Agenda item

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. 

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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. 

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This Council will: 

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·       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 - which had service level agreements in place.

Following the debate the motion was then voted upon, with 17 councillors in favour, 1 abstaining and 40 against. The motion was duly lost.

Resolved:-

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

Motion 4 – River Nene

Cllr Emily Fedorowycz moved and Cllr Harriet Pentland seconded the motion as set out on the agenda for the meeting.

During debate, it was noted that this was a cross party motion and this was welcomed, noting the importance of waterways within North Northamptonshire. Councillors noted how important the River Nene was as an asset in terms of ecology and tourism but expressed concern about the increases in rivers being polluted and conditions of sewerage infrastructure, seeking reassurances from the Environment Agency.

Following the debate the motion was then voted upon, with 60 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against. The motion was duly carried.

Resolved:-

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 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.”