MINUTES. HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR Councillor Lane (in the Chair).

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1 1 MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING OF NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL HELD AT THE GUILDHALL, NORTHAMPTON, ON WEDNESDAY, 29 FEBRUARY 2012 AT SIX THIRTY O CLOCK IN THE EVENING PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR Councillor Lane (in the Chair). Ansell, Aziz, Beardsworth, Begum, Bottwood, Capstick, Caswell, I. Choudary, N Choudary, Duncan, Eales, Eldred, Flavell, Ford, Glynane, Golby, Gowen, Hadland, Hallam, Hibbert, Hill, King, Larratt, Lynch, Mackintosh, Malpas, Markham, Marriott, Mason, Mennell, Meredith, Oldham, Palethorpe, Parekh, Patel, Sargeant, Stone, Subbarayan, Wire DL and Yates 1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Glynane declared a Personal interest in item 7, Council Wide General Fund Revenue Budget in so far as the discussion might refer to the Police Authority of which he was a member. 2. APOLOGIES. Apologies were received from Councillors Conroy, Davies, Nunn and Strachan. 3. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Mayor reported the recent death of former Councillor Eric Billson DFC Bar, AEA who had served on the Council between 1971 and 1979 and had been Chair of the Highways Committee. The funeral was on 15 March 2012 at the Counties Crematorium at 12.30pm. Councillors were welcome to attend. Council stood in silence as a mark of respect. The Mayor reported the death, earlier that day, of the Deputy Mayor s mother in law. The Mayor proposed that Council Procedural Rules be waived in respect of items 5,7,9 and 10 so that; Movers and Seconders of those reports have 10 minutes to address Council; Other Group Leaders have 10 minutes each to respond including the moving of any amendments; Seconders of any amendments made by Group Leaders to have 5 minutes to address Council; and All other contributions to be limited to 5 minutes each. The proposal was agreed. 1

2 2 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND PETITIONS Councillor Wire presented the Mayor with a 1,000 signature petition the result of the Labour Party s Public Community Safety Campaign. He stated that the public were concerned about the Administration s cuts to PCSO s, CCTV and Street Lighting. He believed that the Administration were out of touch with public opinion. Later in the meeting the Opposition would show how these services could be maintained. The cuts to PCSO s, CCTV and Street Lighting was a criminals charter. The Administration should listen to the public and be brave enough to reverse their proposals. Ms Whitmore presented the Mayor with a 2,426 signature petition plus an ipetition with a further 142 signatures that she had collected with backing of the St James Residents Association supporting the retention of PCSOs. She stated that PCSOs were regarded as part of the community and even children could name at least one. Ms Whitmore believed that it would cost more in the long run to deal with incidents, damage to property etc. In some areas the introduction of PCSOs had led to a reduction in crime of 50%. She noted the launch of the Love Northampton Campaign that seemed ironic in the light of the proposed cuts to community safety. She urged the Council to find ways of being able to retain the funding including by talking other organisations. Ms Whitmore commented that although it was impossible to say how much crime PCSOs had prevented it was clear that there presence had a positive effect. Ms Ralph stated that she had concerns for her personal safety; many areas were now dark and intimidating at night because of the switch off of the street lights. Cuts to PCSOs would only make the situation worse. During the day she was confident and active but no longer at night. She queried how many other people felt the same as her. Ms Ralph stated that the Council should reconsider this and discuss with the Police and the County Council how PCSOs could be funded. Mr Dean, the Communications and Publicity Officer for Northampton Neighbourhood Watch Association, commented that Northamptonshire Police were in a difficult position with a growing population to deal with but that this was not being recognised by the Government in its funding of them. The Chief Constable had to maintain reserves in order to deal with emergencies such as the murder enquiry following the deaths of the Ding family the previous year. The Police Authority would be wound up in November and was not in a position to help with the funding of PCSOs. PCSOs were the eyes, ears and intelligence gatherers for the Police: they were the public friendly face of the Police. Mr Dean stated that predominantly through the work of PCSOs the following reductions in incidents anti social behaviour had been recorded between April and November 2011 as compared with the same period the previous year: New Duston- 59.9%, Old Duston- 30.3%, St James- 26.3% and Upton- 25%. Mr Varnsverry commented that the Council should not underestimate the strength of public feeling about the cuts of PCSOs. The comments made and the two petitions 2

3 3 presented to the Mayor were just the tip of the iceberg. Concerns had been expressed at residents meetings such as at Delapre and Briar Hill where a significant increase in crime had already taken place. These cuts were welcomed by criminals. The decision to cut funding of PCSOs was a bad one just as the decisions to have a Councillor Community Fund and an assistant to the Conservative Group Political Assistant were bad decisions in the current financial climate. Mr Tuttle stated that he would like to propose that Greyfriars Bus Station should be retained and refurbished. He believed that this made sound sense. The proposed Fishmarket site was only half the size and would cost millions of pounds to develop. He noted that in Rotterdam a similar project to relocate a bus station had taken five years so far with all that implied in terms of disruption to the public. Mr Tuttle asked that the Council reconsider this decision: he believed that the new bus interchange was a white elephant. Mr Croucher, noted that the 29 February was traditionally a day where the roles of men and women were reversed. He suggested that Councillors could, instead of voting for their proposals, vote with the public. He noted that the Council s own public consultation had revealed that 71% of people did not support the proposed cut of funding to PCSOs. Fifty residents had recently attended an St James Residents Association meeting and had given unanimous backing to their PCSOs and applauded an update on their work. Over several years overall crime had reduced in St James despite a recent increase in violent crime. Mr Croucher noted the budget proposal to spend 2m on asking housing tenants if they supported a housing stock transfer; he queried how many PCSOs could be funded with this money. Mr Croucher believed that the public would see the Administration for what they really were by the decisions they would make later in the meeting. 5. CORPORATE PLAN Councillor Mackintosh submitted a report that set out the Council s Corporate Plan for and noted that it focused on the Administration s election manifesto. Councillor Caswell seconded adoption of the report. Councillor Mason moved and Councillor Marriott seconded: That the Corporate Plan be amended as follows: PAGE 6 Insert in the section headed The long-term outcomes we want to achieve are: Unitary and City status for Northampton with a limited expansion of the Borough boundaries. Insert in the section headed How we will do this. At the end of point 5 add, Progress plans for Grosvenor Greyfriars Shopping Centre regeneration and 3

4 4 secure a planning application. Should a planning application again be delayed beyond 2012 we will begin to consider other alternatives. At the end of the last point add, Actively support our sports clubs including through the development of retail (subject to the planning process). PAGE 13 Insert in the section How we will do this. At the end of the last sentence add, Consult on any changes that may affect local residents homes or communities on any future developments including a ballot on all proposed stock transfers. Upon a vote the amendment was lost. RESOLVED: 1. That the Corporate Plan for appended to the report be appro 2. That the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council be delegated the authority to finalise the Corporate Plan and associated action plan in line with the budget decisions, service plans and any other consequent changes. 6. TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2012/13 TO 2014/15 Councillor Bottwood submitted a report that set out the Treasury Management Policy Statement, the Treasury Management Practices (TMPs) and TMP Schedules for , the Treasury Management Strategy for and other associated treasury management information for Councillor Mackintosh seconded adoption of the report. RESOLVED: 1. That approval be given to: a) The Treasury Management Policy Statement at Appendix C of the attached Cabinet report b) The Treasury Management Practices (TMPs) Main Principles at Appendix D of the attached Cabinet report c) The TMP Schedules for at Appendix E of the attached Cabinet report d) The Treasury Management Strategy for at Appendix F of the attached Cabinet report, incorporating: (i) The Capital Financing and Borrowing Strategy for including: The Council s policy on the making of Minimum 4

5 5 Revenue Provision (MRP) for the repayment of debt, as required by the Local Authorities (Capital Finance & Accounting) (Amendments) (England) Regulations The Affordable Borrowing Limit for as required by the Local Government Act (ii) The Investment Strategy for as required by the CLG revised Guidance on Local Government Investments issued in e) That authority be delegated to the Council s Chief Finance Officer, the Director of Finance and Support, in liaison with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to make any temporary changes needed to the Council s borrowing and investment strategy to enable the authority to meet its obligations. 2. That the following be noted: a) Adherence to the Council s policy on reserves and balances (paragraph of the attached Cabinet report). b) Compliance with the requirement under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to produce a balanced budget (paragraph & of the attached Cabinet report). 7. COUNCIL WIDE GENERAL FUND REVENUE BUDGET Councillor Bottwood submitted a report that set out the outcome of the consultation process on the 2012/13 General Fund budget and the final formula grant settlement for 2012/13 and sought Council s approval of the Cabinet s proposals for the 2012/13 to 2014/15 General Fund budgets, Council Tax level for 2012/13 and indicative levels for 2013/ /15. Councillor Mackintosh seconded adoption of the report. Councillor Mason moved and Councillor Marriott seconded: That the Northampton Labour Group propose the following amendments to the general fund budget, as tabled : 2012/ / /15 Retain funding of Police Community 100, , ,000 Support Officers Retain full CCTV monitoring 39,000 39,000 39,000 Invest in 3 additional Neighbourhood 92,000 92,000 92,000 Wardens for 3 years Make a contribution for 2012/13 to NCC to reinstate street lights in all sheltered 150,000 5

6 6 housing areas Change part time Park Rangers to full time and employ an additional park ranger for Beckets Park Delete Enhanced Housing Management Charge 69,000 69,000 69, , , , , , ,000 Funded by: Earmarked reserves 100,000 Helping people through difficult times reserve unused from last year s budget Earmarked Reserves 100,000 Enhanced Housing Management Charge. Not required, removed from budget as 100% high risk Establishment of Councillor Community 67,500 67,500 67,500 Fund (savings from reducing CCF to 1500 per Cllr) Delete NBC Leader additional admin 17,000 17,000 17,000 support New Homes bonus (2012/13) 265, , , , , ,000 Upon a requisition for a recorded vote: There voted for the amendment Councillors Aziz, Begum, Capstick, I Choudary, N Choudary, Eales, Gowen, Marriott, Mason, Mennell, Palethorpe, Subbarayan, Stone, and Wire DL. There voted against the amendment Councillors Ansell, Bottwood, Caswell, Duncan, Eldred, Flavell, Ford, Golby, Hadland, Hallam, Hibbert, Hill, King, Larratt, Lynch, Mackintosh, Malpas, Markham, Oldham, Parekh, Patel, Sargeant, and Yates. There abstained the Mayor and Councillors Beardsworth, Glynane and Meredith. The amendment was lost. Councillor Beardsworth moved and Councillor Glynane seconded: That the following adjustments be made to the General Fund Budget: Remove the Councillor Community Fund, saving 135,000; Delete the post of Administrative Assistant to the Conservative Political Assistant, saving 17,000 And invest the savings in the following areas; Reinstate the PCSOs saving at a cost of 100,000 Reinstate the CCTV saving at a cost of 39,000 Increase grants to the voluntary sector by 13,000 6

7 7 Upon a vote the amendment was lost. Upon a requisition for a recorded vote on the recommendations contained in the report, There voted for the recommendations Councillors Ansell, Bottwood, Caswell, Duncan, Eldred, Flavell, Ford, Golby, Hadland, Hallam, Hibbert, Hill, King, Larratt, Lynch, Mackintosh, Malpas, Markham, Oldham, Parekh, Patel, Sargeant, and Yates. There voted against the recommendations Councillors Aziz, Beardsworth, Begum, Capstick, I Choudary, N Choudary, Eales, Glynane, Gowen, Marriott, Mason, Mennell, Meredith, Palethorpe, Subbarayan, Stone and Wire DL. There abstained the Mayor. The recommendations in the report were agreed. RESOLVED: 1. That the feedback from consultation with the public, organisations and the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, be considered and welcomed (detailed at Appendices 1a to 1d of the attached Cabinet report). 2. That the Council s representations on the provisional formula grant settlement be noted (Appendix 2 of the attached Cabinet report) 3. That the Council acknowledges the duties of the Section 151 Officer and the issues and risks detailed in the Section 151 Officer s statement on the robustness of estimates and the adequacy of the reserves (Appendices 7 and 8 of the attached Cabinet report). 4. That the draft Fees and Charges set out in Appendix 9 (of the attached Cabinet report) be approved. 5. That a General Fund budget for 2012/13 of 27.38m (excluding parishes), be approved (detailed in Appendices 4 and 5 of the attached Cabinet report) for its own purposes. 6. That Council does not increase the Council Tax for its own purposes, that is, excluding county, police, and parish precepts. 7. That authority is delegated to the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support to implement all budget options and restructures. 8. That authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Support in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, and where appropriate the relevant Director and Portfolio Holder to transfer monies to and from earmarked reserves should that become necessary during the financial year. 9. The Council confirms the reserves strategy of protecting balances wherever possible to allow the option of supporting future years 7

8 8 budgets, aiming for a minimum level of unallocated general fund balances of 3.0m at the end of 2012/13 having regard to the outcome. 8. COUNCIL TAX Councillor Bottwood submitted a report that set out the final precept determinations from the major precepting Authorities (Northamptonshire County Council and Northamptonshire Police Authority, Parish Councils and the budget setting decision of the Council at Item 7 above. Councillor Mackintosh seconded adoption of the report. RESOLVED: Northampton Borough Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council in this resolution) calculated the following amounts for the year 2012/13 in accordance with various regulations and RESOLVES for the financial year 2012/13 to: Note that on 16/01/2012 the Council calculated the Council Tax Base 2012/13 a) for the whole council area as: b) for the parish precept area as: 67,200 (Item T in the formula in section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended) 17,680 For dwellings in those parts of its area to which a parish precept relates as in the attached appendix C Set the Council Tax Requirement for its own purposes for 2012/13 (including parish precepts) at 15,059,443 a) Net expenditure on Council Services 14,083,152 including formula grant b) Parish Council Precepts 976, 291 c) Total Council Tax Requirement 15,059,443 Set the following amount in accordance with section 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992: a) Relevant Gross Expenditure 145,441,764 Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in 8

9 9 Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils. b) Relevant Gross Income -130,382,321 Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Sections 31 A (3) of the Act c) Council Tax Requirement 15,059,443 The Council Tax Requirement being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax Requirements for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act) d) Basic Council Tax including Parish Precepts Being the amount at 3 (c) above (Item R) all divided by Item T(1(a) above)), calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts). e) Total of Special Items 1,812,003 This represents the total of Parish precepts and other special items in accordance with s34(1) of the Act (as shown at 2 above) f) Basic Amount of Council Tax for dwellings in parts of the area to which no special items Item (e) (g) divided by tax base (resolution 2 (a)) in accordance with 9

10 10 s34(2) of the Act. Note that the County Council and the Police Authority have issued precepts to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each category of dwellings in the Council s area as indicated in the table at 5 below. Note that the Council, in accordance with Section 30 and 36 of the Act herby sets the aggregate amount shown in the tables at appendix 2 as the amounts of the Council Tax for 2012/13 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings. Note that the Council s basic amount of Council Tax for 2012 (for the borough s own purposes and excluding special expenses) is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved under section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act Schedules Appendix B Schedule A (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Special Expenses Council Tax Base Special Expenses Charge Basic Amount of Council Tax excluding Special Expenses Basic Amount of Council Tax including Special Expenses Area: Billing 2, , Collingtree , Duston 5, , Great Houghton , Hardingstone , Upton 1,566 15, Wootton 6, , Unparished Area 49, , ,200 1,812,003 10

11 11 Appendix B Schedule B Basic Amount of Council Tax for each Council Tax Band Valuation Bands A B C D E F G H Area: Billing Collingtree Duston Great Houghton Hardingstone Upton Wootton Unparished Area Schedule C Major Precepting Authorities Council Tax for each Council Tax Band Valuation Bands Northamptonshire County Council Northampton- Shire Police Authority A B C D E F G H , , , , , Schedule D Valuation Bands Aggregate Council Tax for each Council Tax Band A B C D E F G H Area Billing , , , , , , , Collingtree , , , , , , , Duston , , , , , , , Great Houghton , , , , , , , Hardingstone 1, , , , , , , , Upton , , , , , , , Wootton , , , , , , , Unparished Area , , , , , , ,

12 12 Parish and Town Council Precepts Tax Base 2011/ /13 Council Tax Tax Precepts Band D () Base Precepts Council Tax Band D () Council Tax Increase Billing 2, , , , % Collingtree 521 8, , % Duston 5, , , , % Great Houghton , , % Hardingstone , , % Upton 1,453 9, ,566 15, % Wootton 6, , , , % Parish & Town Council Precepts including Special Expenses Precepts Band D () Special Expenses Band D () Total () Billing Collingtree Duston Great Houghton Hardingstone Upton Wootton Unparished HRA BUDGET, RENT SETTING 2012/13 AND BUDGET PROJECTIONS 2013/14 AND 2014/15 Councillor Bottwood submitted a report that sought approval of the HRA 2012/13 budget and the HRA forecasts for 2013/14 and 2014/15, rent increases, de-pooled service charges and other charges for 2012/13 and provided a brief update on the ongoing work on the direction of the HRA. Councillor Markham seconded the report. Councillor Mason moved and Councillor Marriott seconded: The Northampton Borough Labour Group propose that 50,000 of the monies set 12

13 13 aside for the stock option appraisal be used on a detailed satisfaction survey of all tenants and that the work on the stock option appraisal be cancelled until the outcome of that satisfaction survey is known and a judgement made as whether or not to proceed with the option appraisal dependent upon the outcome of the survey. Upon a requisition for a recorded vote; There voted for the amendment Councillors Aziz, Begum, Capstick, I Choudary, N Choudary, Eales, Gowen, Marriott, Mason, Mennell, Palethorpe, Subbarayan, Stone and Wire DL. There voted against the amendment Councillors Ansell, Bottwood, Caswell, Duncan, Eldred, Flavell, Ford, Golby, Hadland, Hibbert, Hill, King, Larratt, Lynch, Mackintosh, Malpas, Markham, Oldham, Parekh, Patel, Sargeant and Yates. There abstained the Mayor and Councillors Beardsworth, Glynane and Meredith. The amendment was lost. Councillor Beardsworth moved and Councillor Glynane seconded: That the stock transfer budget of 1m in 2012/13 and 2013/14 be scrapped and the monies used as a revenue contribution to capital to fund the build of affordable new homes on Council owned garage sites, on the same basis as the Woodside Way development. Upon a vote the amendment was lost. RESOLVED: 1 That approval be given to: A) An average rent increase of 6.79% per dwelling, in line with the Government s rent restructuring regime, convergence in 2015/16, to take effect from 2 April B) The de-pooled service charges listed in Appendix 6 of the report. C) The increase in existing service charges listed in Appendix 6 of the report, which includes Sheltered Accommodation Warden charges (including Eleonore House), Heating service charges, garage charges and Brookside Meadows service charges. 2 That the feedback from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be considered and welcomed (detailed at Appendix 1 of the report). 3. That the Council s representations on the draft HRA Selffinancing determination be noted (Appendix 2 of the report). 4. That the changes to the proposed budget (detailed at Appendix 3 of the report), in light of the consultation responses, equalities issues and the Government s Draft 13

14 14 then Final HRA Self-financing Determinations be agreed. 5. That the HRA budget for 2012/13 of 50.2m expenditure (including options) be approved (detailed in Appendix 4 of the report). 6 That the Council acknowledges the issues and risks detailed in the Section 151 Officer s statement on the robustness of estimates and the adequacy of the reserves (Appendix 7 of the report). 7. That the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support be delegated to implement all budget options and restructures. 8. That the Director of Finance and Support be delegated in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, and where appropriate the relevant Director and Portfolio Holder to: transfer monies from earmarked reserves should that become necessary during the financial year. update the budget tables and Appendices, prior to Council should any further changes be necessary update prudential indicators in both the Prudential Indicators report and Treasury Strategy report, prior to Council for any budget changes that impact on these. 9 That approval be given to the reserves strategy of protecting balances wherever possible to allow the option of supporting future years budgets, aiming for a minimum level of unallocated HRA reserves of 5.0m at the end of 2012/13 having regard to the outcome of the financial risk assessment and remaining at this level over the medium term and in line with the 30 year Business Plan. 10. CAPITAL PROGRAMME Councillor Bottwood submitted a report that presented the Council s Capital Strategy for to , set out the proposed capital programme for , and outlined the capital programme funding proposals for and future years. Councillor Mackintosh seconded adoption of the report. RESOLVED: That approval be given to: a) The Capital Strategy for to , as set out in Appendix A of the appended report to Cabinet. 14

15 15 b) The capital programme for , including future year commitments, as set out in Appendix B of the appended report to Cabinet. c) The capital financing principles to be applied in , as set out in the Capital Strategy, Appendix A of the appended report to Cabinet (pages 10-11). d) The proposed financing of the capital programme for and future years, as set out at paragraphs in the attached Cabinet report and Appendix C of the appended report to Cabinet. e) That the Director of Finance and Support be delegated in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to amend the HRA Capital Programme to reflect the outcome of the bid for Decent Homes backlog funding. f) That Cabinet be authorised, once the programme has been set, to approve new capital schemes and variations to existing schemes during , subject to the funding being available and the schemes being in accordance with the objectives and priorities of the Council. g) That the Director of Finance & Support, as Chief Finance Officer, be authorised to approve new capital schemes and variations to existing schemes during where these are fully funded from external grants and contributions and the scheme being in accordance with the objectives and priorities of the Council. 11. PRUDENTIAL INDICATORS FOR CAPITAL FINANCE 2012/13 TO 2014/15 Councillor Bottwood submitted a report that set out the background to the prudential indicators, proposed prudential indicators for and the following two years, the executive summary from the Prudential Code (2011 Edition) (Appendix A of the appended report to Cabinet) and a commentary to support the individual prudential indicators (Appendix B of the appended report to Cabinet). Councillor Mackintosh seconded adoption of the report. RESOLVED: 1. That the prudential indicators required under the CIPFA Prude Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (2011 edition) as se at paragraph of the attached Cabinet report be approved. 2. That the delegation of authority to the Section 151 Officer be approved to make adjustments between the borrowing and other long term liabilities categories within the overall total of the indicators for the operational boundary and the authorised 15

16 16 limit for external debt set out at paragraphs (g) and (h) of the attached Cabinet report. The meeting concluded at hours 16