Agenda item

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Markham submitted her Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. She congratulated the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) over the past 5 years and wished them success in the ballot, which would close on the 29^th October 2015 at 5pm. It was noted that there had been a lot of Town Centre activities, including a return of the Beach, and ‘Love Northampton – Let’s Keep it Clean’. She also referred to the active programme of multi-agency working, looking at addressing Child Sexual Exploitation. She thanked Members who has attended the services marking VJ Day and spoke of future commemorations.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Markham explained that the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with NPH was underway and extensive work had already been undertaken.  She also confirmed that with regards to rogue landlords and un- licensed HIMOs, a confidential hotline had already been put in place which would be publicised more once the University term resumed. With regards to the current refugee crisis, Councillor Markham commented that meetings with CLG had been diarised which had been put in place prior to the crisis and noted that the lead was very much from Government. In response to further questions, Councillor Markham explained that officers had met with the prospective consortium, at a very early stage, but that the concern of the administration was looking after the public purse. She confirmed that officers were dealing with parties involved and that the Council remained as owners of the land. It was furthered confirmed that officers were working closely with the Department of Work and Pensions to ensure the transition to Universal Credits was well maintained.

Councillor Hallam submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. He explained that Audit Committee training would be held on the 9^th November 2015 and commented that it was for all members of the Council and not exclusively for Audit Committee members. He thanked officers for their hard work stated that the projected underspend of £271,000 was very positive. In response to questions asked, he explained that the reason for the high turnover of staff was down to the needs of individuals. He further confirmed that LGSS were not failing even though numerous people had left the Revenue and Benefits department, despite it having been one of the best in the Country. He further stated that £3.6 million had already been saved since working in partnership with LGSS.

Councillor Hadland submitted his Cabinet Member report and stated that over 500 people had taken advantage of the Heritage Open Days. In response to questions asked, Councillor Hadland commented that an examiner had been appointed to assess the Spring Borough Neighbour Plan and stated that Neighbourhood Planning was the most localised forms of Planning and that the National Planning Policy Framework attached great value to Neighbourhood Plans and the administration recognised the work that had gone into the Spring Borough Neighbourhood Plan. He also informed Council that the café in the Skatepark was not exempt from paying business rates.

Councillor Bottwood submitted his Cabinet Member report and noted that Abington Park and Delapre Abbey had recently been awarded the Green Flag Award. It was also noted that Northampton had received the Silver gilt  in the Bloom Awards. In response to questions asked, Councillor Bottwood explained that the wild flower beds recently installed around the town would hopefully be extended once a cost review had been completed. He also noted that there was a concern about the amount of rubbish and fly-tipping and asked that members of the public and Councillors use the App to report instances to resolve the problem.

Councillor King submitted her Cabinet Member report and in the absence of Councillor Eldred, his Cabinet Member report too. She noted that all the forums would be doing a workshop on the 26^th October to celebrate Diwali. It was noted that there had been an increase in overall crime and that the recent increase in the number of violent crimes against the person could be attributed to the change in reporting. Crimes committed on mobile phones and the internet was also being recorded.  In response to questions asked Councillor King confirmed that they already worked with the voluntary sector and would continue to do so. She also explained that this year there had been a record number of visitors to Delapre Alive. She also mentioned that ‘Love Northampton’ was being advertised on websites, pamphlets and radio.

Councillor Hibbert submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. It was explained that a permanent Private Sector Housing Manager had been recruited and that work had commenced on the development of the Housing Strategy which would be cross party.