Agenda item

At this point each of the Cabinet members present made a presentation on their respective portfolios which had been circulated with the agenda.

Councillor Woods then presented his portfolio update which covered the issues of management restructure, improvement, the Joint Strategic Planning Committee and WNDC.  In answer to a question he confirmed that portfolio holders were responsible for their own reports.  Councillor Clarke expressed concern at the expense of the Joint Strategic Planning project and Councillor Woods commented that consultants had looked at the capacity of the Joint Planning Unit and had recommended that capacity be improved as well as the qualifications of those involved in it.  He conceded that it would have significant implications for the budget but it was important that the joint local document framework was brought forward quickly and to a good standard.  He undertook to write to Councillor Clarke with the financial details and stated that consultants would continue to be used when and where necessary by the Council.

Councillor Clarke proposed and Councillor Larratt seconded “That the Council’s Procedural Rules be suspended so as to allow unlimited questioning of portfolio holders.”

Upon a vote the motion was lost.

Councillor Woods on behalf of Councillor Beardsworth presented her portfolio report which covered performance, partnership working and other key issues.

In respect of N-TACT Councillor Woods commented that tenant participation was an area that the Council wanted to work successfully and it needed to involve people from across the town and should help the Council’s improvement.  However, at present it was not doing this.  In answer to questions from Councillor Palethorpe he commented that an improved process had been put in place for Disabled Facilities Grants and that a backlog of applications was being processed.  This in turn had put pressure on the Occupational Therapists.  He noted that in terms of Team Leaders as many as were needed would be appointed.  In response to questions from Councillor Malpas, Councillor Woods commented that customer service within the Housing area needed further work and that he would write with details of the Manager responsible for the Ecton Lane Traveller Site.  He noted that the web based version was only one means of accessing the Choiced Based Lettings system and that texting or talking to Housing Officers were available as alternatives.  Feedback on the system had so far been positive.  In response to a query from Councillor Clarke, Councillor Woods undertook to write to him in respect of the Cooper Street flats and in response to Councillor Flavell commented that a Housing Officer or himself or Councillor Beardsworth would attend a meeting of Neighbourhood Partnership 9.

Councillor Glynane presented his report regarding Community Safety, Culture and Leisure and Customer Services Operations.  He noted that an evaluation of both the Venezia and Balloon Festivals would be undertaken.  The Venezia costs were being met by sponsorship.  The Balloon Festival had been a success this year and Councillor involvement in the Balloon Festival Working Party was welcomed.  In respect of the Safer Stronger Northampton Board meeting Councillor Glynane confirmed that meetings would take place where there was adequate disabled access.  He also noted that the key to the public disabled toilet at the Guildhall could be obtained via the Guildhall Office.

Councillor Glynane undertook to write to Councillor Clarke in respect of the Balloon Festival budget figures and undertook to write to Councillor Larratt with details concerning the Events Policy and consultation upon it.  In response to a query from Councillor Reeve, Councillor Glynane commented that individuals guilty of persistent criminal behaviour should be jailed but this should not be confused with early intervention when problems first arose so as to move an individual away from a criminal behaviour path.

Councillor Church presented his portfolio report which covered the Market Square, Public Realm, Chrysalis Centre, St Johns Master Plan, Central Area Action Plan, Director of Planning and Regeneration and Head of Planning, Planning Committee meetings and Beckets Park and the Racecourse.  In response to questions raised by Councillor Larratt, Councillor Church commented that he supported the pedestrianisation of Gold Street and noted that the County Council and WNDC would have a large input into public realm projects.  It would be for the County Council to consider whether part of Abington Street should be opened up to traffic; the Council could only comment on proposals once they had been brought forward.  In response to a query from Councillor Flavell, Councillor Church noted that the Beckets Park plans had been displayed at the Guildhall as well as the Balloon Festival and that all views were welcome.  In response to Councillor Clarke he commented that it was premature at the moment to consider how market stalls would be allocated under the new arrangements but the process would be discussed with the market traders and the Markets Manager.  In response to Councillor Hadland Councillor Church commented that the Council had lobbied the County Council to ensure that the public realm works in Gold Street were stopped at least a month before Christmas so as to allow traders to take advantage of the trading season.

Councillor Crake submitted a report which covered Street Scene, Consultations, Waste Services, Carbon Management and Private Sector Housing.  She undertook to write to Councillor Lane in respect of the Council’s involvement in the ELVIS Partnership scheme.  Councillor Crake acknowledged the comments made by Councillor Palethorpe in respect of Northampton Town Football Club’s work with the Athletics Club in respect of the athletics facilities at Sixfields.  In answer to a question from Councillor Larratt Councillor Crake commented that the Council would shortly be advertising the collection of all plastics for recycling and she noted that some material would be sent to China for reuse.  In answer to a query raised by Councillor Taverner, Councillor Crake noted that the maze in the rose garden at Abington Park would be low and that children would be clearly visible to adults supervising them.

Councillor Clarke declared a personal interest in this report as an employee of Northampton Town Football Club insofar as the discussion referred to his employer.

Councillor B Hoare presented his report which covered improving the Council’s performance, higher standards of service, better information for the public and supporting Councillors and employees.

Councillor Mildren submitted his report which covered the Statement of Accounts 2007/2008, the comprehensive performance of assessment and budget for 2009/2010 to 2011/2012.  In answer to a question from Councillor Hadland Councillor Mildren noted that any ongoing liability accruing from the transfer of the sculptures on the Racecourse to the Council’s ownership would be included in the draft budget.  In response to a query from Councillor Clarke he undertook to write to him once all the figures were available in respect of costs and income for the Balloon Festival.  The expectation was that the outcome would be better than for the previous year.

Councillors Church and Simpson declared a personal interest in this report insofar as the discussion concerned the sculptures on the Racecourse as members of the Friends of the Racecourse.