Venue: The Forum, Towcester, NN12 6AF
Contact: Sofia Neal-Gonzalez, Democratic Services
Note: Please use the following link to view the meeting from 6pm: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDyc2cNcl19OvcGOCuZDTBQ
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Apologies Minutes: None |
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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 |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 28th February 2022 and 8th March 2022. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes from the Cabinet meetings of the 28th of February 2022 and 15th March 2022 were approved and signed as a true and accurate record |
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Chair's Announcements To receive communications from the Chair. Minutes: None |
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Urgent Business The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any items of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.
Minutes: None |
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West Northamptonshire Enhanced Partnership PDF 733 KB Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED: That the Cabinet: a) Made the Enhanced Partnership Plan and Enhanced Partnership Scheme, which form Appendices A and B of this report, as proposed in accordance with Section 138G of the Transport Act 2000. b) Noted the requirement to develop, consult on and publish a policy for subsidising bus services. c) Noted the allocation of additional Government funding to support bus services and the requirement to work with bus operators to co-design a financially sustainable and passenger-focused public transport network, that works for changing travel patterns postpandemic. d) Agreed to reimburse bus operators for concessionary travel at 100% of pre-Covid levels until 30 September 2022 and then at 90% of pre-Covid levels until 31 March 2023. e) Agree to allocate £50,000 of the resultant projected saving in the concessionary travel budget for 2022/23 to work with operators on a marketing strategy for bus services.
REASONS RESOLVED: Meeting the Council’s legal duties to consult on and publish a policy on subsidised bus services and to provide West Northamptonshire communities with the best possible level of bus service with post-pandemic travel patterns.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Phil Larratt presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Members were advised that the report did not discuss subsidised routes, this would be looked at in more detail going forward. The improvement plan had been considered by Cabinet in October 2021 and had included information of a bid for funding. Members were informed that this bid had been unsuccessful and as such no funding would be awarded through this route. Feedback had been requested. It was advised that significant work had also taken place on the enhanced plan. The council would work with bus services to look at travel changes that had occurred since Covid.
Councillors made the following comments.
Councillor Larratt made the following comments in response.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet; a) Made the Enhanced Partnership Plan and Enhanced Partnership Scheme, which form Appendices A and B of this report, as proposed in accordance with Section 138G of the Transport Act 2000. b) Noted the requirement to develop, consult on and publish a policy for subsidising bus services. c) Noted the allocation of additional Government funding to support bus services and the requirement to work with bus operators to co-design a financially sustainable and passenger-focused public transport network, that works for changing travel patterns post pandemic. d) Agreed to reimburse bus operators for concessionary travel at 100% of ... view the full minutes text for item 133. |
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West Northamptonshire Anti-Poverty Strategy 2022-2025 PDF 701 KB Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: That Cabinet; 1) Approved the West Northamptonshire Anti-Poverty Strategy 2022-2025 for adoption and implementation by the Health and Wellbeing Board. 2) Approved the continued engagement of our community, partners and community and voluntary sector organisations to develop a robust set of action plans, aligned to the objectives set out in the strategy and the a performance framework which will underpin the strategy. 3) Approved the creation of an additional delivery fund to underpin the strategy, namely ‘Community Health and Wellbeing Innovation Fund’ using available Public Health Grant Reserve. That the strategy includes a commitment to produce an annual summary detailing key achievements and challenges faced in the preceding year.
REASONS RESOLVED: 1) Approval of the strategy will lead to a fairer and more inclusive West Northamptonshire, where everyone is able to live their best life, prosperous and fulfilling, free from poverty and inequality. 2) The strategy will deliver the following outcomes: · An improvement in population health and wellbeing. · Fewer households (and children) living in poverty. · An increase in average household incomes and wages · Fewer people unemployed and in receipt of out of work benefits. · An increase in the number of people paid at least the real Living Wage. · An increase in the amount of lower cost rented and social housing · Fewer young people aged 16-17 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). · Fewer people with no qualifications or skills training. · Reduce the impact of fuel poverty on families
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Matt Golby presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Members were advised that it was important that the Council had a clear strategy in place in order to hold itself to account. It was noted that there was a wealth of experience within the council as well as within the voluntary sector which would help with this, the Hope Centre being an example. Members were advised that the Poverty Truth Commission would be kept open. It’s main role would continue to be interacting with residents who live in poverty.
Councillors made the following comments.
Councillor Golby made the following comments in response.
The Chief Executive advised that the original hardship fund had ended on the 31st March, with other schemes now in operation in its place.
Councillor Adam Brown noted that the terms of the household support fund had been amended and fuel oil would now be covered. Northampton Partnership Homes would continue to invest within West Northants including Talavera ward. Members were advised that stable and affordable homes go hand in hand with poverty.
The Chair reminded members it was important to work towards eliminating inequality across the whole of West Northants.
Councillor Phil Larratt noted that community facilities were an important part of a community.
Councillor Rebecca Breese agreed that all councillors should know where to point constituents to for help.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet; 1. Approved the West Northamptonshire Anti-Poverty Strategy 2022-2025 for adoption and implementation by the Health and Wellbeing Board. 2. Approved the continued engagement of our community, partners and community and voluntary sector organisations to develop a robust set of action plans, aligned to the objectives set out in the strategy and the performance framework which will underpin the strategy. 3. Approved the creation of an additional delivery fund to underpin the ... view the full minutes text for item 134. |
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Appointment of an Operator for the Vulcan Works Creative Hub PDF 452 KB Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: Cabinet approved the appointment of the preferred bidder following the procurement process for the operation of the Vulcan Works Creative Hub using Competitive Procedure with Negotiation (CPN).
REASONS RESOLVED: a) Allowed the Vulcan Works Creative Hub to become operational as well as a hub for business support for businesses in the creative and cultural industries. b) Ensured the operator was appointed and allow the centre to begin to generate income.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Lizzy Bowen presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Cabinet was advised that the report sought approval to enter into a contract. The report was then presented in detail. There would be various managed work spaces within the location. The importance of supporting businesses after lockdown was underlined. Members were advised that Oxford Innovations had been given the contract, the company had over 30 years’ experience within this type of specialised business venture.
A Councillor noted that it would be important to keep aware of the performance of the company throughout.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the appointment of the preferred bidder following the procurement process for the operation of the Vulcan Works Creative Hub using Competitive Procedure with Negotiation (CPN).
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Homes for Ukraine Scheme PDF 552 KB Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: Cabinet noted the content of this report and associated appendices.
REASONS RESOLVED: To support the work being taken by statutory agencies across the county and the approach being taken locally in West Northants.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation Councillor David Smith presented the report copies of which had been previously circulated. It was noted that the Afghan Scheme should also be remembered at this time, there were currently 2 hotels in West Northants were families were being hosted. The Homes for Ukraine family scheme would be supported when needed. Members were asked to email with any queries, these emails were asked to be as concise as possible.
Councillors made the following comments.
Councillor David Smith made the following comments.
RESOLVED: Cabinet noted the content of this report and associated appendices
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Towns Fund: 35-45 Abington Street Project- Business Case and Delivery Strategy PDF 617 KB Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: That Cabinet; a) Approved the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the 35-45 Abington Street Project, to draw down on £9.7m of Towns Fund funding. b) Approved the Procurement and Delivery Strategy (Appendix B) that sets out the recommended delivery route for the 35-45 Abington Street Project (which recommends using a form of Development Agreement to deliver the project). c) Authorised the purchase of each of 35-39 Abington Street and 20-28 Wood Street, in each case subject to a red book valuation and satisfactory due diligence on the site, a resultant acquisition being made at no more than a fair commercial price taking account of all relevant factors. d) Confirmed it is willing in principle to exercise its compulsory purchase powers to facilitate the development, if necessary. e) Noted a further Cabinet report would be brought back upon the completion of the procurement process to seek approval for the preferred bidder.
REASONS RESOLVED: 1) Allowed the 35-45 Abington Street development site to proceed and to ensure the grant award is spent within the award timescales. 2) Maximised the opportunities for the effective use of public money. 3) Reduced the likelihood that current owners will attempt to ‘ransom’ the Council’s aspirations for regeneration of the town centre by seeking excessive prices for their properties.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: If this is not approved, this would mean looking at other options that would not meet the objectives in delaying the project which is likely to then result in losing the allocated Government funding which in turn would mean the project would not be brought forward Minutes: The Chair advised that the appendix to this item was confidential and that if councillors wished to discuss it then the meeting would go into private session.
At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Lizzy Bowen presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Cabinet were advised that the costs would be met by the Towns Revenue Fund, and would come on to the market in a managed manner. The areas would be mixed use developments.
Councillors made the following comments.
Councillor Lizzy Bowen made the following comments.
The Executive Director of Place, Economy & Environment made the following comments.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet; a) Approved the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the 35-45 Abington Street Project, to draw down on £9.7m of Towns Fund funding. b) Approved the Procurement and Delivery Strategy (Appendix B) that sets out the recommended delivery route for the 35-45 Abington Street Project (which recommends using a form of Development Agreement to deliver the project). c) Authorised the purchase of each of 35-39 Abington Street and 20-28 Wood Street, in each case subject to a red book valuation and satisfactory due diligence on the site, a resultant acquisition being made at no more than a fair commercial price taking account of all relevant factors. d) Confirmed it is willing in principle to exercise its compulsory purchase powers to facilitate the development, if necessary. e) Noted a further Cabinet report would be brought back upon the completion of the procurement process to seek approval for the preferred bidder.
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