Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tim Allebone, Jennie Bone, Scott Brown, John Currall, Mark Dearing, Jonathan Ekins, Alex Evelyn, Kirk Harrison, Ian Jelley, Barbara Jenney, Richard Levell, Steven North, Jan O’Hara, Anup Pandey, Harriet Pentland, Roger Powell, Geoff Shacklock, Joseph Smyth, Michael Tye, Kevin Watt, Malcolm Waters, Valerie Anslow, Alison Dalziel, Peter McEwan, Elliot Prentice, David Sims, Emily Fedorowycz, Dez Dell, Sarah Tubbs, Ken Harrington and Matthew Binley.

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 any interest in respect of items on the agenda. There were no declarations of interest received.

To receive any announcements from the Chair.

Members attention was drawn to the Meeting Procedure Rules applicable to the Budget discussions, and circulated prior to the meeting.

In order to ensure that all of the business of the meeting was completed, it was moved by Councillor Paul Marks and seconded by Councillor Lloyd Bunday that the Guillotine (Procedure Rule 10.1) be suspended until conclusion of all of the business on the agenda. The vote was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED That the Guillotine (Procedure Rule 10.1) be suspended until the conclusion of the business stipulated on the published agenda.

The Chair reported on a successful month as Chair of the Council, visiting the Council’s waste depots to meet and thank staff for their work.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 5^th December 2024 and of Extraordinary Council on 9^th January 2025 to be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED  That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 5th December 2024 and 9^th January 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(i)             Public Statements

To consider public statements received in accordance with public meeting procedure rules 4.2 (vi) and 15.

The Chair noted that Council had received requests from two members of the public, Mr Chris Ashton and Mr Chris Stanbra to address the meeting.

Mr Ashton made a statement to the meeting that sought assurance as to how the allocated budget for highways defect repairs would be allocated and spent.

The Chair thanked Mr Ashton for his comments before inviting Mr Chris Stanbra to address the meeting.

Mr Stanbra made reference to a perceived lack of transparency with regard to the scrutiny of the budget during the consultation process. Reference was also made to savings in regard to Minimum Revenue Provision and a lack of progress being made in the construction of new Council housing.

The Chair thanked Mr Stanbra for his statement.

To approve the latest political balance of the Council following recent group changes.

RESOLVED

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

Consideration was given to a report of the Monitoring Officer, which set out the revised political balance of the Council following a recent change to group membership since the last meeting of Full Council held on 9^th January 2025 as follows:

·       Cllr Matthew Binley had moved from the Conservative Group to being unaligned

The report also proposed the apportionment of seats on committees in accordance with the application of the political balance calculations, as required by statute.

Cllr Jason Smithers moved, and Cllr Helen Howell seconded the motion setting out the recommendations in the report.

The motion was voted on, with 43 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

RESOLVED

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

To seek Full Council approval for the revenue budget for 2025-26 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan for North Northamptonshire Council, including the proposed Council Tax level for 2025-26.

RESOLVED

That Council

a) approved the 2025-26 Revenue Budget as set out in this report, which includes and sets:

i.               a budget requirement of £828.065m including the Dedicated Schools Grant of £427.219m resulting in a net revenue budget requirement for the General Fund of £400.846m as set out in Appendix A.

ii.              a total Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes of £214.835m as contained in paragraph 5.26.

iii.             an average Band D Council Tax of £1,827.06 for North Northamptonshire Council, representing an increase of 2.99% in the ‘core’ Council Tax and a further 2% for the Adult Social Care Precept, as set out within the separate Council Tax Resolution Report attached at Appendix K.

iv.            pressures of £51.8m, including adjustments for the reversal of one-off funding in 2024-25, and savings, efficiencies and income proposals of £26.3m as detailed in Appendix B.

v.              the provisional Dedicated Schools Grant budget of £427.2m for 2025-26, as detailed in Appendix C, and summarised in paragraphs 5.47 to 5.85.

vi.            the draft planned use of, contribution to, and movement in, reserves as identified in paragraph 5.40, section 9 and Appendix D of the report, subject to the final call on reserves as a result of the Final Financial Settlement or other changes.

vii.           corporate budget requirements as set out in paragraph 8.1, including a contingency sum of £2.8m as set out in paragraph 8.2.

viii.          the Treasury Management Strategy for 2025-26 as set out in Appendix H including the Authorised Borrowing Limit of £749.084m.

ix.            the recommended Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy as set out in Section 10 and Appendix J.

b)    delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Performance (Section 151 Officer) in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation to agree any necessary variations to the budget prior to 1^st April 2025.

c)    delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Performance (Section 151 Officer) in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation to agree the use of the following reserves which will provide the flexibility to manage the overall budget during 2025-26.

·       Transformation Reserve

·       Public Health Reserve

·       Waste Management Reserve

·       Adult Social Care Reserve

·       Smoothing Reserve

·       Business Rates Retention Reserve

d)    noted the forecast financial position for 2026-27 to 2028-29, noting that this will be reviewed as further information becomes available and updated as part of the budget process for 2026-27 onwards.

e)    noted that the financial position has been based on the Final Local Government Settlement announced on 3^rd February 2025.

f)      considered the consultation feedback as summarised in the report and attached at Appendix E.

g)    noted the Equality Impact Screening Assessment as at Appendix F as having been taken into consideration.

h)    considered the outcome from the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, as detailed at Appendix G.

i)      considered the Section 25 Report of the Executive Director of Finance and Performance (Section 151 Officer) as set out in Section 15, including her review of the robustness of the estimates  ...  view the full decision text for item C/418

The report before Council set out the final revenue budget (2025-26) and Medium-Term Financial Plan for North Northamptonshire Council.

The draft budget proposals had been considered by the Executive on 19^th December 2024 with a further report to the Executive on 16^th January 2025 which provided an update to Members following the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement that had been published on 18^th December 2024.

The budget consultation period had commenced on 19^th December 2024 and ended on 24^th January 2025. The draft budgets had been subject to scrutiny by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. The consultation period had provided residents, local partners and other stakeholders with the opportunity to review the budget proposals and provide feedback during the five-week consultation period. The budget was further updated for the latest position following receipt of the Final Local Government Settlement and had been presented to Executive at its meeting on 6^th February 2025 for approval and recommendation on to Council.

The Final Local Government Settlement had resulted in additional funding of £160,000 when compared to the forecast within the report to February Executive. This related to an increase in funding for the Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant.

The report set out the revenue budget for 2025-26 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan for North Northamptonshire Council, including the proposed Council Tax level for 2025-26 for approval.

The Revenue Budget 2025-26 and Medium-Term Financial Plan formed part of a full suite of budget reports being presented to Council. These included the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2025-26, the Capital Strategy, Capital Programme, and the Treasury Management Strategy. These reports together would provide a framework for revenue and capital planning for 2025-26 and into the medium term. The Council Tax Resolution for 2025-26 was included within the report.

The main headline assumptions within the budget proposals were:

·       A balanced general fund budget for 2025-26, with funding supporting net spend requirements of £400.8m (excluding the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG))

·       Further investment of circa £51.8m to both protect vital services and invest in service change and improvement. This allowed for demand and cost increases in services, most notably there continued to be significant investment into Adult Social Care of £23.7m and Children’s Services of £6.2m

·       Cost pressures and service investment were, in part, offset by savings, efficiencies and income generation of £26.3m, this included the continuation of savings already included as part of the 2025-26 medium-term financial plan and which remained deliverable, with the remainder being met through improved Business Rates income, Council Tax income and Government grants

·       An investment in Social Care which recognised a 6.7% increase in the National Living Wage from 1^st April 2025 from £11.44 per hour to £12.21 per hour

·       An increase in Council Tax consisting of 2.99% for the “core” Council Tax and 2% for the Adult Social Care precept, which resulted in a new Band D equivalent Council Tax of £1,827.06, an average weekly increase of £1.67 (based on Band D equivalent)

·       No change  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/418

To seek Full Council approval for the proposed draft budget for the HRA for 2025/26 and the key principles on which it is based together with the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) that covers the following four years (2026/27 – 2029/30)

RESOLVED

That Council approved the following-

a.    The 2025/26 Housing Revenue Account Budget as set out in Appendix A.

b.    An increase in dwelling rents for 2025/26 of 2.7% which adheres to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) rent setting formula.

c.     The Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix B.

d.    delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Performance (Section 151 Officer) in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation to agree the use of the HRA General Reserve which will provide the flexibility to manage the overall budget during 2025-26.

That Council;

e.    Noted the forecast reserves for the Housing Revenue Account up to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix C.

f.      Noted the comments from the Corporate Scrutiny Committee as set out in Appendix D.

Reason for Recommendations

a.    To ensure that the Council complies with its Constitution in setting the budget for North Northamptonshire.

Alternative Options Considered – This is the start of the formal budget consultation for the HRA and any comments from the consultation will be considered as part of this process.

Council considered a report setting out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2025/26 and its Medium-Term Financial Plan proposals.

Councillor Lloyd Bunday moved, and Councillor Mark Rowley seconded the motion setting out the recommendations in the report.

It was noted that the HRA was a separate ring-fenced account within the Council for the income and expenditure associated with its housing stock, and also that the HRA did not directly impact on the Council’s wider General Fund budget or on the level of Council Tax.

It was further noted that income to the HRA was primarily received through the rents and other charges paid by tenants and leaseholders. As required by the Housing Act 1985, council tenants in Kettering and Corby had been consulted via the Tenants Advisory Panel, with a proposed rent increase of 2.7% in rent levels for 2025/26.

Details of the scrutiny process followed in regard to the draft HRA Budget were outlined to the meeting.

Following debate, the motion was voted upon, with 34 councillors voting in favour, 0 abstaining and 7 against. The motion was therefore carried.

RESOLVED

That Council approved the following-

a.    The 2025/26 Housing Revenue Account Budget as set out in Appendix A.

b.    An increase in dwelling rents for 2025/26 of 2.7% which adheres to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) rent setting formula.

c.     The Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix B.

d.    delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Performance (Section 151 Officer) in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation to agree the use of the HRA General Reserve which will provide the flexibility to manage the overall budget during 2025-26.

That Council;

e.    Noted the forecast reserves for the Housing Revenue Account up to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix C.

f.      Noted the comments from the Corporate Scrutiny Committee as set out in Appendix D.

Reason for Recommendations

a.    To ensure that the Council complies with its Constitution in setting the budget for North Northamptonshire.

Alternative Options Considered – This is the start of the formal budget consultation for the HRA and any comments from the consultation will be considered as part of this process.

To seek Full Council approval for the General Fund Capital Programme 2025-29 and HRA Capital Programme 2025-29.

RESOLVED

That Council approved:

a)    the General Fund Capital Programme 2025-29 and HRA Capital Programme 2025-29 as detailed in Appendix B and C.

b)    the Capital Strategy at Appendix A, including the authorised borrowing limit of £749.1m.

c)    the amendments required to The Constitution to reflect changes in the Capital Strategy, as detailed in Appendix E.

d)    that Council delegate authority to the Executive Director of Finance and Performance (Section 151 Officer) in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation to agree any necessary variations to the capital budget prior to 1^st April 2025.

Reason for Recommendations:To ensure that the Council complies with its Constitution and legislative requirements in setting the budget for North Northamptonshire Council for 2025-26.

Alternative Options Considered - any comments from the consultation have been considered as part of this process.

The report before Council set out the baseline Capital Programme for 2025-29 and the indicative Medium-Term Financial Plan for North Northamptonshire Council.

It was reported that the draft budget proposals had been considered by the Executive at its meeting on 19^th December 2024. The budget consultation period had commenced following that meeting and had ended on 24^th January 2025. The draft budgets had also been subject to scrutiny by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. The consultation period provided residents, local partners and other stakeholders with the opportunity to review the budget proposals and provide feedback during the five-week consultation period. The final budget proposals had been reported to the Executive at their meeting on 6^th February 2023.

The report set out the baseline Capital Programme and identified the key factors and challenges influencing the development of North Northamptonshire Council’s commitments for 2025-26 and beyond. The report presented the General Fund Capital Programme for 2025-29, the Baseline Development Pool and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme for 2025-29.

The key principles underpinning the current Capital programme were set out in the report and were designed to support the delivery of the capital programme which would be affordable and sustainable.

The motion to approve the Capital Programme 2025 to 2029 was moved by Councillor Lloyd Bunday and seconded by Councillor Bill McElhinney.

The following amendments to the report were received from the Labour Group and were MOVED by Councillor Anne Lee and SECONDED by Councillor Matt Keane: -

·       Amendment One - Conversion of large town centre building to residential flats (cost approximately £4-5 million (£200k per unit) and funded with 50% of the cost coming from Right to Buy receipts and 50% from borrowing)

·       Amendment Two - Purchase of two advanced pothole repair machines (cost £168,000 for each machine, plus £30 per repair funded utilising the £3.28m government pothole repair grant

In introducing the amendments, Cllr Lee felt it was important for the Council to provide stable affordable homes for residents reducing reliance on temporary accommodation and revitalising the local landscape. In terms of the pothole repair machines, it was acknowledged that local roads were in a poor state, purchasing the machines would show the Council embracing innovative technology in attempting to improve this position. Cllr Lee considered both initiatives to be bold steps towards a vibrant, liveable community and requested separate votes on the amendments following the debate, a request accepted by Council.

Following debate votes were taken on the amendments as follows:

Amendment One - 11 councillors voting in favour, 0 abstaining and 30 against. The amendment therefore fell.

Amendment Two - 11 councillors voting in favour, 1 abstaining and 29 against. The amendment therefore fell.

Members then debated the substantive motion at length before moving to a vote with 29 councillors voting in favour, 0 abstaining and 10 against. The substantive motion was therefore carried.

RESOLVED

That Council approved:

a)    the General Fund Capital Programme 2025-29 and HRA Capital Programme 2025-29 as detailed in Appendix B  ...  view the full minutes text for item C/420