Agenda item

Councillor Nunn presented his report as Leader of the Council and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, the Leader confirmed that the Democracy and Standards Committee was the key driver behind the boundary review; he and the Chief Executive had a preliminary meeting and were pleased with the level of input councillors and local residents had.

Councillor Bowen confirmed that she intended to meet with opposition group leaders to discuss regeneration in its entirety.

Councillor Brown presented his report as Deputy Leader and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, he advised that he had not yet had sight of the amended Tree Policy and would chase it up with officers. He would be happy to arrange a meeting with interested Members. Museum visitor numbers were tracked but it was unclear whether they were coming from inside or outside Northampton. The environment would be a priority when developing the Housing Strategy; it was noted that NPH were currently undergoing a grant funded scheme of retrofitting properties with insulation at significant cost; it was important that future homes be built to be as environmentally friendly as possible. It was not the intention of the housing policy that ex-offender housing all be placed in close proximity and Councillor Brown confirmed that he would look into where those residents were being placed and what could be done to mitigate any issues that arose.

Councillor Baker presented her report as Cabient Member for Children, Families and Education and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, Council heard that the Corporate Parenting Board included opposition Members as well as the Assistant Director for Looked After Children and the Strategic Manager for Corporate Parenting, and that it had met twice already and were due to meet next week. Holiday activities were a success, and more were planned for the October and Christmas holidays; information was being sent out to foster carers etc. so that they were aware what was available for their children to attend.

Councillor Larratt presented his report as Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, Highways and Waste and highlighted the salient points. He apologised to any affected by Cliftonville roadworks on Monday 20^th September; daily monitoring was now taking place and improvements made where possible. He acknowledged concerns raised about the bus lane enforcmeent camera in St James and advised that this was being looked into. In response to questions, it was advised that a Bus Improvement update would be brought to the next Cabinet meeting which would include the provision for delegated authority to make future amendments if necessary. A scheme relating to Rushmere Road would be funded through Active Travel; plans were in the process of being drawn up. Councillor Larratt praised the Northants Litter Wombles and other community groups and noted that contracts were in place to deal with the issue of litter and fly tipping as well as enforcement procedures to ensure that work was being completed to specification. It was advised that the 3^rd phase of the Cliftonville corridor may be forthcoming, however due to a lack of support, not in the way it was originally planned. The North West Relief Road was needed to deliver proposed housing on Dallington Grange and the Northern Orbital Road remained an aspiration to ease congestion issues on the A45.