Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were none.

(Copy herewith)

The minutes of the meeting held on the 23^rd November 2011 were signed by the Chair.

Mr Birch addressed Cabinet on Item 6 – Community Centres – Management Organisation Appointments. He welcomed the report and commented that Alliston Gardens Youth and Community Centre (AGYCC) was a registered company and charity which was successful and well managed. He reported that the Community Centre was a busy and active centre and that external funding had been secured in order to improve the layout of the building and looked forward to a continued working partnership with the Council.

Mr Hoare addressed Cabinet on Item 11 – Finance and Performance Report. He commented that the availability of financial information was limited and not sufficient and that full financial reporting was not available to the public on the Council website and therefore lacked transparency. He commented that the Budget was to be considered at a Cabinet meeting on the 21^st December 2011 and queried if the public and Council understood the full implications of the draft budget.

There were none.

Report of Overview and Scrutiny Panel 3 (Copy herewith)

Cabinet noted the report and a response would be given at a future Cabinet meeting.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny submitted a report. He commented that he welcomed the Councillor Empowerment Fund annual allocation of £1,500 per Councillor but requested that Cabinet give consideration to increasing the funding to £3,000 per annum.

Councillor Lynch, as the Chair of Scrutiny Panel 3 – Councillor Empowerment Fund elaborated on the report and commented that he was pleased to be recommending the findings to Cabinet. He commented that the scope of the consultation had been wide ranging and had included evidence gathered from expert witnesses and desktop surveys. He stated that the Councillor Empowerment Fund would have a positive impact in local communities and would bring communities together.

Councillor Bearsdworth welcomed the report but expressed her concern that the financial support for the Councillor Empowerment Fund should not come from cuts to the voluntary sector.

The Chair stated that funding would not come from cuts to the voluntary sector but from the New Homes Bonus from Government, which was confirmed by the Portfolio Holder for Finance. He commented that the Councillor Empowerment Fund would be increased from £1,500 to £3,000 per annum in the draft budget and thanked all the Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee who had contributed to the report.

Councillor Eldred expressed his appreciation of the work carried out by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and commented that the Councillor Empowerment Fund would benefit many people and supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and a response given at a future Cabinet meeting.

Report of Chief Executive (Copy herewith)

1.      Cabinet approved in principle the appointment of the following organisations to manage and deliver community services from the community centres indicated:

·        Northampton Abington Community Association, to manage Abington community centre;

·        Alliston Gardens Youth & Community Centre Limited (AGYCC), to manage Alliston Gardens Youth & Community Centre;

·        Pastures Management Committee, to manage Pastures community centre.

2. Cabinet delegate authority to the Borough Solicitor to sign the leases and management agreements in accordance with the Framework (attached at the Appendix of the report) on the Council’s behalf.

Councillor Glynane addressed Cabinet and welcomed the report and its recommendations. He encouraged the opportunity for Community Centres to become a more active and prominent within communities. He stated that the process had been started under the previous administration and welcomed the continuation of it, but expressed concern at the pace that it was happening and requested that the process not be slowed.

Councillor Eldred, as the relevant Portfolio Holder, submitted the report and thanked Mr Birch for his input and comments. He commented that each Community Centre was being looked at on a case-by-case basis with regards to the Management Organisation Appointments and that there was continued work with other Community Centres.

RESOLVED:

1.      That in principle the appointment of the following organisations be approved to manage and deliver community services from the community centres indicated:

·        Northampton Abington Community Association, to manage Abington community centre;

·        Alliston Gardens Youth & Community Centre Limited (AGYCC), to manage Alliston Gardens Youth & Community Centre;

·        Pastures Management Committee, to manage Pastures community centre.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Borough Solicitor to sign the leases and management agreements in accordance with the Framework (attached at the Appendix of the report) on the Council’s behalf.

B Report of Director of Housing (Copy herewith)

Cabinet agreed that rents be de-pooled into rents and service charges from 2012/13 onwards.

Councillor Marriott addressed Cabinet and expressed his thanks to Councillor Hibbert – Assistant Cabinet Member for Housing, for his input. He noted that a major review had been carried out and suggested that there were areas that could be improved and requested that a report be bought back to Cabinet in six months time. He questioned whether it would be possible for further scope be considered for the residents to be consulted exclusively on cleaning services.

Councillor Mennell addressed Cabinet and commented that she had attended de-pooling meetings and whilst she recognised there were austere financial times for the Council, consideration should be given to residents, especially those in receipt of benefits. She further commented that previously charges had been introduced and the service not delivered and asked that residents who were subject to de-pooling should be written to stating the Councils obligations.

Councillor Mason addressed Cabinet and welcomed the report. She commented that tenants deserved a good service and that services should be of a high standard.

Councillor Beardsworth commented that she recognised that de-pooling was necessary for transparency and placed importance on ensuring that older people would be well looked after. She further commented that Landlord Services should also ensure that residents were cleaning up after themselves to enhance the shared environment.

The Chairman expressed his thanks for the contributions of Members and the cross party support for the report.

Councillor Markham, as the relevant Portfolio Holder submitted a report and explained that residents were made aware of de-pooling as an extensive consultation had been undertaken. She commented that NBC was one of the few Councils in the area who had yet to introduce de-pooling

RESOLVED:

Cabinet agreed that rents be de-pooled into rents and service charges from 2012/13 onwards.

B Report of Director of Finance and Support (Copy herewith)

1.      Cabinet approved the proposed response, attached at Appendix 1of the report, to the HRA self-financing draft determination subject to any late changes made due to emerging issues.

2.      Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Finance and Support, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to agree any final changes to the response.

Councillor Mason addressed Cabinet and commented that she felt regret that the Council would have to pay more to fund the HRA which could limit Council borrowing but regarded the Councils control of its property as a positive aspect.

Councillor Beardsworth welcomed the report and commented that she was happy the Council would be in control of its own stock and welcomed the opportunity for the Housing Stock to be bought up to Decent Homes Standard.

The Chair read out the following statement, which he requested be a further recommendation to be considered.

“In the Government document “Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England”, Chapter 3, paragraph 55, it says “Once self-financing is in place, voluntary transfer of the stock remains an option. The Government will actively encourage voluntary transfers that offer good value for money and can leverage additional investments, We will bring forward proposals for a programme of transfers, clarifying the level of financial support (through writing off housing debt) and the criteria to be applied in prioritising such support. The Government is particularly interested in exploring the scope fro transfers that deliver a robust, long-term sustainable future for estates and neighbourhoods”. In order to make stock transfer viable for authorities that have taken on substantial debt, the Council would urge the Government to also make provisions for writing off any debt redemption premia”.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance submitted a report and commented that the consultation was due to close in Jan 2012 and reported that the draft self financing valuation increased the buy out payment to CLG from £194.2m to £179m. 

The Portfolio Holder for Housing commented that she was glad that progress was being made and that the HRA Self Financing Business Plan was due to be bought to Cabinet on the 18^th January 2012.

Councillors Beardsworth and Mason expressed about the proposed amendment relating to stock transfer, as opposition members had not had an opportunity to consider it.

The Chair commented that the response was to the Government draft and that it would be prudent to leave options open and reported that if the debt was repaid early a debt redemption premia may be incurred and the recommendation requested that the Government forfeit the charge.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the proposed response, attached at Appendix 1of the report, to the HRA self-financing draft determination subject to any late changes made due to emerging issues be approved.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Support, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to agree any final changes to the response.

3.      That the following be added in the Consultation Response: In the Government document “Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England”, Chapter 3, paragraph 55, it says “Once self-financing is in place, voluntary transfer of the stock remains an option. The Government will actively encourage voluntary transfers that offer good value for money and can leverage additional investments, We will bring forward proposals for a programme of transfers,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

B Report of Director of Planning and Regeneration (Copy herewith)

1.      Cabinet noted the representations made to the consultation on the draft Residential Extensions and Alterations Design Guide SPD and agreed the associated officer responses outlined in the Consultation Statement (Appendix 1 of the report).

2. Cabinet approved the Residential Extensions and Alterations Design Guide attached in Appendix 2 of the report, as a Supplementary Planning Document to replace the Council’s Residential Extensions and Alterations Design Guide (September 2002).

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Portfolio Holder submitted a report. He commented that the planning document was an update on the 2002 design guide and that an extensive consultation had been undertaken to get feedback and to make planning applications easier.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the representations made to the consultation on the draft Residential Extensions and Alterations Design Guide SPD be noted and agreed the associated officer responses outlined in the Consultation Statement (Appendix 1 of the report)

2.      That t the Residential Extensions and Alterations Design Guide attached in Appendix 2 of the report, as a Supplementary Planning Document to replace the Council’s Residential Extensions and Alterations Design Guide (September 2002) be approved.

B Report of Director of Planning and Regeneration (Copy herewith)

Cabinet supported the adoption of the draft Corporate Asset Management Strategy for the period 2012-2015, attached at Appendix 1 of the report, and the implementation of the key directions and objectives set out in the Strategy in order to achieve the key desired outcomes, that are respectively summarised at 3.2.1 & 3.2.2 of the report.

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Portfolio Holder, submitted a report and commented that the strategy had been updated for clarity and transparency. In reference to paragraph 7.2.4 of the Strategy, he explained that the policy gave consideration to transferring Management Organisation to Community Centres in a more simplified manner.

RESOLVED:

That the adoption of the draft Corporate Asset Management Strategy for the period 2012-2015, attached at Appendix 1 of the report, be supported and the implementation of the key directions and objectives set out in the Strategy in order to achieve the key desired outcomes, that are respectively summarised at 3.2.1 & 3.2.2 of the report be also supported.

B Report of Director of Finance and Support (Copy herewith)

1.      Cabinet noted the contents of the report.

2.      Cabinet noted the position reported on the key financial indicators reported at paragraphs 3.2.1 to 3.2.3 of the report,

3.      Cabinet approved the following capital appraisals and variations.

Appraisals Requiring Approval

Variations Requiring Approval

Councillor Bottwood, as the relevant Portfolio Holder, submitted a report, which presented the Council’s key financial and performance exceptions at the end of October 2011. He reported that there had been General underspend of £312,000 and requested approval of two capital appraisals which included the Mayorhold Car Park Drainage Works and the Grosvenor/ Greyfriars – Stagecoach Relocation.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the contents of the report be noted.

2.      That the position reported on the key financial indicators reported at paragraphs 3.2.1 to 3.2.3 of the report be noted

3.      That the following capital appraisals and variations be approved.

Appraisals Requiring Approval

Variations Requiring Approval

B Report of Director of Finance and Support (Copy herewith)

Cabinet approved the changes to the Council’s Risk Management Strategy.

Councillor Bottwood as the relevant Portfolio Holder submitted a report. He commented that the Risk Management Strategy was still fit for purpose and very few changes had occurred. He further commented that the Risk Appetite had increased from 12 to 15.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet approved the changes to the Council’s Risk Management Strategy.

THE CHAIR TO MOVE:

“THAT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS BE EXCLUDED FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE MEETING ON THE GROUNDS THAT THERE IS LIKELY TO BE DISCLOSURE TO THEM OF SUCH CATEGORIES OF EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED BY SECTION 100(1) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS LISTED AGAINST SUCH ITEMS OF BUSINESS BY REFERENCE TO THE APPROPRIATE PARAGRAPH OF SCHEDULE 12A TO SUCH ACT.”

The Chair moved that the public and Press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that there was likely to be disclosure to them of such categories of exempt information as defined by Section 100(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 as listed against such items of business by reference to the appropriate paragraph of Schedule 12A to such Act.

The Motion was Carried.