Agenda item

Report of Director of Environment and Culture (Copy to follow)

Cabinet noted the decisions of the Chief Executive and also noted the project’s aims and objectives.

Cabinet noted that the Council would be accountable to Natural England (on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund) for the successful execution of the project, which included securing the required level of match funding and employing the Project Co-ordinator.

Cabinet noted the nomination of the Northampton East Area Partnership Co-ordinator as the Council’s Lead Officer for the project, with full access to advice from Finance, HR, Legal, Procurement and other professional staff as required.

Councillor Hill as a member of a local Rotary Club welcomed the report but expressed slight disappointment that the Rotary commitment and support had been downplayed.  He stated that many Rotarians had contributed money and/or expertise which would have made the project much harder without their support.  He noted that there were young people who represented the third generation of residents on the Eastern District who were in need of this support.

The Chair concurred that the contribution of the Rotary Clubs in Northampton should not be underestimated.

Councillor Hawkins addressed Cabinet noting that the project had been finalised at the time of purdah during the recent General Election campaign.  She noted that although it was stated in the report that Ward Councillors were supportive of the project she had not been consulted in respect of Eastfield ward.  She believed that all young people across the Borough should be able to benefit from the scheme.  She hoped that from now on that all the Ward Councillors concerned would be involved.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet and referred to an e-mail of approximately 8 April 2010 concerning discussions at the East Area Management Board and apparent confusion that Thorplands seemed to have been originally included but now wasn’t and Eastfield hadn’t originally been included but now appeared to be.  However he supported this positive project and welcomed the inclusion of the Eastfield estate as an area of acknowledged deprivation.  He also noted that the Council’s involvement would be largely in a monitoring role.

Councillor P D Varnsverry as the appropriate Portfolio Holder submitted a report that informed Cabinet about the Change of Scene project and the decisions of the Chief Executive following consultation with all four Group Leaders to accept funding from the Access to Nature Programme of the Big Lottery Fund.  He welcomed the initiative and also noted the Junior Wardens Scheme at Lings and Lumbertubs which was aimed at helping young people develop new life skills as well.  He commended the Northampton East Partnership Co-ordinator for this initiative.  Councillor P D Varnsverry accepted the comments made by Councillor Hill in respect of the support of the Rotary Clubs and also noted that the project had been complicated by the change in neighbourhood management arrangements and the purdah period leading up to the recent General Election.  He also referenced the comments from Anna King in respect of progress towards appointing a co-ordinator and activities that had already taken place and were planned for the future.

RESOLVED:         (1)         That the decisions of the Chief Executive and the project’s aims and objectives be noted.

(2)         That the Council being accountable to Natural England on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund for the successful execution of the project including securing the required level of matched funding and employing the Project Co-ordinator be noted.

(3)         That the nomination of the Northampton East Area Partnership Co-ordinator as the Council’s Lead Officer for the project with full access to advice from Finance, HR, Legal, Procurement and other professional staff as required be noted.