Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: The Jeffrey Room, The Guildhall, St. Giles Square, Northampton, NN1 1DE. View directions

Contact: Emma Powley 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received form Councillor Nunn.

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on the 9th July 2018 were agreed and signed by the Deputy Leader following an amendment:

 

Item 9 – Creating a Housing Development Company (DEVCO) – ‘Councillor Hibbert commented that a refresh strategy was on the horizon and being considered’

 

be amended to read:

 

‘Councillor Hibbert commented that a refresh of the General Housing Strategy was on the horizon and being considered’

 

 

3.

Intention to Hold Part of the Meeting in Private if necessary

Minutes:

There were no items to be heard in private.

4.

Deputations/Public Addresses

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader informed Cabinet that there were 2 members of the public who had registered to speak.

5.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were none.

6.

Issues Arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committees

None

Minutes:

There were none.

7.

Air Quality Update pdf icon PDF 126 KB

B Report of Head of Customer and Communities (Copy herewith)

Additional documents:

Decision:

2.1      Cabinet acknowledged that that there is a persisting air quality issue in the town centre attributable to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) related vehicle emissions.

 

2.2      Cabinet noted that the Council is legally required to take actions to address newly identified exceedances of the annual mean Air Quality Objective for NO2 around the Northgate Bus Station and The Drapery, Abington Square/Wellingborough Road area and the White Elephant Junction on Kettering Road.

 

2.3      Cabinet reaffirmed the principle of declaration of a single town centre Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) to cover the inner ring road which would encompass existing AQMA’s and other exceedance areas and main arterial routes into the town centre. This would be achieved by extending one existing AQMA and revoking 4 to form one.

 

2.4      Cabinet authorised a 6 week public consultation exercise with both internal and external stakeholders, businesses and local residents whom reside within the proposed single AQMA and other relevant community groups to comply with relevant policy guidelines.

 

2.5      Cabinet noted that a further report will be produced in due course to summarise the outcome of the consultation and to seek formal approval of the amendment and revocation of appropriate AQMA(s) within the required time scale.

Minutes:

Councillor Hallam, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report elaborated thereon. He explained that it was an extremely complex issue and noted that he would welcome any expert advice on the matter as it was clearly an issue that needed to be addressed.

 

Mr Miller spoke as a resident of Kingsthorpe and noted that he had supported all attempts to improve air quality. He noted that there were numerous external factors that influenced air quality in Northampton such as a potential increase due to the development at Buckton Fields; whilst there may be some improvements to the environmental considerations, there was a need for charging points for electric cars and cycle paths for a significant difference to be made.

 

Councillor Hallam noted that with regards to the vehicle charging network there was a need for the County Council to be on board as providers of charging points and highways responsibility.

The Environmental Health and Licensing Manager explained that there was a proposal to have supercharging points in the Borough, but noted that this was currently unable to be explored as an option due to the County Councils inability to release funding.

Councillor Stone commented that whilst she welcomed the recommendations, she did not consider them as going far enough. She considered that it was critical that testing be carried out around schools and suggested that the Council purchase air testing kits and issue them to schools in the Borough.

Councillor Hallam explained that they had taken on board comments about monitoring the air quality around schools and this information had been gathered, the results of which would be likely to be issued in early 2019.

RESOLVED:

2.1      That the persisting air quality issue in the town centre attributable to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) related vehicle emissions be acknowledged.

 

2.2      That it be noted that the Council was legally required to take actions to address newly identified exceedances of the annual mean Air Quality Objective for NO2 around the Northgate Bus Station and The Drapery, Abington Square/Wellingborough Road area and the White Elephant Junction on Kettering Road.

 

2.3      That the principle of declaration of a single town centre Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) to cover the inner ring road which would encompass existing AQMA’s and other exceedance areas and main arterial routes into the town centre be reaffirmed. That would be achieved by extending one existing AQMA and revoking 4 to form one.

 

2.4      That a 6 week public consultation exercise with both internal and external stakeholders, businesses and local residents whom reside within the proposed single AQMA and other relevant community groups to comply with relevant policy guidelines be authorised.

 

2.5      That a further report be produced in due course to summarise the outcome of the consultation and to seek formal approval of the amendment and revocation of appropriate AQMA(s) within the required time scale.

8.

North West Relief Road pdf icon PDF 814 KB

B Report of Head of Planning (Copy herewith)

 

Decision:

2.1      Cabinet approved the principle of contributing up to £4.2m to expedite the building of the NWRR.

Minutes:

Councillor Hill submitted his Cabinet report and explained that he was delighted to see progress in expediting the building of the North West Relief Road. He explained that the County Council had already successfully bid for £8m of SEMLEP Local Growth Funds for the projects. It was noted that the delivery of the Relief Road was a key element in the Council achieving its housing trajectory, particularly in relation to the Sustainable Urban Extension at Kings Heath. It was reported that the developers of the SUE required a commitment that the North West Relief Road be completed in order to ensure that the impact of the traffic generated by the new housing could be managed and explained that if approved, construction could commence as early as 2019.

 

Mr Cross, spoke as Chair of the Whitehills and Spring Park Residents Association (WASPRA) and stated that the residents were in support of the relief road, but urged the Council to ensure that this would not become an ‘orbital road’. He explained that an additional orbital road was needed which would have to be a dual carriageway and suggested that without an orbital road, Northampton would become impenetrable due to congestion on urban roads.

 

Councillor Larratt stated that he concurred that there was a fundamental need in Northampton for an orbital road and commented that the North West Relief Road was a positive step and that additional progress would be made.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1      That the principle of contributing up to £4.2m to expedite the building of the NWRR be approved.

9.

West Northamptonshire Growth Deal pdf icon PDF 98 KB

B Report of Head of Planning (Copy herewith)

 

Decision:

1.    Cabinet approved the principle of submitting an outline application for a West Northamptonshire Growth Deal; and

 

2.    Cabinet delegated authority to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning to finalise the details of the submission.

Minutes:

Councillor Hill, as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted his report and reported that partner authorities recognised that the correct level and type of growth in West Northamptonshire would take a considerable amount of time and effort.  It was further explained the new housing would be most welcome and noted that it would be also come with appropriate infrastructure.

 

RESOLVED:

 

 

1.    That the principle of submitting an outline application for a West Northamptonshire Growth Deal be approved

 

2.    That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning to finalise the details of the submission.

10.

Corporate Performance pdf icon PDF 108 KB

Report of Head of Finance (Copy herewith)

Additional documents:

Decision:

2.1      Cabinet reviewed the contents of the performance report and recommended actions to be taken.

Minutes:

Councillor Larratt as the Deputy Leader, submitted his report and noted that there had been a reduction in the number of key performance indicators (KPIs) in red. However, it was noted that the previous environmental services provider had not provided any figures for the last month of the contract and thus the figures in that area were not a true reflection; since the new contractors had been in place, the figures would be updated and be reflected in future reports. The performance of both Finance and Planning were praised.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1      That the contents of the performance report be reviewed.

11.

Finance Monitoring to 31 July 2018 pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Report of Head of Finance (Copy herewith)

Additional documents:

Decision:

2.1      Cabinet noted the contents of the report and noted that future reports will set out the actions being taken by Corporate Management Board to address issues arising.

 

2.2      Cabinet noted the capital appraisals approved under delegation as set out in the report.

Minutes:

Councillor Eldred, submitted a report and elaborated thereon and explained that future reports would outline actions that will be taken by Corporate Management Board to address any issues that may arise. It was explained that there were a number of issues to be addressed in relation to the General Fund and noted a significant forecast overspend due to pressures on the Council as a result of increased cases of homelessness.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1      That the contents of the report be noted and to consider future reports would set out the actions being taken by Corporate Management Board to address issues arising.

 

2.2      That the capital appraisals approved under delegation as set out in the report be noted.

12.

Trusted Relationships Funding - Youth Gang Violence pdf icon PDF 106 KB

B Report of Head of Customers and Communities (Copy to follow)

 

General Exception Notice:

 

https://www.northampton.gov.uk/downloads/file/10465/general-exception-notice---for-cabinet-12th-september

 

Decision:

2.1      Cabinet approved the acceptance of the grant funding from the Home Office to deliver the outcomes of the project.

 

2.2      Cabinet approved the Council as the accountable body for the facilitating of the grant funding.

 

2.3      Cabinet delegated authority to the Head of Housing and Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Safety to undertake such actions necessary to enter into a grant funding agreement with the Home Office to accept the grant funding and Free2Talk to enable the successful delivery of the Trusted Relationships, Home Office funding objectives and outcomes.

Minutes:

Councillor King, as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted a report which highlighted Northampton Borough Councils; success in securing funding from the Trusted Relationship, Home Office Fund for 2018-19. It was explained that the Borough Council had secured funding of up to £822,000 and was one of 11 applications who were successful in their bid and noted that the additional funds would contribute towards tackling gang activities, knife crime and young people affected by sexual exploitations. She explained that Ward Councillors would be consulted in areas where funding would be invested.

 

RESOLVED:

 

 

2.1       That the acceptance of the grant funding from the Home Office to deliver the outcomes of the project be approved.

 

2.2       That the Council as the accountable body for the facilitating of the grant funding be approved.

 

2.3       That authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Safety to undertake such actions necessary to enter into a grant funding agreement with the Home Office to accept the grant funding and Free2Talk to enable the successful delivery of the Trusted Relationships, Home Office funding objectives and outcomes.