Agenda and minutes

Councillor Hallam declared a personal, non-pecuniary interest in item 10, Motion vii) as a nominated Trustee of 78 Derngate Trust.

Councillor Sargeant declared a personal, non-pecuniary interest in Item 10, Motion vi) as a Trustee of Churches Charity on St Giles Street

Councillor Marriott declared a personal, non-pecuniary interest in item 10, Motion vii) as a nominated Trustee of 78 Derngate.

To approve the minutes of the proceedings of the Meeting of the Council held on 21^st September 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 21^st September 2015 were agreed and signed by the Mayor.

Apologies were received from Councillors Culbard and Larratt.

The Mayor addressed Council and wished, on behalf of the Council, best wishes to Councillor Culbard as she was currently unwell.

It was noted that there were a number of tickets still available for the Mayor’s Gala Ball to be held at the Northamptonshire Cricket Club. It was noted that there were a number of Diwali events being held on the Market Square on the

7^th November 2015. The Mayor also reminded Council that her Mayoral gig would be held at the Picturedrome on the 14^th November 2015 for the Mayors Charity – Marie Curie featuring the Gingerpig jazz band and welcomed everyone to attend. She also noted that a service of Remembrance would be held at the All Saints Church on the 8^th November 2015 and that it continued to mark the 100^thanniversary of the First World War.

Mr Hufferdine Smith addressed Council and stated that there was a need for people to examine the causes of anti-social behaviour. He commented that there were numerous problems such as the round the clock access to alcohol and the irregular strength of drugs that were available. He questioned whether the police were trained at recognising the difference between the behaviour of someone under the influence of drugs and those experiencing mental health problems and urged Councillors to have compassion.

County Councillor Glynane addressed Council and stated that the football club was extremely important to the people of Northampton. He mentioned that the previous leader had spoken of the importance of working with the owner of the football club who had also spoken favourably about working with the Council. He commented that apparently,  the current Leader of the Council was not aware until  weeks ago that the payments were not up to date and also questioned why the Cabinet recommendations of the meeting held July 2013 had not been to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Mayor advised that four 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 asked, Councillor Hadland confirmed that a Viability Assessment was necessary, without which the development could not go ahead and that meetings continued with the applicants. He also stated that with regards to the proposed Waste to Energy Plant in the St James’ Ward, any updated information received would be relayed to Councillor Ashraf, as Ward Councillor.

 In response to a supplementary question asked, Councillor Hibbert commented that he did not have the budget information with regards to private housing, but asked that Councillor Gowen email him and he would respond in due course with the requested information.

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Councillor Markham, as Leader of the Council, submitted her Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. She spoke of the administration’s commitment to supporting sports clubs in Northamptonshire and spoke of the recent loan that had been approved to the Northamptonshire Cricket Club. She commented that whilst there had been a Cabinet report, as referred to by County Councillor Glynane, at no point after the decision had been made, did he attempt to ‘Call –In’ the Cabinet decision. It was noted that the Council had undergone rapid changes recently and that consequentially there would be a review into the culture of NBC to ensure that staff are working in a positive and a productive environment. She congratulated the Customer Services Team who had achieved Customer Excellence Accreditation as part of the National Customer Service Week. Councillor Markham explained that she had been out on the Night safe operation on Friday 16^th October to experience the challenges faced by officers; she noted that there was a consultation on Public Spaces Protections Orders approved at the previous Cabinet meeting. She thanked those who had participated in the Landlords Forum and thanked officers and the Cabinet Member for Housing for their hard work.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Markham stated that the administration had delivered what the electorate had asked for and with regards to the Football Club, the only person whose integrity should be questioned was Mr David Cardoza. She also stated that the she was aware that there were still numerous bad landlords, but that licensing of HIMOs alongside establishing a Social Lettings Agency and exploring Planning Policy had reduced the numbers of bad landlords in the Town.

Councillor Hallam submitted his Cabinet Member report and commented that the Council currently had a balanced financial position for the next financial year. It was noted that the Revenues and Benefits departments was entering into a busy period as preparation was underway to prepare for a consultation on the 2016-17 Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS).

In response to questions asked, Councillor Hallam commented that the Football Club had missed 3 payments, but that they were in a good financial position to cushion the backdrop of the financial situation as they had been putting the finances in good order over the past 4 years. Councillor Hallam also stated that he would continue to assist Councillor Meredith with his bid for play equipment in Talevera. He also state that there were a number of consultation events were being to be held with regards to the CTRS, but that it was too early to report any of the findings from that as they had yet to be published. He also stated that it was encouraging that there were a number of other people who were approaching NBC with regards to becoming more involved with LGSS.

Councillor Hadland submitted his Cabinet Member report and noted that the exercise of expression of interest had been extended slightly the first phase of which would need to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Councillor Stone to make a statement on: “The need for an anti-poverty strategy”. 

Councillor Stone stated the poverty was a growing phenomenon, the causes of which were numerous; from zero hour contracts and a substantial shift in allocation of benefits. She stated that the Council should adopt an Anti-Poverty Strategy which she considered to need cross party support and with multi agency involvement as this would ensure that those in poverty would know that help would be at hand. She reported that 37% of children in her ward were classified as living in poverty and spoke of their plight of going to bed hungry and cold.

In response, Councillor Markham explained that she had looked at other councils who had adopted an Anti-Poverty Strategy and noted that they all had very vague intentions. She noted that rather than having a strategy of good intentions, it would be more effective for the issue to be report to and examined by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. She commented that under the administration, the had helped ease poverty by agreeing to pay Council staff the Living Wage, establishing a Social lettings Agency and not increasing council tax.

Councillor Stone responded by explaining that people needed assistance in maximising their money. She also stated that there was an urgent need to get children out of living in overcrowded and urged the Council to consider an Anti-Poverty Strategy.

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Nunn proposed a report which sought Council to consider a request to change the name of a Parish Council.

Councillor M Hill seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the request made by Wootton, Wootton Fields and Simpson Manor Parish Council to change their name to Wootton Parish Council be considered and agreed to changing the name of the parish from Wootton, Wootton Fields and Simpson Manor to Wootton.

2.    That authority be given to the Borough Secretary and Monitoring Officer to take any action necessary to effect this change of name of parish, including the notification and publication of the change as required by law. 

i)             Councillor Davenport to propose and Councillor Smith to second:

“This Council notes that abandoned trollies are still an ongoing problem in Northampton. They can be a real nuisance in our communities.

This Council therefore resolves the following,

-  To note the success of the Trolleywise scheme, particularly their smartphone app.

-  Ask the Chief Executive to write to all local supermarkets to ensure they are part of the Trolleywise scheme.

-  Suggest to the Cabinet that they consider how best the Trolleywise scheme can be promoted to the general public but also consider what other powers they have at their disposal to help eliminate this problem.

-  This Council does not currently collect abandoned trollies. We ask the Cabinet Member to consider adopting a policy of collecting trollies (by our Neighbourhood wardens) and then charging the supermarkets for costs of removal, storage and disposal. We would like the Cabinet member to report back to full Council in his report on Monday 14th December 2015”.

ii)            Councillor Duffy to propose and Councillor Russell to second:

“This Council agrees with the present Central Government policy of free schools meals in the first three years of primary school (Year R, Year 1 & Year 2).

This Council further agrees that healthy free school meals are of enormous benefit to young children in Northampton.

This council asks the Chief Executive to write to our local MPs (Northampton North, Northampton South, Northamptonshire South) asking them to lobby Central Government to keep this important policy for the long-term and safe from any Spending Reviews”

iii)           Councillor Stone to propose and Councillor Russell to second:

“This Council notes that Central Government has announced it is introducing a ‘national living wage’ of £9 per hour by 2020.

This Council further notes the government rate is based on median earnings while the Living Wage Foundation rate is calculated according to the cost of living. Therefore the Living Wage Foundation rate is at present higher.

There is a concern that the benefits of the Government’s new national living wage will be outweighed by big cuts to tax credits.

This Council resolves to

1)    Use the Living Wage Foundation rate in paying our staff.

2)    Seek accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation. In order to be accredited we must pay all our directly employed staff the Living Wage and have a plan in place for contracted staff

3)    Support the introduction of a Living Wage to all sub-contracted staff.

4)     Use our influence as a major local employer and provider of services to urge other local employers to pay the Living Wage according to the Living Wage Foundation”.

iv)           Councillor Meredith to propose and Councillor Beardsworth to second:

“Council notes that the lakes in the Eastern District are in an ever worse state, with dropping levels leading to higher pollution and an increasingly unattractive visage and smell.

Council further notes that these lakes are important to the area for a number of reasons, giving a leisure space to local residents and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Mr Hufferdine-Smith addressed motion i) and stated that some of the trollies had not simply been abandoned but they had been stolen and commented that they should not be burdened with costs as they were the victims of crime.

i)             Councillor Davenport proposed and Councillor Smith seconded:

“This Council notes that abandoned trollies are still an ongoing problem in Northampton. They can be a real nuisance in our communities.

This Council therefore resolves the following,

-  To note the success of the Trolleywise scheme, particularly their smartphone app.

-  Ask the Chief Executive to write to all local supermarkets to ensure they are part of the Trolleywise scheme.

-  Suggest to the Cabinet that they consider how best the Trolleywise scheme can be promoted to the general public but also consider what other powers they have at their disposal to help eliminate this problem.

-  This Council does not currently collect abandoned trollies. We ask the Cabinet Member to consider adopting a policy of collecting trollies (by our Neighbourhood wardens) and then charging the supermarkets for costs of removal, storage and disposal. We would like the Cabinet member to report back to full Council in his report on Monday 14th December 2015”.

Councillor Bottwood proposed and Councillor Eldred seconded an amendment:

Amended motion to read:

This Council notes that abandoned trollies can be a real nuisance in our communities.

This Council resolves the following:

-       To note the success of the Trolleywise scheme, particularly their smartphone app.

-       Ask the Chief Executive to write to all local supermarkets to ensure they are part of the Trolleywise scheme

-       Ask the Cabinet member to consider how best the Trolleywise scheme can be promoted to the general public.

Council debated the amendment.

Upon a vote, the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

ii)            Councillor Duffy proposed and Councillor Russell seconded:

“This Council agrees with the present Central Government policy of free schools meals in the first three years of primary school (Year R, Year 1 & Year 2).

This Council further agrees that healthy free school meals are of enormous benefit to young children in Northampton.

This council asks the Chief Executive to write to our local MPs (Northampton North, Northampton South, Northamptonshire South) asking them to lobby Central Government to keep this important policy for the long-term and safe from any Spending Reviews”

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was lost.

iii)           Councillor Stone to propose and Councillor Russell to second:

“This Council notes that Central Government has announced it is introducing a ‘national living wage’ of £9 per hour by 2020.

This Council further notes the government rate is based on median earnings while the Living Wage Foundation rate is calculated according to the cost of living. Therefore the Living Wage Foundation rate is at present higher.

There is a concern that the benefits of the Government’s new national living wage will be outweighed by big cuts  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

There were none.