Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Eldred, Hope, McCutcheon, Patterson, Stewart, Taylor and Yates.

The Mayor advised that this was the re-convened Budget meeting of the Council, which had stood adjourned the previous week.  He stated that an agenda showing the Order of Business had been tabled. 

The Mayor advised that as this was again a special meeting of the Council Procedural Rules (Procedural Rule 22) would again be suspended so as to allow members of the public to address the Council on the Budget item.  It was noted that requests to speak had been received from following: John Morrisey, Mary Clark, Mr Adams, Tina Harvey, Ursula Wright, D Green, C Grethe and Jenny Rendall.

Councillor Hadland moved and Councillor Palethorpe seconded the Budget report 2007/08 for approval.  Councillor Hadland stated that the proposed Budget was based on feedback and the consultation process.  He drew particular attention to Appendix 3, which set out the savings that had been recommended by Cabinet on 5 February 2007.  In seconding the report Councillor Palethorpe referred to community grants and advised that some grant applicants had received notification that their grant would not be considered.  He stated that this was not the case and was pleased that there would be a further amendment on grants being put forward this evening.

John Morrisey then addressed the Council stating that he was a storyteller by profession and that Northampton needed to be a place of change, putting people and community first.  He commented that it was largely due to the arts that created Northampton’s image and therefore the importance of the arts in the Town should be recognised. 

Mary Clarke, from the Doddridge Centre, addressed the Council referring to the proposed cuts in funding to community centres.  She referred to a letter that she had sent to Councillors regarding this, which she read out.  She stated that the Borough should encourage community facilities and concluded that she suspected that the options that were being put forward had been done so with limited knowledge of the sectors involved and not fully realising the effect the cuts would have. 

Mr Adams addressed the Council.  He initially made comment upon the Audit Commission report and the need for Northampton Borough Council to have strong leadership in order for it to turn itself around.  He commented on rumours of articles being sold off by the Borough Council, which were part of its heritage, and expressed concerns over this commenting that the elections in May would determine the success of this Budget. 

Tina Harvey addressed the Council referring to the pressures on the staff in the One Stop Shop and expressed her concern in terms of the effect the merger of the Housing and Money Advice Centre into the One Stop Shop would have on the already stretched capacity of the staff there.  She then referred to the forthcoming local elections commenting that she would like to see more independent Councillors standing and her hopes that next time would see a better Audit report.

Ursula Wright then addressed the Council stating that she was speaking as a member of Northampton Arts Collective.  She stated that there were five points in protest at the cuts to the Arts Development Service upon which she elaborated.  She stressed the importance of the arts for young people stating that they needed more than just shops and clubs.  The Arts Development and Events Team played a crucial role in supporting these needs and their links with voluntary groups. 

D Green addressed the Council stating that he was a campaigner petitioning against the cuts and that whatever was passed at tonight’s Budget meeting there would still be cuts that were hidden and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

There were none.

The meeting concluded at 8:00 pm.