Agenda item

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

Current Mayor of Northampton

Leader of the Council

Deputy Leader of the Council

Chief Executive

Former Mayor of Northampton

Councillor Tony Ansell, Mayor, Councillor Jonathan Nunn, Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil Larratt, Deputy Leader and George Candler, Chief Executive, presented the written response to the core questions.  The salient points were highlighted.   Councillor Arthur McCutcheon, in the capacity as previous Mayor, addressed the Scrutiny Panel with his responses to the core questions also.  

The Scrutiny Panel made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         The Mayor is invited to other services and events, in addition to those provided in the written responses, such as the Laughery Ceremony and Diwali

·         The significance of Oak Apple Day was emphasised and should be a key event, led by the Mayor of Northampton.  Over the years a number of civic events have disappeared, it would be the opportune time to reintroduce some of these for example May Day celebrations

·         In answer to a query regarding the expectations of the Mayor, Councillor Ansell advised that it is an honour and young people are often excited to meet the Mayor.  He provided an example of when he met with young people recently.

·         Civic tradition is very important within the town

·         Lee Mason, co optee, and also previous Mayor of Northampton, commented that during her Mayoralty year she met with Groups that she did not know existed.  She asked that information regarding the cost of the Mayoralty and the amount of income generated by the Mayoralty is costed and provided to a future meeting of this Scrutiny Panel.  This information would be important in informing the evidence base.

·         The Deputy Leader conveyed the view that the Mayoralty should continue into any new Unitary Council

·         The need to retain regalia, such as that that is housed in the Mayor’s Parlour was highlighted.  The value of the Mace was highlighted.

·         The Honorary Recorder has been recently appointed.

·         The Scrutiny Panel queried how the role of Honorary Alderman would continue, post Unitary, as currently they are appointed due to their service to the Borough of Northampton.  The Scrutiny Panel would like to see Honorary Alderman continuing in the new Unitary Council.

·         Councillor McCutcheon advised that in his opinion the people of Northampton appear to want the Mayoralty.    He gave an example of when he was Mayor and the excitement when the Mayoral car parked up at an event. He felt the Mayoralty could expand to include Mayor’s events at different venues, the museum or Forum cinema, for example.

·         100^th birthday acknowledgements are expanding and this now comes under the remit of civic Mayors.   During his Mayoral year, Councillor McCutcheon had four 100^th birthdays.   The Mayor’s visit to hospitals on Christmas Day really cheers patients and staff up, especially on the Children’s ward.  During his Mayoralty year, Councillor McCutcheon had promoted and made use of the town’s Museums.

·         The Scrutiny Panel acknowledged the marketing of the Mayoralty via the website but felt this could be done more proactively such as leaflets at places such as the train station and libraries.  The Mayoralty needs to be published more.  Social media could be used more too.

·         A Community Governance Review is now being undertaken by the Borough Council with a view to creating a new town council for Northampton. This review is looking at different Mayoralty models and would look to continue the tradition of the mayor and wider civic events and be the custodian of the civic regalia.

Councillor Tony Ansell, Mayor, Councillor Jonathan Nunn, Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil Larratt, Deputy Leader and George Candler, Chief Executive, and Councillor Arthur McCutcheon were thanked for their informative address.