Agenda and minutes

None.

To approve the minutes of the proceedings of the Meeting of the Council held on 16^th September 2013 (Copy herewith)

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2013 were agreed and signed by the Mayor.

Apologies were received from Councillors Capstick, Eales, Lynch, Meredith and Strachan.

The Mayor announced that the Poppy Ball had had to be cancelled and asked people to wear poppies and to give generously to the poppy appeal.

The Mayor then announced that tickets were selling well for the Charity Gala Dinner on 29 November 2013, although there were still some tickets available.

Mr Leach addressed Council about changes to legal aid which he said would impact on dignity and fairness locally and nationally. He referred to a post card campaign being sent to Government about the changes.

Mr De Rosario addressed Council regarding the reduction in the number of rubbish sacks to two per household when some families used three or more.

Mr Adams addressed Council stating that the decision on the Council’s housing stock should be based on a ballot of all tenants, not on the views of the Tenants Panel.

Mr Brooks addressed Council stating that it was one of the few councils to use zero hour contracts. These contracts were currently under review by the government. They made working arrangements difficult for people it and he asked that their use be re-considered.

Mr Seamark had registered to address the Council but withdrew.

A copy of the questions asked and answers tabled is attached.

The Mayor advised that four questions had been received from Councillors and that they, and the answers, had been tabled in accordance with the Constitution.

Questions asked and answers given were as tabled (included in an updated agenda on the website).

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to Question 1. Councillor Markham stated that she was reviewing the arrangements to bring more void properties back into use more quickly.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to Question 2. Councillor Markham stated that the situation regarding emergency accommodation was not ideal. Families were only placed outside the Borough when there was an on-going  case of domestic violence or if the property was insufficiently large.  A report last year had stated that the Council was one of the best local authorities in the country regarding this issue.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to Question 3, Councillor Mackintosh stated that he had previously had correspondence on this matter and would take up the matter with the Member outside the meeting.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to Question 4, Councillor Mackintosh stated that the Council would be working with partners, including Northamptonshire County Council, and committing £40,000 over a three year period.

(Copy herewith)

Each Cabinet Member gave a presentation of their respective portfolios, which had been circulated in the agenda.

Councillor Mackintosh submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon.  He commented on the progress of the regeneration projects, particularly the bus interchange, the refurbishment of the Grosvenor Centre starting in November 2013 and the demolition of the Greyfriars complex to begin in March 2014.  He also referred to the recent visit by the Prime Minister to Northampton and the new home to be found for Northampton Athletics Club when development commences at Sixfields.

In response to questions from Members Councillor Mackintosh stated that:

·         Companies should be encouraged to come to and invest in the Borough.  Any questions regarding their employment practices such as zero hour contracts  should be addressed to those companies and not to the Council.

·         The Enterprise Zone was bringing investment and job growth into Northampton.  There had been 122 jobs created in Q1 & Q2 this year. Many companies had told him it was refreshing to have an administration they could work with.

·         He had publicly thanked officers and Members for their work at a recent regeneration event and was happy to do so again at this meeting.

·         He agreed to respond by email to Councillor Davies’ enquiry about the number of new businesses setting up in the Enterprise Zone.

Councillor Markham submitted her Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon.  She referred to the recent visit by the HRH the Duke of Gloucester to Oasis House, the relocation of Call Care, the success of the Estate Services apprentice scheme and seeking residents’ opinions and ideas on SCATE (Safe, Clean and Tidy Estates).  She also referred to the Tenants Panel’s preference for an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) to manage the housing stock, which would be considered by the Housing Options Panel and then Cabinet and full Council. 

In answer to questions Councillor Markham stated that:

·         It would not be appropriate to make any statement or decision on the housing stock options at this stage.  The views of the Tenants Panel reflected the scoring of the options.  A report would be presented to a special meeting of the Cabinet on 4 December and a decision made at full Council on 9 December 2013.

·         There was currently no decent homes work underway in Kingsley Ward.  Any queries by tenants regarding works or contractors should be raised with Ward Councillors or the Council direct.

The Supporting People funding was currently under review, with the aim of continued funding after April 2014.

Councillor Hallam submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon.  He referred to the new refuse and recycling rounds introduced in September which had favourably changed the views of many residents, the request from residents for 7,000 new recycling containers, and the Northamptonshire Waste Partnership’s visit to schools with a collection vehicle. 

In answer to questions Councillor Hallam stated that:

·         Packaging was an issue for companies rather than the Council but he would encourage a reduction in the amount of packaging.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Councillor Mason to make a statement on “Housing and Welfare Changes.”

Councillor Mason stated that she was deeply concerned regarding the cost of living and the benefit changes, especially the benefit cap. She stated that 25% of children were living in poverty in Britain and rickets was now on the rise once more in malnourished children.  The Chief Medical Officer had called this situation shameful.  Councillor Mason stated that the welfare reforms were stalled and not working and that this was negatively affecting family life, particularly with rising fuel costs.  The bedroom tax in particular was affecting vulnerable people and families, particularly disabled people, and leading to rent arrears.  Working people were being affected by the welfare reforms and not just those on benefits.  She stated that the Labour party would challenge fuel companies on prices and abolish the bedroom tax.

Councillor Mackintosh responded, stating that the welfare system had trapped families on benefits and it was helpful to fix welfare limits to encourage people into work.  He considered that there should be a safety net to support those who needed help and referred to working tax credits to help those who were in work and needed support.

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Wire DL submitted a report asking Council to confirm the appointment of Councillor Mason as Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, following the resignation of Councillor Davies as Deputy Leader, and the appointment of Councillor Mason to the Police and Crime Panel and the Appointments and Appeals Committee to replace Councillor Davies in each case.

Councillor Mason seconded adoption of the report.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments to Committees and Consultation Appointments, as set out in the report, be confirmed.

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Mackintosh submitted a report asking the Council to nominate the appointment of Councillor Markham to the Northampton Hope Centre Charity as a trustee.

Councillor Hadland seconded adoption of the report.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Markham be nominated to be appointed to the Northampton Hope centre Charity as a trustee for a period of three years.

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Mackintosh submitted a report seeking authority from Council to devolve this Council’s decision making authority as local planning authority to Daventry District Council (DDC) in respect of the cross-boundary outline planning application for the development at Northampton North SUE, A43 Kettering Road.

Council debated the appropriateness of devolving the whole application to DDC, or whether to maintain planning consideration for the small parcel of land to the south of the site.

Councillor Mackintosh moved adoption of the report.

Councillor Hadland seconded adoption of the report.

Upon a requisition for a recorded vote:

There voted for the proposal: Councillors Ansell, Bottwood, Caswell, I Choudary, Duncan, Eldred, Flavell, Ford, Golby, Hadland, Hibbert, Hill, King, Mackintosh, Malpas, Markham, Oldham, Parekh, Patel and Sargeant.

There voted against the proposal: Councillors Aziz, Beardsworth, Begum, N Choudary, Conroy, Davies, Glynane, Gowen, Mason, Mennell, Palethorpe, Stone, Subbarayan and Wire DL.

There abstained: the Mayor and Councillors Larratt and Yates.

RESOLVED:

That agreement be given to devolve this Council’s decision making authority as local planning authority to Daventry District Council as set out in the report.

1)      Councillor Mackintosh to propose and Councillor Hadland to second:

“Council welcomes the announcement that Cosworth Engineering is planning to build a new Centre of Excellence in Northampton, creating around 70 new jobs and up to 200 additional jobs for their suppliers.

The announcement is further evidence that, through the Northampton Alive programme, an increasing number of firms see Northampton as the perfect place to invest and do business.

Next year will mark Cosworth’s 50th anniversary in the Borough, and this Council notes the positive contribution this prestigious company has made to our local economy, and its commitment to our towns future.”

2)      Councillor Glynane to propose and Councillor Conroy to second:

“Council Notes that:

·         The recent commitment by the Government to maintain the existing post office network and to invest £1.34m in the service will mean that none of the current offices across Northampton will face programs of closure. 

·         Government is now looking at rolling out the trial scheme championed by Sheffield City Council and the National Federation of Sub Postmasters.  This scheme established the scope to deliver a wide range of Public Services  through local Post Offices thus underpinning their viability as a key community resource.

Council therefore resolves:

·         To confirm its support for local Post Offices and to recognise the key part they play in communities across the district and

·         To ask the Chief Executive to examine the Sheffield trial scheme and report back to Council on how our services could be delivered through the Post Office network across the district thus improving their viability and bringing our services closer to local communities.”

3)      Councillor Beardsworth to propose and Councillor Glynane to second:

“Council notes that:

·         We are not building enough homes in England.

·         Rising house prices mean the dream of home ownership is beyond the reach of millions and the size of a mortgage deposit alone stops many would-be first-time buyers from getting on the housing ladder.

·         More and more people are therefore being pushed into the private rented sector and as demand rises there, so too do the rents.

·         One in 12 families in England is now on a social housing waiting list.

·         The average house price in the East Midlands is over £161,000 – over 8 times the average household income in the region.

Council believes that:

·         We need to build more of the right homes, in the right place, at the right place.

·         Too often private developers try and force high density housing on huge sites that will cripple local infrastructure, causing vast public opposition to the idea of increasing the housing supply.

·         All too often the people who actually need homes are missing from local debates.

·         Councils need to take an active role in making the case for building more homes locally in a sensible, sustainable manner that is beneficial for communities as well as individuals.

Council resolves to:

·         Support the Yes to Homes campaign and commits to increasing the delivery of the right homes, in the right place, at  ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

i)             Councillor Mackintosh proposed and Councillor Hadland seconded:

“Council welcomes the announcement that Cosworth Engineering is planning to build a new Centre of Excellence in Northampton, creating around 70 new jobs and up to 200 additional jobs for their suppliers.

The announcement is further evidence that, through the Northampton Alive programme, an increasing number of firms see Northampton as the perfect place to invest and do business.

Next year will mark Cosworth’s 50th anniversary in the Borough, and this Council notes the positive contribution this prestigious company has made to our local economy, and its commitment to our towns future.”

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote the motion was carried.

ii)            Councillor Glynane proposed and Councillor Conroy seconded:

“Council notes that:

·         The recent commitment by the Government to maintain the existing post office network and to invest £1.34m in the service will mean that none of the current offices across Northampton will face programs of closure. 

·         Government is now looking at rolling out the trial scheme championed by Sheffield City Council and the National Federation of Sub Postmasters.  This scheme established the scope to deliver a wide range of Public Services through local Post Offices thus underpinning their viability as a key community resource.

Council therefore resolves:

·         To confirm its support for local Post Offices and to recognise the key part they play in communities across the district and

·         To ask the Chief Executive to examine the Sheffield trial scheme and report back to Council on how our services could be delivered through the Post Office network across the district thus improving their viability and bringing our services closer to local communities.”

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote the motion was .carried.

iii)    Mr Adams addressed Council and stated that more homes were needed in the right places.  He stated that the reason people objected to new homes was the percentage of affordable housing and that people did not want social housing near their homes.

Mr Huffadine-Smith addressed Council and stated that speculative builders had pushed up house prices to unsustainable levels, where they were well beyond the income of local people.  He asked the Council to think outside the box and consider schemes like park homes, which were a quarter the price of a traditional house.

Councillor Beardsworth proposed and Councillor Glynane seconded:

“Council notes that:

·         We are not building enough homes in England.

·         Rising house prices mean the dream of home ownership is beyond the reach of millions and the size of a mortgage deposit alone stops many would-be first-time buyers from getting on the housing ladder.

·         More and more people are therefore being pushed into the private rented sector and as demand rises there, so too do the rents.

·         One in 12 families in England is now on a social housing waiting list.

·         The average house price in the East Midlands is over £161,000 – over 8 times the average household income in the region.

Council believes that:

·         We need to build  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

None.