Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

It was noted that there were no apologies for absence.

The Chair noted there were a number of speakers to be heard at this meeting, who would be invited to speak at the commencement of the call-in item.

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

No declarations were made.

That following consideration of the call-in in respect of Travellers Temporary Stopping Site - Land at Junction 3 of the A14 Rothwell and the reasons given that have been deemed as valid, the Scrutiny Management Board has:-

a)    Decided to take no further action, and notes accordingly the original Executive decision will be effective immediately.

(Reason for Decision – Consideration of the call-in was carried out to comply with good governance and the call-in procedure set out in paragraphs 15-18 of Part 7.1 of the Constitution’s Scrutiny Procedure Rules.)

(Alternative Options Considered –In responding to the call-in, the Scrutiny Management Board had three options to consider, to either refer back to the Executive, refer (in specific circumstances) to full Council, or to take no further action and allow the Executive decision to take effect.)

The Scrutiny Management Board considered a report setting out the reasons for call-in by eight councillors of an Executive key decision of 21 December 2023 in respect of ‘Travellers Temporary Stopping Site - Land at Junction 3 of the A14 Rothwell’, and which requested the Board to consider the next steps that it may wish to take in accordance with the Constitution’s Scrutiny Procedure Rules relating to call-in. A copy of the report, marked ‘item 4’ on the agenda, is filed with the agenda for the meeting.

The Chair stated to all those present that the purpose of a call in of an Executive key decision was to scrutinise whether the decision making process had operated effectively and not the merits of the decision taken.

It was noted that there were five speakers who wished to address the Scrutiny Management Board in accordance with Public Participation procedure rules. Each speaker was invited to address the Board in turn.

             i)        Councillor Joseph Smyth, ward member for Rothwell, spoke against the siting of the temporary stopping site at Rothwell, stating it was the wrong location in a green belt location, that there had not been sufficient consultation before the decision had been made, and that this was not best use of money to site the temporary stopping site in Rothwell in this way.

            ii)        Katherine Cadbury, Chairman of Harrington Parish Council, opposed the establishment of the site stating the location was a greenfield site between Harrington and Rothwell and that the village felt very strongly, evidenced by the number of residents in person at this meeting. She stated the village supported the call-in by led by Cllr Jim Hakewill and that in practice very little consultation had taken place and that other sites had not properly considered.

           iii)        Michael Blissett, a resident, felt that the decision was ill thought out and the cost of establishing the site would be detrimental to taxpayers, that the site should instead form part of the wider traveller consultation that was due to start later in the year and not be built until the wider options had been looked into. He also stated that as a wildlife area it should be protected from development.

           iv)        Jonny Easter, a resident, felt there had been a lack of engagement with stakeholders particularly with regard to the wildlife value of the site, stating that species of interest including birds of conservation had been recorded, so the site was clearly of value to local wildlife and should be investigated further with the prospect of becoming a pocket park. Thish would be supported by residents and stakeholders, and so should be included in the North Northamptonshire local nature recovery strategy.

            v)        Carl Simper, a Rothwell Town Councillor, spoke against the proposal stating the Town Council’s wished for the site to be retained as an area of natural beauty. He stated the site was the main entrance into Rothwell from the motorways from the west and that Rothwell had objected for many  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

There being no further business, the Chair thanked Members and Officers for their attendance and closed the meeting.