Agenda and minutes

The Chair to note any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Walker (Chair), Councillors Jane Birch, Vicky Culbard, Gareth Eales, Penny Flavell and Danielle Stone.

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 12 July 2018.

The Chair signed the minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2018 as a true and accurate record.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive a response to its core questions from a number of Expert Advisors:

Cabinet Member for Planning

·         Deputy Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Regeneration

·         Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Safety

·         Cabinet Member for Housing

·         Head of Economic Development

·         Head of Planning

·         Environmental Health and Licensing Manager

·         Private Sector Housing Manager

·         Town Centre Manager

·         Chair of the CSP

Councillor Hadland (Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Enterprise) and Councillor James Hill (Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning) presented their responses to the core questions, elaborating on the salient points.

The Scrutiny Panel made comments, asked questions and heard:

·         Concern was raised regarding buses and traffic flow on the Bedford Road. It was queried whether the traffic lights needed altering to cope with the traffic. It was confirmed buses had been running this route for some weeks.

·         The Highways Authority has put in improvements to Bedford Road

·         There is adequate staff parking (758 spaces) on the University site and they are also being encouraged to car share.

·         The HMO Policy is being investigated and the results are expected shortly.

·         With regard to parking, the Cabinet Member (Regeneration and Enterprise) advised this is unknown until students have arrive at the University.

·         The students are a benefit to the town.

·         In response to a query regarding planning on the University site, the Panel heard that there are currently about three vacant plots on site.

Councillor Hadland (Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise) and Councillor James Hill (Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning) were thanked for their address.

Councillor Anna King (Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Safety) and Chair of CSP, presented her response to the core questions, elaborating on the salient points.

The Scrutiny Panel made comments, asked questions and heard:

·          The University is an excellent facility

·         The University is working with the CSP

·         The CCTV improvements in Beckett’s park will commence week commencing 17 September 2018

·         St John’s MSCP car park has reached capacity on numerous days over the past year, the University has not had an impact on this car park at this time.

·         The University will be invited to be involved in the Council’s Forums

·         The fresher students will be been given a tour of Northampton again this year; Officers and Councillors will also go into the University to meet with students

·         The Night’s Out Campaign is being developed with the University and Student’s Union

·         Northampton town centre achieved Purple Flag Status and the University will be working towards Purple Flag

·         The move of the University will have a positive effect on the town, across many sectors including culture, retail, heritage and leisure

Councillor Anna King (Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Safety) was thanked for her address.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert (Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing) and Debi Waite, Private Sector Housing Manager, presented their response to the core questions, elaborating on the salient points.

The Scrutiny Panel made comments, asked questions and heard:

·         There will be an inevitable impact on the area students move into and the area they leave behind

·         Prices of houses may be driven up by the increased demand

·         Agents are struggling to fill the HIMOs in the area that students have moved away from

·         Enforcement of HIMOs is good. Where there is an Article 4 Direction in place this restricts approved HIMO numbers to 15% of properties in those areas.

·         Multi Agency meetings are held  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive written evidence from Ward Councillors.

The written evidence, submitted by a ward Councillor was noted.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive an update on the Energy Centre.

Jane Bunce, Co Optee, presented her briefing note to the Scrutiny Panel highlighting the salient points.

The Panel asked questions and made comment:

·         In response to a query regarding solar panel, the Panel was advised that the roofs are flat and all energy saving options had been investigated.  There are green roofs in situ.

·         Natural ventilation is used, whereby the vents are open in all the rooms at night.

Jane Bunce was thanked for the information provided which would inform the evidence base of this Scrutiny review.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive a report back on its recent site visits.

Councillor Sam Kilby Shaw, Deputy Chair, advised the Scrutiny Panel of Councillor Walker’s comments in respect of the recent site visit:

“The parking problem is not going to go away,
But if I may say it's something that we need to continue to keep looking into, can I say I was very impressed with the university,
It will bring more to Northampton than any other project in past 30 years.”

The Scrutiny Panel noted the briefing note, in particular the conclusions:

The Scrutiny Panel was impressed by the high standard of the facilities provided and the excellent finish.

The Halls of Residence will provide an excellent facility for students.

The Scrutiny Panel was concerned regarding the lack of parking facility (park and ride) on the east of the town but noted that discussions are taking place regarding this.  The extent of any difference to parking will not be realised until the new academic year.

The Scrutiny Panel felt that the new site is an asset to the town, providing facilities for all to use, such as the café and restaurant.  It was also pleased that the site is a community site and during the visit, people walking their dogs through the site were observed.

The Scrutiny Panel was pleased that students will receive both safety talks from the University and personal safety talks from the Police and Fire Service upon their arrival.

The findings from the site visit would inform the evidence base of the Scrutiny review.