Agenda item

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Nunn, the Leader of the Council, submitted a report and elaborated thereon. He noted that the contract for the work in commissioning the assessment for a possible future Unitary Council model for Northamptonshire, had been awarded to Deloittes. He further reported that the administration of relieving traffic flow in the Town Centre, specifically the Drapery had led to a number of improvements being made with the County Council. The Leader informed Council that a Governance and Risk Manager had been employed on an interim basis as part of the Governance improvements. He further reported that he had recently visited the Nightshelter and spoke of the inspirational place it had become and encouraged other Members to visit.

In response to questions asked, the Leader confirmed that a briefing session would be organised for cross party updates on Unitary discussions. He further explained that with regards to new contracts, there was limited consideration that could be given to the potential impact of Unitary status as there were no definitive timescales. Responding to further questions, Councillor Nunn explained that he had attended a breakfast meeting with BID members, including shop owners on the Drapery, and that the administration continued to work with the County Council to resolve traffic issues and that Councillors should await the outcome of the Scrutiny Panel in their examination of the Emission Strategy. In response to a further question, Councillor Nunn explained that work with Network Rail was still ongoing and that progress of the St James Mill Link would be reported when significant advancement had been made.

Councillor Larratt submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. He thanked Councillor Duffy for her work with Thorplands Club 81. He noted that the next Markets Advisory Group meeting would be held in June 2017. In response to questions asked, Councillor Larratt explained that the majority of the light bulbs in the Town were owned by the County Council and he was not aware of any substandard Borough owned lights but any that were reported he would look into. Responding to a further question, Councillor Larratt stated that although a meeting would be set up with several agencies to discuss Match Day Parking, a specific date had yet to be set.

Councillor Eldred submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated further, noting that the Revenue and Benefits Service at Northampton were in the process of procuring new technology which would speed up the processing of new claims. In response to questions asked, Councillor Eldred explained that it was anticipated that the final accounts would be signed of as all recommendations that had been made, had been considered and that they have achieved value for money.

Councillor Hadland submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. In response to questions asked, he explained that the Queen Eleanor’s Cross was a County Council responsibility but that some repairs and works had been undertaken by the Borough Council. Responding to further questions, he informed Council the Delapre Abbey had received many reviews on ‘Trip Advisor’ and had included extremely positive feedback which he considered an endorsement of the hard work that had gone into the project.

Councillor Hibbert submitted his Cabinet Member report and elaborated thereon. He explained that in the first two months of the opening of the Nightshelter, 61 referrals had been made and emergency shelter had been provide for 50 homeless men and that assistance had been given to 22 people, moving into suitable accommodation. He further reported that a Private Sector Housing Civil Penalties Policy would be submitted to Cabinet for consideration at a meeting to be held in July 2017. In response to questions asked, Councillor Hibbert informed Council that there had been 2 successful prosecutions of rogue landlords and another 5 that were proceeding. It was also noted that the delay to the opening of the Social Lettings Agency had been attributed to a systems error, but that the issues were being resolved with expediency. In response to a further question asked, Councillor Hibbert commented that with regards to the 100 new Council homes, some had already been built and completed and that planning permission had been sought for further homes. It was further explained that NPH had conducted a garage review which had identified a number of garages that were no longer in use and therefore not needed and a number of repairs that needed to be undertaken in order for them to be put back into use.

Councillor King submitted her Cabinet Member report and noted that funding had been allocated and would support 32 projects (not 33 as written in the report) and elaborated on the numerous events that had been held, including a tea dance, forum events and IDAHO conference that was to take place on the 17th May 2017. In response to questions asked, Councillor King explained that there had been increased crime figures and that she was aware of shoplifting ‘gangs’ that had resulted in a shop closure. She further noted that she would liaise with the Police, having received a suggestion from a Councillor that mental health workers assist with some Policing matters.

At this juncture of the meeting, the Mayor informed Council that the allocated time had been met and no further Cabinet Member reports would be heard.