Decisions

B        Cabinet to recommend to Full Council the updated Corporate Plan for 2019 to 2021.

2.1        Cabinet approved the adoption of the Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document.

2.2       Cabinet agreed that the Head of Planning be given delegated authority in consultation with Cabinet Member for Planning to make any necessary minor amendments, including spelling and changes in the format of the SPD where they do not alter the intent of the SPD, prior to its publication.

2.1Cabinet noted the progress to date on the construction of the Vulcan Works Creative Hub (VWCH) as set out in paragraphs 3.1.4 to 3.1.7.

2.2Cabinet approved the procurement of a service provider to operate the VWCH as set out in section 3.2 of this report.

2.3Cabinet delegated authority to the Economic Growth and Regeneration Manager in consultation with the Borough Secretary, the Chief Finance Officer and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise to appoint the successful operator following the OJEU compliant procurement process as set out in this report.

2.1    Cabinet:

(a)     Approved the regeneration and redevelopment of Berkeley House and St Mary’s Court, by Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH) on behalf of the Council, including the demolition of the existing seven blocks of flats and the construction of 126 new affordable homes, within the financial envelope presented in the exempt report Appendix 6, in accordance with the proposals set out in the planning application for this scheme, described as ‘The Roof Gardens’, approved by the Council’s Planning Committee on 30 July 2019;

(b)      Approved the publication of a formal demolition notice for Berkeley House and St Mary’s Court (affecting the seven blocks of flats within the area identified in the plan that is shown edged red in Appendix 1) and the subsequent demolition of each block of flats as it becomes vacant;

(c)      Resolved to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), in accordance with s226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, for the acquisition of the land and third party interests within the area identified in the plan that is shown edged red in Appendix 1 in order to enable the regeneration of the Berkeley House and St Mary’s Court site and the development of ‘The Roof Gardens’ scheme;

(d)      Delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing & Wellbeing, the Borough Secretary & Monitoring Officer and the Chief Finance Officer, the authority to effect the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO and to take all necessary steps to give effect to the CPO including the payment of any compensation in relation to the land shown on the plan in Appendix 1 including, but not limited to, the procedural steps described in Paragraph 4.3.10 of this report;

(e)     Delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing, the Borough Secretary & Monitoring Officer and the Chief Finance Officer the authority to appoint external professional assistance if necessary to meet the requirements of paragraph 4.3.10 of this report;

(f)      Considered and took account of the consultation feedback pursuant to Appendix 4 of this report;

(g)      Approved the proposed capital scheme budget of £15.9m which will include the scheme costs involved in the acquisition of leasehold properties, development costs i.e. standard construction costs, demolition and asbestos removal, any potential archaeology fees and finally, location construction costs;

(h)     Delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing and the Chief Finance Officer, authority to approve the release of the relevant funds from the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme following the procurement process and outcomes within the financial envelope presented in exempt report Appendix 6; 

(i)       Delegated to the Head of Housing & Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing & Wellbeing and the Chief Finance Officer, the authority to determine the rent levels and services charges for the new rented homes, based on the outcome of the Council’s application to Homes England for capital funding to support the proposed development of ‘The Roof Gardens’.  The proposal is for “affordable” rents (80% of open market rents) but capped at a level which is no higher than the Local Housing Allowance rate; and

(j)       Agreed to accept further reports to future meetings of Cabinet on any issues that may require further consideration and decision by Cabinet.

2.1         Cabinet approved the adoption of the Specialist Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

2.2         Cabinet agreed that the Head of Planning be given delegated authority in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning to make any necessary minor amendments, including spelling and changes in the format of the SPD where they do not alter the intent of the SPD prior to its publication.

2.1            Cabinet noted the contents of the report and noted that future reports will set out the actions being taken by Corporate Management Board (CMB) to address issues arising.

2.2            Cabinet noted the amendments to the general fund capital programme as set out at paragraph 3.5.1.

2.3            Cabinet approved a £0.500m virement within the HRA capital programme as set out at paragraph 3.6.2.

2.1         Cabinet agreed the policy responses to the public consultation exercise held between August and October 2019 as set out in paragraph 3.2.5 below, and

2.2         Cabinet approved the adoption of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Document (Appendix 1) which takes into account the responses to the public consultation exercise.

2.3         Cabinet agreed that the Head of Planning be given delegated authority in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning to make any necessary minor amendments, including spelling and changes in the format of the SPD where they do not alter the intent of the SPD, prior to its publication.

B        To present for consultation draft budget proposals for 2020/21, including rent setting, covering both HRA Revenue and Capital. The report will also outline the draft Total Fees for Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH) based on the draft 2020/21 budgets

B        To present the draft budget for 2020/21 for general fund revenue and capital.

B        The report sets out the calculation of Northampton Borough Council’s Tax Base for the year 2020/21 under the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) regulations 2003 (SI 2003/3012) and amendments made in the Local Government Act 2012.

The Council Tax Base for 2020/21 must be agreed by the 31st January 2020

B        Northampton Borough Council is legally required to give annual consideration on whether to revise its local Council Tax Reduction Scheme and to consult with interested parties if it wishes to change the scheme.

            In December 2018, the Council decided to adopt a CTR scheme for 2019/20 that sought to balance the significant cut to the council’s resource for CTR and, the council’s wider budget challenges, with the need to support the most vulnerable members of our community. The decision was taken to keep the maximum amount of CTR at 65%.

            This report sets the background and options for reviewing our CTR scheme for working age applicants for 2020/21. It also provides information on our CTR scheme as well as collection and recovery of council tax. The findings from this consultation will help inform any changes that may be required.

            The scheme for 2020/21 must be agreed by the 31st January 2020.