Agenda and draft 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.

Councillor Sargeant declared a personal interest in respect of Motion 2 as a member of Northampton Town Council.

Councillor Hibbert declared a personal interest in respect of Motion 2 as a member of Northampton Town Council.

Councillor Lane declared a personal interest in respect of Motion 2 as a member of Northampton Town Council.

Councillor Hallam declared a personal interest in respect of Motion 2 as a member of Northampton Town Council.

Councillor Holland-Delamere declared a personal interest in respect of Motion 2 as a member of Northampton Town Council.

Councillor Meredith declared a personal interest in respect of Motion 2 as a member of Northampton Town Council.

Councillor Kilbride declared a pecuniary interest in respect of Item 12 and advised that he would speak on the item and take no part in the vote.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 22 February 2024.

It was noted that the voting records in the minutes did not match those published on the Council’s website, also that Councillor Samiotis had sent her apologies but was recorded as attending.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2024 be agreed, subject to a review of the voting records and attendance.

To receive communications from the Chairman of the Council.

The Chairman announced the passing of former Lord-Lieutenant David Laing. He also served as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire and pro chancellor of the University of Northampton. He was involved with several charities including the Northamptonshire Community Foundation, the Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs, Adrenaline Alley, and the St John’s Ambulance.

The Chairman then led Council in a minute’s applause in honour of former Lord-Lieutenant David Laing.

The Chairman advised that Related party declarations forms had been placed on desks and asked members to fill them out and return them to officers if they had not done already.

The Chairman further advised that the Council would shortly be in the pre-election period for the forthcoming Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election and reminded all in attendance not to use their speaking time to promote candidates.

(1)  Receipt of Petitions (if any) from Local Government Electors for the District

(2)  Statements (if any) from the Public

(1) The Chairman advised of 1 request to submit a petition.

Phil Pinder, secretary of Brixworth’s Northampton Road Allotment Association, submitted a petition in relation to the closure of the allotments.

(2) The Chairman advised of 8 requests to address Council.

Lauren Bunting addressed Council in relation to Item 8 – Report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education. She stated that the Council was making decisions not to provide settings for children with certain needs, was ignoring professional advice, and refusing to make necessary changes to EHCP and EOTAS packages. She implored the Council to stand up for vulnerable children.

Graham Ferrie addressed Council in relation to Item 15 – West Northamptonshire Local Plan – Permission to Consult. He advised that Tiffield residents were angry following the adoption of the South Northamptonshire Local Plan Part 2 which was a catastrophe for the area; the weakness of the plan allowed for inappropriate buildings that would blight the landscape. Mr Ferrie further advised that after 4 years of traffic modelling, there was still no plan for an economic solution to the traffic problems that the modelling predicted. He believed that the current document appeared weaker than the previous one and would allow more distribution warehouses than the infrastructure could deal with.

Jane Birch, on behalf of Northampton Town Council, addressed Council in relation to Motion 2. She commented that the former Northampton Borough Council passed a motion that the old part of the Guildhall was the recommended headquarters of the town council, with the tenure to be long leasehold on a recurring basis. Later, WNC passed a motion recognising previously passed motions by predecessor authorities. Councillor Birch stated that the Council was disregarding decisions made by the predecessor councils.

Quinton Green addressed Council in relation to Item 8 – Report of the Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Engagement and Regulatory Services. He commended the ongoing work to combat knife crime and the launch of the Council’s Serious Violence Strategy. He then read a poem in tribute to Fred Shand who was killed on 22 March 2023 and invited councillors to attend a memorial service for Fred at Kings Heath Square on 22 March at 5pm.

Tina Matthew, on behalf of the Umbrella Fair Organisation’s “1000 Voices” campaign, addressed Council in respect of Item 15 – West Northamptonshire Local Plan – Permission to Consult. She called on the Council to publish a fully costed, time-framed air quality action plan which met World Health Organisation standards by 1st July 2024 and to be implemented within 3 months of publication. Ms Matthew advised that 8 people had died since the last full Council meeting as a result to Northampton’s toxic air.

Jane Wood, on behalf of Climate Action – West Northamptonshire, addressed Council in relation to Item 15 – West Northamptonshire Local Plan – Permission to Consult. She stated that strategic logistics developments would generate substantial amounts of traffic which would take a huge number of buses and bicycles to offset. She  ...  view the full minutes text for item 178.

Proposed by: Cllr Wendy Randall

Seconded by: Cllr Bob Purser

“More than 9,000 potholes were reported on West Northamptonshire roads last year, an increase of over 1,300% from the previous year (662). But the number of potholes West Northamptonshire Council is repairing has fallen by -14% over the past three years and it has subsequently paid out £7,212 in compensation to drivers since November 2021. Furthermore, the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee identified that there will be a £1.9m reduction in spending on road maintenance in next year’s budget.

On 26 February 2024, the UK government announced its Local Transport Fund; £4.7 billion worth of investment to improve local transport connections from ending the HS2 North project. West Northamptonshire Council received an allocation of £162,831,000 from 2025-2032 to ‘invest in transformative and ambitious transport improvements’ and improve connectivity.

This Council:

·       Agrees to share with all members the forthcoming guidance from the Department for Transport on the scope of the funding and the council’s delivery requirements

And Council calls on Cabinet to set out clear plans for residents on how thus funding will be used to improve:

·       The condition of our highways and pavements 

·       The local transport and bus network 

·       The council’s active transport offer”

Councillor Randall proposed and Councillor Purser seconded:

“More than 9,000 potholes were reported on West Northamptonshire roads last year, an increase of over 1,300% from the previous year (662). But the number of potholes West Northamptonshire Council is repairing has fallen by -14% over the past three years and it has subsequently paid out £7,212 in compensation to drivers since November 2021. Furthermore, the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee identified that there will be a £1.9m reduction in spending on road maintenance in next year’s budget.

On 26 February 2024, the UK government announced its Local Transport Fund; £4.7 billion worth of investment to improve local transport connections from ending the HS2 North project. West Northamptonshire Council received an allocation of £162,831,000 from 2025-2032 to ‘invest in transformative and ambitious transport improvements’ and improve connectivity.

This Council:

·       Agrees to share with all members the forthcoming guidance from the Department for Transport on the scope of the funding and the council’s delivery requirements

And Council calls on Cabinet to set out clear plans for residents on how this funding will be used to improve:

·       The condition of our highways and pavements

·       The local transport and bus network

·       The council’s active transport offer”

The Chairman notified Council that an amendment to the motion had been received and copies of it had been circulated to Members.

Councillor Larratt proposed and Councillor Bagot-Webb seconded the amendment:

“The number of potholes reported during the first 7 months of the new contract with Kier was 5,236, and the number repaired during this time was 5,993, and during the whole of the current financial year to date there have been 10,440 potholes reported and 12,216 repaired.

The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee identified that government allocated us an additional £1.9m in funding for road maintenance in 2023/24 and that this has been reduced to £1.3m in 2024/25, a reduction in spending of £600k on road maintenance in next year’s budget.

Data collected both internally and externally shows that the Council is making some improvements on the highway network. We are not alone in having diminishing budgets to deal with highway maintenance and growing demands limit what is available. We are investing in innovative solutions and new ways of working to prevent potholes rather than fix them. Over the next year we plan to share far more of our data with stakeholders and invite them to help shape how we can best deliver our service. The current contract is not even 2 years old and as a new council we have focussed on setting good foundations.

On 26 February 2024, the UK government announced its Network North Local Transport Fund; £4.7 billion worth of investment to improve local transport connections from ending the HS2 North project. West Northamptonshire Council has been allocated £162,831,000 from 2025-2032 to ‘invest in transformative and ambitious transport improvements’ and improve connectivity.

Guidance concerning the use and the profiling of the additional Network North Local Transport Fund has not yet been provided but is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 179.

Cabinet Members each highlighted the salient points of their reports. Members made comments and asked questions and the following points were raised:

·       The One Stop Shop, once moved to One Angel Square, would be an improvement on the existing one at the Guildhall. Concerns around accessibility were shared by the Leader.

·       The Leader stated that the former Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner had done the right thing by stepping down from his post and not standing for re-election.

·       The Leader did not condone comments made by Frank Hester at a meeting in 2019.

·       The Leader was not aware of any timescale changes in relation to the Council’s climate strategy, the next report was due at Cabinet in June.

RESOLVED:

Council noted the Cabinet Member reports and the decision records from 12 December 2023, 16 January, 13 February, and 12 March 2024.

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.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       Clarification was sought regarding the recruitment strategy for a Principal Education Psychologist and a question was asked as to why it was proving difficult to attract good candidates. It was advised that this was a very specific role and that there was a shortage of people with the appropriate qualifications. This was a national issue.

·       WNC officers had benefitted from a 30% pay rises since vesting day.

·       Reassurance was sought regarding equal pay.

·       The level of agency roles over £100,000 was not good.

·       Pay increases should be seen in the context of pay reductions for local authority workers since 2010.

RESOLVED:

Council:

1)    Approved the Pay Policy Statement for 2024-25.

2)    Approved the proposed remuneration over £100,00 for the roles listed in the report.

Councillor Baker presented the report which sought approval of the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Business Plan 2024/25 – 2027/28.

Councillor Nunn seconded the report.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       It was suggested that the Trust should have a budget rather than a profit/loss account, and it was concerning that the report had not been seen by the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·       Members welcomed the fact that the Council were acquiring houses to place children in as some could not be fostered.

·       The Council and the Trust needed to work together so parents who are eligible for council tax reduction did not have to wait for weeks to get it.

·       Members questioned whether the Council was ever going to be in the position to deliver the plan if the appropriate funding was not in place.

·       It was stated that residents got nervous because children’s homes were put into neighbourhoods with little controls. The right properties in the right places were essential.

·       The Council was not approving semi-detached houses for conversion to children’s homes.

·       This year the Council had given the Trust the budget that they asked for.

RESOLVED:

Council:

1)    Noted that the Business Plan (Appendix A of the report) was completed in line with the Service Delivery Contract and Articles of Association

2)    Following the recommendation of the Children’s Trust Joint Committee approved the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Business Plan for the 2024/25 – 2027/28.

Councillor Longley presented the report which set out the work done by the Pensions Fund Committee for the year 2022-23.

Councillor Parker seconded the report.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       It was noted that there had been 50% growth of renewable capacity in 2023 so Members would like to see the speed of divestment of funds to quicken.

·       The primary objective of the Pensions Fund Committee was to ensure pensioners were well looked after.

RESOLVED:

Council noted the contents of the report.

Councillor Longley presented the report which provided a summary of the work of the Board over the past year. The report was published on the Council’s website and the Pension Fund website.

Councillor Lunn seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

Council noted the contents of the annual report of the Local Pension Board.

Councillor Grant presented the report which provided an update on progress with the Community Governance Review (CGR) of parish arrangements within West Northamptonshire. The report invited Council to consider the outcome of the first stage consultation and the recommendations of the Democracy and Standards Committee regarding proposals for further consultation.

Councillor Cribbin seconded the report.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       Residents of Weston Favell village and Abington Vale wanted to be able to decide whether to remain part of Northampton Town Council or form their own – this review gave them that choice.

·       There was concern around the “chipping away” of Northampton Town Council and that it was a waste of money and of officer time.

·       Some residents were concerned about being moved from Northampton Town Council to Moulton.

·       The stage 2 consultation was the best way to get to the bottom of contentious issues.

RESOLVED:

Council:

a)    Noted the update on the Community Governance Review of parishes in West Northamptonshire and the outcome of the first stage of formal consultation.

b)    Noted the recommendation of the Democracy and Standards Committee and agreed to adopt the relevant proposals set out in Section 5 of the report as the basis for the second stage of formal consultation, noting that these recommendations have been made by the Committee after taking account of the statutory requirements applicable to CGRs and the outcome of the consultation.

c)     Agreed that Ravensthorpe and Brington parishes be included within amended Terms of Reference as set out in section 5.5 of the report.

d)    Noted that a number of proposals require the consent of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England as they relate to ‘protected’ arrangements as defined by s.86 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (the 2007 Act) and noted that consent had been sought prior to the second stage of consultation commencing. Should consent be refused in any of these cases, these proposals would not form part of the second stage of consultation.

e)    Noted that a number of proposals would require further work and information to be gathered prior to the second stage consultation and delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Democracy and Standards Committee, to finalise the proposals and/or the wording used for the second stage consultation to ensure participants receive sufficient information to enable them to respond.

Councillor Kilbride presented the report which sought Council’s consideration of the proposed recommendations of the Democracy and Standards Committee in relation to updates to the Constitution in relation to proposed amendments to the Contract Procedural Rules & Scheme of Delegation and the revised Terms of Reference of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Grant seconded the report.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       It was difficult to get full attendance at LAP meetings; the proposed change should make attendance as easy as possible.

·       It was confirmed that matters taken out of Constitution related mainly to procurement processes for officers and could be made available upon request.

·       It was a legal requirement that meetings under the Local Government Act were public meetings and members were required to be present; this did not extend to LAPs.

RESOLVED:

Council:

a)    Approved the recommendations relating to updates to the Constitution as set out in Section 5 of the report and detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report;

b)    Approved the revised Terms of Reference for the Health and Wellbeing Board as set out at paragraph 5.8 of the report; and

c)     Delegated to the Monitoring Officer the power to make these amendments and any consequential amendments that may be necessary.

Councillor Kilbride presented the report which set out the findings of the review undertaken by the Democracy and Standards Committee in relation to the structure and operation of the Council’s planning committees, and its recommendations to Council.

Councillor Gonzalez De Savage seconded the report.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       Some members did not agree that ward councillors who sat on committees could not call in applications for committee consideration.

·       It was suggested that letters to councillors contain a line detailing the deadline for call-ins.

·       It was suggested that whilst there was still a way to go before the planning service was fit for purpose, this was a step in the right direction.

RESOLVED:

Council noted and agreed the proposed changes outlined in the report and at appendix 1 of the report, as recommended by the Democracy and Standards Committee:

a)    Agreed to retain the North, South, Strategic Planning Committee and the Planning Policy Committee as currently structured.

b)    Noted the success of the planning policy workshop meetings undertaken in January and February 2024 and held ancillary to the Planning Policy Committee and endorse such an approach in the future where it is appropriate to do so.

c)     Approved the changes to the Council’s constitution set out below and at Appendix 1 of the report to ensure consistency of decision making by the planning committees, including:

i.                 Clarifying that where an outline/hybrid outline application has been determined by a particular planning committee that subsequent reserved matters or full applications (where they are required to be referred to planning committee) for the same site should be determined by the same planning committee.

ii.                That the constitution be clarified with respect to large scale renewable energy projects, such that all ‘major’ category renewable energy projects are referred to the Strategic Planning Committee.

iii.              That changes be made to the planning protocol regarding the speaking rights of Parish Council representatives, such that on major development proposals a representative from an adjoining Parish be able to speak. That the final wording should state speaking rights be given to:

·       A representative of a Parish Council in whose Parish the application relates.

·       On ‘major’ category applications a representative of an adjoining Parish Council where the Parish Council has commented on the proposal.

iv.              That changes be made to the constitution with respect to the member call-in policy:

·       (i) To allow 24 calendar days (rather than 21 days) for calls-ins to occur following consultation commencing on planning applications.

·       (ii) That call-ins must always involve a planning reason, stated in writing by the Ward Councillor.

·       (iii) That it be stated in the updated call-in policy that all call-in’s will be published on the public facing planning website.

·       (iv) That Councillors be asked to clarify whether they still wish the planning application to come to planning committee once the officer recommendation is known.

v.               Requests that the Assistant Director of Planning review how the call-in policy is administered, to ensure prompt acknowledgment of call-ins  ...  view the full minutes text for item 187.

Councillor Golby presented the report which sought approval to consult on the Regulation 18 Version of the West Northamptonshire Local Plan.

Councillor Chantler seconded the report.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       Thanks were given to officers for their work on the Plan and for putting on the workshops, although they excluded councillors who work during the day.

·       The Council must ensure that younger people and those with housing needs have their voices heard in preparation of the Plan.

·       There was concern that the number of new houses proposed was very modest.

·       After the consultation process, there should be an equalities impact assessment to ensure that the needs of women and girls had been taken fully on board.

·       It was suggested that the Plan be independently reviewed as part of the consultation process.

·       It was concerning that there were no details on the Northwest Relief Road in the Plan.

·       More time was needed to scrutinise every policy in the Plan.

·       Some felt that there had been no meaningful engagement with members or attempts to take on board member input.

·       The Plan did not address any existing issues and did not improve the lot of residents.

·       The Plan afforded protections to rural communities and also highlighted needs in parts of urban areas.

·       Access to schools, doctors, and other infrastructure was not taken into consideration.

·       Comments made by members regarding resisting development alongside HS2 until it was completed, and the environmental impact had been assessed, had been ignored.

·       It was hoped that all of the views expressed during the debate would also be expressed as part of the formal consultation to ensure that they were properly recorded.

RESOLVED:

Council:

a)    Agreed that the draft West Northamptonshire Local Plan (Appendix A of the report) be issued for public consultation in accordance with the requirements set out in the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement.

b)    Agreed that a call for sites to include sites to meet the needs identified in the West Northamptonshire Council Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2022-2037) be undertaken as part of the public consultation.

c)     Agreed to delegate to the Head of Planning Policy and Specialist Services authority to make minor editorial and presentational changes to the draft Local Plan and the proposals map prior to the consultation commencing.

Councillor Kilbride presented the report which provided details of the Independent Persons appointed by the Council to assist in the consideration of Member Code of Conduct complaints and proposed their re-appointment.

Councillor Grant seconded the report.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       A number of public bodies had undertaken training to identify and deal with misogyny and it was suggested that the Council undertake similar training; it was suggested that the recommendations were an example of institutional misogyny.

·       There should be a mixed tenure of Independent Persons.

·       It was advised that the roles were inherited; the Council could look at diversifying them.

RESOLVED:

Council confirmed the re-appointment of the following Independent Persons for West Northamptonshire Council, with two being appointed for a period of 2 years, and two being appointed for a period of 4 years:

·       Mr Peter Glover

·       Mr Alan Haynes

·       Mr John Peachey

·       Mr Tom Edwards

Councillor Kilbride presented the report which proposed amendments to the Constitution to add Co-opted Members to the Audit and Governance Committee in accordance with Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) recommendations.

Councillor Grant seconded the report.

Council debated the report and made the following comments:

·       The Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee should be independent.

·       The report should go back to the Democracy and Standards Committee to secure changes to the Constitution in relation to independent member quorum and to clarify that the Chair be an elected member.

Councillor McCord proposed an amendment to recommendation 3.1.1 of the report where the following words would be inserted before the existing text: “Council asks the Democracy and Standards Committee to make a recommendation on the necessary amends”.

Councillor Sharps seconded the proposal.

The Monitoring Officer advised that an amendment without notice was not proper. It was advised that should the recommendations be agreed, the recruitment process would begin and a report would come back to Council with the detail that Councillor McCord indicated was needed in order to make the amendments to the Constitution.

RESOLVED:

Council:

a)    Amended the Constitution to add two Co-opted Independent Members to the Membership of the Audit and Governance Committee with payment of an allowance matching those of the other Co-opted Independent Members of the Council of £500 per annum; and

b)    Delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee and the Head of Audit and Risk Management the arrangements for the selection of such members. This would include the preparation of a role profile, advertising the roles and Report Title Amendments to the Constitution – Appointment of non-elected Co-opted Members of the Audit and Governance Committee convening a selection panel of Members supported by Officers to interview applicants, following which formal appointment would be referred back to Council.

To debate any motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

Motion 1

Proposed by: Cllr Emma Roberts 

Seconded by: Cllr Keith Holland-Delamere

“More than 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 12.7% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes that fewer than one in 12 patients (7.8%) survive after experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80% if used in the first 5 minutes. However, it is estimated that AEDs are used in less than 10% of OHCAs.

Considerable effort has been taken by Northamptonshire Police, Off the Streets NN, and town and parish councils to provide more bleed bags and bleed control cabinets in West Northamptonshire since 2021, with the number now standing at over 100. It also appreciates that AEDs are equally as important in providing a means to save lives in the absence of emergency services. 

Though there are public defibrillators across the council footprint, including some council premises and assets, there are gaps in the provision of publicly accessible AEDs and at present there is no holistic mapping system listing all AEDs in West Northamptonshire. Acknowledgement is given to both Circuit, British Heart Foundation and NHS databases, but mapping this for our footprint is crucial. 

Therefore Council calls on Cabinet to:

·       Compile a WNC list, and interactive map, of all public defibrillators in West Northamptonshire, including those in non-council premises, which can be published and linked to circuit and GoodSAM

·       Use this data to identify gaps in AED provision in West Northants 

·       Invite the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee to consider any arising recommendations for Cabinet

·       Review and, where appropriate, increase the provision of defibrillators across all council-owned spaces including public parks, community centres, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall.”

Motion 2

Proposed by: Cllr Paul Joyce

Seconded by: Cllr Cathrine Russell

“The Guildhall has been the home of the elected assembly of Northampton since it was completed in 1864. It holds a significant position in the civic and political life of Northampton as the recognised home of the old Borough and current Town Council and Northampton’s town hall. Its construction was paid for by the people of Northampton, for the people of Northampton.

On 16 January, Cabinet approved plans to end the Town Council’s current leasehold in April 2025 as part of WNC’s Office Optimisation strategy. 

The Town Council have rented several offices within the historic Guildhall since 2021, which has provided a source of income to the council and served as a recognition of both councils’ authority and dignity. This is an income and trust that has been jeopardised by Cabinet’s decision.

Council therefore requests the Cabinet:

·       Publish its business case on removing the Town Council from  ...  view the full agenda text for item 191.

Motion 1

Councillor E Roberts proposed and Councillor Holland-Delamere seconded:

“More than 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 12.7% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes that fewer than one in 12 patients (7.8%) survive after experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80% if used in the first 5 minutes. However, it is estimated that AEDs are used in less than 10% of OHCAs.

Considerable effort has been taken by Northamptonshire Police, Off the Streets NN, and town and parish councils to provide more bleed bags and bleed control cabinets in West Northamptonshire since 2021, with the number now standing at over 100. It also appreciates that AEDs are equally as important in providing a means to save lives in the absence of emergency services.

Though there are public defibrillators across the council footprint, including some council premises and assets, there are gaps in the provision of publicly accessible AEDs and at present there is no holistic mapping system listing all AEDs in West Northamptonshire. Acknowledgement is given to both Circuit, British Heart Foundation and NHS databases, but mapping this for our footprint is crucial.

Therefore Council calls on Cabinet to:

·       Compile a WNC list, and interactive map, of all public defibrillators in West Northamptonshire, including those in non-council premises, which can be published and linked to circuit and GoodSAM.

·       Use this data to identify gaps in AED provision in West Northants.

·       Invite the Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee to consider any arising recommendations for Cabinet .

·       Review and, where appropriate, increase the provision of defibrillators across all council-owned spaces including public parks, community centres, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall.”

The Chairman notified Council that an amendment to the motion had been received and copies of it had been circulated to Members.

Councillor Golby proposed and Councillor D Smith seconded an amendment to the motion.

Amended motion to read:

“More than 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 12.7% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes that fewer than one in 12 patients (7.8%) survive after experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80% if used in the first 5 minutes. However, it is estimated that AEDs are used in less than 10% of OHCAs.

Considerable effort has been taken by Northamptonshire Police, Off the Streets NN, and town and parish councils to provide more bleed bags and bleed control cabinets in West Northamptonshire since 2021, with the number now standing at over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 191.

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

None advised.