Agenda and minutes

Councillor Stone proposed and Councillor Birch seconded “That Councillor Rufia Ashraf be appointed as the first Chair of the Northampton Town Council.”

The motion was carried and Councillor Rufia Ashraf was appointed as Chair and accepted office, delivering the Declaration of Acceptance to Office and signing the declaration during the meeting.

Councillor Ashraf then took the Chair.

The Chair thanked Members for the great honour of being elected as the first Chair of the Northampton Town Council, and thanked Councillors Birch and Stone for their kind words. The Chair thanked her family, friends and community for their continued support and for the hard work of all Councillors and Officers of the Borough Council with the help and support from the Northamptonshire Association of Local Councils for the creation of the new Town Council.

The Chair welcomed Past Mayors, Honorary Aldermen, Honorary Freemen and Hereditary Freemen to the first meeting of the Town Council. The Chair continued by welcoming representatives of community organisations, business partners, representatives from Northampton’s faith communities, the press and Members of the public to the meeting. The Chair welcomed Dr. Jonathan Owen, attending on behalf of the Chief Executive of the National Association of Local Councils. The Chair expressed her apologies that the meeting was remote, as the Covid-19 restrictions prevented everyone from meeting in person. She shared that the Town Council was keen to preserve the traditions of the Mayoralty and Northampton’s rich civic heritage. She shared that she was proud of her Bangladeshi heritage, and proud to be a part of Northampton’s wonderfully rich and diverse community.

Councillor B Markham proposed, and Councillor Ansell seconded “That Councillor Dennis Meredith be appointed as the first Chair of the Northampton Town Council.”

The motion was carried and Councillor Dennis Meredith was appointed as Deputy Chair and accepted office, delivering the statuatory Declaration of Acceptance to Office.

There were none.

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded the appointment of Mr Richard Walden as Acting Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer of the Northampton Town Council.

There were none.

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded that the Council be styled “Northampton Town Council” and that with effect from 1^st April 2021 the Chair and Deputy Chair be respectively styled the Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor.

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded the appointment of the Executive Committee comprising of Councillors Ashraf, Birch, Lane, B Markham, Marriott, McCutcheon and Russell.

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded the adoption of the key documents outlined in the report of the Acting Town Clerk subject to their formal review at the Annual Council meeting following detailed scrutiny by the Executive Committee.

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded the appointment of external auditors PKF Littlejohn.

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded the proposal that the Town Council approves in principle to join the Northants Pension Fund for all transferred and subsequently appointed employees subject to the Executive Committee considering and approving a report setting out the liabilities and risks of joining the Fund.

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded that Her Majesty the Queen be petitioned to grant a licence transferring the Northampton Borough Coat of Arms to the Town Council.

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded that the terms of conditions for the appointment of a permanent Town Clerk as set out in the Appendix of the report be approved.

In addition, Councillor Birch announced that the Appointments Panel for the post will be Councillors Birch, Hibbert, B Markham and Marriott. Councillor Birch explained that candidates would individually meet three Stakeholder Panels, comprising firstly the Members of the Borough Council’s Cross Party Working Group; secondly, community representatives and finally any other members of the Town Council who would be able to take part in the selection process on the afternoon of Wednesday 13 January.

Councillor Birch invited Town Councillors who wish to take part to indicate their interest to Richard Walden or Tracy Tiff.

·       Tuesday 6^th January 2021 at 6.30pm (confirmation of appointment of Town Clerk; approving budget and precept for 2021/22)

·       Monday 1^st March 2021 at 6.30pm (approval of first tranche of transfer of assets and services)

·       Tuesday 11^th May 2021 at 6.30 p.m. (Informal Meeting of newly elected councillors)

·       Monday 17^th May 2021 at 6.30pm (Annual Council Meeting – Mayor Making ceremony)

·       Monday 24^th May 2021 at 7pm Annual Town Meeting (Electors’ Meeting) – opportunity for community engagement event

Councillor Birch proposed and Councillor Marriott seconded the dates for the future meetings of the Town Council subject to the meeting date in January to be changed to Wednesday 27 January 2021.

The future meetings were agreed as follows:

·         Wednesday 27^th January 2021 at 6.30pm (confirmation of appointment of Town Clerk; approving budget and precept for 2021/22)

·         Monday 1^st March 2021 at 6.30pm (approval of first tranche of transfer of assets and services)

·         Tuesday 11^th May 2021 at 6.30 p.m. (Informal Meeting of newly elected councillors)

·         Monday 17^th May 2021 at 6.30pm (Annual Council Meeting – Mayor Making ceremony)

·         Monday 24^th May 2021 at 7pm Annual Town Meeting (Electors’ Meeting)

At the Chair’s invitation, Councillor Birch proposed that the matters for information as set out in the report of the Acting Town Clerk be noted by the Town Council.