Agenda item

RESOLVED:

(1)     That Mr C Grethe and Councillors Hawkins, Clarke and Mildren be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 6: “Proposed Changes to the 2010/11 Concessionary Fares Special Grant”.

(2)     That Councillors Palethorpe, Clarke and Mildren be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 7: “People Plan”.

(3)     That Mr J Small, Mr B Stevens and Councillors Hawkins and Clarke be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 8: “Future of Archway Cottages, Abington Park”.

(4)     That Mr J Cutler and Councillors Hawkins, Clarke and Mildren be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 9: “Cycling within the Racecourse”.

(5)     That Councillors Clarke and Mildren be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 10: “Premises Closure Orders”.

(6)     That Ms S Watson and Councillors Palethorpe, Hawkins and Clarke be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 11: “Housing PFI – Amended Proposals”.

(7)     That Councillor Clarke be grated leave to address Cabinet on item 12: “Council Tax Base 2010-2011”.

(8)     That Mr C Grethe and Councillors Palethorpe, Clarke, Mildren and Davies be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 13: “Draft Budget for 2010-11 to 2012-13”.

(9)     That Councillors Palethorpe, Hawkins, Clarke and Mildren be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 14A: “Performance Monthly Report – October 2009”.

(10) That Councillors Palethorpe, Clarke and Mildren be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 14B: “General Fund Revenue Monitoring 2009-10 – Period 7”.

(11) That Coucnillors Palethorpe, Clarke and Mildren be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 14C: “Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Monitoring 2009-10 – Period 7”.

(12) That Councillors Clarke and Mildren be granted leave to address Cabinet on item 14D: “Capital Programme Monitoring 2009-10 – Period 7 Project Appraisals and Variations”.

Cycling within the Racecourse

Mr John Cutler addressed Cabinet and thanked them for tackling the issues in such a positive way.  He felt that allowing cycling on the Racecourse was in everyone’s interest and hoped that this would open the way for a relaxation of regulations in other parks and open spaces.  He urged Cabinet to look at the matter in a sensible and rational way without putting a blanket ban on cyclists.

Future of Archway Cottages, Abington Park

Mr Small addressed Cabinet having read the recommendations regarding the future of Archway Cottages.  He would like to see the cottages remain, but was concerned about the archaeology of the area, especially if there was a need to disturb the surrounding land with trenches for essential services.  He asked that an archaeologist be present to keep a watching brief, particularly in the un-surveyed area that had formed a garden area to the cottages. He suspected that the foundations of the cottages may be of medieval origin and would welcome the opportunity for further investigation.

Mr B Stevens addressed Cabinet as a representative of Abington Park Conservation Society and Friends of Abington Park.  He considered that the decision made in April 2008 to dispose of the cottages showed a lack of thinking as they could be converted for community use, which would be less costly than renovating them as domestic properties. He felt that there was a lack of information about alternative options and that external funding had not been thoroughly investigated.  The Friends of the Park were keen to keep the buildings in the public domain as part of the public park and under the control of the local authority.

In response to questions from Councillors Perkins and PD Varnsverry, Mr Stevens confirmed that neither the Friends of Abington Park nor the Abington Park Preservation Society had made any attempt to bid for external funding and Councillor Beardsworth advised him that the Northampton Volunteering Centre could help organisations with such bids.

Proposed Changes to Concessionary Bus Fares

Mr C Grethe addressed Cabinet commenting that it would be good to get enough funding from central Government to enable the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny report to be implemented.  He was particularly concerned for arrangements to be put into place for companion bus passes for the assistance of the elderly and disabled.

Draft Budget for 2010-11 to 2012-13

Mr C Grethe then referred to the budget report and the proposed 2.47% increase in Council Tax.  He hoped that the public would be widely consulted and those without access to computers would be considered.  He also hoped that grants to the voluntary sector would not be cut.