Agenda and minutes

The Chair to note any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Danielle Stone.

Members to state any interests

There were none.

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.

The Scrutiny Panel to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2019 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

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

Ken Howlett, Chair, NIFF presented the written response of NIFF to the Scrutiny Panel.

The Scrutiny Panel made comment, asked questions and heard:

Mr Howlett highlighted the importance of the Town Show and asked that it is brought back.   

In response to a question how NIFF markets religious ceremonies, the Scrutiny Panel heard that seven faiths work together to promote friendship and understanding.  For example: “We are Human” project – five primary schools have signed up.  NIFF promotes itself through the media and word of mouth. NIFF does not put any religious ceremonies on the NBC website.

A potential recommendation of the Scrutiny Panel was suggested “that information relating to NIFF and its events is promoted on NBC’s website”.  It was commented that NIFF could help to promote civic pride.

·         Northampton has a diverse population.  It is aimed to promote Northampton as city of culture. 

·         It was suggested that a Unitary website could present events across the county – wider promotion.

·         It was commented that assets would be protected by Town Council.

·         The Scrutiny Panel suggested a final recommendation of its final report “It is important that the Town Council should be located in the Guildhall and the mayoralty and it’s regalia too.”

·         The Scrutiny Panel suggested that it would ask Councillor King for status of Museum Trust.

Mr Howlett was thanked for his address and written information.

The Scrutiny Panel to  review the evidence received to date.

The Chair circulated a precis of information and evidence that this Review had received today that gave further details of potential conclusions and recommendations that the Panel had suggested at previous meetings.

The Scrutiny Panel made further comment:

·         It was expected that the Mayoralty would be protected by a Town Council.

·         It was reported that Town Twinning feels very strongly about keeping the Mayoralty and civic events

·         A further potential recommendation was suggested as “ it is our aspiration is to be city of culture by 2025”

·         The Scrutiny Panel suggested that the Chair writes to the MPs and ask for their response to the core questions and opinions.

·         It was commented that it is important that the Mayoralty remains and remains in the Guildhall

·         Northampton has incredible history

·         It was noted that not many places have Mayors going back 800 years.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.