Agenda item

(Copy herewith)

Councillor Larratt proposed the report which sought approval for the recommendations contained within the report and commented that Members of the Cross-Party Working Group had reached an agreement and had agreed to the recommendations at its previous meeting on 13^th January. Councillor Larratt stated that he did not dispute that there were issues with the consultation, however it was in his opinion fair. He noted that individuals and not organisations were consulted and elaborated that it was up to parish councils to ask for what they wanted and that the merits of any application were considered on a case-by-case basis.

Councillor Nunn seconded the report and reserved his right to speak.

Councillor Stone commented that the Working Group had had to find a resolution amongst the many differences between parties and individuals. She stated that all were in agreement that a strong voice for Northampton was needed for communities to thrive. Councillor Stone advised that the single area where there was major disagreement was regarding Kingsthorpe, specifically the proposed boundaries. She advised that the Labour group would be supporting the recommendations based on the support given by residents in Far Cotton and Delapre, also Kingsthorpe with the caveat that further discussions take place with Kingsthorpe residents in respect of the proposed boundaries.

Councillor Beardsworth commented that there was no appetite amongst Kingsthorpe residents for a parish council; she asked that it be removed from the proposals and stated that she felt that things were being done “to” her constituents, not “with” them.

Councillor Birch commented that St David’s ward was included in the proposed Kingsthorpe Parish Council despite the area voting against such a proposal and elaborated that the area would not fit into the proposal. However she advised that she would support the recommendations contained in the report, provided they were adhered to.

Councillor Roberts congratulated Far Cotton Residents Association on their work in ensuring that the community were given the proper information in order to make an informed decision on the proposals. She noted that the CGR budget seemed to be £100,000 over-budget and questioned where the funds to pay for this would come from.

Councillor Meredith commented that due to the inconsistencies in the consultation, it should be undertaken again and in a proper manner.

Councillor Davenport commented that local accountability was needed in Far Cotton and Delapre and local people were needed to make decisions in their own area. She hoped for a bigger voice for her ward in respect of S106 and CIL monies, as a parish council.

Councillor McCutcheon commented that he believed a strong town council was the best thing for Northampton following unitary.

Councillor G Eales commented that the way in which the consultation was carried out set a dangerous precedent. He pointed out that a WASPRA representative had spoken against the proposal, after initiating the application for a Kingsthorpe Parish Council, and that nobody from Far Cotton & Delapre, or Duston, had made further objections.

Councillor Eales proposed to move that paragraphs c) and d) in 2.4 of the report be removed and the word “Kingsthorpe” be removed from paragraphs a) and i) and defer any decision relating to a Kingsthorpe Parish Council until the next full Council meeting.

Councillor Beardsworth seconded the motion.

Councillor Malpas commented that Billing Parish Council put a lot of money into Bellinge and explained that when parish councils worked well, they worked for the benefit of all residents.

Councillor B Markham commented that he would support the proposals for a Far Cotton & Delapre Parish Council as well as a Town Council but suggested that the proposal for a Kingsthorpe Parish Council be deferred, since parish councils could be created at any time.

Councillor Nunn replied and commented that parish councils provided essential services such as for youth, seniors and mental health work. He stated that a small response seemed reasonable as consultations did not normally garner many responses from residents.

A vote was taken on the amendment proposed by Councillor G Eales that paragraphs c) and d) in 2.4 of the report be removed and the word “Kingsthorpe” be removed from paragraphs a) and i) and defer any decision relating to a Kingsthorpe Parish Council until the next full Council meeting.

Upon a vote, the amendment was lost.

Councillor Larratt thanked Members for their contribution and advised that another Community Governance Review would take place within 2-4 years to resolve any issues that may arise.

The recommendations within the report were agreed.

RESOLVED:

1.    Council considered the report of ORS on the second and final stage of the consultation on a proposed town council for Northampton

2.    Council considered the results of the separate consultation exercise in respect of the proposals to create a parish council for Kingsthorpe and a community council for Far Cotton & Delapre and included in this a separate consultation in respect of Duston Parish Council’s proposal to extend its boundaries

3.    Council approved the following recommendations of the Cross Party Working Group at its meeting on 123th January 2020, namely;

a)    That having considered the results of the ORS consultation exercise it accepted option ‘A’ contained in the report as the preferred option for a town council in Northampton minus the area of Kingsthorpe and Far Cotton & Delapre which were now recommended as separate parish and community councils

b)    That it accepted the results of the consultation in respect of Far Cotton & Delapre and recommended the establishment of a community council for the said unparished area of the Borough Council with the boundaries as shown on the plan contained in the report

c)    That it accepted the results of the consultation in respect of Kingsthorpe and recommended the establishment of a parish council for the said unparished area of the Borough Council with the boundaries as shown on the plan contained in the report

d)    That discussions between the Whitehills & Spring Park Residents Association and various other voluntary groups etc in the Kingsthorpe area begin as soon as possible to ensure both cohesion and joint working in the setting up of the new parish council for Kingsthorpe

e)    That Northamptonshire County Association of Local Councils be appointed to carry out work on the establishment of a town council for Northampton and any agreed ancillary work on the establishment of a new parish council for Kingsthorpe and a community council for Delapre & Far Cotton in the unparished areas of the Borough Council, and to commence work on these proposals

f)     That after consideration of the results of the consultation, the proposal made by Duston Parish Council to extend its boundaries was not approved

g)    That it approved the principle and method of initial financing by way of grant funding from the Borough Council and any necessary reports on this proposal be brought back to future meetings of the Cross Party Working Group and/or Full Council

h)   That it delegated authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the Cross Party Working Group to oversee the process of implementing the decisions of Full Council and the Cross Party Working Group and to include the appointment of any necessary consultants to assist the process of implementation and/or any required support

i)     That Council noted the need for further additional meetings of Full Council and the Cross Party Working Group in respect of a number of issues that would require future approval such as agreeing statutory orders to set up a town council for Northampton, a parish council for Kingsthorpe and a community council for Delapre & Far Cotton and issues relating to the number of town and parish councillors etc.

j)      That Full Council agreed an additional budget of £100,000 to cover the period to the end of the financial year 2019-2020 which would include costs already incurred on the consultation exercises and the implementation of decisions taken by Full Council’s 20^th January 2020 meeting

k)    That a financial statement be submitted to the next Cross Party Working Group on the costs of the community governance exercise and the estimated required funds which would be needed for the period 2020/21