Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Aziz.

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2021 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

The Chair to note public address requests.

The public can speak on any agenda item for a maximum of three minutes per speaker per item.  You are not required to register your intention to speak in advance please complete a Public Address Protocol and notify the Democratic and Member Services Manager of your intention to speak and you will be  provided with the relevant access details for the meeting.

There were none.

Councillor Kilbride and Councillor Smith declared an interest in agenda items 5 and 6 as members of NPH Board.

Mike Kay, Chief Executive, NPH, presented the briefing note and highlighted the salient points:

·         The Committee made comments, asked questions and heard:

·         In response to a query regarding the application and bidding process, it was confirmed that every application should be reviewed at intervals.

·         The waiting list is on a rolling 12 months. It will change and flutuate.

·         A support team provides support as required.

·         There is a large new build programme

·         NPH undertakes repairs to properties as required.

Mike Kay was thanked for his address.

AGREED:      That the update is noted.

The Committee to receive a briefing note providing an update on the Housing Acquisitions Scheme.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing and Phil Harris, Director of Housing and Wellbeing, presented the briefing note and highlighted the salient points:

The Committee made comments, asked questions and heard:

·         The Committee welcomed the very detailed report

·         In resopnse to a query regardign the need for 4 bedded properties, the Committee was apprised that discussions are taking place regarding the possible acquistion of 2 4-bedded properties. There is however more success with smaller properties.

Councillor Hibbert and Phil Harris were thanked for their address.

AGREED:      That the update is noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider the Cabinet response to Overview and Scrutiny Reports:

Food Poverty

Gangs and Knife Crime

The Committee received the action plan in relation to food poverty and the key points were emphasised.

The Committee made comments, asked questions and heard:

·         The Committee welcomed the progress to date on the actions contained within the food poverty report; particularly given that the report had only recently been received by Cabinet.

·         Information regarding the winter grant scheme was welcomed

·         There is a lot of partnership working regarding tackling food poverty

·         A copy of the Overview and Scrutiny report has been sent to the MPs and the Lead for Food Poverty at WNA.

·         It was noted that another tranche of DEFRA grant funding is expected.

Councillor Anna King and Geraldine Mahney were thanked for their address.

AGREED:      That the update is noted.

The Committee received the action plan in relation to gangs and knife crime and the key points were emphasised.

 The Committee made comments, asked questions and heard:

·         It was confirmed that all ten recommendations from this high profile scrutiny review had now been actions or were well underway.

·         It was highlighted that youth provision for Blackthorn is a priority.

Councillor Anna King and Vicki Rockall were thanked for their address.

AGREED:      That the update is noted.

The Committee to undertake performance management scrutiny:

HML07 – Number of households prevented in becoming homeless

ESCO1 – Missed bins collection

The Committee received comprehensive briefing notes to the performance indicators:

·         HML07 – Number of households prevented in becoming homeless

·         ESCO1 – Missed bins collection

The key points were highlighted and the Committee was satisfied with the details contained within the briefing notes.

 AGREED:     That the updates were noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider any potential issues for future pre decision scrutiny.

At this point, concerns were raised to the Chair that further scrutiny had not been undertaken on Northampton Forward.

The Chair thanked the Committee for all its dedication and hard work over the years.  He highlighted the good work undertaken and that a number had been recognised nationally as best practice. He thanked Officers for their support and hard work too.