Agenda and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Morpeth

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Bridgett, Fairless-Aitken, Gallacher, Horncastle, Humphrey, Kennedy, Ploszaj, Purvis, A. Scott  and Towns.

2.

DISCLOSURES OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required to disclose any personal interest (which includes any disclosable pecuniary interest) they may have in any of the items included on the agenda for the meeting in accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council on 4 July 2012, and are reminded that if they have any personal interests of a prejudicial nature (as defined under paragraph 17 of the Code Conduct) they must not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room.? 

NB Any member needing clarification must contact monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk. Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.? 

 

 

Minutes:

With regard to item 4 on the agenda (Local Plan), Councillor Bawn advised that as a solicitor, he had clients who had interests in Northumberland but nothing of a pecuniary nature, or directly connected to the Local Plan.

 

Councillor Beynon declared an interest in item 7 on the agenda (Request to Exercise the Freedom of Northumberland: 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery).

 

Councillor Oliver sought clarification of his position regarding the land allocation within the Local Plan (item 4 on the agenda - Local Plan), for sand and gravel extraction in his ward as he had previously raised concerns about this. Following advice from Mr Murfin, the Business Chair confirmed that this was subject to a planning application which was not a decision for today.  

 

3.

JOINT REPORT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER AND THE INTERIM SENIOR SERVICE DIRECTOR pdf icon PDF 572 KB

Seghill By Election Result

 

 To receive the result of the Seghill By Election and the Proportionality Report – report to follow.

 

 

Minutes:

Seghill By Election Result and Political Proportionality

 

Council was asked to receive the result of the Seghill By Election and to determine the political proportionality of the registered political groups on the council and to allocate seats on committees in accordance with that proportionality, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 15 and 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. 

 

The Business Chair welcomed Councillor Eve Chicken to her first meeting of Council.

 

The report was proposed by Councillor Wearmouth and seconded by the Leader.

 

Councillor Hill sought clarification of the position regarding committees of 5 and 9. Councillor Wearmouth confirmed that for 5, it would be 2 Conservative, 1 Labour and 2 in the pool. The only other change in the report was for Committees of 8 and 15, with additional places to the pool. 

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(a)      Council notes that immediately following the Seghill with Seaton Delaval by-election and notified changes to the Labour Group, the total number of councillors in each political group on the County Council is Conservative 33, Labour 20, Independent 6, Liberal Democrat 4, Green 2 and 2 un-grouped members;

 

(b)      Council confirms that the political proportionality of the Groups is as follows: Conservative 49.25%, Labour 29.85%, Independent 8.96%, Liberal Democrat 5.97%, Green 2.99% and un-grouped 1.49% and 1.49%;

 

(c)      Council agrees to continue to use the method for determining allocations to Committees as agreed by Full Council at its meeting of 23rd February 2022;

 

(d)      Council approves the provisions of Appendix 1 which sets out the proportional allocation of places on committees in accordance with the proportionality approved above;

 

(e)      Council agrees the allocation of seats to Northumberland County principal/decision making Committees set out in Appendix 2 to the report;

 

(f)       Council agrees allocations to advisory/non-decision-making committees set out in Appendix 3 to the report; and 

 

(g)      Council agrees Group Leaders will appoint members to fill the committee places allocated to their respective Groups and that Group Leaders will provide a finalised list of members for each committee (in line with their respective allocations) to the Head of Democratic Services to fill the allocated positions.   

4.

REPORT OF THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND LOCAL SERVICES pdf icon PDF 268 KB

Adoption of The Northumberland Local Plan (2016 - 2036)

 

To present the Inspectors’ Report into the independent examination of the Northumberland Local Plan and recommend that Council approve the adoption of the Northumberland Local Plan (2016-2036), including the Policies Map, as amended by main modifications and additional changes, following its Independent Examination by the Planning Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State.

 

Link to Appendix 2 – Policies Maps

 

https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.northumberland.gov.uk%2FNorthumberlandCountyCouncil%2Fmedia%2FPlanning-and-Building%2Fplanning%2520policy%2FLocal%2520Plan%2FNorthumberland-Local-Plan-Policies-Map-Adopted-Version-A3-low-resolution.pdf&data=04%7C01%7CKaron.Hadfield%40northumberland.gov.uk%7C170894e8e4b64f9a80ca08da0c0ba890%7Cbb13a9de829042f0a980dc3bdfe70f40%7C0%7C0%7C637835541447982789%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=8GJFPXVfrcdkrIbgNLd5nS80DcJvoEWYxhs%2BgwmGUdA%3D&reserved=0

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Adoption of The Northumberland Local Plan (2016 - 2036)

 

The report presented the Inspectors’ Report into the independent examination of the Northumberland Local Plan and recommended that Council approve the adoption of the Northumberland Local Plan (2016-2036), including the Policies Map, as amended by main modifications and additional changes, following its Independent Examination by the Planning Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State.

 

Mr Murfin made a presentation to members on the key points of the report.

 

The Leader commented this was a testament to the hard work of officers and the member working group. It had been a hard decision to say in 2017 that the Core Strategy was not fit for purpose, but it had been clear that it was important to have the right number of houses in the right places, and that it was important to encourage industry to locate in the County. The new Local Plan provided clarity on this and he commended it to members.

 

A number of questions were raised by members including:-

 

         Councillor Hill asked for further detail on what might be regarded as the more controversial parts of the Plan. Mr Murfin referred to the elements which had previously been negotiated through the S106 process on an individual basis. The entire approach to growth had been viability tested at the Plan level and the Government agreed that the private sector should be able to deliver on the basis of what was contained in the Plan. This had meant difficult decisions on affordable housing levels which had been set at variable levels across the County and this had implications for developments progressing. In areas where by Parish the residencies were 20% and above non primary residences, then any new developments would be for primary residences only. Community led housing schemes could result in differences of opinion in some communities.

 

         Regarding employment land, Councillor Robinson asked if new areas would be identified or if existing areas would be expanded, particularly for the south east. Mr Murfin replied that officers needed to plan for choice, churn and mix in employment land designation to meet different types of need. A broad range of land had therefore been allowed for, including the unusual step of taking some green belt land. As further investments came along, there may be a need to release further land.

 

         Councillor Swinburn asked about the effect of the Local Plan on existing or emerging neighbourhood plans and how they would fit together. Mr Murfin advised that the “first generation” of neighbourhood plans were a reflection of the out-of-date district local plans. As the work on the Local Plan had moved forward, the newer neighbourhood plans were much more slimmed down and focussed only on the issues which were of concern to that local community. In view of this, the older plans would probably need a fundamental refresh, but the newer plans would likely be fit for purpose.

 

         Councillor Murphy asked what powers the Local Plan gave the Authority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

REPORT OF THE INTERIM SERVICE DIRECTOR FOR HR/OD pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Pay Policy Statement of Northumberland County Council 2022-23

 

The Localism Act 2011 requires the County Council to prepare and publish a Pay Policy Statement. The purpose of such a statement is to articulate the Council’s policies towards a range of issues relating to the pay of its workforce, particularly its senior staff and its lowest paid employees. The Council wishes to ensure that it operates on the principles of equal pay for work of equal value, and also within the various other legislative requirements, including the Equality Act 2010. The policy statement applies to the 2022-23 financial year and requires approval at a meeting of the County Council. It will be reviewed annually and takes into account the guidance on openness issued by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Pay Policy Statement of Northumberland County Council 2022-23

 

Council was asked to consider the pay policy statement for the 2022-23 financial year which required approval at a meeting of the County Council. It would be reviewed annually and took into account the guidance on openness issued by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). 

 

Councillor Dickinson asked for clarification regarding a letter members of the Staff and Appointments Committee had received, much of which related to this report. He asked whether these members could participate in this item. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that this was in order as the report was about the pay policy of the Council as a whole and did not relate to a specific matter.

 

The report was proposed and introduced by Councillor Wearmouth. It was noted that the correct Government Department mentioned in the report was not MHCLG but the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.  It was seconded by Councillor Stewart.

 

Councillor Dale asked if the Pay Policy Statement was contained in the Constitution. The Monitoring Officer advised that it was in part, definition of statutory officers being one of them.

 

Councillor Hill asked for clarity on “special payments” to senior officers and what this included, and if there was a bonus scheme whether there was a document which explained the criteria. She also asked about the Staff and Appointments Committee delegation from full Council to approve severance and redundancy payments to Chief Officers as she understood this was a matter for full Council. Leanne Furnell advised that anything outside normal salary constituted special payments.

 

Councillor Wearmouth explained that the delegation would only apply up to a particular threshold which he believed was £100,000. Anything above that would need Council approval. Councillor Hill queried whether the Policy needed amendment to reflect that. The Monitoring Officer drew members’ attention to para 23 of the Policy which stated that all exit packages over £100,000 had to be agreed by SAC. This should in fact be by full Council as per legislation.  

 

Councillor Hill commented that this contradicted the Constitution. The Monitoring Officer advised that members were being asked to approve the Policy on pages 33-41 and the covering report highlighted the revisions which had been made to the previous version to ensure it aligned with the Constitution and legislation. Councillor Hill asked whether, with regard to para 23, the current policy stated the opposite to what was now being proposed in the new policy. The Monitoring Officer replied that this did not matter as legislation dictated that all exit packages over £100,000 had to be approved by Council.

 

RESOLVED that the Policy Statement for the year 2022/23 attached as Appendix 1 to the report be approved and published on the NCC website in line with transparency guidance on openness issued by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, subject to the amendment of paragraph 23 as detailed above. 

6.

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC AND ELECTORAL SERVICES pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Timetable of Meetings 2022-23

 

To seek Council’s approval to suspend Standing Orders in order that the annual timetable of meetings for 2022-23 can be agreed

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Timetable of Meetings 2022-23

 

Council’s approval was sought to suspend Standing Orders in order that the annual timetable of meetings for 2022-23 could be agreed.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Watson and seconded by the Leader that Standing Orders be suspended to enable this matter to be dealt with.

 

Councillor Dunbar asked whether it would be possible, regarding LACs, to run straight through onto Local Area business where this followed planning business and not wait for the 6 pm start. The Business Chair advised that this could be one of the changes arising from the Scrutiny review of the LACs. He was happy for flexibility, but this did need to be documented somewhere.

 

Councillor Dale felt it was important to be consistent with the Planning Committee start times.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(a)      approval be given to the suspension of Council Procedure Rule 1.1 (12) in Part 5 of the Constitution; and

(b)      the annual timetable of meetings for 2022-23 attached to the report be agreed.

7.

REQUEST TO EXERCISE THE FREEDOM OF NORTHUMBERLAND: 3RD REGIMENT ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY

Over the years, recognised organisations which have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the County or offered a service of the highest order to the country in the name of Northumberland have been awarded the ceremonial title of “Freedom of Northumberland” which has been widely appreciated and valued. In 2015, the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (3RHA) moved to Albemarle from Hohne in Germany and in 2016, in recognition of their service to the people of Northumberland, the Council awarded them the Freedom of Northumberland, in acknowledgment of the vital tasks they carry out. The Regiment has now asked permission to exercise the right to march through Hexham on 16 July 2022 and to hold a ceremony to reflect the significant changes they are facing. The Council's support is sought for this major event.

 

 

Minutes:

Over the years, recognised organisations which have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the County or offered a service of the highest order to the country in the name of Northumberland have been awarded the ceremonial title of “Freedom of Northumberland” which has been widely appreciated and valued. In 2015, the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (3RHA) moved to Albemarle from Hohne in Germany and in 2016, in recognition of their service to the people of Northumberland, the Council awarded them the Freedom of Northumberland, in acknowledgment of the vital tasks they carry out. The Regiment had now asked permission to exercise the right to march through Hexham on 16 July 2022 and to hold a ceremony to reflect the significant changes they are facing. The Council's support was sought for this major event.

 

In accordance with Minute No. 90 above, Councillor Beynon left the meeting whilst this matter was considered.

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Cessford and seconded by Councillor Watson.

 

Councillor Cessford spoke in strong support of the motion and urged members to support it.

 

Councillor Morphet felt that it was not the right place or time to support militarism in any form and asked members to join him in opposing it.

 

A number of members spoke in support of the motion and on being put to the vote by show of hands there voted FOR: A substantial majority; AGAINST: 2; ABSTENTIONS: 1.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED that the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (3RHA) be granted permission to exercise the right to march through Hexham on 16 July 2022 and to hold a ceremony to reflect the significant changes they are facing.

8.

BUSINESS HELD OVER FROM THE 23RD FEBRUARY 2022 COUNCIL MEETING

To consider the member questions deferred from the budget meeting of Council held on 23rd February 2022. 

Minutes:

Council was asked to consider the member questions deferred from the budget meeting of Council held on 23rd February 2022. 

 

Question 1 from Councillor Dale to Councillor Wearmouth

 

At the Full Council meeting on 1st?September 2021 I asked Cllr Wearmouth for an update on the cost of the refurbishment of County Hall.? Please could Cllr Wearmouth give me a further update on the costs incurred to date for all the work undertaken so far.? Councillor Wearmouth advised that it was £11.3m as at the end of January 22.

 

Councillor Dale asked whether a value for money impact assessment should be done at the end to assess the added value for Morpeth as opposed to what might have been added for Ashington. Councillor Wearmouth commented that the amount of money which had been saved from not moving away had freed up money to do many other things in the capital programme.

 

Question 2 from Councillor Wallace to the Leader 

 

This was withdrawn as it had been answered. 

 

Question 3 from Councillor Scott to Councillor Renner Thompson

 

Question 4 from Councillor Scott to the Leader

 

Councillor Scott would receive written answers in her absence.

 

Question 5 from Councillor Nisbet to Councillor Watson

 

We recently wrote collectively to you about the Blyth Beach huts. We found your response disappointing. The Beach Huts in Blyth are being made inaccessible to local people because of the changes being made. Will you actively lobby Active Northumberland to look again at keeping these community assets accessible to local people for one off bookings? Not everyone can afford to block book the huts and while we welcome tourism into Blyth it mustn't be at the expense of local people.?

 

Councillor Nisbet advised that this had been answered briefly at the last meeting, but she believed the huts had previously been available on a daily basis all year round so she was not happy with the response that they would only be available in the Summer. It was important that the huts were available for those with disabilities in particular.

 

Question 6 from Councillor Ball to Councillor Horncastle

 

As we have seen the past two years have caused a financial hardship for many residents across Northumberland.??How many council tenants are currently subject to action due to late payment on rent? 

 

As Councillor Horncastle was not present, a written response would be provided from him.

 

Question 7 from Councillor Ball to Councillor Renner Thompson

 

Young people are being hit hard by the long term impacts of Covid 19. Missing out on education, socialising and feeling the direct effects of falling house hold incomes. Strong youth services are key to helping these young people and improved life chances. Can we have a commitment to the young people of Northumberland that the youth service will not suffer more cuts in coming budgets and actually see investment as every penny spent in advance will reduce spend later in interventions?

 

Councillor Renner Thompson replied that he was aware of the impact of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

Council is invited to consider passing the following resolution:??

 

(a) That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the agenda as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act, and

 

(b) That the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure for the following reasons:-

 

Agenda Item          Paragraph of Schedule 12A

10                           1,3,4 and 5 – information relating to any individual, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information), information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the Authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the Authority and information in respect of which a claim to legal privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

 

AND                        The public interest outweighs the public interest in disclosure because disclosure would adversely affect the Authority’s ability to conduct its affairs.                                                  

10.

STAFF AND APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

To receive a report of the Staff and Appointments Committee held on 24 March 2022 – report to follow.