Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor John Caswell, Councillor Brian Sargeant and Councillor Terrie Eales.

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2016 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

The Chair to note public address requests.

The public can speak on any agenda item for a maximum of three minutes per speaker per item.  You are not required to register your intention to speak in advance but should arrive at the meeting a few minutes early, complete a Public Address Protocol and notify the Scrutiny Officer of your intention to speak.

Mr Colin Bricher addressed the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on agenda item 5 – Unitary Status.

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The Committee to receive an update on Unitary Status.

Mr Colin Bricher addressed the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He advised he has advocated unitary authorities for many years. He commented that he had addressed other meetings regarding the Unitary options for the county; commenting further on the option being investigated by Northamptonshire County Council. He said that in his opinion no decision can be made in isolation and that other Local Authorities need to be dealt with.

Mr Bricher went on to comment that any Northampton based authority would need to extend far enough north and south to avoid the current scenario whereby the borough is effectively surrounded. He added that Northampton was originally a county borough and it is important that whatever is done that our town remains strategically important. He referred to the idea of ridings and in his opinion its potential advantages. Mr Bricher closed his address by advising he did not support the notion of North Londonshire.

Mr Bricher was thanked for his address.

Councillor Jonathan Nunn, Leader of the Council, and David Kennedy, Chief Executive, provided the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an update on Unitary Status.

The Committee heard:

·         The Leader and Deputy Leader, NBC, had attended a recent meeting at Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) and had heard from Baroness Scott who had taken Wiltshire County Council to Unitary Status.  This was the preferred option of NCC.  NCC has undertaken some work regarding a Countywide Unitary model.

·         The Boroughs and Districts within Northamptonshire have varying views regarding Unitary; however, the majority do support Unitary.  There is a need for a collective agreement on the proposed model for Unitary Status.

AGREED:      That the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive are asked to provide a further update to a future meeting of the Committee.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider a briefing note on Cemeteries. (Copy to follow.)

Councillor Mike Hallam, Cabinet Member for Environment, and Julie Seddon, Director for Customers and Communities, addressed the Committee.  Councillor Mike Hallam referred the Committee to an excellent report that had been produced on allotments. Short, medium and long term objectives had been produced. Councillor Hallam suggested that a similar approach for cemeteries would be the best way forward.  He added that he had already met with various Residents’ Associations in respect of cemeteries.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         Councillors were pleased that work was moving forward on cemeteries

·         Damage that had been caused in the cemeteries was referred to

·         There is a need for toilet facilities in certain cemeteries, however, it was realised that this could be a long term aspiration.  It was noted that Towcester Road cemetery does have the provision of a toilet but the facility needs cleaning so that it is a usable facility.

·         It was noted that there is outstanding work around the war graves.

·         Damage and anti-social behaviour at the Gate House, Billing Cemetery was commented upon.

·         It was suggested that it would be useful for a Scrutiny Panel or Working Group to be set up to scope, and carry out a review on cemeteries

AGREED:        (1) That the Cabinet Member for Environment is asked to provide an update on cemeteries at the next meeting of the Committee

                          (2) That the issue of cemeteries is referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programming event in April 2017.

The Committee to receive a brief on Sustainable Play Equipment.

Councillor Mike Hallam, Cabinet Member for Environment, and Julie Seddon, Director for Customers and Communities advised the Committee on work that has been undertaken regarding sustainable play equipment.  Councillor Hallam added that it has been realised that there is a need to include maintenance of play equipment in the Environmental Services Contract; however there is a need for maintenance to take place prior to the new contract.  A budget of £15,000 per year has been identified for maintenance and replacement of play equipment.    An Audit of play equipment has been undertaken.  Equipment has been ordered for a number of parks. 

The Committee asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         In response to a query regarding vandalised play equipment at Eastfield, Councillor Hallam advised that the budget is available to replace it.

·         The Committee heard if a problem with specific park equipment was identified, Officers would liaise with the relevant Park Groups and Park Management Committees.

AGREED:      That the information is noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider a briefing on for performance information regarding Council Tax arrears.

Councillor Brandon Eldred, Cabinet Member for Finance and Ian Tyrer, Revenues Manger, LGSS, provided a briefing note regarding performance information regarding Council Tax arrears. The salient points were highlighted.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         Council Tax arrears have gone up that demonstrates indebtedness.  Longer term sustainable arrangements are in place. 
Customers are helped, looking at their debts to see which are priority debts. Customers also have the option to liaise with the Voluntary Sector.

·         Officers aim to assess whether customers can’t or won’t pay the Council Tax arrears.

·         Action is taken against customers regarding non-payment, for example, attachment of earnings, attachment of benefits, and the use of enforcement agencies.

·         The maximum attachment of benefits is £3.70 per week.  Officers aim to officer additional assistance before the option of attachment of benefits.

·         No interest is charged on Council Tax arrears.

·         A number of customers pay their Council Tax over a 12 month period; however, a large proportion still pay over ten months.

·         In response to a query, the Committee heard that information regarding how Council Tax can be paid, such as over 10 or 12 months, is provided when the Council Tax bill for the year is issued.

AGREED:      That the information is noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to note Cabinet’s response  to the O&S report:  Pre-decision Scrutiny:  Museum Trust

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the Cabinet’s response to the O&S Report:  Pre-decision Scrutiny:  Museum Trust.

It was AGREED that a follow up report would be requested to be presented to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 27 March 2017.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive a progress report from the three Scrutiny Panels.

Councillor Dennis Meredith, Chair, Scrutiny Panel 1, advised the Committee of the evidence that had been gathered so far, including witnesses evidence and various site visits.

The progress report for Scrutiny Panel 1 was noted.

Councillor Zoe Smith, Chair, Scrutiny Panel 3, advised the Committee of the evidence that had been gathered so far and the planned site visits that would take place in December 2016.

The progress report for Scrutiny Panel 3 was noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to approve the Scope of the Review – Emissions Strategy (Action Plan).

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved the scope of the Review – Emissions Strategy (Action Plan.)

The Committee to approve the Terms of Reference for the Reporting and Monitoring Working Group 2016/2017.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved the Terms of Reference for the Reporting and Monitoring Working Group 2016/2017.

Councillor Brian Sargeant to provide an update on the work of NCC’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

The report back from NBC's representative to NCC's Health and Social Care  Scrutiny Committee was noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider any potential issues for future pre decision scrutiny.

The Committee suggested that the issue regarding sewers and sewage is referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programming Event in April 2017.

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