Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were none.

(Copy herewith)

The minutes of the meeting held on the 18^th February 2015 were agreed and signed by the Leader.

There were no items to be heard in private.

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Report of the Chief Executive (Copy herewith)

1.    Cabinet accepted the recommendations included in the Overview and Scrutiny for the Management and Regulation of Private Sector Housing (including HIMOs).

2.    Cabinet formally congratulated the Task and Finish Group for their commitment to best practice regulation and management of private sector housing, the high quality and comprehensive report produced and thanked for their time and effort given to produce it.

Councillor Markham as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and elaborated thereon. She thanked the work undertaken by Overview and Scrutiny and noted that all the recommendations had been adopted, Members were updated and informed that, because of the enhanced work done by the Housing Department, two HIMOs had been closed down as they were found to be unsafe, and 760 suspected unlicensed HIMOs and 16 properties currently being investigated.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the recommendations included in the Overview and Scrutiny for the Management and Regulation of Private Sector Housing (including HIMOs) be accepted.

2.    That the Task and Finish Group be formally congratulated for their commitment to best practice regulation and management of private sector housing, the high quality and comprehensive report produced and thanked for their time and effort given to produce it.

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

2.1     Cabinet affirmed its continuing support for the development of the Cultural Quarter and noted progress that had been made with key projects.

2.2     Cabinet welcomed the Local Growth Fund announcement from South-East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) that Northampton Borough Council’s Vulcan Works project would be awarded funding in 2016/17.

2.3     Cabinet, subject to formal confirmation of the Local Growth Fund award from SEMLEP, as per paragraph 2.2 above, agreed that up to the full value of the said award may be borrowed via Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP), from the Public Works Loan Board, to allow the Vulcan Works project to immediately progress to its construction phase and noted that the loan was to be repaid when SEMLEP’s Local Growth Fund award becomes available in 2016/17.

2.4     Cabinet agreed that the council makes a cash contribution to the Vulcan Works project of £650,000 from resources available to the 2016/17 capital programme.

2.5     Cabinet delegated to the Director of Customers and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, authority to award a contract for detail design work for the refurbishment and expansion of Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and to award other contracts as necessary for completion of the proposed works.

2.6     Cabinet affirmed its support for the Museum of Leathercraft and made a commitment to finding a suitable location for it within the Cultural Quarter.

Councillor Eldred, as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted a report and noted that he looked forward to continuing to work with the Museum of Leathercraft in finding a suitable home for them in the Cultural Quarter.

RESOLVED:

2.1     That support for the development of the Cultural Quarter be affirmed and progress that had been made with key projects be noted.

2.2     That the Local Growth Fund announcement from South-East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) that Northampton Borough Council’s Vulcan Works project would be awarded funding in 2016/17 be welcomed.

2.3     That, subject to formal confirmation of the Local Growth Fund award from SEMLEP, as per paragraph 2.2 above, Cabinet agreed that up to the full value of the said award may be borrowed via Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP), from the Public Works Loan Board, to allow the Vulcan Works project to immediately progress to its construction phase and noted that the loan was to be repaid when SEMLEP’s Local Growth Fund award becomes available in 2016/17.

2.4     That it be agreed that the council makes a cash contribution to the Vulcan Works project of £650,000 from resources available to the 2016/17 capital programme.

2.5     That delegation be given to the Director of Customers and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, authority to award a contract for detail design work for the refurbishment and expansion of Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and to award other contracts as necessary for completion of the proposed works.

2.6   That support for the Museum of Leathercraft be affirmed and made a commitment to finding a suitable location for it within the Cultural Quarter.

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

2.1    Cabinet noted the current progress being made with the demolition and clearance of the site.

2.2    Cabinet approved the commissioning of a “concept plan” for the Greyfriars site within the timescale outlined in the report, in order to help bring the site forward for development.

2.3    Cabinet agreed that plans are commenced for a new improved facility for coaches on the west island site of Greyfriars to act as a small transport hub within the site to complement North Gate and replace the Victoria Street Coach Stop.

2.4    Cabinet agreed that a further report be brought to Cabinet in due course.

Councillor Mason addressed Cabinet and commented that she was glad that something was being done to the Greyfrairs site and expressed her happiness that something was being done to accommodate coach passengers and hoped that the members of the public would be listened to through the consultation process that had been carried out.

The Leader thanked Councillor Mason for her comments and went on to thank her for her contributions and service to the Council over many years.

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and commented that 3 potential ideas had come from the public consultation and it was considered to be the right time to bring the site forward and therefore Cabinet were being asked to approve the commissioning of a “concept plan”.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the current progress being made with the demolition and clearance of the site be noted.

2.     That  the commissioning of a “concept plan” for the Greyfriars site within the timescale outlined in the report, in order to help bring the site forward for development be approved.

3.    That plans are commenced for a new improved facility for coaches on the west island site of Greyfriars to act as a small transport hub within the site to complement North Gate and replace the Victoria Street Coach Stop be agreed.

4.    That it be agreed that a further report be brought to Cabinet in due course.

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

2.1         Cabinet noted the progress made to date.

2.2         Cabinet approved and additional budget of £428,971 to bring forward prioritised infrastructure works within the EZ.  This was following a request made to the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership EZ Board.  This expenditure was forward funded by NBC from the New Homes Bonus Reserve and would be repaid through uplift in business rates.

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and noted that that there had been significant progress made in the Enterprise Zone and that further funding would be provided to improve infrastructure in the area.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the progress made to date be noted.

2.    That and additional budget of £428,971 to bring forward prioritised infrastructure works within the EZ be approved, following a request made to the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership EZ Board.  The expenditure was forward funded by NBC from the New Homes Bonus Reserve and would be repaid through uplift in business rates.

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

2.1         Cabinet approved the principle of the acquisition by this Council of the freehold interest in the property in Northampton to bring forward additional housing.

2.2         Cabinet delegated to the Director of Regeneration Enterprise and Planning the power to approve suitable terms of the acquisition in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning subject to full due diligence

2.3         Cabinet approved the inclusion in the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme for 2015/16 of funding up to £750,000 to support the acquisition subject to further investigation, due diligence and production of the business case.

The Leader explained that the report before Cabinet, was an urgent item and consent for this had been given by the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny.

Councillor Hadland, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and noted that the Cabinet were asked for the approval of the principle of the acquisition of land for the potential development of sheltered accommodation.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the principle of the acquisition by this Council of the freehold interest in the property in Northampton to bring forward additional housing be approved.

2.  That authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration Enterprise and Planning the power to approve suitable terms of the acquisition in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration Enterprise and Planning subject to full due diligence

3.  That the inclusion in the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme for 2015/16 of funding up to £750,000 to support the acquisition subject to further investigation, due diligence and production of the business case be approved

The Leader stated this was the last Cabinet meeting of the current administration and thanked Cabinet members and the officers for their hard work and support. He wished everyone well and closed the meeting.