Decisions

Further to the decision in principle made on 27^th September 2021, this report seeks a further decision to enter into the lease with Northampton Partnership Homes for office and depot accommodation at the Council’s Westbridge site (see Appendix A).

The report also seeks support for the development of the office and depot accommodation for Northampton Partnership Homes to ensure it is fit for purpose and enables the organisation to deliver the requirements of the management agreement between the Council and Northampton Partnership Homes. For the avoidance of doubt, this also includes approval of a capital budget for the redevelopment of the CEDOS block into a Tenant Engagement Centre and associated additional works as described within this report.

The report also notes the delegation to the Assistant Director Assets and Environment to agree the terms of the lease and enter into any documentation required to deliver the decision.

That the Leader:

Agreed that the Council should finalise and enter into the leases with Northampton Partnership Homes based upon the Heads of Terms as set out in Appendix B to the accompanying report.

Agreed a General Fund capital budget of £1.2 million is created to take forward the demolition and the commitments in the Heads of Terms.

Noted the delegated authority to the Assistant Director Assets and Environment to take forward the development of the site.

Please note this decision is subject to special urgency and cannot be called in.

RESOLVED that: the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

a)    Recorded its thanks to staff involved in the successful implementation of the Adult Social Care Target Operating Model.

b)    Requested to be provided with aligned data for the outcomes produced by the Adult Social Care Target Operating Model in the periods before and after vesting day for the new Northamptonshire authorities.

RESOLVED that: the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

a)     Agreed to write to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Wellbeing and Health Integration supporting representations to the government concerning the need for adult social care to be funded at a level that recognises current pressures on services.

b)     Requested to be provided with a geographical breakdown of the care homes in West Northamptonshire subject to performance improvement plans or contract terminations in 2021/22.

c)     Requested to be provided with further information on the number of care home contract defaults and terminations in West Northamptonshire’s neighbouring authorities. 

d)     Requested that the further information to be provided to the Committee on Disabled Facilities Grant utilisation be circulated to Committee members as soon as it is available.

RESOLVED that: the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed the scope for the task and finish scrutiny panel on child and adolescent mental health and the risk of self-harm.

RESOLVED that: the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

a)    Agreed that no further action is necessary on those motions within its remit where it has been identified that the matter is already closed, as indicated by notes included in the report.

b)    Agreed that the Committee is not in a position to identify that other motions within its remit are closed and therefore recommended that these motions should be considered for re-adoption by Full Council.

RESOLVED that: the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

a)    Agreed the inclusion in its work programme for 2021/22 of topics arising from the work programming event, as set out in the report.

b)    Agreed that items of business be scheduled at forthcoming Committee meetings in 2021/22 as follows:

·         25 January 2022: scrutiny of children’s services performance; school improvement; special educational needs and disability (SEND) support and alternative provision; and an initial briefing on the Healthwatch function

·         1 March 2022: scrutiny of the interim housing strategy; anti-poverty strategy; and Healthwatch function

RESOLVED that: the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed the minutes of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 21 September 2021.

Councillor Cecile Irving-Swift

Councillor Rosie Humphreys

RESOLVED: The Committee considered the Strategic Risk Register

RESOLVED: The Committee supported Public Sector Audit Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors to principal local government and police bodies for five financial years from 1 April 2023.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the verbal update.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the report.

RESOLVED: The Committee considered the work programme.

Minutes approved with amendment that states that Councillor Stephen Clarke had forwarded a list of questions as he had sent his apologies for the meeting.