Agenda item

i)              CouncillorBeardsworth to propose and Councillor B Markham to second:

“The Council recognises that in 18 months’ time that responsibility for the regeneration of Northampton Town Centre will pass to the newly formed Unitary Authority.

The Council also recognises that delays implementing regeneration projects in Northampton may occur if the new authority does not have a clear understanding of the stakeholders’ vision for Northampton.

Building on the good work of the Business Improvement District recent consultation,, the council agrees to set up a cross party working group working with a wide range of stakeholders from civil society to produce a Peoples Plan for Northampton

To enable the new Unitary Council to prioritise projects in its first year the council requests a report to be produced by July 2019”.

ii)             CouncillorBeardsworth to propose and Councillor Meredith to second:

“The council notes that the site of the former Greyfriars Bus Station has stood empty since March 2015 and adds to the sense of decline in Northampton Town Centre.

The council calls on the administration to draw up options as part of the budget process for temporary use of the land during 2019 for the publics benefit pending the long-term development of the Greyfriars site”.

iii)            Councillor G Eales to propose and Councillor Stone to second:

The technological advancements of recent decades have much in common with the effects of the Industrial Revolution in the latter part of the 18th century. Specifically, both movements accelerated the displacement of workers by machines that could perform tasks faster, more accurately and 24/7. While technology enables business owners to reduce overhead by downsizing their workforce, individuals whose skill sets are now obsolete have limited options for employment if their current jobs are eliminated.

Given that Northampton has a large proportion of warehousing and transport as its employment base, both of which face the introduction of new technology and automation in the near and medium future, this equates to at least 37% of workers in fear of their job.

The council will start to prepare and find the finance to allow for upskilling of workers. They will assist with;

• Training through employers and other agencies
•  Planning for the future to deal with the implications of new technology as it is introduced.
• Organising a Symposium on the future of employment and the local economy with the university and employers.

iv)           Councillor Birch to propose and Councillor Russell to second:

We note with increasing dismay the effects of holding commercial events on our town parks resulting in damage to the grass and terrain and the disruption to local residents.  The damage to the parkland is taking months to repair and meanwhile our residents are not able to enjoy the full use of these public open spaces.

• We call on this administration to plan these events more efficiently so as to not continually site events in the same area.
• Allocate greater resources for repair, mitigate the damage caused and ensure there is income to further develop our parks.
• Consult more with residents and Friends groups.
• Develop a strategy for the letting of our parks for commercial ventures.
• Ensure that NBC is compensated for the costs of this repair.

As we move towards Unitary status parishes may wish to take on the responsibility of their parks and these issues need to be regularised.

v)            Councillor King to propose and Councillor Hill to second:

Northampton Borough Council resolves to join with the Government in signing up to the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance guidelines on antisemitism which define antisemitism thus:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, towards Jewish Community institutions and religious facilities.”

This Council resolves to:

1)      Acknowledge the importance of tackling anti-Semitism in all its forms, to support the growing Jewish community in our town and across the county.

2)      Restate its condemnation of all forms of racism in all its manifestations

3)      Adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism as the working model for challenging and confronting incidents of this form of racism.

4)      Asks the Executive to look to adopt similarly agreed definitions to confront and challenge all forms of racism and discrimination that exist within our society.

vi)           Councillor Hallam to propose and Councillor King to second:  

There is an increasing number of reports received by Northampton Borough Council (NBC) regarding abandoned shopping trolleys. These are often abandoned in roads, on walkways and in parks, where they have the potential to cause accidents and are an eye sore within the community.

Although many of local supermarkets try to take effective action to prevent the abandonment of shopping trolleys, it is too often the case that they do not act quickly enough on reports received. 

This Council, therefore, resolves to use powers available to more effectively tackle the problem by charging supermarkets a £50 fee for each trolley collected by NBC. This set charge, coming into force on 1st January 2019, will be solely to recover the cost of collecting a shopping trolley that is found by an NBC authorised officer on ‘any land in the open air’ (including watercourses), and that appears to them to be abandoned.

Abandoned trollies are a real nuisance and NBC is hoping that, rather than paying fees, supermarkets will take more responsibility for collecting their trolleys and, consequently, help reduce the number of such incidents.

vii)          Councillor Larratt to propose and Councillor Hill to second:

This Council notes that the West Coast Main Line, including the Northampton Loop, is virtually running at full capacity.  With continued growth in the proximity of the line, particularly in the Oxford / Cambridge Arc, the demand for services on the line will continue to increase and  the line will be running at full, if not over capacity in the not too distant future.  This will impact on the standard of rail services to and from Northampton to the detriment of the travelling public, especially our commuter population.

It is recognised by this Council, and Northampton Rail User Group, that there desperately needs to be more capacity on the West Coast Main Line in order to accommodate growth and provide business with the connectivity it needs to thrive.

While noting the cost of HS2, this Council reaffirms its belief that such new infrastructure is vital to the economic growth of Northampton, and the provision of a sustainable rail network serving the town as it grows in the future.  Similarly, without HS2, we will not be able to deliver our aspirations for better rail connectivity for Northampton, with services of East / West Rail directly linking to Northampton, and the provision of regular direct services to the North West of England, North Wales, and Scotland.

This Council regrets that Northamptonshire County Council is considering a motion calling on the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Transport for HS2 to be cancelled and stopped, as we consider this not to be in the best interest of Northampton.  This Council therefore resolves to write to the Chief Executive and Leader of Northamptonshire County Council, and Northampton Members of that Council, informing them of this Councils position and reasoning regarding HS2.

Similarly, this Council resolves to write to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Transport calling on them to pursue HS2 with commitment and vigour in order for Northampton to have a sustainable rail service in the future, thereby providing the town with better rail connectivity to support the economic wellbeing and continuing growth of Northampton.

viii)         Councillor King to propose and Councillor Hibbert to second:

Over recent years, there has been a growing understanding of the impact that taking part in the arts can have on health and wellbeing. By supplementing medicine and care, the arts can improve the health of people who experience mental or physical health problems. Engaging in the arts can promote prevention of disease and build wellbeing. The arts can improve healthcare environments and benefit staff retention and professional development.

There are many case studies and a wealth of evidence in Creative Health report, conducted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, to support three key messages:

-          The arts can help keep us well, aid in our recovery and support longer lives better lived.

-          The arts can help meet major challenges facing health and social care: ageing, long-term conditions, loneliness and mental health.

-          The arts can help save money in the health service and social care.

Northampton Borough Council (NBC) expresses its strong support to the report’s ten recommendations aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits the arts can bring to health and wellbeing and stimulating process towards making these benefits a reality.

This Council notes the recommendation 3 of the report, which encourages all local authorities to designate an individual at board level to take cross-sector responsibility for arts, health and wellbeing. NBC is proud to acknowledge that a lot of the proposed work is already being carried out under Community Engagement and Cultural Services.

This Council also resolves to further commit its continued support for better mental health by signing the Mental Health Prevention Concordant on 17^th November, which marks the International Men’s Day and this year’s theme - Male Suicide Prevention.

Although the arts do not pretend to be a frontline health service, we're coming to understand how they can function very effectively in a complementary role. They don't only matter to the economy, they critically represent an investment in our quality of life.

Mr Alistair Thompson addressed Council on Motion i) and stated that he agreed with the motion and noted that Northampton, when covered in the news, was not often of a positive nature. He commented that trust in local Councillors and Politician was not high and urged the Council to consider establishing a Councillor led, cross party group to develop a ‘Peoples Plan for Northampton’.

i)     Councillor Beardsworth accepted an alteration to the original motion as published on the agenda. The altered motion was seconded by Councillor B Markham.

Council agreed to the altered motion debated below:

“The Council recognises that in 18 months’ time that responsibility for the regeneration of Northampton Town Centre will pass to the newly formed Unitary Authority.

The Council also recognises that delays implementing regeneration projects in Northampton may occur if the new authority does not have a clear understanding of the stakeholders’ vision for Northampton.

Building on the good work of the Business Improvement District and its recent consultation, as well as the work of others, this council agrees to set up a cross party working group, working with a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties to produce a “Peoples Plan for Northampton” to enable the new Unitary Council to prioritise projects in its first year. This Council requests that the working group produces its report by September 2019”.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

Mr Martin Sawyer addressed Council and asked for the resignation of Councillor Hadland. He stated that no longer was the Town regenerating, but degenerating and £4 million was spent on the demolition of the former Greyfriars Bus Station, only for it to have become unused. He reported that the administration had failed to deliver any regeneration in the Town centre of late and requested that someone with commitment to regenerating be given the role of Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

ii)    Councillor Beardsworth accepted an alteration to the original motion as published on the agenda. The altered motion was seconded by Councillor Meredith.

Council agreed to the altered motion debated below: 

“The council notes that in spite of the fact that two firms of consultants have been appointed to produce a development scheme without success, the site of the former Greyfriars Bus Station has stood empty since March 2015 and adds to the sense of decline in Northampton Town Centre.

The council notes the appointment of a new consultant to produce a development scheme and calls on the administration to ask this consultant to draw up options for the site to be brought into a temporary use as a matter of urgency for the publics benefit.  While accepting that this is an interim measure pending the long-term development of the Greyfriars site, whatever happens in the short term must not be to the detriment of a long term permanent development”.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

iii)    Councillor G Eales accepted an alteration to the original motion as published on the agenda. The altered motion was seconded by Councillor Stone.

Council agreed to the altered motion debated below:

The technological advancements of recent decades have much in common with the effects of the Industrial Revolution in the latter part of the 18th century. Specifically, both movements accelerated the displacement of workers by machines that could perform tasks faster, more accurately and 24/7. While technology enables business owners to reduce overhead by downsizing their workforce, individuals whose skill sets are now obsolete have limited options for employment if their current jobs are eliminated.

Given that Northampton has a large proportion of warehousing and transport as its employment base, both of which face the introduction of new technology and automation in the near and medium future, this equates to at least 37% of workers in fear of their job.

Working in partnership with other appropriate bodies such as local colleges, the University of Northampton, and relevant industry training bodies and organisations, the council will start to prepare and identify the finances to allow for upskilling of workers. The partnership will assist with;

• Training through employers and other agencies
• Planning for the future to deal with the implications of new technology as it is introduced.
• Organising a Symposium on the future of employment and the local economy with the university and employers.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

iv)   Councillor Birch accepted an alteration to the original motion as published on the agenda. The altered motion was seconded by Councillor Russell.

Council agreed to the altered motion debated below:

We note with concern the effects of holding commercial events on our town parks resulting in damage to the grass and terrain.  The damage to the parkland is taking months to repair and meanwhile our residents are not able to enjoy the full use of these public open spaces.

This Council resolves to introduce a legally binding contract with commercial hirers, including fairs, to ensure the full restoration of the site and land impacted upon by the event, at the expense of the hirer, requiring a deposit to cover the likely cost of this work should it be deemed necessary.

Council also resolves to liaise through Park Management Committee’s regarding events in individual parks. As we move towards Unitary status parishes may wish to take on the responsibility of their parks and these issues need to be regularised.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

Mr John Joseph addressed Council on motion v) and explained that he was in attendance as a representative of the Northampton synagogue. He thanked Councillor King for putting forward the motion especially during a period when there had been an increase in anti-Semitism. He commented that a Holocaust Memorial Day and explained that he considered the Town and its residents to be welcoming of and accepting of all faiths.

v)            Councillor King to propose and Councillor Hill to second:

Northampton Borough Council resolves to join with the Government in signing up to the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance guidelines on antisemitism which define antisemitism thus:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, towards Jewish Community institutions and religious facilities.”

This Council resolves to:

1)      Acknowledge the importance of tackling anti-Semitism in all its forms, to support the growing Jewish community in our town and across the county.

2)      Restate its condemnation of all forms of racism in all its manifestations

3)      Adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism as the working model for challenging and confronting incidents of this form of racism.

4)      Asks the Executive to look to adopt similarly agreed definitions to confront and challenge all forms of racism and discrimination that exist within our society.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

vi)    Councillor Hallam proposed an alteration to his original motion, in consultation with the Borough Secretary. Councillor King seconded the altered motion:

Council agreed to the altered motion debated below:

There is an increasing number of reports received by Northampton Borough Council (NBC) regarding abandoned shopping trolleys. These are often abandoned in roads, on walkways and in parks, where they have the potential to cause accidents and are an eye sore within the community.

Although many of local supermarkets try to take effective action to prevent the abandonment of shopping trolleys, it is too often the case that they do not act quickly enough on reports received. 

This Council, therefore, resolves to investigate whether it ought to use legal powers available to it to more effectively tackle the problem by charging supermarkets a fee for each trolley collected by NBC. This set charge would be solely to recover the cost of collecting a shopping trolley that is found by an NBC authorised officer on ‘any land in the open air’ (including watercourses), and that appears to them to be abandoned. The Council would have to comply with certain statutory procedures in order to set up such a scheme, including a requirement to consult with supermarkets and other shops which offer the use of shopping trolleys to the public. This Council notes that officers will commence the necessary preparatory work with a view to preparing a report for the Executive so that it may make a decision as to whether or not to introduce such a charge throughout the entire Borough and, if so, what amount that charge should be set at.

Abandoned trollies are a real nuisance and NBC is hoping that if such a scheme is created, rather than paying fees, supermarkets will take more responsibility for collecting their trolleys and, consequently, help reduce the number of such incidents.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.

The Mayor stated that he had been informed that the proposer of motion vii) did not wish for this motion to be moved. Therefore, as per the constitution, any motion thus set out in the summons be not moved at the meeting either by a Member who gave notice thereof or by some other Member authorised in writing on their behalf it shall, be treated as withdrawn and shall not be moved without fresh notice.

vii)          Councillor King accepted an alteration to the original motion as published on the agenda. The altered motion was seconded byCouncillor Hibbert:

Council agreed to the altered motion debated below:

“There has been a growing understanding of the positive impact that taking part in the arts can have on health and wellbeing. By supplementing medicine and care, the arts can improve the health of people who experience mental or physical health problems. The arts can improve healthcare environments and benefit staff retention and professional development.

There are many case studies and a wealth of evidence in Creative Health report, conducted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, to support three key messages:

·         The arts can help keep us well, aid in our recovery and support longer lives better lived.

·         The arts can help meet major challenges facing health and social care: ageing, long-term conditions, loneliness and mental health.

·         The arts can help save money in the health service and social care.

Northampton Borough Council (NBC) expresses its strong support for the report’s ten recommendations to increase awareness of how engaging in the arts can bring benefits to health and wellbeing.

This Council notes the recommendation 3 of the report, which encourages all local authorities to designate an individual to take cross-sector responsibility for arts, health and wellbeing.

Council debated the motion.

Upon a vote, the motion was carried.