Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: The Forum, Towcester, NN12 6A

Contact: Sofia Neal-Gonzalez, Democratic Services 

Note: Please use the following link to view the meeting from 6pm: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDyc2cNcl19OvcGOCuZDTBQ 

Items
No. Item

93.

Apologies

Minutes:

Councillor Fiona Baker sent her apologies.

94.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

None

95.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 313 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on XXXXX.

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the minutes from the Cabinet meeting of the 7th December were approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

Minutes:

The minutes from the Cabinet meeting of the 7th December were approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

96.

Chair's Announcements

To receive communications from the Chair.

Minutes:

None

97.

Urgent Business

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

 

Minutes:

None

98.

Outcome of the Call-In of the Cabinet Decision of 9 November 2021: Harmonisation of the Garden Waste Collection Services Across West Northamptonshire pdf icon PDF 695 KB

Decision:

Note: This decision cannot be called in.

 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

 

  1. Noted the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s findings following the call-in hearing of 14 December 2021;
  2. Thanked the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the work they had undertaken in considering the issue;
  3. Taking into account the Council’s current financial position, confirmed the decision previously taken:
    1. that a charge is made for kerbside garden waste collection for all residents of West Northamptonshire who opt into this service of £42 per bin per year, from 1 April 2022
    2. that the customer service and administration of the garden waste collection service be operated in-house for all residents of West Northamptonshire, ending the arrangements with West Northamptonshire Norse, in the Daventry area.
    3. that the establishment of a subsidised home composting scheme, be launched at the same time as the charge 2022/23, to offer residents an alternative.
  4. Confirmed that the free collection of real Christmas trees will continue across West Northamptonshire;
  5. Confirmed that Household Waste Recycling Centre opening times be unchanged;
  6. Confirmed the intention to introduce a scheme for payment by instalments and a discount scheme to support those on low incomes in the future.
  7. That the changes are agreed without the need to wait for the outcome of the DEFRA consultation.

 

REASONS:

 

In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny procedure rules, Cabinet was required to reconsider the matter, taking into account any concerns and recommendations of Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee and make a final decision, amending the decision or not and providing reasons for the decision.

  • The introduction of a charge for the collection of garden waste would bring the south of West Northamptonshire into harmony with the rest of the Council area. The scheme would be run council-wide with the level of charge, terms and conditions and service standards the same across west Northamptonshire.
  • Cabinet determined that, given the costs associated with collecting and processing garden waste, not implementing the original decision would present a financial risk to the Council, both now and in the future.
  • Cabinet noted the consultation undertaken by DEFRA in relation to this subject, but determined that there were no clear timescales for an announcement on the outcome of the consultation and it would not, therefore, be prudent to await an announcement, given the need to harmonise the policy across West Northamptonshire. Cabinet also noted the LGA’s position on the matter.
  • Charging for the collection of garden waste would ensure that only those who wish to use the service pay for it and in that way, supports the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle. Therefore, those who home compost, or who don’t have gardens or who take their garden waste to the Household Waste Recycling Centre would not pay for the collection service.
  • The Council would be permitted to levy a ‘reasonable’ charge for the garden waste service (under the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012). The proposed charge would generate income essential to part fund the waste collection services provided to the residents of West Northamptonshire. This includes  ...  view the full decision text for item 98.

Minutes:

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Phil Larratt presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Cabinet was advised that the decision had been called in on the 11th November 2021 and had been considered by the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 4th December 2021. A comprehensive presentation was made to the Overview and Scrutiny committee, this had been included within this report as the appendix. The option for residents to pay through direct debit instalments had been discussed, the technology was not in place at the moment, but should be by the end of the year.

 

Councillors made the following comments.

  • The call-in debate had been thoughtful and challenging.
  • It was felt that there was no good reason given as to why the cost of the green waste collection could not come out of the Council Tax.
  • It was noted that the revenue raised from charging residents for the service would be £3 million across West Northamptonshire.
  • It was felt that weekly waste collection should be a core service.
  • This had been a cross-party concern.
  • The cost of living had increased, this charge would greatly impact lower income houses.
  • It was felt that a reduction in the fee should be considered.
  • Could the income generated be used for climate and carbon reduction?
  • Fly-tipping had become more of a problem, how much money had the council paid so far to deal with this?
  • It was queried whether closing the household waste centres for two days had increased the amount of fly-tipping and whether asking resident to pay for the waste collection service would have the same effect.

 

The Chair invited Councillor Dermot Bambridge to make any comments as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the following comments were made.

  • It had been acknowledged that there was a need for harmonisation and the basic principle of charging was accepted.
  • It was noted that the financial aspects had been considered.
  • It was advised that there had been no clarity as to what the cost of the service would be if it were cost neutral.
  • Assurances had been given that charities and places of worship would still receive a free service, the Vice-Chair of the O&S committee had since been informed that this would no longer be the case.
  • The committee was reminded that even if a resident has a garden, they might not be able to afford the cost of the service, this is especially pertinent when discussing the elderly, the infirm and those from low-income houses.

 

Councillor Phil Larratt made the following comments.

  • He thanked the Overview and Scrutiny committee for their considerations.
  • The council does not currently have the technology that would enable paying by instalments, but it was hoped that it would be in place by the end of the year.
  • The household waste recycling centres were open 5 days a week. Both centres in Northampton do not close on the same days, with both open at the weekend.
  • Cabinet was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

99.

Assistive Technology Framework pdf icon PDF 670 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet.

·         Approved the establishment of a framework which allowed West Northamptonshire Council to procure a range of assistive technology goods and services from appointed suppliers.

·         Given delegated authority to the Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Wellbeing, and Health Integration, to establish the Assistive Technology framework to procure goods and services from appointed suppliers where not already delegated.

·         Supported the implementation of the Assistive Technology and Remote Support Strategy.

 

REASONS RESOLVED:

·         Complied with legislation and West Northants procurement policy

·         Enabled the procurement of assistive technology equipment so that the service could continue to purchase equipment which supports people to live more independently and reduces the need for higher cost care packages.

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

 

None

Minutes:

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Matt Golby presented the report copies of which had been previously circulated. The current framework had been agreed by NCC and was set to expire in March, as such as new framework was needed to be compliant with the Care Act 2014. The importance of good broadband network was noted to ensure that no digital inequalities were created. It was advised that this framework would support the care sector and reduce social isolation, a working partnership with the healthcare and voluntary sector had been created to achieve this. The committee was advised that that the framework would provide targeted prevention and timely responses, this had been a point of criticism in the past. It was advised that the report was highly detailed with a very clear strategy.

 

Councillors made the following comments.

·         The report was welcomed and would revolutionise services for vulnerable people.

·         As people grow older, they wish to remain in their own homes if possible, this framework would help them accomplish this.

·         It was felt that more recreational activities would also be helpful for these residents, an example given was a dance.

·         The committee was reminded that this was not a substitute for social interaction.

·         It was queried whether the language used could be changed to reflect the community / resident that wishes to use it.

 

The Executive Director of Adults, Communities and Wellbeing advised that a business case for further investment would become clearer in the future.

 

Councillor Adam Brown requested that recommendation B be amended to include the Cabinet member for Adult Care, Wellbeing, and Health Integration within the delegated authority.

 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet.

  • Approved the establishment of a framework which allowed West Northamptonshire Council to procure a range of assistive technology goods and services from appointed suppliers.
  • Given delegated authority to the Executive Director for Adults, Communities and Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Wellbeing, and Health Integration, to establish the Assistive Technology framework to procure goods and services from appointed suppliers where not already delegated.
  • Supported the implementation of the Assistive Technology and Remote Support Strategy.

 

100.

Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022 - 2025 pdf icon PDF 586 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED: Cabinet approved the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022-2025 for adoption and implementation by the West Northamptonshire Community Safety Partnership.

 

REASONS RESOLVED: Approval of the strategy would mean the council:

 

·         Was compliant with the new statutory duty to publish a strategy.

·         Supported a co-ordinated response to Domestic Abuse improving services and outcomes for all those affected.

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

 

None

Minutes:

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor David Smith presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. The committee was advised that domestic abuse occurred in many different forms and could affect anyone. Domestic abuse local partnership boards had been created and good progress had been made through these. North Northants Council had commissioned a review and countywide assessment with the aim to improve how organisations work together.

 

Councillors made the following comments.

  • The report was very open and honest about finances, how much would be spent on the front line was queried.
  • An epidemic of violence had been mentioned, this was deep rooted with some radical changes needed.
  • It was understood that domestic violence could happen to anyone, but the victims were predominantly women, references to misogyny should be made in the report to reflect this.
  • It was queried whether the Tasmanian model could be implemented in some cases, where the perpetrator and not the victim is removed from the home.
  • Education was important when trying to end the cycle of domestic violence.
  • What had the council invested and had there been any outcome to the 16 Days of Action campaign.
  • It was noted that the percentage of repeat offenders in Northamptonshire (40%) was higher than the national average, which was concerning.
  • Children who had lived in a household where domestic abuse had taken place would carry that with them through to adulthood.

 

Councillor Mike Hallam put it to the committee that this topic could also be discussed during the member day briefing.

 

Councillor David Smith advised that leaving the perpetrator in the home is at times the safest cause of action, but that all ideas would be welcome.

 

The Executive Director of Adults, Communities and Wellbeing made the following comments.

  • The main goal would be to eradicate domestic violence, it was also important to understand how it affects residents.
  • Happy to look at the Tasmanian model as an alternative in some circumstances.
  • It was advised that starting early with education would help young people identify any red flags.

 

RESOLVED: Cabinet approved the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Strategy 2022-2025 for adoption and implementation by the West Northamptonshire Community Safety Partnership.