Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies received from Councillor Rebecca Breese

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

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 13^th February 2024

The minutes from the Cabinet meeting of 13^th February 2024 were approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

To receive communications from the Chair.

None

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

None

RESOLVED: Cabinet noted the report and considered the recommendations proposed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the VOI E-Scooter Trial scrutiny review and associated actions as set out within paragraph 5.1 of this report.

REASONS RESOLVED:

·         The recommendations were intended to provide proposals in respect of the continuation of the E- Scooter Trial for a further two years, which will be the subject of a future report to Cabinet in May 2024.

·         The report was for noting only.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: Were considered

 At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Andre Gonzalez de Savage and Councillor Alison Eastwood as Chair of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chair of the Task and Finish group respectively, presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Cabinet were made aware of the various recommendations put forward by the committee. The committee had been impressed by the response from VOI and their willingness to work with WNC on the concerns raised.

Councillors made the following comments.

·         There had been concerns raised by members of the public with regards the safety of pedestrians, especially the elderly.

·         It was acknowledged that they were useful tool for some residents.

·         Restrictions imposed needed to be monitored closely.

·         Would the findings of the scrutiny committee make any real difference to how the scooters are used?

·         It was important to take all of the issues raised into account before the contract is renewed.

Councillor Phil Larratt noted that VOI were aware of the concerns raised in the report and were working to address them but had requested a timeline from WNC.

RESOLVED: Cabinet noted the report and considered the recommendations proposed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the VOI E-Scooter Trial scrutiny review and associated actions as set out within paragraph 5.1 of this report.

RESOLVED: Cabinet noted the content of the appendix detailing performance against the metrics covering the second quarter of 2023-24.

REASONS RESOLVED: To ensure appropriate monitoring and oversight of the Council’s performance against the metrics set is undertaken.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: This is a report for information and discussion and therefore there are no choices to be made, as outlined in section 6.4, consultation and discussion around metrics has occurred with Cabinet members in the leadup to this report

The Chair presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated.

Members were then invited to give an update on their various portfolios.

Councillors made the following comments.

·         It was queried whether the scrutiny committee could be used to look at more complex issues.

·         The museums exhibits were a credit to the county, it was important to make residents more aware of them.

·         Could there be another indicator added in relation to waste to landfill?

·         Littering fixed penalty notices had increased this quarter, could the town centre figures be provided separately.

Councillor Adam Brown advised that the Museum consultation was still open and that providing residents with good value for money was important.  

Councillor Phil Larratt advised that a member event would be scheduled, its aim would be to inform councillors of the diverse ways in which road repairs are dealt with. It was hoped this would help answer any future questions.

RESOLVED: Cabinet noted the content of the appendix detailing performance against the metrics covering the second quarter of 2023-24.

RESOLVED: Cabinet;

a)    Approved the West Northamptonshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2024- 2027)

b)    Noted that a robust Delivery Action Plan, aligned to the objectives and priorities set out in the strategy, will be produced with partners and will be presented to Cabinet in May 2024.

REASONS RESOLVED:

To accord with legislation which requires that a local authority formulate and publish a homelessness and rough sleeping strategy and specifically comply with the Local Government (Structural Changes) Transitional Arrangements) (No.2) Regulation 2008 which requires a harmonised Homelessness and Rough Sleeping strategy to be to be published by the Council by April 2024.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Adam Brown presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Members were advised that this was a statutory obligation. Four key themes were mentioned in the report each one underpinned by an objective with further information due to be provided by the plan due in May.

Councillors made the following comments.

·         Maintaining affordable rents for people was important.

·         The elevated levels of people in temporary accommodation were  noted.

·         Homelessness is dynamic, it was important for WNC to be able notice trends.

·         Would there be a monitoring or review of the strategy?

Councillor Adam Brown made the following comments.

·         Every theme mentioned in the report also had a ‘what we will do’ section.

·         The council had a legal obligation to house people

·         It was advised that there was a 12-month delivery plan in place, this information could be found in the appendix.

RESOLVED: Cabinet.

a)    Approved the West Northamptonshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2024- 2027)

b)    Noted that a robust Delivery Action Plan, aligned to the objectives and priorities set out in the strategy, will be produced with partners and will be presented to Cabinet in May 2024.

RESOLVED: Cabinet approved the Council’s Communications and Engagement Strategy 2024-27 and supports its implementation across the organisation.

REASONS RESOLVED:

·         The Strategy provided the Council with a clear plan for further developing and improving its corporate communications channels and activities over the next three years to better inform, engage and involve residents, communities, partners, and colleagues at the earliest opportunities and in line with their evolving needs.

·         It ensured the communications and engagement service, and activities are aligned with the Council’s strategic vision and priorities to effectively support their delivery across the organisation.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

None

The Chair presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Members were advised that this strategy had been developed over the last 3 years and had also been sold to external partners. There had already been various engagement strategies, most recently ‘never bin batteries’.

A Councillor asked whether committee meeting dates could be promoted more to ensure continued public engagement.

RESOLVED: Cabinet approved the Council’s Communications and Engagement Strategy 2024-27 and supports its implementation across the organisation.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

a)    Agreed that West Northamptonshire should withdraw from Northamptonshire Local Access Forum - the previous joint arrangement with North Northamptonshire.

b)    Agreed to establish the West Northamptonshire Local Access Forum.

c)    Agreed the proposed Terms of Reference for the West Northamptonshire Local Access Forum

REASONS RESOLVED:

·         The future Council (or customers) will receive the maximum benefit from the option proposed

·         As a result of withdrawing from the previous arrangement it is possible for West Northamptonshire to establish a Local Access Forum that will represent the residents and organisations of West Northamptonshire.

·         The Terms of reference are required in order to ensure that there is an appropriate level of governance in place within which the Forum will operate.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

None

 At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Phil Larratt presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated.

Councillors made the following comments

·         Correct and up to date signposts would be welcomed.

·         Well managed footpaths and cycle paths would help with trespassing issues.

·         This could help with improvement of relationships with local voluntary groups.

Councillor Phil Larratt agreed on the importance of correct signposting.

 RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

a)    Agreed that West Northamptonshire should withdraw from Northamptonshire Local Access Forum - the previous joint arrangement with North Northamptonshire.

b)    Agreed to establish the West Northamptonshire Local Access Forum.

c)    Agreed the proposed Terms of Reference for the West Northamptonshire Local Access Forum

RESOLVED: Cabinet;

a)    Approved the updated Risk Management Strategy (Appendix A).

b)    Endorsed the updated Strategic Risk Register (Appendix B).

c)    Noted that the Audit & Governance Committee will monitor the Strategic Risk Register and the mitigating actions contained within it on an ongoing basis, and report any significant concerns back to Cabinet.

REASONS RESOLVED:

To ensure that the Council had an effective strategy for identifying and evaluating risks and opportunities, and an up to date and comprehensive strategic risk register which identifies the most significant key risks facing the organisation and the relevant mitigating actions being taken, which can then be subject to ongoing oversight by the Audit & Governance Committee.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

None

At the Chair’s invitation the Councillor Cecile Irving-Swift the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee presented the main points of the report. Members were advised that the committee had wanted an agile and dynamic risk register which would inform both the internal and external auditors. The committee felt that it would be productive for the Chief Internal Auditor to attend EPB meetings.

Councillors made the following comments.

·         Could climate change be added as a risk?

·         Financial sustainability was an issue, how would WNC manage extra demands on its resources.

·         It was acknowledged that many mitigations were out of the council’s control.

·         It was queried what the worst-case scenario would be should the inter authority agreement not be reached.

Councillor Malcolm Longley advised that this was a living document and is reviewed on a regular basis.

RESOLVED: Cabinet;

a)    Approved the updated Risk Management Strategy (Appendix A).

b)    Endorsed the updated Strategic Risk Register (Appendix B).

c)    Noted that the Audit & Governance Committee will monitor the Strategic Risk Register and the mitigating actions contained within it on an ongoing basis and report any significant concerns back to Cabinet.