Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Tracy Tiff, Scrutiny Officer, telephone 01604 837408 (direct dial), email  ttiff@northampton.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 80 KB

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2017.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2017 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

 

At this point the Chair welcomed Councillor Paul Joyce to the Committee.

2.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mohammed Aziz, Vicky Culbard, Christopher Malpas, and Graham Walker (Deputy Chair.)

3.

Deputations/Public Addresses

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.

Minutes:

There were none.

4.

Declarations of Interest (Including Whipping)

Members to state any interests.

Minutes:

Councillor Alan Bottwood declared a personal interest as a Board Member to NPH in agenda item 7.

 

Councillor Tony Ansell declared a personal interest as an employer in agenda item 9.

5.

Neighbourhood Policing

The Committee to receive a briefing regarding neighbourhood policing.

Minutes:

Inspector Dave Rayfield, Northants Police, provided details of changes to neighbourhood Policing:

 

·         The Committee was reminded that the Chief Constable had written to all ward Councillors to advise them of the new Neighbourhood Policing model.

·         The urgency and necessity of Neighbourhood Policing has been recognised.

·         Crime such as child sexual exploitation, abuse, and fraud investigations are now nationally and internally investigated rather than on a geographical basis

·         There are four area hubs.

·         The Office at Weston Favell receives emergency calls for Northampton

·         Neighbourhood Policing covers the whole of the borough, with offices based at three locations

·         The number of local Police Officers has reduced

·         Every area has named officers – Inspector, Sergeant, PC and PCSO

·         There are 14 PCs and 27 PCSOs across Northampton borough

 

The Committee asked questions, made comment and heard:

 

·         In response to a concern regarding the number of Police Officers patrolling, Inspector Rayfield advised that patrols will be covered by the Weston Favell Response Hub and hotspots covered by Community Teams

·         Staffing is balanced against needs.

·         In response to a query, Inspector Rayfield advised that 5% leeway had been built into staffing in respect of issues such as sickness.

·         The Committee heard that in 12 months there had been 438,000 calls into the control room

·         The Police works with key community contacts, such as Officers at the Council, Taxi Watch, numerous groups

·         In response to a query whether mechanisms could be set up to share good practice, Inspector Rayfield advised that the Community Group would be the correct forum to look at this.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the time it can take for calls to 101 to be answered.   Inspector Rayfield advised that a call back facility had now been introduced and a message informing calls how long it was anticipated that their call would be answered.

·         The Committee referred to street watch, noting that it had often been introduced in less demanding areas.

 

Inspector Dave Rayfield was thanked for his address.

6.

Safety in the town centre pdf icon PDF 73 KB

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive a briefing around safety in the town centre.

Minutes:

Sergeant Martin O’Connell, Northants Police, presented a briefing note regarding safety in the town centre.  The salient points were highlighted.

 

The Committee asked questions, made comment and heard:

 

·         In response to a query regarding new laws and beggars, particularly along the Wellingborough Road, Sergeant O’Connell advised that the Crime and Disorder Act 2014 is designed to tackle nuisance to the public, which includes beggars, particularly aggressive beggars.  The Police works closely with the Anti Social Behaviour Unit, Wardens and Neighbourhood Teams.  A number of Community Protection Orders have been issued regarding acts of nuisance.

·         In response to a concern regarding the traffic along the Drapery, the Committee heard that there is an intention for traffic enforcement cameras to be installed.

·         In answer to a comment regarding the University, Sergeant O’Connell advised that the Police has had very recent conversations with the Vice Chancellor regarding safety.  The new Students’ Union facility will be looking at student safety with the Police.  Vulnerability of young people in the town centre is a key issue and training to recognise vulnerability has been rolled out.

·         A member of the Committee commended a site visit that a previous Scrutiny Panel had undertaken to the nighttime economy and asked that this is repeated.

·         Sergeant O’ Connell confirmed that the Police has a good rapport with licensed premises, the nighttime economy.  License holders work to ensure the safety of their customers.   All nighttime economy has search policies and the relevant training has been given and further training is scheduled.

·         In response to a concern regarding the vulnerability of Police Officers in the nighttime economy, Sergeant O’ Connell advised that reviews had taken place regarding night time policing.  The Strategy is to reduce incidents, protect people from harm and identify vulnerability.

 

Sergeant Martin O’Connell was thanked for his address.

 

7.

Trips and Falls pdf icon PDF 36 KB

The Committee to receive a briefing around trips and falls.

Minutes:

The Committee noted a briefing note on trips and falls on NPH land.  A report would be presented to the next meeting on trips and falls on non NPH land.

8.

Monitoring Of O&S Reports

8a

Health Check of the Local Economy pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a comprehensive and informative presentation from Paul Thompson, Employers and Skills Manager, SEMLEP, regarding growth of the local economy.

 

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

 

·         In response to a query whether people are going to work in London or Birmingham rather than Northampton, Paul Thompson advised this was just 5%.

·         Work is being done with the schools in the town.  The schools are rapidly improving but there is further work to be done.  Businesses need to be embedded more in further education.

·         There is a need to drive more young people to go into construction work.

·         There is an aging workforce in teaching, not enough people are going into teaching; there are occasions where teachers undertake the training and leave the profession.

·         ESEF funding was provided for English Language training.

 

Paul Thompson was thanked for his address.

 

AGREED:   That further monitoring of the accepted recommendations contained within the report takes place at the meeting of the Committee on 25 June 2018.

8b

Match Day Parking pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Minutes:

The Committee received a briefing note regarding progress around the recommendations contained within the O&S Report – Match Day Parking.

 

AGREED:   That further monitoring of the accepted recommendations contained within the report takes place at the meeting of the Committee on 25 June 2018.

 

9.

Cabinet's Response to the Overview and Scrutiny Report: Homelessness (Pre Decision Scrutiny) pdf icon PDF 125 KB

The Committee to note Cabinet's Response to the Overview and Scrutiny Report:  Homelessness (Pre Decision Scrutiny) and to include it onto the Monitoring Work Programme

Minutes:

The Committee noted Cabinet's Response to the Overview and Scrutiny Report:  Homelessness (Pre Decision Scrutiny).

 

The Chair conveyed his concerns regarding the timing of one of the accepted recommendations:

 

 

The Chair felt that the Spring 2018 was not soon enough and he would be contacting the Cabinet Member regarding this.

 

It was AGREED:       That this report would be added to the O&S Monitoring Work Programme and the Cabinet Member and Director are asked to attend to attend the meeting of the Committee in June 2018 to provide a progress report.

10.

Performance Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Members to review the Performance Monitoring Report

Minutes:

The Committee discussed the Performance Monitoring Report 2017.  Concerns were raised  regarding KPIs ESC01 and ESC04.  It was suggested that it would be useful for the Committee to receive the next report at its January meeting and from there decide whether to undertake performance management scrutiny on ESC01 and ESC04 at a future meeting.

11.

Performance Management Scrutiny pdf icon PDF 92 KB

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to undertake performance management scrutiny on MEP01 – Number of new businesses locating on Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone.

 

Minutes:

Paul Walker, Interim Head of Economic Development presented the comprehensive briefing note to the Committee regarding new businesses locating on Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone.  The salient points were highlighted.  Paul Walker provided further statistics regarding the Enterprise Zone, such as £32 million of private sector investment and £71 million of public sector investment.  Paul Walker undertook to circulate the statistical data to the Committee.

 

The Committee noted the informative briefing note.

12.

Scrutiny Panels

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

 

In accordance with the Scrutiny Panel Protocol this item is for the Committee’s information with no discussion.

13.

Scrutiny Panel 1 pdf icon PDF 65 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the briefing note from the Chair of Scrutiny Panel 1.

14.

Scrutiny Panel 2 pdf icon PDF 65 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the briefing note from the Chair of Scrutiny Panel 2.

 

The Chair advised that he had received an email from a resident in Exeter who had heard of the work of this Scrutiny Panel.

 

The Leader of the Council has met with local historians who are delighted that the Panel is undertaking this review.  He reminded the Committee that the purpose of this Review is to see how Northampton’s heritage can be promoted.

 

15.

Scrutiny Panel 3 pdf icon PDF 65 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the briefing note from the Chair of Scrutiny Panel 3.

 

16.

Reporting and Monitoring Working Group pdf icon PDF 53 KB

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to approve the Terms of Reference of the Working Group (Copy to follow.)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair presented the terms of reference of the Reporting and Monitoring Working Group 2017/2018 for the Committee’s approval.

 

AGREED:  That the terms of reference of the Reporting and Monitoring Working Group 2017/2018, as attached at Annex 1, are approved.

17.

Re Provision of the Environmental Services Contract Working Group pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the briefing note from the Chair of the O&S Reprovision of the Environmental Services Working Group.

 

18.

Report back from NBC's representative to NCC's Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 97 KB

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

Minutes:

Councillor Brian Sergeant, NBC's representative to NCC's Health and  Social Care  Scrutiny Committee provided a briefing note on the recent meeting of this Committee.

 

AGREED:      That the information provided is noted

                         

19.

Potential pre decision Scrutiny

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

 

Minutes:

There were none.

20.

Urgent Items

This issue is for business that by reasons of the special circumstances to be specified, the Chair is of the opinion is of sufficient urgency to consider.  Members or Officers that wish to raise urgent items are to inform the Chair in advance.

Minutes:

There were none.