Agenda and minutes

Councillor Hadland declared a personal non-pecuniary interest as a Trustee of Delapre Abbey Conservation Trust.

Councillor Ford declared a personal non pecuniary interest as his wife was a manager of Delapre Tea Rooms.

Councillor Meredith declared a personal non pecuniary interest as a frequent user of Delapre Tea Rooms.

Apologies were received from The Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, Councillors Conroy, N Choudary, I Choudary Duncan and Yates.

As the Mayor was absent, there were no Mayor’s Announcements to be made. However, Council were informed by the Leader that his political assistant, Mr Gleich, had very recently welcomed a baby boy into his family and wished them all well.

Morcea Walker addressed Council and commented that Northampton Carnival would take place on the 13^th June 2015, and noted that there had been a venue change to Abington Park. She noted that this year, they had arranged a ‘proper’ route, which had been extended and would therefore engage with more people in the Town and gave thanks to Councillor Eldred and the Town Centre Manager for their work.

John Townsend addressed Council and stated that the Council should be taking a zero tolerance approach towards drink and drug use in the Town Centre. He commented that whilst alcohol was banned in designated areas in the Town, it was not being properly enforced which left some visitors to the Town Centre feeling intimidated and daunted.

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The Chair advised that 6 questions had been received from Councillors and that the answers had been tabled in accordance with the Constitution.

Questions and answers given were as tabled (included in an updated agenda on the website) unless where stated, supplementary questions were asked – detailed below.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 1, Councillor Mackintosh explained that the SORTED programme was not considered the best way forward, but that he would be quite happy to look into ‘Budget Plus’.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 2, Councillor Hallam commented that the de-pedestrianisation of Abington Street was worth the money spent and many businesses had expressed their happiness with it.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 3, Councillor Hadland explained that the posters that had been displayed were an illustration of the Administrations achievements over the past 4 years and the cost of £2,444 was a small amount of money from the promotional budget.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 4, Councillor Markham commented that they had worked closely in all areas concerning overcrowding where problems had been identified and noted that 100 new council homes were to be built.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 5, Councillor Mackintosh explained that the camera’s measuring footfall had not moved and therefore the figures provided were a like for like comparison.

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Councillor Mackintosh submitted his Cabinet Member report and noted that since 2011 many projects had been bought to the Town with millions of pounds of inwards investments; this having been achieved during financially unstable times. It was noted that in order to achieve savings, there had been a reduction in senior management and an agreement with Local Government Shared Services to combine back office functions and thus saving a further £9.5 million over 5 years. It was noted that Chinese New Year had been celebrated on the 1^st March which had encouraged people to celebrate the diversity of the Town. He listed some of the achievements of the administration over the past 4 years, from the establishment of the Northampton Partnership Homes to the introduction of the new register of HIMOs. Councillor Mackintosh expressed his thanks to his former deputy Leader, Councillor Caswell and his current deputy, Councillor Markham, for their hard work over the past years, and thanked his other Cabinet Members for the work undertaken as part of their respective portfolios and the Conservative Group.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Mackintosh explained that thanks had been given to officers and they had now been left in a position where the strongest teams had been put in place. With regards to the crime figures, the Leader suggested that further information be gathered from the Police as they were partners of the Community Safety Partnership, with the relevant information. Responding to the suggestion that the Administration were taking credit for the work of others, it was explained that if the report were to be read in its entirety, it was clear to see that reference had been made to partnership working. A further suggestion that the Administration were taking the credit for work carried out with capital provided by WNDC and investment of the former Liberal Democrat Administration, the Leader suggested that all the Lib Dems could be attributed with, was drawing an outline on a map without the provision of buildings.

Councillor Markham submitted her Cabinet Member report and spoke of the achievements of the past 4 years. She spoke of the Housing Stock Options Review which had culminated in the establishment of an Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) to manage the Council’s Housing Stock which had been given cross party support. The ALMO, known as the Northampton Partnership Homes had commenced work in January 2015. It was further noted that the Decent Homes programme had carried out improvements to 5,392 homes with an investment of £49.6 million. It was further noted that the Administration had introduced an online register of HIMOs and noted that there were further improvements to be made. It was explained that the Empty Homes Programme had received an award of £1.9 million to get homes that have been empty for more than 6 months back onto the property market. She thanked the planning department who had worked hard to assist her on the programme and thanked officers and her Assistant Cabinet Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Councillor Marriott to make a statement on “Improving the local environment’.

Councillor Marriott, as Leader of the Labour Group, referred to the definition of the word ‘environment’ and commented that there were many aspect of environment that affected the people of Northampton. He stated that there was a necessity for there to be a sound economic environment that would suit and reward people and argued that better pay in the local economy would lead to growth of the economy and improve high streets. He commented that many children in the Town were living in child poverty, which he considered contributed to anti-social behaviour. He questioned what the Administration had done to tackle the increased number of violent crimes reported to Police. He further commented that other environmental issues such as littering and fly-tipping negatively impacted on residents and noted that Labour had opposed the contract with Environmental Services, noting that financial savings may have been made, but at a cost to the environment.

In response, Councillor Hallam, the Cabinet Member for Environment, commented that a scrutiny panel had been established, where concerns about rubbish and letter could have been discussed and debated by Labour Group Members, but very few Labour Councillors had attended. He noted that they hadn’t signed up to the contract, but that they were only able to look forwards and work with the contract they had. He also stated that he had been proud to see the green flag flying over Abington Park and noted that in 2014 they had been proud of the town's achievement in winning a Silver Gilt and ‘most improved area’ in the region– improving more than any of the other 62 cities, towns and villages who entered. He further responded by commenting that Labour had a very limited long term economic plan and that if people were to vote Labour, they would be left with very little.

Councillor Marriott responded by stating that the Town’s best had yet to come and this would be achieved under a Labour Administration.

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No report had been tabled at Council and was therefore no discussion ensued.

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Councillor Mackintosh submitted a report that sought Council’s approval of the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2015/16. 

Councillor Markham seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2015/16 attached at Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

i)             Councillor Markham to propose and Councillor Mackintosh to second

‘Council notes the important changes in housing in Northampton in the last four years.

‘The Council’s housing stock transfer to Northampton Partnership Homes in January was a major step forward for Council tenants and the quality of services provided to the town’s tenants.

‘Council commends the Housing Stock Options Review process which started in April 2012 with a Tenants’ Panel, an Employee Focus Group, and a Housing Options Panel to look at the potential options for the future ownership, funding and management of the Council’s housing stock, to examine which option would best deliver long term improvements needed to both homes and estates.

‘Council thanks the tenants, employees and councillors who took part in the Housing Stock Options Review and the officers involved in the process to create the Arms Length Management Organisation, Northampton Partnership Homes, and wishes the organisation best wishes for the future.

‘Council also notes important changes in housing policy with changes in the Allocation Policy, structure of the Housing Revenue Account and work done with private sector housing, and Decent Homes and Empty Homes improvements.

‘Council welcomes the work done to combat homelessness and the achievements of organisations working in Oasis House which opened in May 2012 as a partnership between the Council and Midland Heart consisting of 48 accommodation units including 39 self-contained apartments, nine emergency units and four have dog kennels attached. There is also accommodation at Acorn House and the day-time drop in facilities at the Hope Centre. The scheme also includes the base for Northampton Association for Accommodation for Single Homeless (NAASH), a day centre, IT suite, arts and crafts centre, housing advice service and training facilities.

‘Council recognises the increase in the last decade of Houses of Multiple Occupation and the negative impacts and concerns around the conversion of family homes this can cause in residential areas. Council welcomes work done by the Administration to introduce an online register of HMOs, new rules on the conversion of properties and additional licensing to help protect tenants from unscrupulous landlords by bringing smaller properties into the licensing regime that were previously not included.

‘Council notes that the Landlords Forum, established by this Administration, has improved relations between the Borough Council and local landlords, and has made it easier for this authority to help protect private tenants in the town, particularly those living in houses of multiple occupancy.

‘Council welcomes the Administration’s decision to build 100 new council homes at Dallington Grange as the largest social housing development in Northampton for more than 20 years. This major development will be built on land owned by the Council and will be financed by selling a parcel of land in the area or with money received from ex-council houses sold under ‘Right To Buy’ legislation. Council is committed to increasing the number of council houses available for rent, and welcomes this scheme to provide 100 new homes for families in our town.’

‘Council notes that in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Craig Ryan addressed Council on Motion i) and explained that the change in allocation policy was causing untold problems to many people, with couples who are expectant, being entitled to one bedroom flats and referred to figures provided by the Office of Statistics that stated that 36% of residents in Spring Boroughs do not have enough room in their property but would not be offered another property until they were found to be legally overcrowded. He further commented that this was exacerbated by the number of HIMOs which he argued both Officers and Councillors were supportive of.

i)             Councillor Markham proposed and Councillor Mackintosh seconded:

‘Council notes the important changes in housing in Northampton in the last four years.

‘The Council’s housing stock transfer to Northampton Partnership Homes in January was a major step forward for Council tenants and the quality of services provided to the town’s tenants.

‘Council commends the Housing Stock Options Review process which started in April 2012 with a Tenants’ Panel, an Employee Focus Group, and a Housing Options Panel to look at the potential options for the future ownership, funding and management of the Council’s housing stock, to examine which option would best deliver long term improvements needed to both homes and estates.

‘Council thanks the tenants, employees and councillors who took part in the Housing Stock Options Review and the officers involved in the process to create the Arms Length Management Organisation, Northampton Partnership Homes, and wishes the organisation best wishes for the future.

‘Council also notes important changes in housing policy with changes in the Allocation Policy, structure of the Housing Revenue Account and work done with private sector housing, and Decent Homes and Empty Homes improvements.

‘Council welcomes the work done to combat homelessness and the achievements of organisations working in Oasis House which opened in May 2012 as a partnership between the Council and Midland Heart consisting of 48 accommodation units including 39 self-contained apartments, nine emergency units and four have dog kennels attached. There is also accommodation at Acorn House and the day-time drop in facilities at the Hope Centre. The scheme also includes the base for Northampton Association for Accommodation for Single Homeless (NAASH), a day centre, IT suite, arts and crafts centre, housing advice service and training facilities.

‘Council recognises the increase in the last decade of Houses of Multiple Occupation and the negative impacts and concerns around the conversion of family homes this can cause in residential areas. Council welcomes work done by the Administration to introduce an online register of HMOs, new rules on the conversion of properties and additional licensing to help protect tenants from unscrupulous landlords by bringing smaller properties into the licensing regime that were previously not included.

‘Council notes that the Landlords Forum, established by this Administration, has improved relations between the Borough Council and local landlords, and has made it easier for this authority to help protect private tenants in the town, particularly those living in houses of multiple occupancy.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

There were none.