Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: The Jeffrey Room, St. Giles Square, Northampton, NN1 1DE.

Contact: Emma Powley 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Hadland.

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on the 11th April 2018 were agreed and signed by the Leader.

3.

Intention to Hold Part of the Meeting in Private if necessary

It is the intention that part of this meeting be held in private as it is likely that exempt information as defined in local government act 1972:

 

Consideration of the information in public would give rise to the disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph [1, 2 3, 5 & 7] of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 –

 

·         Information relating to any individual.

·         Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

·         Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

·         Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

·         Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

 

·         Intention to hold meeting in private - Cabinet - Northampton Town Football Club - 9th May 2018

 

Minutes:

The Leader confirmed that there was an intention that part of the meeting would be held in private as a set out in the agenda.

 

4.

Deputations/Public Addresses

Minutes:

There were none.

5.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were none.

6.

Issues Arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committees

None

Minutes:

There were none.

7.

Preparation of a Local Heritage List for Northampton pdf icon PDF 104 KB

B Report of the Chief Executive (Copy herewith)

Additional documents:

Decision:

2.1      Cabinet approved the preparation of a Local Heritage List for Northampton;

 

2.2      Cabinet approved the draft selection criteria for evaluation of suggested entries for inclusion on a Local Heritage List (Appendix A of the report) 

 

2.3      Cabinet approved the establishment of a Local Heritage Selection Panel to consider and recommend to Cabinet for adoption those heritage assets that meet the criteria for inclusion on a Local Heritage List.

 

2.4      Cabinet delegated authority to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Regeneration, Enterprise & Planning, to establish a Local Heritage Selection Panel and to finalise the Panel’s terms of reference (Appendix B of the report),

 

2.5      Cabinet approved the commencement of public consultation to invite nominations of heritage assets for inclusion on a Local Heritage List (Appendix C of the report).

 

Minutes:

Councillor Davenport addressed Cabinet and commented that with regards to the Queen Eleanor Cross, questions had been raised in the previous year as to the responsibility of the upkeep of the Cross which transpired that it was with the Borough Council. She commented that an independent report had been undertaken by Clarendon, who concluded the report by noting that "strapping" be added to the cross as it was at risk of collapse. Historic England had noted that the work should be carried out in the summer months but there was no reason why strapping could not be carried out prior to this but was not considered absolutely necessary.

 

Councillor Beardsworth spoke on behalf of Councillor B Markham and noted the surprise that a report had been issued in November 2017 that had not been acted on despite the harsh winter. She further commented that residents had felt ignored and ill-informed and reported that more should be done to protect local heritage.

 

The Interim Regeneration & Assets Manager, in the absence of the Cabinet Member, elaborated on the report and noted that there would be a wide range of assets considered for the selection and inclusion on the heritage list. He noted that the current list was out of date and needed updating and the preparation of the list would be carried in accordance with guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It was explained an asset being listed would provide limited restrictions should a planning application be submitted and noted that the heritage list would be important in protecting the heritage of the Town.

 

The Deputy Leader commented that he considered the report to be excellent but was disappointed the list would provide no legal protection.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1      That the preparation of a Local Heritage List for Northampton be approved;

 

2.2      That the draft selection criteria for evaluation of suggested entries for inclusion on a Local Heritage List (Appendix A of the report) be approved 

 

2.3      That the establishment of a Local Heritage Selection Panel to consider and recommend to Cabinet for adoption those heritage assets that meet the criteria for inclusion on a Local Heritage List be approved.

 

2.4      That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Regeneration, Enterprise & Planning, to establish a Local Heritage Selection Panel and to finalise the Panel’s terms of reference (Appendix B of the report),

 

2.5      That the commencement of public consultation to invite nominations of heritage assets for inclusion on a Local Heritage List (Appendix C of the report) be approved.

8.

Environmental Enforcement - Extension of Powers pdf icon PDF 103 KB

B Report of the Director of Customer & Communities (Copy herewith)

 

Decision:

2.1    Cabinet approved the authorisation of relevant staff employed by the Council’s appointed contractor, The Kingdom Services Group Limited to act on behalf of the Council to issue fixed penalty notices in respect of breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders. On condition that such staff will have had a full training programmes and are competent to so act before being authorised to issue fixed penalty notices on behalf of the Council.

 

2.2    Cabinet agreed that the procurement of this service should progress and authorised the Cabinet Member for Environment in consultation with the Director of Customers and Communities to award a contract for this work with the service to be funded from the receipts of fixed penalty notices

Minutes:

Councillor Davenport commented that many of her residents had voiced their concerns about environmental enforcement issues and thanked the Environmental management team who had assisted her. She commented that she had concerns about the new contract and noted the need to retain neighbourhood wardens and asked that the Council retain some controls in-house.

 

Councillor Hallam, as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted a report and commented that current employees had been invited to apply for jobs with the new contractors. He noted that the neighbourhood wardens were focused on fly-tipping and those employed by Kingdom Service Group on behalf of the Council, were more committed to issuing fixed penalty notice in respect of breaches of public spaces protection orders. He further reported that there was a zero tolerance approach to littering and noted that there had been considerable public support.

 

The Leader commented that there had been success in tackling litter and fly-tipping and that it the intention that this would not just be focused on small pockets around the Town, but Borough wide.

 

In response to a question raised, Councillor Hallam explained that the problem with fly-tipping and rubbish was on a national level and that over bank holiday periods there were instances of excess rubbish being created, but confirmed that it was being dealt with locally to ensure cleanliness and to enhance a desirable environment.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1    That the authorisation of relevant staff employed by the Council’s appointed contractor, The Kingdom Services Group Limited to act on behalf of the Council to issue fixed penalty notices in respect of breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders be approved. On condition that such staff will have had a full training programmes and are competent to so act before being authorised to issue fixed penalty notices on behalf of the Council.

 

2.2    That the procurement of this service should progress and authorised the Cabinet Member for Environment in consultation with the Director of Customers and Communities be agreed and award a contract for the work with the service to be funded from the receipts of fixed penalty notices

9.

Stray Dogs - Appointment of Officer pdf icon PDF 102 KB

B Report of the Director of Customer & Communities (Copy herewith)

Decision:

Cabinet approved the appointment of the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager to discharge the Council’s functions in relation to stray dogs to allow the officer to further delegate their responsibilities under the contracts for stray dog collection and kennelling.

Minutes:

Councillor Hallam as the relevant Cabinet Member, submitted his report and elaborated thereon and noted that the report sought Cabinet’s approval and agreement to appoint an officer to discharge the Council’s functions in relation to stray dogs.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the appointment of the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager to discharge the Council’s functions in relation to stray dogs to allow the officer to further delegate their responsibilities under the contracts for stray dog collection and kennelling be approved.

10.

Corporate Performance - All Measures Report Quarter 4 pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Report of the Borough Secretary (Copy herewith)

Additional documents:

Decision:

2.1         Cabinet reviewed the contents of the performance report (Appendix 1of the report).

 

2.2.      Cabinet referred the Performance report to be presented to Audit committee on an annual basis.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Beardsworth addressed Cabinet and questioned why the number of sick days lost to sickness had not been accurately recorded. She referred to figures relating to the ‘Number of households that are in temporary accommodation’ and emphasised her concerns and noted that many low income families were struggling to afford their rent and thus having to be housed in temporary accommodation. She explained that currently there were no big building plans and questioned whether restricting charges on rental properties would be a viable option.

 

Councillor Larratt as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted his report and commented that the number of ‘Total missed bins’ had been impacted on due to the adverse weather that had been experienced over the winter. In response to questions raised, Councillor Larratt explained that the issue with sickness figures related to how LGSS had their system set up and subsequently information had been inaccurately recorded. Referring to serious acquisitive crime figures, he noted that the Council had little influence over those figures.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1         That the contents of the performance report (Appendix 1of the report) be reviewed and noted.

 

2.2.      That the Performance report be presented to Audit committee on an annual basis.

 

11.

Exclusion of Public and Press

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.”

Minutes:

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.

12.

Recovery of Loan Money - Northampton Town Football Club

B Report of the Borough Secretary & Monitoring Officer (Copy herewith)

Decision:

The decision was made in private.

Minutes:

The report was considered in private.