Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair to note any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Brian Sargeant.

At this point, the Chair welcomed Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive, Royal and Derngate Theatres to the Scrutiny Panel as co optee.  The Chair advised that the Panel would undertake a number of site visits to historic sites around the borough.  He gave a brief history of the Guildhall.

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 but should arrive at the meeting a few minutes early, complete a Public Address Protocol and notify the Scrutiny Officer of your intention to speak.

There were none.

Members to state any interests.

There were none.

The Scrutiny Panel to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2017 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive a presentation that sets the scene.

Ian Gray, Interim Director of Regeneration, Planning and Enterprise, gave the Scrutiny Panel a comprehensive presentation to set the scene.

The definitions of culture, tourism and heritage were highlighted.

The Scrutiny Panel discussed the presentation, asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         It was felt that “Love Northampton” was not inspiring and needed the inclusion of further facilities

·         The Chair commented about people coming to Northampton to visit the shoe factory shop; they is a need to capture their interest so that they visit other parts of the town whilst here

·         People need to be aware of what Northampton has to offer

·         Shoes and lace are core to the town of Northampton

·         The Chair suggested that it would be good if the museum could put exhibits in some of the empty retail outlets in the town

·         The Panel felt that the town was not ready for all the visitors that the University would create but acknowledged that it is an amazing opportunity for the town

·         It would be good for there to be a vision for the town with a goal to be achieved

The Chair referred the Panel to the website:  www.northamptonshiresurprise.com/.  He suggested that it would be useful for the Panel to consider this website when putting together its recommendations.  Martin Sutherland confirmed that he was one of the   founders of this website which had funding for one more year.  The website was being promoted at Grand Prix at Silvestone this year.

Ian Gray was thanked for giving the Panel an informative and interesting presentation.

The Scrutiny Panel to agree a list of core questions to be put to expert advisors.

The Scrutiny Panel considered the draft core questions, making suggestions for improvement.

AGREED:   That the core questions, as attached, are approved and sent to the expert providers to provide responses.

The Scrutiny Panel to approve the Community Impact Assessment (CIA) for this Review.

The Community Impact Assessment for this Review was approved and would be published on the Overview and Scrutiny WebPage.