Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

None advised.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 3^rd November 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd November 2022 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman of the Council.

The Chairman advised of the sad passing of a number of former members of the predecessor authorities.

Former South Northamptonshire Councillor David Aaronson passed away recently. David served on South Northamptonshire Council for many years, serving the Deanshanger ward for Labour. At one time he was the only Labour representative on the Council. He served as Chairman of the Council and was held in high regard by everyone.

Former South Northamptonshire Councillor David Brookhouse also passed away recently. David served as the member for Helmdon and was Chairman of the Council in its early years. He also held the position of Chairman of the Housing Committee.

Councillor Randall passed on her condolences to the friends and family of former Councillor Aaronson. She commented that he worked tirelessly for his residents and was thought of well by all those who knew him.

The Chairman led Council in a minute’s applause for former Councillors Aaronson and Brookhouse.

Councillor Meredith advised that former Mayoress Hargreaves recently passed away and that funeral would be taking place on 8^th February; all that knew her were invited to attend.

Councillor Hallam presented the report which was produced in accordance with the requirements of Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011. The Local Authority was required to update it annually and it sets out pay for the directly employed workforce (excluding schools).

Councillor Nunn seconded the report.

Members made the following comments:

·       The Labour Group would be supporting the item but there should be a push to become a Living Wage employer.

·       The report omitted figures where pensions were added to salaries, it would be beneficial to see this data.

·       There was no equality impact data; this was important for addressing the gender pay gap.

·       It was noted that becoming a Living Wage employer would result in reduced pay for some staff.

RESOLVED:

1.     Council approved the Pay Policy Statement for 2023-24.

Councillor Patel presented the report which sought Council’s consideration to the recommendations made by the Democracy and Standards Committee in relation to proposed updates to the Constitution.

Councillor Grant seconded the report.

Members made the following comments:

·       Cross-party working was working well and appreciated.

·       It was impossible to please everybody but there should be a continuous push to find a solution that worked for as many people as possible.

·       Some Members felt that the Chairmanship should be shared between all political groups.

·       Some Members felt that 2 minutes for speeches was too short, and that questions to Cabinet Members could be dealt with outside of Full Council meetings.

·       Some felt that 5pm start times for meetings were too early

·       It was noted that the Constitution was a living document and always subject to future amendments.

·       It was further noted that any Member of the Council could come along to speak on any items at the Democracy and Standards Committee.

RESOLVED:

1.     Council:

a)    Noted and approved the updates to the Constitution as set out in Section 5 of the report;

b)    Delegated to the Monitoring Officer the power to make those amendments and any consequential amendments that may be necessary; and

c)     Noted that these changes come into effect following the conclusion of the meeting at which they were agreed.

d)    Noted that the updates delegated to the Monitoring Officer at the previous meeting had been completed.

Councillor Baker presented the report which sought approval of budget provision to proceed with the replacement of the Case Management

System for Children’s Social Care across Northamptonshire, which would be used by Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) in the delivery of children’s social care. It would be funded by West and North Northamptonshire Councils (WNC and NNC).

Councillor Hughes seconded the report.

Members made the following comments:

·       There was a long-standing lack of infrastructure and inadequate IT facilities. Systems needed to be able to flag vulnerabilities and collect data on bullying, racism, sexual abuse, etc.

·       Good IT systems would mean better morale for staff and more effective working; some Members questioned whether the new system would be running by December 2023.

RESOLVED:

1.     Council:

a)    Agreed the recommendation from Cabinet that a budget change be made as set out in the report, and noted and endorsed the delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance to access and utilise appropriate funding for the Case Management System for Children’s Social Care.

b)    Noted and endorsed the decision of Cabinet to proceed with the replacement of the Case Management System for the Children’s Social Care across Northamptonshire, which would be operated by Northants Children’s Trust (NCT), with a financial contribution by WNC of £1.573m as outlined in section 6 of the report.

c)     Noted the decision of Cabinet to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills, in liaison with the Executive Director of People Services, to take any further decisions and actions required to implement the Case Management System and award contracts in relation to this.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any items of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

None advised.