Agenda, decisions and minutes

As notified to councillors prior to the meting, the Chair confirmed to councillors her formal acceptance of an urgent item: ‘Council Tax Base 2025/26‘, following consultation with the Monitoring Officer and in accordance with meeting procedure rule 11.

The urgent item was accepted for consideration as a decision 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 Jean Addison, Valerie Anslow, Paul Bell, Cedwien Brown, Melanie Coleman, Mark Dearing, Dez Dell, Jonathan Ekins, Martin Griffiths, Jim Hakewill, Ken Harrington, Helen Harrison, Philip Irwin, King Lawal, Richard Levell, John McGhee, Steven North, Elliot Prentice, Mark Pengelly,  David Sims, Michael Tye, and Malcolm Waters.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 17^th October 2024 to be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th October 2024 were approved as a correct record and duly signed by the Chair of the Council, subject to the approved amendment that Cllr Alex Evelyn be recorded as having been present at the meeting.

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

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

The following declarations were made:-

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

The Chair stated that she was sure all members would like to join her in expressing shock at the tragic death of Harshita Brella and upmost sympathy to her family and friends.

Councillors and officers held a minute’s silence in Harshita’s memory.

The Chair then declared that in the month of November she had attended approximately 26 events, the highlights being:-

·         Remembrance Sunday in Wellingborough in the morning and Kettering in the afternoon. The Chair was very privileged to be part of the Kettering event in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant, Commander James Saunders Watson, the High Sheriff, Amy Crawford and also the Air Vice Marshall White.

·         The Spirit of Corby Awards Dinner, organised by Corby Town Council;

·         Speaking on Corby Radio about the Chair’s fundraising activities for the Teamwork Trust;

·         Handing out awards to primary schools following the North Northamptonshire Library summer reading challenges;

·         Attending the North Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse related organisations.

The Chair went on to invite Councillor Barbara Jenney to say a few words on three voluntary organisations who had received the Kings Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award for voluntary services.

Councillor Jenney gave her warmest congratulations to St Andrew's Voluntary Services in Northampton, Northamptonshire Search and Rescue (NSAR), and Rush2TheDen, in Rushden, all of whom had all received the King’s Award accolade for "outstanding work".

Finally, the Chair wished to remind members of Councillor Scott Edward’s fundraising email seeking donations for Christmas gifts for looked after children being cared for by the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust. 412 gifts had already been donated by members of the public which was very much welcomed.

To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council.

The Leader made the following announcements to Council noting this was the last full council meeting of 2024 and that Council was approaching the end of another fruitful year and also the last full year of its first four year political cycle.

It was important and welcome to acknowledge the excellent work that council staff had been undertaking since day one, and that they were the council’s most important asset in the diligent way they served the residents, businesses and visitors of North Northamptonshire.

The Leader wished to highlight recent examples of excellence, which included included:-

·         The annual staff awards held at Wicksteed Park had been a pleasure to attend, especially as those shortlisted had been nominated by their own colleagues in line with the One Council agenda that included the council values of customer focussed, respect, efficiency, supportiveness and trust;

·         Andy Bissell, shortlisted for and then awarded the British Association of Supported Employment Practitioner of the Year Award;

·         Warren Hackley, one of the Council’s diving coaches, had won the Dive In Development Coach Award at the Swim England East Midlands Regional Awards 2024;

·         Lodge Park Sports Centre had been nominated for the Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) Best Performer Award for the second year running;

·         Northamptonshire Truck Stop Project had won the North Northamptonshire Logistics Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award;

·         The Discovery Northamptonshire Hub had been shortlisted for the Wellingborough and East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Innovation and Business Award; and

·         Chester House had won Small Business of the Year in the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, with Jack Pishorn, the Council’s Head of Culture, Tourism and Heritage having won Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year Award.

Finally, the Leader wished to highlight the support the council staff had shown for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women that took place on Monday 25 November. He noted that one in four adult women experienced domestic violence in their lifetime, according to the National Centre for Domestic Violence and that repeat victimisation and sexual violence was not acceptable in the world we lived.

The Leader invited members to join him in a round of applause for the excellent, committed, and talented staff across 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.

The Chair confirmed there were no public statements or petitions requested at this meeting. There had been two public questions received.

The first question was from Dominic Stuk, relating to the former Kettering Borough Council contract entered into with Kettering Town Football Club for the sale/purchase of council-owned land known as Frenches Field in Kettering.

The second question was from Jackie White querying if Shared Prosperity Funding was at risk of needing to be repaid if not used/allocated as of March 2025.

Neither Mr Stuk or Ms White were able to attend the meeting so as the questions and answers, having already been circulated to councillors and published on the website, were taken as read.

A copy of the public questions and responses are filed with these minutes.

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

Councillor Harriet Pentland, Executive Member for Climate and the Green Environment delivered a presentation to Council providing an update on the work undertaken in respect of her portfolio.

Cllr Pentland reminded Council that:-

• In July 2021, North Northamptonshire Council declared a Climate and Environment Emergency;
• In December 2022, the Council approved the Carbon Management Plan, setting the date for Carbon Neutrality as 2030;
• As part of the 2022-23 budget, a £1m pump priming fund was allocated to kick start projects in the CMP.

She went on to discuss:-

·         The Climate Change Strategy for the wider Northamptonshire area which was to achieve net-zero by 2050;

·         Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) which were a new approach to setting priorities for nature at a local level in England;

·         The Council’s award of £2.89 million through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure initiative to help facilitate the uptake of electric vehicles;

·         North Northamptonshire’s Tree Planting Strategy which had already yielded over 10,000 trees planted in 2023/24 to help meet the Government’s target of 17% canopy cover by 2050;

·         The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) which would provide a long term, evidence-based approach to developing local cycling and walking networks. It was noted that the Kettering LCWIP had been approved in September 2023, the Corby LCWIP had been approved in January 2024, and the Wellingborough and Rushden LCWIP was also close to adoption;

·         The Air Quality Strategy which had been adopted in July 2024, which outlined all of the projects the Council was working on to maintain NO2 concentrations below the UK legal limit;

·         The annual NNClimate Conferences which had taken place four times and were held to coincide with the annual United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change, to encourage widespread engagement, a range of speakers from locals to industry leaders.

The Leader and other members very much welcomed all of the work Cllr Pentland and officers had put in so far into tackling climate change in North Northamptonshire.

The Leader rose to request under meeting procedure rule 9.2 that the urgent item ‘Council Tax Base' be brought forward on the agenda for consideration immediately after item 11 ‘Appointment of co-opted Town and Parish representatives to the Democracy and Standards Committee’ and prior to Item 14 ‘Motions on Notice.’

The Chair confirmed her acceptance of the request.

To seek acceptance of the findings of the Local Government Association Peer Challenge and note the Action Plan.

That Council accepts the findings of the Local Government Association Peer Challenge and notes the Action Plan.

Reasons for Decision:

·         It is important that the Council corporately considers the Corporate Peer Challenge report, considers the significant progress made and the further opportunities that the Council should address.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         Not to undertake a Corporate Peer Challenge. This was not considered a viable option as it is important for the Council receive external challenge and scrutiny to meet its best value obligations and provide the best service to residents.

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.

It was noted that a team of senior local government councillors and officers had undertaken a comprehensive review of key finance, performance and governance information and spent four days within the local authority area. The Peer Review Team and all staff involved were thanked for their contributions to the report.

Councillor Jason Smithers moved and Councillor Russel Roberts seconded the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

In welcoming the report, the following key findings were noted:-

•      So much had been achieved since vesting day and this needed to be celebrated;

•      North Northamptonshire Council was very cognisant of where it ‘came from’ and was now keen to grasp the opportunities of ‘what comes next’ to replace the historic narrative;

•      The Leader was strong and impactful, and the Council’s Executive was a cohesive and effective unit. The Chief Executive was held in high regard both internally in the council at all levels and externally among partners;

•      BIG50 vision provided a platform for effective place leadership and was strongly advocated by the Leader of the Council;

•      ‘One Council’ provided a real opportunity for the Council to ensure that it reached its ambition of being the high performing authority it aspired to be;

•      The Council was blessed with amazing staff who were extremely committed to each other, the place and the Council. They had embraced the vision and ethos of ‘One Council’ and were keen to be a part of turning this into a reality;

•      There was a need for prioritisation and detailed plans to sit behind the vision and strategies, to ensure that they were turned into reality and staff remained engaged and positive;

•      A financial governance framework was in place, but it needed to be further sharpened so that the entire organisation collectively knew that the focus was always on balancing the in-year budget and setting future year budgets without the use of reserves;

•      The Council’s leadership of Children’s Services needed to be enhanced, both with the Trust and internally including Corporate Parenting.

The motion was voted on, with 51 councillors in favour, 2 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council accepts the findings of the Local Government Association Peer Challenge and notes the Action Plan.

Reasons for Decision:

·         It is important that the Council corporately considers the Corporate Peer Challenge report, considers the significant progress made and the further opportunities that the Council should address.

Alternative Options Considered:

·         Not to undertake a Corporate Peer Challenge. This was not considered a viable option as it is important for the Council receive external challenge and scrutiny to meet its best value obligations and provide the best service to residents.

To seek approval of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26

That Council notes the information as set out in the report and approves the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 that maintains the current 2024/25 scheme, allowing for the changes required to reflect the annual uprating of allowances and premiums and statutory base legislation changes which are required to be made to the scheme. 

Reason for Decision –

·         To deliver a Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 that meets statutory requirements.

Alternative Options Considered –

·         The Council could choose to increase or     decreased the minimum contribution payable by the customer. Decreasing the contribution would lead to a budget pressure and increasing the contribution would result in the scheme exceeding the breakeven requirement as detailed in 7.1.2 and 7.1.3.   

Council considered a report seeking to update full Council on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2024/25 and propose a scheme for 2025/26.

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

Councillor Lloyd Bunday moved and Councillor Kevin Watt seconded the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

It was noted that the report provided an update on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTSS) 2024/25, with regards to claimant caseload, expenditure and Council Tax collection performance to enable Members to make a recommendation to Council on a LCTSS for 2025/26.

The motion was voted on, with 52 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council notes the information as set out in the report and approves the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 that maintains the current 2024/25 scheme, allowing for the changes required to reflect the annual uprating of allowances and premiums and statutory base legislation changes which are required to be made to the scheme. 

Reason for Decision –

·         To deliver a Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 that meets statutory requirements.

Alternative Options Considered –

·         The Council could choose to increase or     decreased the minimum contribution payable by the customer. Decreasing the contribution would lead to a budget pressure and increasing the contribution would result in the scheme exceeding the breakeven requirement as detailed in 7.1.2 and 7.1.3.   

To seek adoption of the draft Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028.

That Council:

a)    Adopts the draft Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028;

b)    Delegates authority to make any minor corrections to the Statement of Licensing Principles, to the Executive Director of Place and Economy;  

c)    Notes the recommendation of the Licensing and Appeals Committee of 11^th November 2024 and does not make a ‘no-casino’ resolution or include the same within the Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028. 

Reason for Decisions –

·         The Council is required to publish a Statement of Licensing Principles at least every three years and the current statement expires on 30^th January 2025. The Licensing and Appeals Committee agreed to recommend the approval of the Statement of Licensing Principles to Council. 

·         The Licensing and Appeals Committee agreed to recommend to Council that a ‘no-casino’ resolution should not be passed. This indicates that the Council, should it be legally permitted to accept applications for casino licences in the future, will consider such applications in accordance with the licensing objectives. At present, there is no facility for the Council to accept such applications, as explained in Section 4 of the report. 

Alternative Options Considered –

·         The Council could decide not to update and publish a Statement of Licensing Principles; however, this would be contrary to Section 349 of the Act and would leave the Council open to challenge in relation to any decisions made under the Act.  The Council could decide to pass a no-casino resolution; however, this is not considered desirable for the reasons given at Section 4 of the report.   

Council considered a report setting out the updates to be made to the Statement of Licensing Principles 2022-2025 which would form the new Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028.

A copy of the report, marked as ‘Item 10’ on the agenda is filed with the agenda papers for the meeting.

Councillor David Brackenbury moved and Councillor Dorothy Maxwell seconded the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

It was noted that the purpose of the Statement of Licensing Principles was to guide the administration of licensing activities under the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) and help ensure that an appropriate balance was drawn between the interests of those wishing to provide and take part in legal gambling, and those who might be affected by such activities.

The Council continued to work with the Police and other Responsible Authorities under the Act, licence holders and wider stakeholders to achieve this objective.

The motion was voted on, with 50 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council:

a)    Adopts the draft Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028;

b)    Delegates authority to make any minor corrections to the Statement of Licensing Principles, to the Executive Director of Place and Economy;  

c)    Notes the recommendation of the Licensing and Appeals Committee of 11^th November 2024 and does not make a ‘no-casino’ resolution or include the same within the Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028. 

Reason for Decisions –

·         The Council is required to publish a Statement of Licensing Principles at least every three years and the current statement expires on 30^th January 2025. The Licensing and Appeals Committee agreed to recommend the approval of the Statement of Licensing Principles to Council. 

·         The Licensing and Appeals Committee agreed to recommend to Council that a ‘no-casino’ resolution should not be passed. This indicates that the Council, should it be legally permitted to accept applications for casino licences in the future, will consider such applications in accordance with the licensing objectives. At present, there is no facility for the Council to accept such applications, as explained in Section 4 of the report. 

Alternative Options Considered –

·         The Council could decide not to update and publish a Statement of Licensing Principles; however, this would be contrary to Section 349 of the Act and would leave the Council open to challenge in relation to any decisions made under the Act.  The Council could decide to pass a no-casino resolution; however, this is not considered desirable for the reasons given at Section 4 of the report.   

To receive a progress update in relation to the activities of the Planning Improvement Board

That Council:-

a)    Notes the progress achieved by the Planning Improvement Board in its role as an advisory forum to guide and oversee the operational improvements in the planning service; and   

b)    Notes the progress that has been made to date on the formulation and implementation of the Planning Improvement Plan (PIP) and endorses the proposed approach that the PIP be viewed as a dynamic document that can be amended to address any changes in circumstances.

Reason for Decisions: -

·         The report demonstrates that the PIB has made positive progress against the purpose set for it. There have been improvements that have been secured within the Planning Service as it continues on its transformation journey. The PIB provides the forum to highlight these positive steps that have already been achieved and helps to ensure that there is no loss of future momentum.

Alternative Options Considered 

·         Council has the ability to trigger a review of the PIB. This is not considered to be warranted at this time. The Board has made good progress in gathering information, developing an understanding of the current situation, and proactively holding workshops to consider the future. The Board has successfully overseen the development of a comprehensive PIP which is expected to be agreed at the forthcoming PIB meeting in December 2024. 

Council considered a six-month update since the formation of the Planning Improvement Board (PIB) which provided a summary of the progress made in relation to the wider programme of improvement in the Council’s planning functions, and the implementation of the Planning Improvement Plan (PIP).

A copy of the report, marked as ‘Item 11’ on the agenda is filed with the agenda papers for the meeting.

Councillor Lee Wilkes moved and Councillor Kevin Watt seconded the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

It was noted that since its inception the Board had:-

·         Reviewed the performance of the Development Management service against Government targets and other comparable Authorities;

·         A Member Survey has been undertaken to gain feedback and suggestions that could be used to identify potential service improvements;

·         Work has commenced on the development of a series of topic based procedural guidance notes for officers;

·         PIB had received an update on current structures and staff capacity; and provided feedback on the general concepts underpinning the forthcoming restructure proposals; and

·         The Board had overseen the development of a list of ‘quick wins’, to demonstrate positive progress represented by the low-level operational improvements that were being made alongside the bigger projects detailed in the PIP.

The motion was voted on, with 52 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council:-

a)    Notes the progress achieved by the Planning Improvement Board in its role as an advisory forum to guide and oversee the operational improvements in the planning service; and   

b)    Notes the progress that has been made to date on the formulation and implementation of the Planning Improvement Plan (PIP) and endorses the proposed approach that the PIP be viewed as a dynamic document that can be amended to address any changes in circumstances.

Reason for Decisions: -

·         The report demonstrates that the PIB has made positive progress against the purpose set for it. There have been improvements that have been secured within the Planning Service as it continues on its transformation journey. The PIB provides the forum to highlight these positive steps that have already been achieved and helps to ensure that there is no loss of future momentum.

Alternative Options Considered 

·         Council has the ability to trigger a review of the PIB. This is not considered to be warranted at this time. The Board has made good progress in gathering information, developing an understanding of the current situation, and proactively holding workshops to consider the future. The Board has successfully overseen the development of a comprehensive PIP which is expected to be agreed at the forthcoming PIB meeting in December 2024. 

To receive the Annual Report from the Director of Public Health for 2023-2024

That Council notes the contents of the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023-24 and the recommendations within it.

Reason for Decision –

·         To accord with legislation fulfilling a statutory requirement of the Director of Public Health.    

Alternative Options Considered –

·         This is a statutory requirement of the Director of Public Health role. Progressing the priorities for improving public health in North Northamptonshire was a key focus of 2023-24 and provides the basis of this report.

Council considered the contents of the annual Director of Public Health’s (DPH) statutory report for North Northamptonshire, together with the key recommendations made within.

A copy of the report, marked as ‘Item 12’ on the agenda is filed with the agenda papers for the meeting.

The Director of Public Health presented the report to members, prior to Councillor Gill Mercer moving and Councillor Graham Lawman seconding the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

It was noted that the report reflected on the work to date in establishing a strong public health team with the priority to developing ‘place’.

Some notable achievements over the year had included:-

·         Supporting the system in developing the new “Sense of Place” – putting people at the heart of everything they would do;

·         Implementing the Health & Wellbeing Board Strategy through the place-based model and taking an asset-based approach to collaborating with local communities, ensuring existing strengths were built on to create a sustainable future;

·         Building a robust Health Protection Team;

·         Firmly establishing the Healthy Schools Team to support local schools to give children and young people the best start in life;

·         Establishing a skilled and diverse workforce;

·         Using evidence to make decisions;

·         Creating the evidence to inform better decisions and establishing a reputation for excellence.

The motion was voted on, with 53 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council notes the contents of the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023-24 and the recommendations within it.

Reason for Decision –

·         To accord with legislation fulfilling a statutory requirement of the Director of Public Health.    

Alternative Options Considered –

·         This is a statutory requirement of the Director of Public Health role. Progressing the priorities for improving public health in North Northamptonshire was a key focus of 2023-24 and provides the basis of this report.

To update full Council on the progress for the nomination and selection of the appointment of co-opted town and parish council representatives to the Democracy and Standards Committee.

That Council:

a)    Notes the process undertaken for the nominations and selection of co- opted Town and Parish representatives to the Democratic and Standards Committee and the candidates proposed for appointment; 

b)    Approves the appointment of three candidates (as set out in 5.2 of the report) to be appointed as co-opted Town and Parish representatives to the Democracy and Standards Committee for a term of office until May 2025 with the provision to extend to May 2029 provided eligibility criteria is met. 

Reason for Decisions –

·         The terms of reference for the Democracy and Standards Committee require co-opted Members. This recommendation to fill the vacancies ensures that the membership of the Committee is in line with the terms of reference.

Alternative Options Considered –  

·         To not undertake the appointment process and appoint after the election in 2025. This option was disregarded on the basis the terms of reference for the committee which require representatives. To pause the appointment until May 2025 further delays securing the full membership for this committee. 

·         To appoint until May 2025 and have a new nomination and selection process for the term of office 2025-2029. This option was considered to have a disproportionate impact on resources including duplication of an induction training. In the event a representative is not eligible to serve as a co-opted member following the 2025 election the appointment process can be re-run for the number of vacancies arising. This would apply in the event of any ineligibility or inability to serve at any time during the term of office. 

Council considered a report updating full Council on the progress for the nomination and selection of the appointment of co-opted town and parish council representatives to the Democracy and Standards Committee.

A copy of the report, marked as ‘Item 13’ on the agenda is filed with the agenda papers for the meeting.

Councillor Andy Mercer moved and Councillor Helen Howell seconded the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

All the towns and parishes were thanked for engaging in the election process to propose co-optees from the list of nominees. Those who were nominated and were unsuccessful were thanked for their interest and putting themselves forward.

Council was pleased to note the top three councillors that had been voted in favour of becoming co-opted representatives, who were:-

·         Councillor Beth Ring of Weekley Parish Council;

·         Councillor Paul Davis of Oundle Town Council;

·         Councillor Keith Gautrey-Prue of Deene and Deenethorpe Parish Council.

The motion to appoint the above co-opted councillors was voted on, with 53 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved:-

That Council:

a)    Notes the process undertaken for the nominations and selection of co- opted Town and Parish representatives to the Democratic and Standards Committee and the candidates proposed for appointment; 

b)    Approves the appointment of three candidates (as set out in 5.2 of the report) to be appointed as co-opted Town and Parish representatives to the Democracy and Standards Committee for a term of office until May 2025 with the provision to extend to May 2029 provided eligibility criteria is met. 

Reason for Decisions –

·         The terms of reference for the Democracy and Standards Committee require co-opted Members. This recommendation to fill the vacancies ensures that the membership of the Committee is in line with the terms of reference.

Alternative Options Considered –  

·         To not undertake the appointment process and appoint after the election in 2025. This option was disregarded on the basis the terms of reference for the committee which require representatives. To pause the appointment until May 2025 further delays securing the full membership for this committee. 

·         To appoint until May 2025 and have a new nomination and selection process for the term of office 2025-2029. This option was considered to have a disproportionate impact on resources including duplication of an induction training. In the event a representative is not eligible to serve as a co-opted member following the 2025 election the appointment process can be re-run for the number of vacancies arising. This would apply in the event of any ineligibility or inability to serve at any time during the term of office. 

That Council:

a)    In accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulation 1992, as amended, approves the amount calculated as the Band D equivalent Council Tax Base for the North Northamptonshire area 2025/26 shall be 117,585 as detailed in this report and appendices. This is an increase of 1,738 over the 2024/25 Tax Base, a 1.5% increase.

b)    Notes a Council Tax Collection rate assumption of 98.5% for 2025/26;

Reason for Decisions –

·         Section 33 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 requires the Council as the Billing Authority to calculate a Council Tax Base for its area by 31st January each year.

Council considered a report, the purpose of which was to set the Council Tax Base for 2025/26 as required by Section 33 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012.

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

Councillor Lloyd Bunday moved and Councillor Anup Pandey seconded the motion which set out the recommendations in the report.

The motion was voted on, with 48 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

Resolved:

That Council:

a)    In accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulation 1992, as amended, approves the amount calculated as the Band D equivalent Council Tax Base for the North Northamptonshire area 2025/26 shall be 117,585 as detailed in this report and appendices. This is an increase of 1,738 over the 2024/25 Tax Base, a 1.5% increase.

b)    Notes a Council Tax Collection rate assumption of 98.5% for 2025/26;

Reason for Decisions –

·         Section 33 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 requires the Council as the Billing Authority to calculate a Council Tax Base for its area by 31st January each year.

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 Cedwien Brown: –

“On the 16^th November 2023 the Executive received a report setting out a timetable for the adoption of its Local Development Scheme and setting out adoption of the Gypsy & Traveller Local Plan in March 2026.  The timetable set out clear timescales for pertinent documents to be finalised.  In particular, consultations in March/April and November/December 2024, Submission to the Secretary of State in February 2025, and Examination in September 2025.

It has been necessary to revise the timeline because of this Council’s failure to meet the timetable set out in the report received by the Executive on 16^th November 2023.  If the Council had met that timetable as it resolved, to the local plan would have been the subject of two consultations presented to Council for adoption at the December 2024 meeting of full Council. As a result of the delay this Council will not now submit its local plan to the Secretary of State as was the intention in February 2025.

As a result of the failure to meet the deadlines that underpinned the resolution of the Executive on 16^th November 2023, this council directs the removal of the budget of £1.3 million from the capital program 2024-28 approved by Full Council on the 22^nd February 2024.

This will remove the threat of development on Rothwell Green Space (Junction 3 A14) and therefore place the need for, and possible identification of, Temporary Traveller Stopping places provision into the NNC-wide Local Plan evaluation of Traveller accommodation as and when it restarts."

Motion 2

To be proposed by Cllr Alex Evelyn and seconded by Cllr Anup Pandey: –

On 7 August the Leader of this Council wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer raising concerns that “Despite submitting the Standard of Care and Outline Business Case in early 2021 and summer 2022 respectively, these have yet to be considered or approved by the New Hospital Programme”. The Leader further raised the “need to ensure that we have the services and infrastructure for our local population both now and in the future”.

The Labour Government’s decision to review the New Hospital Programme by the previous Conservative Government has put the development of Kettering General Hospital under threat, with the £620 million ear marked for investment going back to the Chancellor. This will impact the health and wellbeing of residents across North Northamptonshire and outcomes for patients.

Given North Northamptonshire is expected to grow by tens of thousands over the coming years, and the elderly population with increased co-morbidities is on the rise,  we need a hospital that is fit for purpose and has the capacity to meet the needs of a growing and increasingly elderly population.

Furthermore, having state of the art facilities will reduce the time spent by patients in acute settings through a reduction in infection rates,  ...  view the full agenda text for item C/403

Motion 1 – Gypsy & Traveller Local Plan

The Chair confirmed that the mover of the motion, Cllr Cedwien Brown, and the seconder, Cllr Joseph Smyth, had requested that the motion be withdrawn from the agenda.

Motion 2 – Development of Kettering General Hospital

Councillor Alex Evelyn moved and Councillor Anup Pandey seconded the following motion to Council:

On 7 August the Leader of this Council wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer raising concerns that “Despite submitting the Standard of Care and Outline Business Case in early 2021 and summer 2022 respectively, these have yet to be considered or approved by the New Hospital Programme”. The Leader further raised the “need to ensure that we have the services and infrastructure for our local population both now and in the future”.

The Labour Government’s decision to review the New Hospital Programme by the previous Conservative Government has put the development of Kettering General Hospital under threat, with the £620 million ear marked for investment going back to the Chancellor. This will impact the health and wellbeing of residents across North Northamptonshire and outcomes for patients.

Given North Northamptonshire is expected to grow by tens of thousands over the coming years, and the elderly population with increased co-morbidities is on the rise, we need a hospital that is fit for purpose and has the capacity to meet the needs of a growing and increasingly elderly population.

Furthermore, having state of the art facilities will reduce the time spent by patients in acute settings through a reduction in infection rates, improved patient outcomes, and swifter recovery times. All of which can reduce hospital stays, potential readmissions and drive care in the community.

Therefore, this Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Health Secretary to prioritise assessment of the Standard of Care and Outline Business Case for the hospital and make an urgent commitment to bring forward the earmarked £620 million so that the urgent and necessary works to the hospital can be progressed.”

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Matt Keane and seconded by Councillor Anne Lee in the following manner:

On 7 August the Leader of this Council wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer raising concerns that “Despite submitting the Standard of Care and Outline Business Case in early 2021 and summer 2022 respectively, these have yet to be considered or approved by the New Hospital Programme”. The Leader further raised the “need to ensure that we have the services and infrastructure for our local population both now and in the future”. The Labour Government’s decision to review the New Hospital Programme by the previous Conservative Government has put the development of Kettering General Hospital under threat, with the £620 million ear marked for investment going back to the Chancellor. This will impact the health and wellbeing of residents across North Northamptonshire and outcomes for patients.  

The previous Conservative government in 2019 pledged to build a new hospital in Kettering by 2030. Despite  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/403

To receive questions from members in accordance with meeting procedure rule 17.

The Chair noted that 18 councillor questions had been received for this meeting in accordance with meeting procedure rule 17.

Each of the 18 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.