Agenda item

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Nunn, as Leader of the Council, submitted his Cabinet Member report and noted that he had attended a meeting of the Borough and Districts Councils involved in the unitary proposal and reported that a future briefing event would be held for all NBC Councillors once a fuller analysis and financial implications had been fully examined.

In response to questions asked, the Leader commented that the new Government may not have the same appetite for Unitary Councils but that it would still remain high on the administrations agenda. He explained that the Council did have a number of low emission strategies and noted that he recognised the importance of clean air and a reduction in pollution.

Councillor Larratt, as the Deputy Leader, submitted his Cabinet Member report and noted that a Cabinet response to the Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Emission Strategy (Action Plan) would be presented to the Cabinet meeting in September 2017.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Larratt confirmed that he would examine the potential to extend training on FGM to officers, having noted the success of the training sessions for Councillors. In reference to the Market Traders, it was explained that it had been agreed that a steering group be established in order to consult with traders and shop owners and that traders would be consulted on changes relating to the configuration of the market square. Referring to street lights, Councillor Larratt commented that there was a need to identify the streets lights owned by the Borough Council in order to ensure that they were properly maintained and faulty ones reported. He further commented that he would look at making the BBC programme ‘Three Girls’ available for Councillors to watch and noted that it was essential that Child Exploitation be prevented at all costs.

Councillor Hadland submitted his Cabinet Members report and responded to the public speaker who had raised concerns about the provision of benches, that there had been 2 extra seats in had been instated at the bus station in March 2017. With regard to erecting seating in the shelters, it was noted that the matter had been looked into but explained that further seating would restrict wheelchairs users and buggies and therefore the seating was erected between two of the shelters.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Hadland confirmed that consultation on the erection of further statues had not been undertaken as the decision to commission the five statues had been taken under his delegated authority as the relevant Cabinet Member. He commented that some of the costs of the statue had been received from the Town Centre Improvement Budget.

 In response to a further question asked, Councillor Hadland commented that ward Councillors were consulted on planning applications in their ward and that all planning applications were subject to the council policies and protocols. He noted that there was ongoing dialogue with Churches shoes on the development of the old bus depot and reported that the Joint Planning Unit (JPU) had advised that there was no need for any further transit sites for gypsies and travellers.

Councillor Eldred submitted his Cabinet Member report and noted that there had been an overall underspend on just over £1 million which would be put back into reserves. In relation to Revenues and Benefits, Councillor Eldred explained that the service was continuing to review impacts of the 2017/118 CTRS scheme to ensure that there was a balance between recovery and support.

In response to questions asked, Councillor Eldred commented that even though all local authorities would have to bring forward their future statement of accounts, there was currently no intention to expand the service area. He also commented that the Council were looking at various ways to secure funding and investments.

Councillor King submitted her Cabinet Member report and commented that there would be a ghost tour in the Town Centre and noted the success of the Music Festival, which was held on the 18^th June 2017. She further confirmed that she would share information that had been gathered from the youth forum on their attitudes and behaviours towards gambling.

Councillor Hallam submitted his Cabinet Member report and commented that there were two parks in Northampton that were to be re-awarded the Green Flag status and thanked the gardeners for their continued hard work in helping to achieve green flag status.

At this juncture of the meeting, the Mayor informed Council that the allocated time had been met and no further Cabinet member reports would be heard.