Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Valerie Anslow, Paul Bell, Mark Dearing, Scott Edwards, Steven North, Mark Pengelly, Elliot Prentice, Simon Rielly, David Sims, Chris Smith-Haynes, Mike Tebbutt, Sarah Tubbs and Kevin Watt.

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 31^st August 2023 were 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.

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

The following interests were declared:-

[During minute 275 Cllr Martin Griffiths also declared a personal interest, having been a board member of SEMLEP when the funding for Kettering Art Gallery was approved.]

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair made the following announcements:-

Civic Engagements

Both the Chair and Vice-Chair had been busy in recent weeks including meeting with recipients of the Rose of the Shire Awards to present their rewards.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation

Rachel McGrath, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Community Foundation was invited to provide a brief presentation to councillors.

The presentation set out the background to and the work undertaken by the Foundation, in that it was a charity giving back to the county by providing access to funding for community based action to improve the lives of Northamptonshire’s most disadvantaged people and communities.

The Chair thanked Rachel for a very informative presentation and hoped all councillors found the wide ranging opportunities that the Foundation provided was of interest.

Cllr Willie Latta

The Chair wished to express her condolences at hearing that Cllr Willie Latta, who was an alderman of Corby and served the Borough as a councillor for 26 years has passed away.

Cllr Keane added words of tribute, noting that he was a hard working and much respected councillor who was originally elected to Corby Borough Council in 1995. He had been mayor of Corby in 2002/03 and was made an alderman of Corby in March 2021.

Cllr Latta had been involved in town projects such as the town centre regeneration, establishment of the Cube, the swimming pool and Priors Hall. He had retired at the last election, had continued to be a mentor to councillors and was highly respected across Corby. He would be much missed.

To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council.

On behalf of the Conservative members of the Council, the Leader confirmed that all members of the community were treated equally and without bias. In June 2023, Councillor King Lawal had posted a tweet, following which the Council’s Monitoring Officer had received complaints of breaches of the Council’s Member Code of Conduct.

As leader of the Conservative Party, swift action was taken pending determination of the complaint. Following due process and the completion of the complaint process, he wished to invite Councillor Lawal to address Council.

Councillor Lawal addressed Council in the following terms:-

‘On 29^th June 2023 I posted a tweet which I understand some people were offended by. The tweet was an expression of my Christian faith by quoting passages from the bible. As a councillor I act equally for the residents of the areas in which I am elected in all areas of debate and discussion I represent all members of my constituency without fear or favour and undertake my role as a councillor with impartiality and without bias. My intent in posting the tweet was not to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person or persons.

Thank you.’

The Chair noted that there were no public statements on this occasion.

The following member of the public asked a question to Council in accordance with meeting procedure rule 16.

Mr Chris Ashton – asked if the Council was prepared to administer a recall petition should this take place in Wellingborough constituency??If so, would the Council publish guidance on the rules and conduct of a recall petition to assist local electors.

Adele Wylie, Petitions Officer answered that following notification from the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Electoral Services team had put in place arrangements to deliver a recall petition. The Council was well prepared to administer urgent matters such as a recall petition. The Council’s website would have information about the recall petition and how registered electors could sign the petition within the Wellingborough Constituency.  In addition, registered electors would receive a Notice of Petition (like a Poll Card in an election) to ensure that they knew how and where to sign the petition should they wish to do so. 

Mr Ashton asked the following supplementary question – What timeframe would be on receiving Notices of Petition?

Adele Wylie answered that they would be sent out on or around 3^rd November 2023.

The Chair thanked Mr Ashton for asking his question and for the officer response.

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

Proposed by Cllr Valerie Anslow and seconded by Cllr Lyn Buckingham-

“It is clear that the country as a whole is in the midst of a real and continuing housing crisis, we acknowledge the enormous challenge and pressure faced by our members of Staff on homeless presentations in recent years.

?Whilst we acknowledge the pressures, we also feel much more should be being done by this council to put housing and homelessness on top of the agenda.

There are blockages and delays in our house building/development programmes which although could be perceived as down to external forces, also see us prepared to be selling off surplus land instead of finding constructive ways to build.

We have seen over the past two years, massive delays in processing housing applications, far in excess of the time needed to prevent homelessness effectively, which although reported that the backlog being cleared, the backlog is again growing to an unacceptable over three months wait for applications being processed.

We have seen homeless families be moved away from support and education networks because of lack of temporary accommodation, bringing disruption and chaos for families already facing hardship.

Despite this Council putting forward resources to assist with rough sleeping programmes, (building on the successes of finding bed spaces during the height of the Covid pandemic) it seems that very little progress is being made in this area also partnering with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise.

This motion asks that North Northamptonshire Council develop its vision and strategy for the building and development of social housing and prevention of homelessness including, if appropriate, a review of the allocations strategy to support programmes that prioritise our duty under the armed forces covenant, the growing need for homeless provision for single women and young care leavers, in North Northamptonshire. Acting quickly and decisively ensures that right to buy receipts are not swallowed by raising build costs and that North Northamptonshire Council also commit further investment in housing.”

Motion 1 - Housing

That Council rejects the proposed motion, as set out on the agenda for the meeting.

The Chair confirmed that councillors would now consider the conclusion of the debate on the Motion proposed by Cllr Valerie Anslow and seconded by Cllr Lyn Buckingham at the meeting of Council held on 31st August 2023, which had been adjourned following the reaching of the guillotine.

The proposed motion was as set out on the agenda for the meeting.

During debate a range of views were set out regarding housing in North Northamptonshire around the building and development of social housing and prevention of homelessness.

At the conclusion of debate, the motion was voted on, with 15 councillors voting in favour, three abstaining and 43 against.

The motion was duly lost.

Resolved:-

That Council rejects the proposed motion, as set out on the agenda for the meeting.

That Council:

i)   Approves the content of the Northamptonshire Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report which gives an overview of the Corporate Parenting Board’s activities.

ii)  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;

·      In recognition of all Members and employees role as corporate parents;

·      Following consideration of the overview of the work of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and in support of the discharge of Corporate Parenting duties.

Alternative Options Considered

Do Nothing – The Council has statutory duties as Corporate Parent for children in care and care leavers. Whilst the role of the Director of Children’s Services and Lead Member is defined in legislation there are wider corporate responsibilities on all staff and elected Members. Not approving the Corporate Parenting Annual Report would mean that the Council failed to deliver all or parts of its statutory responsibilities in this area.

Consideration was given to a report which provided Council with an update on the Northamptonshire Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report for 2022-23. A copy of the report is filed with the agenda, marked as ‘Agenda Item ’.

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Cllr Wendy Brackenbury and seconded by Cllr Lora Lawman.

During debate, it was noted that this would be the last joint Corporate Parenting Board report for Northamptonshire, noting that both North and West Northamptonshire Councils had adopted their own Board for the 2023/24 municipal year onwards.

Following conclusion of the debate, the motion was voted on, with 57 councillors in favour, 3 abstaining and 1 against.

The motion was duly approved.

Resolved:-

That Council:

i)   Approves the content of the Northamptonshire Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report which gives an overview of the Corporate Parenting Board’s activities.

ii)  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;

·      In recognition of all Members and employees role as corporate parents;

·      Following consideration of the overview of the work of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust and in support of the discharge of Corporate Parenting duties.

Alternative Options Considered

Do Nothing – The Council has statutory duties as Corporate Parent for children in care and care leavers. Whilst the role of the Director of Children’s Services and Lead Member is defined in legislation there are wider corporate responsibilities on all staff and elected Members. Not approving the Corporate Parenting Annual Report would mean that the Council failed to deliver all or parts of its statutory responsibilities in this area.

That Council:

a)    Approves the funding for the following changes to the revenue budget:

i)     Development and Regulatory Case Management System (CMS) – approves a revenue budget of £600k in 2023/24 for the procurement and one-off implementation costs of a new CMS funded through use of the Transformation Reserve and approve the inclusion of ongoing revenue savings of £40.4k in 2024/25 onwards over the 5 years of the contract.

Reasons for Recommendations:-

·         Expiry of incumbent contracts by 31^st March 2024;

·         Benefits from a single CMS, service delivery improvements and process efficiencies.

Alternative Options Considered:-

·         Do nothing.

·         Do Minimal – replacement solution for Kettering.

·         New supplier single solution.

Consideration was given to a report requesting approval for the use of the Transformation Reserve to fund one-off revenue implementation costs of the Development and Regulatory Services Case Management Systems and the inclusion of ongoing annual revenue savings of the system into the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP). A copy of the report is filed with the agenda for the meeting, marked as ‘Item 10’.

The recommendations in the report were proposed by Cllr Lloyd Bunday and seconded by Cllr David Brackenbury.

During discussion it was noted that approval of the funding would allow the scheme to move forward to procurement and delivery.

Following conclusion of the debate, the motion was voted on, with 54 councillors in favour, 6 abstaining and 0 against.

The motion was duly approved.

Resolved:

That Council:

a)    Approves the funding for the following changes to the revenue budget:

i)     Development and Regulatory Case Management System (CMS) – approves a revenue budget of £600k in 2023/24 for the procurement and one-off implementation costs of a new CMS funded through use of the Transformation Reserve and approve the inclusion of ongoing revenue savings of £40.4k in 2024/25 onwards over the 5 years of the contract.

Reasons for Recommendations:-

·         Expiry of incumbent contracts by 31^st March 2024;

·         Benefits from a single CMS, service delivery improvements and process efficiencies.

Alternative Options Considered:-

·         Do nothing.

·         Do Minimal – replacement solution for Kettering.

·         New supplier single solution.

Motion 2

To be proposed by Cllr Anne Lee and seconded by Cllr Keli Watts-

“'The Alfred East Art Gallery in Kettering has now been closed for two years for works to improve and maximise its potential. ?North Northants Council undertakes to keep councillors informed of progress made on repairing the roof of the building, and to request that the Executive progress the project with a view to reopen the Art Gallery by the summer of 2024 at the latest.'

Motion 3

To be proposed by Cllr Jim Hakewill and seconded by Cllr Chalie Best-

“This council treasures the Library Service and the many events and personal well-being experiences provided by our libraries, whether in the Statutory or Community Managed Library (CML) family.? Many of the assets of our libraries have been, and are today, shared across the entire County.

Before any proposals for change in the way in which our libraries are funded, managed, and operated there must be a clear, compelling, financially sound, and customer-service-oriented business case, subjected to wide public consultation and full scrutiny by North Northamptonshire (and ideally, jointly, with West Northamptonshire) Councillor colleagues. ?

This will ensure that everyone involved in running our libraries and everyone who benefits from the vast array of books and events will be able to confidently continue to enjoy the same services when visiting their local library in the future.”

Motion 4

To be proposed by Cllr Emily Fedorowycz and seconded by Cllr Harriett Pentland-

“The River Nene is one of NNC’s most important assets in terms of tourism and ecology and, as such, needs proper guardianship. 

? 

The Environment Agency has primary responsibility for the River Nene. NNC is one of many that has riparian responsibilities and also an important role in flood management. 

? 

This Council will: 

? 

·       Ask the Environment Agency to provide the current levels of pollution in the Nene River and North Northants waterways; 

·       Continue to engage with the EA and Ofwat to understand what work is being undertaken in North Northamptonshire to protect waterways and consider options for ensuring the health of our waterways including, but not limited to, investigating Bathing Water Status for key leisure areas; 

·       Continue to engage with the EA and Ofwat on the processes for feeding in reports of pollution incidents.”  

Motion 2 – Kettering Art Gallery

That Council approves the following motion, as amended:-

“The Alfred East Gallery in Kettering has now been closed for two years to improve and maximise its potential. North Northamptonshire Council will continue to keep councillors informed of the progress made on repairing/replacing the roof of the art gallery building and the adjoining library roof. Also, it is requested that the Executive continue to progress the project with the view to open Cornerstone, and with it, the Alfred East Art Gallery as soon as practicably possible”. 

Motion 3 – Library Service

That Council rejects the proposed motion, as set out on the agenda for the meeting.

Motion 4 – River Nene

That Council approves the following motion:-

“The River Nene is one of NNC’s most important assets in terms of tourism and ecology and, as such, needs proper guardianship.

The Environment Agency has primary responsibility for the River Nene. NNC is one of many that has riparian responsibilities and also an important role in flood management.

This Council will:

Ask the Environment Agency to provide the current levels of pollution in the Nene River and North Northants waterways;

Continue to engage with the EA and Ofwat to understand what work is being undertaken in North Northamptonshire to protect waterways and consider options for ensuring the health of our waterways including, but not limited to, investigating Bathing Water Status for key leisure areas;

Continue to engage with the EA and Ofwat on the processes for feeding in reports of pollution incidents.”

The Chair confirmed that there remained three motions on notice to be considered at this meeting, having been carried over from the 31^st August 2023 meeting.

Motion 2 – Alfred East Art Gallery

Cllr Anne Lee moved and Cllr Keli Watts seconded the motion to Council, as set out on the agenda for the meeting.

In debating the motion and amendments all councillors were in favour of the Art Gallery being opened, however the timeframe for doing so and the implications for the rest of the premises were discussed in detail.

During the debate an amendment was moved by Cllr Helen Howell and seconded by Cllr Jon-Paul Carr to amend the motion in the following terms:-

“The Alfred East Art Gallery in Kettering has now been closed for two years for works to improve and maximise its potential. North Northamptonshire Northants Council will continue to undertakes to keep councillors informed of progress made on repairing/replacing the roof of the art gallery building and the adjoining library roof. , and to request Also it is requested that the Executive continue to progress the project with a the view to reopen the open Cornerstone, and with it, the Alfred East Art Gallery by the summer of 2024 at the latest. as soon as is practically possible.”

The amendment was voted upon with 46 councillors in favour, 1 abstaining and 13 against. The amendment was carried.

The substantive motion was then voted upon, with 59 councillors in favour, 1 abstaining and 1 against. The substantive motion was carried.

Resolved:-

That the following motion, as amended, be approved:-

“The Alfred East Art Gallery in Kettering has now been closed for two years for works to improve and maximise its potential. North Northamptonshire Council will continue to keep councillors informed of progress made on repairing/replacing the roof of the art gallery building and the adjoining library roof. Also, it is requested that the Executive continue to progress the project with the view to open Cornerstone, and with it, the Alfred East Art Gallery as soon as is practically possible.”

Motion 3 – Library Service

Cllr Jim Hakewill moved and Cllr Charlie Best seconded the motion as set out on the agenda for the meeting.

The mover of the motion noted and supported the comments of the member of the public Chris Stanbra, who had spoken in favour of the motion via a public statement at the last meeting of the Council held on 31^st August 2023.

During debate it was noted that completion of the handover of the last two libraries had been completed during the year (Raunds and Rothwell) to community management. It was also noted that at this time, 85% of the library service been disaggregated, with no intention to change or close any statutory or community managed libraries -  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/275

To receive questions from members.

The Chair noted that two questions had been carried over from the meeting of 31^st August 2023 and a further nine submitted to this meeting.

All 11 questions were received 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.