Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were none.

(Copy herewith)

The minutes of the meeting held on the 12^th June 2013 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

There were no items to be held in private.

There were none.

There were none.

Report of Chair of Overview and Scrutiny (Copy herewith)

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

Councillor Stone addressed Cabinet and commented that as the Chair of the panel it had become apparent that partnership working had been a key theme in addressing crime and community safety.

Councillor Lane, as the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, submitted a report.

RESOLVED:

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

Report of Chair of Overview and Scrutiny (Copy herewith)

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

Councillor Lane, as the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, submitted a report.

RESOLVED:

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

Report of Chair of Overview and Scrutiny (Copy herewith)

Cabinet noted the report, the responses of which were incorporated into Item 8 - Northampton Town Centre - The Next Steps

Councillor Stone addressed Cabinet and commented that having been a member of the panel it had become apparent to her that low paid employment had knock on effects for the Town Centre as people did not have surplus money to spend. She commented there was a need to develop a town that was attractive and considerate varying demographics.

Councillor Lane, as the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, submitted a report.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet noted the report, the responses of which were incorporated into Item 8 - Northampton Town Centre - The Next Steps

Report of Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning and Chief Executive (Copy herewith)

Cabinet approved the principle of providing loan finance to Northampton Saints plc (“Saints”) and Northampton Town Football Club Limited (“NTFC”) to support stadia expansion and associated development on land presently within their control.

Cabinet delegated to the Chief Executive the authority, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Leader of the Council, and approved the amounts and terms of any loan finance arrangements on a basis that takes into full account the matters set out at 3.2.1 of this report.

Cabinet supported the principle - pursuant to a previous Cabinet authority given to enter into a collaboration agreement with Homes & Communities Agency (“HCA”) - of this Council entering  into a Joint Venture  (“JV”) Agreement with a private company, HCA (as necessary) and NTFC for the development of that land forming part of Sixfields Stadium (shown edged red upon the attached plan at Appendix 1), together with other adjoining HCA land, on the basis that an agreement relating to a disposal at nominal initial value of the freehold interest (in the land edged red) to the private party concerned may be required to be completed prior to the commencement of physical development.

Cabinet delegated to the Director of Regeneration Enterprise and Planning the authority, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree the terms of transfer of the land referred to at 2.3 and to contract generally with JV partners, on the basis that:

(i)                  this Council is first satisfied that the proposed comprehensive development scheme will be viable and generate a positive value for the land owners 

(ii)                that this Council is not exposed to any risk of financial loss or liability from its participation within the JV Agreement

(iii)               that adequate arrangements are made to re-provide suitable athletics facilities at an appropriate location as part of an overall approach to development.

Cabinet supported in principle, subject to the legal considerations set out in clause 4.3.3. of this report, that the net value generated for this Council from any Joint Venture Agreement that may be entered into (consistent with 2.4 above), may be used in whole or part to reduce any the levels of debt owed by NTFC to this Council (pursuant to 2.1 and 2.2 above), in support of the promotion of the wider economic and social benefits that would be generated for the Town.

Cabinet delegated to the Chief Executive the authority, acting in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Leader of the Council, to agree the basis of any reduction of debt owed to this Council by NTFC in the potential circumstances envisaged at 2.5 above.

Cabinet supported the principle of varying the existing lease of Sixfields Stadium to NTFC to permit the sharing of the facility by NTFC with another professional sports club and delegates to the Director of Regeneration Enterprise and Planning the authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning, to agree the terms of any lease variation.

Cabinet, subject to the final  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

Councillor Beardsworth addressed Cabinet and questioned who had been present when negotiations had been discussed and suggested that it was a report that needed to be examined by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Glynane addressed Cabinet and expressed concerns about the uncertainty of the relocation of the athletics track next to the Sixfields stadium. He stated the facilities need to be put in place for the Northampton Athletics Club as part of the Olympic legacy and urged Cabinet to pass their recommendations to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Palethorpe addressed Cabinet and commented that he was happy to see progress being made but expressed concerns that both the football club and the rugby club were incorporated in the same report to provide a finance loan and requested that it be further scrutinised to ensure there would be no legal challenges.

Councillor Mackintosh, as Leader of the Council submitted a report and commented that he was pleased with the long awaited report and noted that it had been a Manifesto pledge to support both clubs. In response to questions from Councillor Beardsworth, it was explained that there had been numerous people involved in negotiations, including himself, Cabinet Members, the Chief Executive of Northampton Borough Council and the Section 151 officer. He further commented that he was happy that the decision was transparent and had been scrutinised by officers but emphasised that there was a need to make progress as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the principle of providing loan finance to Northampton Saints plc (“Saints”) and Northampton Town Football Club Limited (“NTFC”) to support stadia expansion and associated development on land presently within their control be approved

2.    That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Leader of the Council, and approved the amounts and terms of any loan finance arrangements on a basis that takes into full account the matters set out at 3.2.1 of this report.

3.    That the principle - pursuant to a previous Cabinet authority given to enter into a collaboration agreement with Homes & Communities Agency (“HCA”) - of this Council entering  into a Joint Venture  (“JV”) Agreement with a private company, HCA (as necessary) and NTFC for the development of that land forming part of Sixfields Stadium (shown edged red upon the attached plan at Appendix 1), together with other adjoining HCA land, on the basis that an agreement relating to a disposal at nominal initial value of the freehold interest (in the land edged red) to the private party concerned may be required to be completed prior to the commencement of physical development be supported.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration Enterprise and Planning, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree the terms of transfer of the land referred to at 2.3 and to contract generally with JV partners, on the basis that:

(i)                  this Council is first satisfied that the proposed comprehensive development scheme will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Report of Director of Customers and Communities (Copy herewith)

1.    Cabinet reaffirmed the town centre as a major strategic priority for the council and agreed to add it as an improvement project to Northampton Alive.

2.    Cabinet agreed to establish a Town Team to lead the town centre improvement agenda, as per paragraphs 3.1.76/7 of the report, to provide the strategic vision and operational management for Northampton town centre and to oversee a detailed plan for implementing the actions arising from this report.

3.    Cabinet, in accordance with the Administration’s manifesto commitment to appoint a High Street Czar, agreed to appoint local businessman Stephen Church for a period of four months, for the purpose of producing an independent report proposing a strategic and collaborative vision for the town centre and agreed that the position will be known as Town Centre Summit Chairman.

4.    Cabinet agreed to host a Town Centre Summit, on 20th September 2013, led by the Town Centre Summit Chairman, to allow partners and stakeholders to actively inform the town centre vision.

5.    Cabinet agreed to introduce a regular town centre newsletter from the council to town centre businesses to keep stakeholders well informed and up to date about what is going on.

6.    Cabinet agreed to a summer trial of free car parking all day Saturday and for two hours on week days during the whole of August 2013 in the council’s pay on exit car parks (St John’s, Mayorhold and St Michaels), with Sundays continuing to be free all day, leading to a reduction in income that could be £180,000.

7.    Cabinet agreed to review the impact of car parking reductions following the August 2013 trial.

8.    Cabinet approved in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council (subject to agreement of the detailed business case), the utilisation of the £100,000 received by the council from the Town Centre Innovation Fund to implement pay on exit at the Grosvenor Centre Car Park, including the option to pay by credit and debit card.

9.    Cabinet agreed that pay on exit machines be procured from Metric Group Limited for the reasons set out in paragraphs 4.2.5/6 of the report.

10. Cabinet endorsed the proposals in the council’s 2013/14 Capital Programme to install improved car park signs on the main entrance roads into the town centre to direct motorists to their most convenient car park and provide up to the minute information on where spaces are available.

11. Cabinet acknowledged the contribution that Northampton Town Centre Limited (the Town Centre BID), has made to improving the Town Centre.

12. Cabinet agreed to commence consultation with local businesses on the creation of a business improvement district for Wellingborough Road.

13. Cabinet acknowledged the challenge that empty shops and negligent and/or absent landlords present to the council’s ambitions for a vibrant and thriving town centre and requested that an action plan be promptly developed to address the problem with a public register of landlords.

14. Cabinet approved proposals for major improvements to the public realm in the  ...  view the full decision text for item 8.

Councillor Beardsworth commented that she had sat on the Scrutiny Panel concerned with the retail experience and stated that the recommendations made were excellent. She noted that if people did not have a positive retail experience the footfall would diminish further and suggested that more individual and independent shops be encouraged to the town.

Councillor Glynane asked why little action had been taken to tackle discarded chewing gum and questioned whether some of the recommendations were merely due to a lack of enforcement, such as street drinking.

Councillor Mackintosh welcomed the Chair of the Town Centre BID, Sue Robert and BID Director, Richard Clinton, to the meeting submitted a report and thanked the members of the Scrutiny Panel for their hard work. He stated that work had already been undertaken to improve the town centre and noted that a High Street Czar had been appointed, which had been a manifesto pledge.

Councillor Hadland commented that there were a number of positive changes to car parking in the town centre, including a summer trial of free parking all day Saturday, the implementation of a ‘pay on exit’ facility at the Grosvenor Centre Car park and improved signage on main entrance roads. It was noted that free wifi was also being rolled out across the whole town centre.

Councillor Hallam addressed Councillor Glynane’s comments and noted that with regards to enforcement there was going to be a Town Centre Ranger who would be dedicated the keeping the town in a pristine condition. With regards to the discarded chewing gum it was noted that the current machinery was ineffective but that the purchase of newer, more effective machinery was being considered. It was further explained that with regards to street drinkers, an on-going campaign had been effective in reducing the problem and noted that an action plan be developed to address the problem.

Councillor Eldred commented that there were a number of events being held to encourage more visitors to the town centre which would also include regular performances from a town centre bandstand and designated ‘busker spots’ to encourage live and quality performers.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the town centre as a major strategic priority for the council and agreed to add it as an improvement project to Northampton Alive be reaffirmed

2.         That a Town Team to lead the town centre improvement agenda, be established as per paragraphs 3.1.76/7 of the report, to provide the strategic vision and operational management for Northampton town centre and to oversee a detailed plan for implementing the actions arising from this report.

3.     That in accordance with the Administration’s manifesto commitment to appoint a High Street Czar, it be agreed to appoint local businessman Stephen Church for a period of four months, for the purpose of producing an independent report proposing a strategic and collaborative vision for the town centre and agreed that the position will be known as Town Centre Summit Chairman.

4.     That  a Town Centre Summit be hosted, on 20th September  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report of the Chief Executive (Copy herewith)

Cabinet noted the contents of the report and recommended actions to be taken, if any, to address the issues arising.

Councillor Bottwood, as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted a report and commented that that overall, both Corporate Plan priorities had met their targets with 82% of performance measures having been reached.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and recommended actions to be taken, if any, to address the issues arising.

Report of Director of Resources (Copy herewith)

1.         Cabinet noted the draft outturn for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for the financial year 2012/13 as set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 7 of the report.

2.         Cabinet noted the net contribution to General Fund Revenue Reserves of £863k, and the detailed movements in Earmarked Reserves shown in Appendix 4 of the report..

3.         Cabinet noted the net movement in Housing Revenue Account Reserves and working balances as set out at Appendix 8 of the report.

4.         Cabinet noted the draft outturn for the Council’s Capital Programme for 2012/13 and how the expenditure was financed as set out at Appendix 9 of the report.

5.         Cabinet approved the carry forward of unfinished capital schemes from 2012/13 into the 2013/14 Capital Programme as set out at Appendix 9 of the report.

Councillor Bottwood, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and noted that the General Fund was coming in on budget and that reserve levels had been maintained. It was noted that any underspend would be bought forward and noted that whilst experiencing financially austere times, finances had been managed prudently.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the draft outturn for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for the financial year 2012/13 as set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 7 of the report be noted.

2.         That the net contribution to General Fund Revenue Reserves of £863k, and the detailed movements in Earmarked Reserves shown in Appendix 4 of the report be noted.

3.         That the net movement in Housing Revenue Account Reserves and working balances as set out at Appendix 8 of the report be noted.

4.         That the draft outturn for the Council’s Capital Programme for 2012/13 and how the expenditure was financed as set out at Appendix 9 of the report be noted.

5.         That the carry forward of unfinished capital schemes from 2012/13 into the 2013/14 Capital Programme as set out at Appendix 9 of the report be approved.