.

Alternative Options Considered

·         The Council could have decided to appoint a suitably qualified interim/consultant to fulfil the Executive Director of Finance and Performance and S151 designation, however, the recommended option will ensure stability, continuity and will be the most cost-effective solution.

Council received a report seeking agreement to appoint Claire Edwards, as North Northamptonshire Council’s interim Executive Director of Finance and Performance and Section 151 Officer (Section 151) and note the process for the recruitment and selection to the permanent role.

The Leader in introducing the report expressed that this was both a sad time as Council would be saying goodbye to its current Executive Director of Finance and Performance, Janice Gotts, and a positive moment as Claire Edwards was being proposed as the interim Executive Director.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Jason Smithers and seconded by Councillor Lloyd Bunday.

A number of councillors rose to pay tribute to Janice Gotts and the work she had undertaken in helping guide the Council since its formation in 2021.

Following debate, on being put to a vote, 57 were in favour of the motion, with 0 abstentions and 0 against.

Resolved that: -

a)    That Council appoints Claire Edwards, Assistant Director of Finance and Accounting, as interim Executive Director of Finance & Performance and Section 151 Officer, with effect from 3rd of June 2024, pending the permanent appointment to the role and statutory Section151 designation.

b)    That Council agrees that Claire Edwards be paid in accordance with the council’s agreed pay policy, at the first spinal column point of Band 16 of the NNC pay structure, equivalent to £140,683 per annum, for the period of the interim acting up arrangement.

Reasons for Decisions

·         Under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 local authorities are required to make arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs and appoint a Chief Financial Officer, also known as a Section 151 Officer, to ensure fiscal/financial decision making; promote and maintain high standards of conduct and report any instances of maladministration.

·         The duties of the role of Executive Director of Finance and Performance (S151) are also critical for the effective fiscal/financial functioning of the Council. Therefore, the recommendations within this report ensure that the Council will continue to comply with its statutory, financial and legal obligations.

Alternative Options Considered

·         The Council could have decided to appoint a suitably qualified interim/consultant to fulfil the Executive Director of Finance and Performance and S151 designation, however, the recommended option will ensure stability, continuity and will be the most cost-effective solution.

The Chair thanked all members, officers and members of the public both present and viewing online for their attendance, and closed the meeting.