Agenda item

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Mackintosh submitted his Cabinet Member report and noted that since 2011 many projects had been bought to the Town with millions of pounds of inwards investments; this having been achieved during financially unstable times. It was noted that in order to achieve savings, there had been a reduction in senior management and an agreement with Local Government Shared Services to combine back office functions and thus saving a further £9.5 million over 5 years. It was noted that Chinese New Year had been celebrated on the 1^st March which had encouraged people to celebrate the diversity of the Town. He listed some of the achievements of the administration over the past 4 years, from the establishment of the Northampton Partnership Homes to the introduction of the new register of HIMOs. Councillor Mackintosh expressed his thanks to his former deputy Leader, Councillor Caswell and his current deputy, Councillor Markham, for their hard work over the past years, and thanked his other Cabinet Members for the work undertaken as part of their respective portfolios and the Conservative Group.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Mackintosh explained that thanks had been given to officers and they had now been left in a position where the strongest teams had been put in place. With regards to the crime figures, the Leader suggested that further information be gathered from the Police as they were partners of the Community Safety Partnership, with the relevant information. Responding to the suggestion that the Administration were taking credit for the work of others, it was explained that if the report were to be read in its entirety, it was clear to see that reference had been made to partnership working. A further suggestion that the Administration were taking the credit for work carried out with capital provided by WNDC and investment of the former Liberal Democrat Administration, the Leader suggested that all the Lib Dems could be attributed with, was drawing an outline on a map without the provision of buildings.

Councillor Markham submitted her Cabinet Member report and spoke of the achievements of the past 4 years. She spoke of the Housing Stock Options Review which had culminated in the establishment of an Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) to manage the Council’s Housing Stock which had been given cross party support. The ALMO, known as the Northampton Partnership Homes had commenced work in January 2015. It was further noted that the Decent Homes programme had carried out improvements to 5,392 homes with an investment of £49.6 million. It was further noted that the Administration had introduced an online register of HIMOs and noted that there were further improvements to be made. It was explained that the Empty Homes Programme had received an award of £1.9 million to get homes that have been empty for more than 6 months back onto the property market. She thanked the planning department who had worked hard to assist her on the programme and thanked officers and her Assistant Cabinet Members for their help over the past 4 years. In response to questions asked, Councillor Markham explained that NPH would be monitored and the location they chose to reside would be a decision for them to make. With regards to HIMOs she noted that additional licensing had been well implemented and that they continued to work closely with landlords through various forums. She further noted that she was saddened that other Councillors used the Council meeting to air concerns about tenants when they had not themselves informed the responsible Cabinet Member therefore adding a delay to resolving the problem. It was further reported that the building of the 100 new Council homes was due to begin in late March, early April 2015. Councillor Mennell, as a Council tenant, congratulated Councillor Markham and spoke on behalf of many residents who had expressed their happiness with the homes that had been bought up to standard.

Councillor Hadland submitted his Cabinet Member report and commented that they had continued to work in partnership with many industrial operators and businesses including Cosworth, Churches shoes and Carlsberg. It was explained that the free parking incentive to encourage people back into the Town Centre had been a part of their manifesto and had resulted in an increased number of cars and increased footfall in the Town. It was further reported that the Administration had rebuilt relationships with the Market Traders as the independent Market Advisory group had been established to improve the vitality of the Town Centre and to engage market traders with the Council and offer them support. It was further reported that Northampton had gained National recognition for numerous achievements from being one of the best places for new business start-ups to being named top for business. Councillor Hadland thanked his Cabinet Assistant and officers who had assisted with the Administrations achievements.

In response to questions, Councillor Hadland explained that a provision of £700,000 had been made from the Capital Programme to be spent on the relocation of Delapre Tea Rooms. The provision of a new stand and new hotel at the Sixfields stadium, it was noted that the agreement had been signed in 2013 and any delay in the development of the site, with regards to the erection of the hotel and stand was between the owners of the site and the contractors. Councillor Hadland went on to champion the Northgate Bus Station and commented that whilst there had been a number of issues at the beginning, the Administration had delivered and would continue to make improvements, especially having recently announced the provision of a suitable couch hub.

Councillor Eldred submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. Due to time restrictions, he was unable to answer questions.