Agenda item

i)             Councillor Duffy to propose and Councillor Culbard to second:

“This council recognises that sexual harassment happens where there are imbalances of power and can happen in Local Authorities at Member level and staffing levels.

This council therefore commits to developing a sexual harassment policy for Members and staff in consultation with representatives of both, and in consultation with the voluntary sector services that support victims of sexual harassment.”

ii)            Councillor Davenport to propose and Councillor Haque to second:

“This council recognises that more can be done to encourage recycling. Working with the new contractors and to this end, we will look at a Danish model for recycling cans and bottles. This is a model where can crushers are made available in central locations. This encourages young people to collect and recycle cans and bottles for a small remuneration. This strategy educates, entertains and encourages recycling.”

iii)           Councillor Birch to propose and Councillor Beardsworth to second:

“This council recognises that there is a public dissatisfaction around the delivery of an efficient and safe bus service for the residents of Northampton from Northgate Bus Station.

This council therefore commits to commissioning an independent Health and Safety inspection to look at the Bus Station in terms of pedestrian safety, congestion in the surrounding street, air quality and turning circle requirements.”

iv)           Councillor Hadland to propose and Councillor Nunn to second:

The administration has always been committed to enhancing and promoting the heritage of our town.

Never was this more clearly demonstrated than with the opening of Delapre Abbey to the public next weekend for the first time in 900 years after a multi-million pound restoration programme.

The Abbey takes its place as a jewel in the crown of our historic town, a fitting tribute to all those organisations and individuals who have supported the project.

The administration has maintained its commitment as difficulties arose and were overcome, creating and working with the Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust to ensure that we have something to make us all proud.

This Council congratulates and thanks everyone who has been involved, and wished the Trust and its volunteers every good wish for an exciting and successful future.”

v)            Councillor Hallam to propose and Councillor Larratt to second:

“This Council recognises that our town has been let down by the current Environmental Services provider.  According to the biggest and most successful consultation that this Council has ever undertaken, a higher quality of cleanliness delivering cleaner streets and a cleaner environment, and quality grounds maintenance are top priorities for residents of our Borough.

This Council is therefore delighted that our new contractor won the bid primarily due to the quality of service it was offering. This Council is making a significant additional investment in this contract and looks forward to working with Veolia to raise the standard of cleanliness and grounds maintenance right across Northampton – something that our town has long been crying out for.

This Council also very much welcomes the new Enforcement Contract and the zero-tolerance approach to littering and fly-tipping. We call on our enforcement provider to continue to strenuously enforce legislation with regard to littering and fly-tipping, especially through using fixed penalty notices for those people who litter our streets.

With the help, hard work, and commitment of our community volunteers, this Council will continue to provide local communities with clean, well maintained and safe open spaces. Council therefore proudly commits to provide continued support to community groups, initiatives and projects, including Residents Associations, Parish Council’s, Summer Bloom, Green Flag and Friends of Parks Groups.”

i)             Councillor Duffy proposed and Councillor Culbard seconded:

“This council recognises that sexual harassment happens where there are imbalances of power and can happen in Local Authorities at Member level and staffing levels.

This council therefore commits to developing a sexual harassment policy for Members and staff in consultation with representatives of both, and in consultation with the voluntary sector services that support victims of sexual harassment.”

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote the motion was lost.

ii)            Councillor Davenport accepted an alteration to the original motion as published on the agenda. The altered motion was seconded by Councillor Haque.

Council agreed to the altered motion which was debated below:

“This council recognises that more can be done to encourage recycling. To this end, and working with our new Environmental Services Contractor, this Council resolves to investigate and recommend innovative models for the recycling of cans and bottles that can be available in locations across the Borough.  In doing so this Council recognises that young people are encouraged to collect and recycle cans and bottles for a small remuneration. The model recommended should educate, entertain and encourage the process of recycling.”

Members debated the motion.

Upon a vote the motion was carried.

iii)           Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Beardsworth seconded:

“This council recognises that there is a public dissatisfaction around the delivery of an efficient and safe bus service for the residents of Northampton from Northgate Bus Station.

This council therefore commits to commissioning an independent Health and Safety inspection to look at the Bus Station in terms of pedestrian safety, congestion in the surrounding street, air quality and turning circle requirements.”

There voted for the Motion:

Councillors Ashraf, Beardsworth, Birch, Cali, Choudary, Culbard, Davenport, Duffy, T Eales, Haque, Joyce, B Markham, Marriott, McCutcheon, Meredith Russell, Smith and Stone.

There voted against the Motion:

Councillors Ansell, Aziz, Bottwood, Eldred, Golby, Graystone, Hadland, Hibbert, Hill, Kilbride, King, Lane, Larratt, Malpas, M Markham, Nunn, Oldham, Parekh, Patel, Sargeant and Walker.

There abstained the Mayor and Councillor Kilby-Shaw.

Upon a vote, the motion was lost.

iv)           Councillor Hadland propose and Councillor Nunn seconded:

“The administration has always been committed to enhancing and promoting the heritage of our town.

Never was this more clearly demonstrated than with the opening of Delapre Abbey to the public next weekend for the first time in 900 years after a multi-million pound restoration programme.

The Abbey takes its place as a jewel in the crown of our historic town, a fitting tribute to all those organisations and individuals who have supported the project.

The administration has maintained its commitment as difficulties arose and were overcome, creating and working with the Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust to ensure that we have something to make us all proud.

This Council congratulates and thanks everyone who has been involved, and wished the Trust and its volunteers every good wish for an exciting and successful future.”

Members debated the motion.

Upon a vote the motion was carried.

v)            Councillor Larratt proposed and Councillor Hill seconded:

“This Council recognises that our town has been let down by the current Environmental Services provider.  According to the biggest and most successful consultation that this Council has ever undertaken, a higher quality of cleanliness delivering cleaner streets and a cleaner environment, and quality grounds maintenance are top priorities for residents of our Borough.

This Council is therefore delighted that our new contractor won the bid primarily due to the quality of service it was offering. This Council is making a significant additional investment in this contract and looks forward to working with Veolia to raise the standard of cleanliness and grounds maintenance right across Northampton – something that our town has long been crying out for.

This Council also very much welcomes the new Enforcement Contract and the zero-tolerance approach to littering and fly-tipping. We call on our enforcement provider to continue to strenuously enforce legislation with regard to littering and fly-tipping, especially through using fixed penalty notices for those people who litter our streets.

With the help, hard work, and commitment of our community volunteers, this Council will continue to provide local communities with clean, well maintained and safe open spaces. Council therefore proudly commits to provide continued support to community groups, initiatives and projects, including Residents Associations, Parish Council’s, Summer Bloom, Green Flag and Friends of Parks Groups.”

Members debated the motion.

Upon a vote the motion was carried.