Agenda item

Community Governance Review:  Joe Biskupski outlined the review of Community Governance being carried out by Northampton Borough Council at present. Joe explained that the following has been undertaken / is being planned:

a.    As a result of petitions, the following proposals have been agreed for consultation:

·         Proposed new parish councils for the following areas: Parklands Ward, Rectory Farm, Sunnyside and Obelisk Wards, West Hunsbury Ward, Westone Ward, St James Ward, Hunsbury Meadow.

·         Minor boundary changes to the following: Wootton & East Hunsbury Parish Council, Wootton & East Hunsbury / Collingtree Parish Councils, Hardingstone / Great Houghton Parish Councils.

·         Boundary expansion of Upton Parish Council;

·         A split of Wooton and East Hunsbury Parish into two separate parishes.

b.    Stage 2 Consultation consists of two parts: consultation surveys and Local Advisory Polls / targeted consultation. The following have been undertaken:

·         Detailed Consultation Surveys started 3 September and end 19 October (7 weeks). This was advertised in media, community groups, residents’ associations, community forums, etc. The consultation document including short survey was available from the Guildhall’s One Stop Shop, community centres etc. The survey was available in hardcopy or online;

·         Public drop-in sessions were held at Guildhall on 11 and 13 September;

·         In addition, proposal campaigners have circulated detailed proposals and held briefings locally;

·         Stage 2B Local Advisory Polls take place on 15 November for those residents affected by significant proposals;

·         Targeted consultation is being carried out for minor boundary changes  – letters are being sent by 15 October to each registered elector in these areas seeking their views on proposal.

c.    Report of the survey results, the Local Advisory Poll results and targeted consultation are to be considered by Community Governance Review Steering Group on 22 November, and final Council consideration and approval of proposals is scheduled for 3 December 2012.

d.    Where new / changed parishes are to be established, new parish precepts for 2013/14 are likely to be set by the Borough Council and communities in December 2012 / January 2013. New / changed parishes are likely to be set up on 1 April 2013, and new parish councillor elections are likely to take place in May 2013.

Welfare Reforms: Laura Bessell, the council’s Benefit Team Leader, outlined Council Tax Benefit reform. The government has decided to abolish the national Council Tax Benefit scheme, and to replace this with local schemes devised by local authorities.

A consultation exercise on the proposed local scheme is closing on 22 October.

An Equality Impact Assessment is required to consider the impact of the proposals on communities. An impact assessment can be found on the website. A full impact assessment will be undertaken when the consultation has closed.

Q: Where are we publicising the consultation?

A:  The consultation covers the borough, and has been being publicised locally through 2 radio broadcasts, media announcements, consideration at forums, and discussions with external stakeholders.

Comment: there is a concern that people won’t be getting what they need.

A: Laura said that people will get different things to what they received previously.

Q: Is the council allowed to increase council tax?

A: During the current year, there is capping. At this stage, it is not clear under the Local Government Finance Act whether council tax can be increased.

Q: Must the council introduce a local scheme?

A: A local scheme is compulsory.

Comment: there is concern about a lack of understanding by people. Why would people respond to questionnaires that they do not understand?

Comment: there is over-consultation among people who are most affected by changes. They have other priorities and may not respond to consultation, even though it may be important.