Agenda

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.

To confirm the Minutes of the annual meeting of the Council held on 19^th May 2022.

To receive communications from the Chairman of the Council.

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

(2)  Questions (if any) from the Public

Priority Opposition Motion

Proposed: Cllr. Wendy Randall

Seconded: Cllr. Bob Purser

The West Northamptonshire Council wishes to re-assert the importance of the ‘Nolan principles’ of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership for all in public life. These principles serve as the foundations of our Councillor Code of Conduct and underpin how Councillors must behave when carrying out their duties.

The honour of becoming an elected representative comes with the responsibility of maintaining and building the confidence in which the democratic political process is held, both for central and local governments. These principles guide not only how decisions and functions are carried out by elected members, but also how they treat officers, the public and their colleagues.

In light of the attention these principles are receiving locally and nationally, this Council therefore notes:

·       The seven Nolan Principles of Public Life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership) underpin the conduct and behaviour expected of our elected representatives nationally and locally.

·       The obligation as a Council and as individual Councillors to adhere to these principles at all times.

This Council resolves:

1.     To defend and protect these principles as a matter of duty, so as to maintain and build the confidence of residents in their democratic institutions.

2.     That members should confront and report actions or omissions by other members of this council that appear to be contrary to the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council, which includes and reflects the Nolan Principles.

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

Motion 1

Proposed by Cllr. Kevin Parker

Seconded by Cllr. Cécile Irving-Swift

“This Council recognises the importance of green spaces, and more importantly, green spaces which are accessible to all, physically and financially.  

Within West Northamptonshire Council, we have Brixworth Country Park, and Daventry Country Park both offering the chance to engage in both physical and mental health activities, with Daventry including open water swimming during the summer months, and also the Brampton Valley Way which is part of the Sustrans national cycle network. These are all great places for families and individuals alike where all can enjoy the benefits of physical activity and mental wellbeing.  

However, this council notes that there are disparities in the fees charged at the various country parks and recommends that a review is undertaken in order to thoroughly analyse the costs, the harmonising of charges and to consider as and when to implement as necessary.”

Motion 2

Proposed: Cllr Jonathan Harris

Seconded: Cllr Rosie Humphreys

On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54%. In light of the increased energy price cap, the average standard tariff energy bill will increase by £693 per year. The average pre-pay meter energy bill will increase by £708 per year (Ofgem, 2022).

On 6 April 2022, the Government increased National Insurance by 1.25 percentage points, which is projected to cost the average West Northants family an additional £108 per year. 

The Government has suspended the pensions ‘triple lock’ for 2022/3, meaning that pensioners will see a rise of 3.1% this year (instead of 8.3% under the triple lock formula). This year, this will cost a West Northants resident on the full new state pension an average of £487.

Whilst the government finally, and belatedly, has imposed a ‘Windfall Tax’ on the super profits of oil and gas companies (proposed initially by the Liberal Democrats last year and subsequently Labour), it still will not be sufficient for many residents of West Northamptonshire with the cap rising again this coming Autumn. 

The recent ‘State of Hunger’ report from the Trussell Trust provides for shocking reading:

·         49% increase in the number of children supported by a food bank in the Trussell Trust network between 2018/19 and 2019/20

·         700,000 households used a food bank in 2019/20. The proportion of couples with children referred to a food bank increased from 19% in early 2020 to 24% during the Covid-19 pandemic in mid-2020.

·         6 in 10 of working age people referred to a food bank in early 2020 had a disability, over three times more than in the general population

·         95% of people referred to food banks are destitute

·         Food bank use is driven by economic need – that is, not having enough money to buy food once essential bills have been paid.

The report goes on to indicate a key contributing factor and two background factors contributing to the significant growth of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

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

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to resolve as follows:

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part I, Paragraph(s) XXXXX would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”