Agenda item

Cabinet Member Reports and Record of Decisions Taken by the Cabinet

Minutes:

Councillor Nunn presented his report as Leader of the Council and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, he advised that the 2pm start for the Strategic Planning Committee was a decision made by that committee; the Constitution allowed for times to change if necessary. He further advised that the Council were keen to push ahead with the Park and Ride scheme.

 

Councillor Brown presented his report as Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, he explained that housing strategy was a priority for the Council; he had recently met with Andrew Lewer MP who was undertaking a piece of work to assess the market position and economic needs of West Northamptonshire and ensure that it would be built into an interim housing strategy at the earliest opportunity. He advised that work was ongoing to ensure that all meetings were accessible to those that were unable to attend in person.

 

Councillor Baker presented her report as Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, she stated that she would give details of the SEND Board membership and its scope in her next report to Council. She further stated that Ofsted would be in the building the following week for a fortnight; this was a monitoring visit and should give an indication of how the Trust was performing. A recruitment campaign was ongoing and Councillor Baker was very happy with its trajectory, agency staff numbers were down and in some areas there were no agency staff being used at all.

 

Councillor Nunn presented a report on behalf of Councillor Breese, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Built Environment & Rural Affairs, and highlighted the salient points. In response to questions, he advised that the Call-In procedure would be as strong as it had been at predecessor authorities.

 

Councillor Golby presented his report as Cabinet Member Adult Social Care and Public Health and highlighted the salient points. He noted an error within the report; a briefing on Covid-19 for Members would take place on the 29th July, not the 19th as stated, and he urged Members to attend. In response to questions, Councillor Golby advised that a roadmap with dates relating to the Anti-Poverty Strategy would be provided to Councillor Roberts. Further ways in which to assist those suffering with long Covid would be looked into. The Council’s whistleblowing policy would be circulated amongst Members following a request.

 

In relation to a question around vaccine hesitancy in the BAME community, Councillor Hill advised that this had been the subject of extensive discussion at the Diverse Communities Forum and encouraged Members to attend.

 

Councillor Hallam presented his report as Cabinet Member for HR & Corporate Services and highlighted the salient points.

 

At this point the Chairman advised that the 45 minutes allocated for this item had expired.

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