Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Bottwood.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 11^th June 2014 were agreed and signed by the Leader.

There were no items to be heard in private.

Mr Lang addressed Cabinet in respect of Item 8 - Battle of Northampton 1460 Conservation Management Plan and welcomed the report. He also commented that adequate on site facilities were vital. The new development should be to attracting visitors who stayed for longer and to help with management the Preservation Trust should take the lead in managing the site.

Mr Ingram addressed Cabinet also respect of Item 8 and noted that the plan was a huge step forward. He hoped the development plan would apply to the whole of the site. Consideration to the opening a national War of the Roses centre should be given, allowing a synergy with recent developments in Leicester regarding Richard III.

Councillor Hallam declared a personal, pecuniary and prejudicial interest in Item 11, due to his professional contacts with potential contractors. He stated it was his intention to leave the meeting during the discussion and deliberation of the item.

None

There were none.

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

1.    Cabinet approved the formal designation of Eastgate as an area of historical significance subject to no substantial comments from the list of consultees

2.    Cabinet agreed that powers be delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning to consider and resolve any issues arising from the consultations above and subject to this to take whatever action necessary to implement the designation .

Councillor Hadland as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report. He commented that this report was an important step forward in helping define Northampton’s historical background and in due course there would be physical recognition of the area.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the formal designation of Eastgate as an area of historical significance subject to no substantial comments from the list of consultees be approved.

2.    That it be agreed that powers be delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Planning to consider and resolve any issues arising from the consultations above and subject to this to take whatever action necessary to implement the designation .

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

1.    Cabinet considered the responses received to the consultation and the recommended amendments to the draft Battle of Northampton Conservation Management Plan.

2.    Cabinet approved the adoption of the Battle of Northampton 1460 – Conservation Management Plan as a Supplementary Planning Document.

3.    Cabinet approved the Battle of Northampton 1460 – Conservation Management Plan to inform the activities of the Council and its tenants in the wider management of its assets which are not subject to regulation through the statutory planning process.

4.    Cabinet approved the submission of a funding bid, working in association with interested parties and the community, to enable further survey work to be undertaken in accordance with a brief, agreed with the County Archaeologist and English Heritage, to try to establish the location of the Lancastrian encampment and further understand the wider battlefield.

5.    Cabinet agreed to the development of a Battlefield Visitor Centre to showcase the Registered Battlefield, the results of any further survey work and any associated archaeology and local history in association with interested parties and the community.

Councillor Beardsworth addressed Cabinet and commented that she welcomed the report. She supported the earlier speakers who called for the establishment of a national War of the Roses centre. She also supported the idea of a single overall management structure.

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and elaborated thereon. He noted that the proposals would help establish a celebration of Northampton’s heritage. There had been a wide ranging consultation and over 500 public responses online. He also welcomed the suggestion a single management structure.

Councillor Hadland also clarified that any Battlefield Centre would likely be within the existing buildings of Delapre Abbey rather than a new building and the Administration is supportive of a national War of the Roses centre.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the responses received to the consultation and the recommended amendments to the draft Battle of Northampton Conservation Management Plan be considered.

2.    That the adoption of the Battle of Northampton 1460 – Conservation Management Plan as a Supplementary Planning Document be approved.

3.    That the Battle of Northampton 1460 – Conservation Management Plan be approved to inform the activities of the Council and its tenants in the wider management of its assets which are not subject to regulation through the statutory planning process.

4.    That the submission of a funding bid, working in association with interested parties and the community, to enable further survey work to be undertaken in accordance with a brief, agreed with the County Archaeologist and English Heritage, to try to establish the location of the Lancastrian encampment and further understand the wider battlefield be approved.

5.    That the development of a Battlefield Visitor Centre to showcase the Registered Battlefield, the results of any further survey work and any associated archaeology and local history in association with interested parties and the community be agreed.

B Report of Chief Executive (Copy herewith)

2.1         Cabinet approved the principles that had been applied in consulting on services to transfer, namely:

1)   Services to Council tenants should be managed by the ALMO. This is the core purpose of the ALMO to manage Council homes, and provide services to tenants.

2)   Housing Services to people who are not Council tenants should remain with the Council. The council has a legal responsibility to provide many of these services.

2.2         Cabinet approved that the following services should be delivered by Northampton Partnership Homes from its inception date (planned to be January 2015):

1)         Looking after Council Homes – repairs, maintenance, Decent Homes, adaptations to Council homes

2)         Tenancy management including letting properties, managing tenancies, rent and income management

3)         Managing the Choice Based Lettings Scheme and Allocations to Council Housing (in accordance with Council policy), as well as nominations to other social landlords.

4)         Supporting tenants who need it, because they are elderly or vulnerable in another way. This includes services currently provided by Independent Living and those Gateway Services that support people who have become Council tenants.  It also includes help and advice to tenants who need to move, or need support in keeping up with their rent (basic debt advice).

5)         Tenant Involvement

6)         Managing the Ecton Lane Traveller site

2.3         Cabinet approved that the following services should continue to be delivered by Northampton Borough Council’s own in-house teams:

1)          Housing advice, homelessness prevention,

2)          Private sector housing advice, enforcement and licensing

3)          Enabling new affordable housing

4)          Disabled facilities grants

5)          Working with partners to promote housing, health and wellbeing.

2.4         Cabinet delegated to the Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Housing, the responsibility for the necessary consultations with affected staff, and any decisions arising from this.

Councillor Mason declared an interest of the shadow Northampton Partnership Homes Board and stated that she strongly supported the recommendations. She asked that future consideration of the built environment on the estates and that more detail be given on the financial management structure.

Councillor Beardsworth declared an interest of the shadow Northampton Partnership Homes Board and stated that she also supported the recommendations. She asked that disability grants and the future ability of Northampton Partnership Homes to build affordable homes be considered.

Councillor Markham, as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted a report and outlined the recommendations. She highlighted the proposal to keep any potential affordable home building in house for 10 years was agreed as part of the consultation.   

RESOLVED:

1.    That the principles that had been applied in consulting on services to transfer be approved, namely:

1)   Services to Council tenants should be managed by the ALMO. This is the core purpose of the ALMO to manage Council homes, and provide services to tenants.

2)   Housing Services to people who are not Council tenants should remain with the Council. The council has a legal responsibility to provide many of these services.

2.    That the following services should be delivered by Northampton Partnership Homes from its inception date (planned to be January 2015) be approved:

1.    Looking after Council Homes – repairs, maintenance, Decent Homes, adaptations to Council homes

2.    Tenancy management including letting properties, managing tenancies, rent and income management

3.    Managing the Choice Based Lettings Scheme and Allocations to Council Housing (in accordance with Council policy), as well as nominations to other social landlords.

4.    Supporting tenants who need it, because they are elderly or vulnerable in another way. This includes services currently provided by Independent Living and those Gateway Services that support people who have become Council tenants.  It also includes help and advice to tenants who need to move, or need support in keeping up with their rent (basic debt advice).

5.    Tenant Involvement

6.    Managing the Ecton Lane Traveller site

3.      That the following services should continue to be delivered by Northampton Borough Council’s own in-house teams be approved:

1.          Housing advice, homelessness prevention,

2.          Private sector housing advice, enforcement and licensing

3.          Enabling new affordable housing

4.          Disabled facilities grants

5.          Working with partners to promote housing, health and wellbeing.

4.      That it be delegated to the Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Housing, the responsibility for the necessary consultations with affected staff, and any decisions arising from this.

B Report of Chief Executive (Copy herewith)

1. Cabinet delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader:

2.1.1   the power to bid for resources on behalf of a Northampton Community Wellbeing partnership

2.1.2   the power to enter into contracts for the delivery of such services,

2.1.3   To take any actions required, direct or ancillary for the procurement and delivery of Community Wellbeing services in Northampton.

2. Cabinet agreed that the partnership development costs should be met from underspends in existing budgets in the Housing and Wellbeing Service during 2014/15, if possible, but that if necessary monies should be drawn down from the Service Improvement Reserve. A Partnerships Officer will be employed to work with agencies, including in bid preparation, and costs of this work up to 31.12.14 could total up to £45,000. Support to the officer will be provided from within existing contracts for legal, financial and procurement advice through LGSS.

Councillor Beardsworth addressed Cabinet and commented that she believed this was an exciting report. She suggested it may be a good time to reinstate neighbourhood management to help with communication on the issue.

Councillor Markham presented the report and noted that the ability to provide the services outlined would be dependent upon a successful funding bid.

RESOLVED:

1. That delegation be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader:

1.1    the power to bid for resources on behalf of a Northampton z

1.2    the power to enter into contracts for the delivery of such services,

1.3   to take any actions required, direct or ancillary for the procurement and delivery of Community Wellbeing services in Northampton.

2. That it be agreed that the partnership development costs should be met from underspends in existing budgets in the Housing and Wellbeing Service during 2014/15, if possible, but that if necessary monies should be drawn down from the Service Improvement Reserve. A Partnerships Officer will be employed to work with agencies, including in bid preparation, and costs of this work up to 31.12.14 could total up to £45,000. Support to the officer will be provided from within existing contracts for legal, financial and procurement advice through LGSS.

B Report of Director of Customers and Communities (Copy herewith)

Cabinet agreed that the Council, in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council, enters into a framework agreement, for a period of three years, for the provision of print and design services.  

Following his earlier declaration Councillor Hallam left the meeting for the duration of the item.

Councillor Eldred, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and asked that Cabinet adopt the recommendations. 

RESOLVED:

That it be agreed that the Council, in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council, enters into a framework agreement, for a period of three years, for the provision of print and design services.  

Report of the Borough Secretary (Copy herewith)

Cabinet reviewed the contents of the performance report (appendix 1).

The Leader, in the absence of Councillor Bottwood, submitted a report and asked that Cabinet adopt the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the performance report (appendix 1) be reviewed.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer (Copy herewith)

1.    Cabinet noted the draft outturn for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for the financial year 2013/14 as set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 4 of the report.

2.    Cabinet noted the contributions to General Fund Revenue Earmarked Reserves as shown in Appendix 3 of the report.

3.    Cabinet noted the net movement in Housing Revenue Account Reserves and working balances as set out at Appendix 6 of the report.

4.    Cabinet noted the draft outturn for the Council’s Capital Programme for 2013/14 and how the expenditure was financed as set out at Appendix 7 of the report.

5.    Cabinet approved the carry forward of unfinished capital schemes from 2013/14 into the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out at Appendix 7 of the report.

The Leader, in the absence of Councillor Bottwood, submitted a report and asked that Cabinet adopt the recommendations. 

RESOLVED:

1.    That the draft outturn for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for the financial year 2013/14 as set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 4 of the report be noted.

2.    That the contributions to General Fund Revenue Earmarked Reserves as shown in Appendix 3 of the report be noted.

3.    That the net movement in Housing Revenue Account Reserves and working balances as set out at Appendix 6 of the report be noted.

4.    That the draft outturn for the Council’s Capital Programme for 2013/14 and how the expenditure was financed as set out at Appendix 7 of the report be noted.

5.    That the carry forward of unfinished capital schemes from 2013/14 into the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out at Appendix 7 of the report be approved