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 he would raise issues relating to the Council’s website to the relevant people. He advised that there was no intention from the administration to increase councillor allowances; a review had recently taken place. He also confirmed that he was happy for Cabinet to receive Scrutiny reports and updates in any format.

Councillor Brown presented his report as Deputy Leader of the Council and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, he confirmed that the housing enforcement team were working through their list of suspected illegal HMO properties to ascertain their status. He further confirmed that he had no intention, as the Cabinet Member for Housing, to participate in the government’s Right to Buy scheme. He reiterated comments made in respect of the great work by Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue and the Highways department for quicky responding to a fire at Far Cotton. In respect of safe public spaces for women who were non-English speakers, the Deputy Leader stated that he would be happy to work with anyone to look at more venues, and in respect of councillors who were HMO landlords, he advised that they were required to declare these properties on their Register of Interests.

Councillor Breese presented her report as Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Built Environment and Rural Affairs and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, she advised that any policy changes in respect of the Northampton Local Plan would reverse its progress by several years. A number of successful appointments had been made in the Development Management team and with regard to outstanding CIL and Section 106 issues relating to predecessor authorities, she confirmed that it would take another month to determine the scope of these issues. With regards to a question around the Employment Sites SPD (Supplementary Planning Document) and the reference point at Swan Valley, Junction 15A, this was raised at the Planning Policy Committee on 28^th June as a reference point as not being acknowledged and further work would be done around this point during the forthcoming consultation exercise. With regard to proposed unit sizes, she noted that the large units were also raised at the Planning Policy Committee meeting; the existence of a “large” unit must be acknowledged following “small” and “medium”, however there was no intention to build large units.

In Councillor Baker’s absence, Councillor Nunn presented her report and highlighted the salient points. He advised that Ofsted reports were published on the Ofsted website. Further questions would be taken to Councillor Baker, as Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, for a response in due course.

In Councillor Smith’s absence, Councillor Nunn presented his report and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, he confirmed that Neighbourhood Wardens were valued and supported, and would welcome talks with anyone regarding new ideas for partnership working around community safety. Regarding the issuing of Private Hire Vehicle licences, he stated that the Council’s fundamental principle as a regulatory authority was to keep people safe in taxis and said that he would investigate enquiries around slowness of service. He echoed comments around the success of the Knife Angel project. In terms of gender-neutral language used throughout the authority, the Leader welcomed the idea of further discussions taking place with groups such as young people and the LGBTQ+ society and congratulated those involved in Pride for organising such a successful event. Regarding the Community Safety Strategy, the Leader assured Council that the whole of West Northamptonshire was referenced in reports where applicable, unless there were specific, Northampton-related issues that were being reported.

Councillor Lister submitted his report as Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth and highlighted the salient points.

Due to the time limit applicable to this item, the remaining reports were noted.

RESOLVED:

Council noted the Cabinet Member Reports and the decision records from 12^th April 2022, 3^rd May 2022, and 14^th June 2022.