Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Chris Lofts, South Northamptonshire Council and Councillor Malcolm Longley, Northamptonshire County Council.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 7^th January 2020 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There were none.

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The Programme Director gave the Committee a presentation on Future Northants - Programme Update. The salient points were highlighted.

In response to questions around communications and engagement, the Committee was informed that the programme was engaging with members of the planning policy teams as a pilot for all other programmes to follow.

In response to a question around the amount of public interest and engagement in the programme, the Committee heard that information was being circulated alongside council tax letters. It was hoped that this would generate more awareness of, and interest in, the programme. The Committee was advised that any publicity work undertaken would take into account the risk of being seen to promote a particular viewpoint. Other members reported a high level of interest and engagement in their communities.

Councillor Ken Ritchie commented that the discussions that had taken place to date had focussed on design principles. He stated that he did not feel sufficiently well informed as to form a judgement about how successful this work had been. He stated that, in his view, the public would want to know about the impact of this work on services. The Committee was advised by the Chief Executive of Northamptonshire County Council that the programme had been developed under the oversight of the leaders of all eight democratically elected councils. The leaders were responsible for communicating with their authorities about this work. 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the contents of the report be noted.

The Section 151 Officer for Daventry District Council submitted a report providing an update on the financial position for the Future Northants Programme and highlighted salient points.

In response to a question regarding current Government policy on funding local government, the Committee heard that a Business Rates review was underway, but the outcomes were not yet clear.

In response to questions regarding contingency measures, the Committee was advised that any increases or decreases to local government funding would be subject to a cap. This would provide a relatively stable space within which planning could take place.

RESOLVED:

1.    The forecast outturn position for the Future Northants Programme be noted.

The Section 151 Officer for Daventry District Council submitted a report providing an update on the financial position for the Future Northants Programme and highlighted salient points.

In response to a question regarding current Government policy on funding local government, the Committee heard that a Business Rates review was underway, but the outcomes were not yet clear.

In response to questions regarding contingency measures, the Committee was advised that any increases or decreases to local government funding would be subject to a cap. This would provide a relatively stable space within which planning could take place.

RESOLVED:

1.    The forecast outturn position for the Future Northants Programme be noted.

The Monitoring Officer of Northampton Borough Council submitted a report seeking authority to form a single team of officers, known as the Implementation Team, as required by the Northamptonshire (Structural Changes) Order 2020.

This report outlined the proposed approach and highlighted the proposal to appoint the Chief Executive of Northamptonshire County Council as leader of the implementation team, with the Chief Executive of Northampton Borough Council as deputy leader for West Northamptonshire and the Chief Executive of Kettering Borough Council as deputy leader for North Northamptonshire.

Councillor Richard Auger welcomed the proposal and stated his confidence in the officers tasked with forming the implementation team.

RESOLVED: that:

1.    The WNJC agrees to form a single team of officers as required by Article 26 of the Northamptonshire (Structural Changes) Order 2020 (“SCO”) and that the current Programme Management Office be designated as the Implementation Team for the purposes of the SCO with immediate effect;

2.    That it be noted that, as required by the SCO, the leader of the Implementation Team is the Chief Executive of Northamptonshire County Council (Theresa Grant);

3.    That it be noted that Northampton Borough Council Chief Executive (George Candler) is West Northamptonshire Joint Committee deputy leader of the Implementation Team and that Kettering Borough Council Chief Executive (Graham Soulsby) is North Northamptonshire Joint Committee deputy leader of the Implementation Team.

The Chief Executive of Northampton Borough Council submitted a report providing an update on the work that had been undertaken to identify a suitable venue for meetings of the shadow full council and highlighted salient points. He advised the Committee that other meetings, such as those of the shadow executive, would rotate between venues. He would also be visiting the chamber later this week to review access arrangements for those with a disability.

The Committee commented as follows:

·         The use of a single venue in Northampton represented a risk to creating a sense of belonging for shadow councillors from other areas;

·         The proposal was rational and represented a sensible use of public money;

·         Questions were asked about facilities for a crèche and a youth forum;

·         It was suggested that an alternative venue be sourced for long-term use after vesting day.

In response to questions, the Chief Executive of Northampton Borough Council advised the Committee that the proposal concerned meetings of the full shadow council only.

RESOLVED: that:

1.    That following a workshop session with the Leaders from Daventry District Council (DDC), Northampton Borough Council (NBC), Northamptonshire County Council. (NCC) and South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) (see Appendix 1) approve:

2.    The selection of County Hall, Northampton, as the location for the West Northants Shadow Council Meetings.

3.    That all other committee meetings that will be required for West Northants Shadow Council will make use of existing rooms in the four local authority buildings.