Agenda and minutes

Councillors Hadland, Larratt, Nunn and Golby declared personal, non-pecuniary interests in Item 13, Motion i) as Members of the West Northamptonshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee.

Councillors Bottwood, Oldham, Hallam and Lane declared personal, non-pecuniary interest in Item 13, Motion i) as substitute Members of the West Northamptonshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee.

Councillors G Eales, Stone, Smith, Marriott, McCutcheon  and Ashraf declared a personal, non-pecuniary interest in Item 13, Motion ii) as Members of a Trade Union.

To approve the minutes of the proceedings of the Meeting of the Council held on 20^th July 2015

The minutes of the meeting held on the 8^th June 2015 were agreed and signed by the Mayor.

Apologies were received from Councillors Eldred, Malpas, Walker, Russell, Gowen, Beardsworth and Meredith.

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, sent condolences to Northampton Borough Council Director of Enterprise, Regeneration and Planning Mr Steven Boyes, on his recent bereavement.

The Mayor informed Council that the Gala Ball would be held on the 20^th November at the County Cricket Ground. Tickets would be £40 each and urged members to purchase tickets from the Mayor’s Office.

The Mayor mentioned that there had been a presentation of the Ushakov medal for the arctic convoy veterans which was held at the Guildhall on the 18^th September 2015 and further noted that she had met with Twining Association visitors form Marberg.

The Mayor advised that she completed her Wing Walk on the 20^th September 2015 to raise money for charity the total amount was yet to be confirmed. She also informed Council that her son Charles completed a Marathon whilst in Iceland, raising £697 including gift aid for the Mayor’s charity.

Dr Ron Mendell President of the Trade Union Council submitted a petition to the Council. He advised the petition dealt with the Trade Union bill which the Trade Union Council found unnecessary and unjust. Dr Mendell mentioned that strike action and activity was currently low and that the bill would be unjust due to the restrictions it would impose on civil liberties. He noted that the use of agency immigrant workers was not cohesive to social cohesion.

Mr Tony Mallard addressed the Council on homelessness. He mentioned that the welfare state was created by society during the latter days of the great depression and noted that during the era homelessness was non-existent. He advised the Council that homelessness was, however, becoming a major issue in Northampton Towne Centre today and urged the Council to end the indignity.

Mr Hufferdine Smith addressed Council on the Housing Cabinet report. While he was pleased to see work was about to commence on the new housing strategy he mentioned that 250 voids and 4,000 homes were behind schedule. He asked the Council to urge builders to build on Brownfield sites rather than Greenfield and suggested needs assessment be carried out on Travellers by the Council. Mr Hufferdine Smith asked the Council to use their position to address the needs of the poor, homeless and vulnerable.

(Copy herewith)

The Mayor advised that 4 questions had been received from Councillors and members of the public 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 states supplementary questions were asked – detailed below.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 2, Councillor Bottwood advised that the campaign terminology with regards to “Don’t be a tosser” was not to their liking and therefore not used.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 3, Councillor Hadland explained that not all parties could be pleased regarding the Medieval Knight’s trail.

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Markham submitted her Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. She congratulated the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) over the past 5 years and wished them success in the ballot, which would close on the 29^th October 2015 at 5pm. It was noted that there had been a lot of Town Centre activities, including a return of the Beach, and ‘Love Northampton – Let’s Keep it Clean’. She also referred to the active programme of multi-agency working, looking at addressing Child Sexual Exploitation. She thanked Members who has attended the services marking VJ Day and spoke of future commemorations.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Markham explained that the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with NPH was underway and extensive work had already been undertaken.  She also confirmed that with regards to rogue landlords and un- licensed HIMOs, a confidential hotline had already been put in place which would be publicised more once the University term resumed. With regards to the current refugee crisis, Councillor Markham commented that meetings with CLG had been diarised which had been put in place prior to the crisis and noted that the lead was very much from Government. In response to further questions, Councillor Markham explained that officers had met with the prospective consortium, at a very early stage, but that the concern of the administration was looking after the public purse. She confirmed that officers were dealing with parties involved and that the Council remained as owners of the land. It was furthered confirmed that officers were working closely with the Department of Work and Pensions to ensure the transition to Universal Credits was well maintained.

Councillor Hallam submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. He explained that Audit Committee training would be held on the 9^th November 2015 and commented that it was for all members of the Council and not exclusively for Audit Committee members. He thanked officers for their hard work stated that the projected underspend of £271,000 was very positive. In response to questions asked, he explained that the reason for the high turnover of staff was down to the needs of individuals. He further confirmed that LGSS were not failing even though numerous people had left the Revenue and Benefits department, despite it having been one of the best in the Country. He further stated that £3.6 million had already been saved since working in partnership with LGSS.

Councillor Hadland submitted his Cabinet Member report and stated that over 500 people had taken advantage of the Heritage Open Days. In response to questions asked, Councillor Hadland commented that an examiner had been appointed to assess the Spring Borough Neighbour Plan and stated that Neighbourhood Planning was the most localised forms of Planning and that the National Planning Policy Framework attached great value to Neighbourhood Plans and the administration recognised the work that had gone into the Spring Borough Neighbourhood Plan. He also informed Council that the café in the Skatepark was not exempt from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Councillor G Eales to make a statement on: “The importance of trade unions and their rights.” 

Councillor Gareth Eales stated that the Trade Union Bill went against the ethos of the Labour Group. The Government had commented that the Bill would bring about democratic legitimacy to Trade Unions and reported that the Bill had very strict rules on picketing and lifted the ban on using agency workers if there was strike action. He commented that the Bill was an ideological attack on Trade Unions and commented that it was reminiscent of McCarthyism. He further commented that he was a proud Trade Union members and that he worked hard to represent working people; intervention having been productive and progressive in resolving less sick time and increased productivity. He urged the Leader and the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary expressing opposition to the repugnant Bill.

Councillor Markham responded by commenting that the Trade Union Bill was to create a balance to assist businesses so strikes would need fewer ballotters and that there was a need to agree the Bill to ensure that schools stayed open and public transport continued to run as the recent strikes by tube drivers  had been astronomical.

Responding, Councillor Eales suggested that the Miners’ strike of 1984 could have been avoided should there have been more dialogue between the Unions and the Government.

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Councillor Hadland submitted a report which sought approval to introduce the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Councillor Bottwood seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the CIL Charging Schedule be approved in accordance with Regulation 25 of the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended) to take effect from 1st April 2016 (Appendix 1 of attached Cabinet report)

2.    That the CIL Regulation 123 List attached at Appendix 2 of the report be approved

3.    That Exceptional circumstances relief be not applied to Northampton Borough

4.    That the CIL policy on payments in kind and the Instalment Policy (Appendix 3 of the attached Cabinet report) be approved

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Hadland submitted a report which sought Councils approval of the devolution of development control powers on cross boundary planning applications.

Councillor Lane seconded the report.

Councillor Larratt stated that he voted against a previous similar application and he was against the recommendations and that if approved, the Council would not receive any Section 106 monies and the interest of the residents of Northampton would not be protected.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Daventry District Council be devolved the discharge of this Council’s planning control functions under Section 70 (1) (Part III) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to determine a proposed cross boundary planning application in relation to residential development on land to the rear of Cottingham Drive, Moulton. 

2.    That Planning Committee be delegated the discharge of the Council’s planning control functions under Section 70 1) (Part III) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to determine cross boundary planning applications until the end of the municipal year.

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Hadland submitted a report that sought the Council to note a decision that had been exempted from call –in; the decision being taken was urgent.

Councillor Markham seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Hallam submitted a report requesting Council to note performance in relation to its bowing and investment strategy for 2014-15.

Councillor Nunn seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the treasury management performance for 2014-15 (outturn), and updated treasury management data for quarter 1 of 2015-16 be noted.

i)             Councillor McCutcheon to propose and Councillor Birch to second:

“This Council notes that the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy has not worked out entirely to the benefit of Northampton.

This Council notes that much development will be placed just outside the Borough Boundary.

This Council further notes this means Northampton will have the challenges that come with large scale housing development. However, South Northamptonshire District Council and Daventry District Council will keep the additional Council Tax income and New Homes Bonus that will come from this new development on Northampton’s doorstep.

This Council believes the Borough Boundary, in the longer-term, should be extended to incorporate SUEs, as outlined in the Joint Core Strategy, which are immediately outside Northampton and also other very close developments such as Grange Park. So this Council believes there should be a limited expansion of the Northampton Borough Boundary.

This Council further believes if there is a review of the borough boundary it must be done with full public consultation”

ii)            Councillor G Eales to propose and Councillor Stone to second:

“This Council recognises that in order to provide confidence to the staff at all levels, the senior leadership of the Council must work in close partnership with the Trade Unions who represent our employees.  Northampton Borough Council will only deliver excellent public services when Trade Unions, councillors and senior management work together.

So this Council believes that it is important to develop a reputation as a good employer and to build a relationship with staff and their representatives based on mutual trust.

To this end the Council agrees the following:-

1.    The Trade Unions have an important role to play in a democratic and accountable public authority.

2.    To have regular local joint meetings with all the recognised staff Trade Unions.

3.    To guarantee sufficient facility time and resources in order that the Trade Unions can properly represent all their members.

4.    To re-enter national pay bargaining for local government”.

iii)           Councillor Cali to propose and Councillor Haque to second:

“This Council notes that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a cultural practice that makes some young girls in our local communities very vulnerable.  It is often referred to as ‘cutting’ and is a form of child abuse. It happens to young girls in our county and in our town.

This Council believes we can act together to stop it happening in our town.

This Council will do the following:-

• Work with the Police and other agencies so that we understand the scale of the problem.

• Ensure all relevant front line staff through training are aware of this issue, how to support victims and how to support campaigners against the practice

This Council resolves to identify the groups that are campaigning against this practice in order to

• Sign post vulnerable girls and their families to them

• Support the campaigns by disseminating any appropriate literature

• Ensure the relevant local campaign groups are aware they have the support of this Council”.

iv)  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

i)             Councillor McCutcheon proposed and Councillor Birch seconded:

“This Council notes that the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy has not worked out entirely to the benefit of Northampton.

This Council notes that much development will be placed just outside the Borough Boundary.

This Council further notes this means Northampton will have the challenges that come with large scale housing development. However, South Northamptonshire District Council and Daventry District Council will keep the additional Council Tax income and New Homes Bonus that will come from this new development on Northampton’s doorstep.

This Council believes the Borough Boundary, in the longer-term, should be extended to incorporate SUEs, as outlined in the Joint Core Strategy, which are immediately outside Northampton and also other very close developments such as Grange Park. So this Council believes there should be a limited expansion of the Northampton Borough Boundary.

This Council further believes if there is a review of the borough boundary it must be done with full public consultation”

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was lost.

Mr R Mendell addressed Motion ii) and commented that he supported the Motion. He commented that as a Union member, he had thought it necessary to strike 7 times in 23 years and stated that the Trade Unions didn’t always favour disruption and industrial action but that it was considered a necessity in certain cases. He also stated that Trade Unions offered day to day assistance with employees and also developed and shaped policies and their value should not be diminished.

ii)            Councillor G Eales proposed and Councillor Stone seconded:

“This Council recognises that in order to provide confidence to the staff at all levels, the senior leadership of the Council must work in close partnership with the Trade Unions who represent our employees.  Northampton Borough Council will only deliver excellent public services when Trade Unions, councillors and senior management work together.

So this Council believes that it is important to develop a reputation as a good employer and to build a relationship with staff and their representatives based on mutual trust.

To this end the Council agrees the following:-

1.    The Trade Unions have an important role to play in a democratic and accountable public authority.

2.    To have regular local joint meetings with all the recognised staff Trade Unions.

3.    To guarantee sufficient facility time and resources in order that the Trade Unions can properly represent all their members.

4.    To re-enter national pay bargaining for local government”.

Councillor Markham proposed and Councillor Hallam seconded an amendment:

Amended motion read:

“This Council recognises that Northampton Borough Council has undergone fundamental change over the last few years, and that in order to provide confidence to the staff at all levels the senior leadership of the Council must work in close partnership with its employees and their representatives. Northampton Borough Council will only deliver excellent public services when staff, councillors and senior management work together.

So this Council believes that it is important to develop a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

None.