Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Bridgett, Clark, Ferguson, Homer, Morphet, Swinbank and Towns.

Minutes of the annual meeting of County Council held on Wednesday 26 May 2021 as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record, signed by the Business Chair and sealed with the Common Seal of the Council (see pages 9-22). 

Councillor Hill referred to Minute No. 11 (Appointment of Leader) and the guidance on closure motions contained on page 100 (para 12.11) of the Constitution which allowed this to happen if the Chair felt the matter had been sufficiently discussed. She sought assurances that motions could be properly debated going forward and that the Chair would not immediately accept a closure motion to stifle debate. She felt clarification from the Constitution Working Group would be helpful.

The Business Chair responded that he had taken legal advice at the meeting and commented that at every Council meeting he had attended where the election of the Leader had been on the agenda, there had been no debate on it. However, he agreed that the issue could be the subject of future discussion.

Councillor Dickinson referred to Minute No. 13(7) (Standards Committee minutes) and the Leader’s agreement to look at the position regarding the ongoing complaints. Given the significant issues to deal with, he asked why the Standards Committee had been cancelled recently. Councillor Wearmouth commented that he believed it had been due to lack of business. The Business Chair agreed to get clarification from the independent Chair of the Committee.

With regard to Minute No. 17 (Minutes), Councillor Dickinson commented that the Leader had agreed that the response to Councillor Hepple’s question  could be provided to him. This had not happened. The Leader advised that this was being dealt with.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the annual meeting of County Council held on Wednesday 26 May 2021 as circulated, be confirmed as a true record, signed by the Business Chair and sealed with the Common Seal of the Council.

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. 

Councillor Grimshaw declared an interest in item 12 on the agenda. Following advice from the Deputy Monitoring Officer she advised that she would leave the room whilst the matter was discussed.

by the Business Chair, Leader or Head of Paid Service. 

The Business Chair advised that the following people, particularly connected with Northumberland, had received honours in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List:-

            Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) 

Charles Antony Elliott Braithwaite. For Political Service in the North East of England. (Hexham) 

Professor Suzanne Cholerton. Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University. For services to Higher Education. (Morpeth) 

Timothy Charles Willbond DL. Vice Chairman, North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. For services to the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. (Morpeth) 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 

Stephen Anthony Ball. For services to Rugby League Charities. (Hexham) 

Robert Henry Mole. For services to the community in Hexham, Northumberland. (Hexham) 

Josephine Sanderson. Finance and Business Support Manager, Forestry England. For services to Forestry. (Hexham)

The Leader welcomed the news that British Volt had received planning permission for their gigaplant which would provide 300 jobs and the prospect of more, which would encourage other businesses to come to the County. He expressed his thanks to Advance for the preparation work they had done on this and to Rob Murfin and the Planning team for the speed and efficiency in how they had dealt with the planning application.

The Administration was now working on its new Corporate Plan to make Northumberland a stronger place through business investment and seeking out new jobs, whilst also looking after those who needed the Authority’s help. There were still issues around health inequalities, fuel poverty and child poverty and these would also be a key priority.

The plan by Northumbria Police to reduce the opening hours of some of their stations would be looked at.

Finally, the Government was keen on enlarging the combined authority mayoral area. Discussions on this continued, but he wouldn’t commit the County Council to a larger area until a full discussion had taken place at Council by all members.

(if any) to date of meeting.

 to be put to the Business Chair, a member of the Cabinet or the Chair of any

Committee or Sub Committee, in accordance with the Constitution’s Rules of

Procedure No.10.  

Question 1 from Councillor Hunter to the Leader  

Please can the Leader give me assurance that Northumberland County Council will respond the current consultation on the 2022 LNER timetable and support the residents of Berwick and the surrounding area by opposing the proposals which would mean there would be the following reduction of East Coast trains stopping in Berwick: 

72 trains per week 

288 trains per month 

3744 trains per year 

Berwick Railway Station is a well-used station by residents and visitors for a variety of reasons e.g. commuting, business, hospital appointments, pleasure. 

The reduction of trains stopping in Berwick will increase the carbon footprint which goes against proposals to reduce carbon emissions. This also goes against the work by SENRUG, RAGES and pressure groups to re-open small stations and platforms along the East Coast line which were closed in the past. 

Nationally they are saying the people using trains are at a record low, therefore if less trains going to stop in Berwick-upon-Tweed then less passengers will be able to use the service.? 

Therefore, I request that Northumberland County Council responds to the consultation before 5th August 2021. 

I am also asking that the appropriate Scrutiny Committee urgently considers the current LNER timetable from 2022 consultation, as the changes will have a detrimental impact for Northumberland residents and visitors. 

The Leader agreed this was a significant step backwards. Four operators were doing a consultation at the same time. The aim was to encourage people to take a quicker train, but this would mean taking slower trains off the track which would negatively impact on the Council’s efforts to encourage people to use stations such as Berwick and Morpeth. He had written to the four MP's asking for their support in objecting to the proposed changes, and to the Secretary of State for Transport, the Department of Transport and the Council’s other partners arguing that the consultation and the proposed changes should be put on hold and an 'East Coast Mainline Task Force' be established to look at the issues around capacity on the line. There was a very strong opposition to this regionally and the Council would continue to oppose any move to reduce commuter trains. He had no issue with Scrutiny looking at this issue also.

Question 2 from Councillor Bridgett to the Leader  

Will this Administration and Council use its shareholding in Newcastle Airport to vote against the ridiculous idea from Sunderland Council in relation to renaming Newcastle Airport? 

Councillor Bridgett was not present, but the Leader advised that he was not in favour of this, and he would not agree with it on any vote.

Question 3 from Councillor Bridgett to the Leader 

Could the Leader of the Council please tell me if he still stands by his statement that he is “impressed” with the state of the roads in the Rothbury Division? 

This would be moved forward to the next Council meeting in Councillor Bridgett’s absence.

Question 4 from Councillor Kennedy to the Leader  

On  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE CABINET MEETINGS HELD ON:- 

(1)Tuesday 8 June 2021 (see pages 23-32) 

(1)        Tuesday 8 June 2021

With regard to Minute No. 3 (f) (reserve for one off costs relating to transfer from NHS Partnership changes), Councillor Dale asked for further information on this so members could be aware of it. She also referred to an underspend of £55,000 in the street lighting modernisation programme. She had understood that the Audit Committee had been going to look at the failings of the programme and questioned whether this had taken place.

The Leader replied that this would be looked at. Regarding the first point, the Business Chair advised that a report was coming to Cabinet on 3 August on this.

Councillor Ezhilchelvan referred to Minute No.4.4 and welcomed the funding. He asked whether this funding would be used to complete the Cramlington cycleway programme. The Business Chair advised that he was sure this was the case.

Councillor Dickinson referred to Minute 3(e ) (Social Fund top up) and asked for the reason behind this, and whether it was covid related. Councillor Wearmouth believed this was related to additional relief provided to particular people, but he would get a response provided in writing.

RESOLVED that the minutes be received.

TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER MINUTES from the following Committee:- 

(1)Health and Wellbeing OSC(see pages 33-40) 

(1)      Health and Wellbeing OSC

These were presented by Councillor Reid.

RESOLVED that the minutes be received.

To receive details of delegated decisions taken since those reported to County Council on Wednesday, 26 May 2021?(see pages 41-42).? 

RESOLVED that the delegated decisions taken since those reported to County Council on Wednesday, 26 May 2021 be received. ? 

? 

Motion No. 1

In accordance with Council Rules of Procedure No.10, Councillor S. Dickinson to move the following motion, received by the Democratic Services Manager on 10 June 2021:- 

To bring Northumberland County Council into the 21st century and provide equality to Councillors as well as staff, it notes the following research findings:

That analysis of the 2019 Local Election results by the Fawcett Society found that only 35% of councillors in England are women, up 1% since 2018. Of the seats that were up for election in 2018, 38% went to women, up just 3 percentage points on 2014 when these seats were last contested;

That the role of a councillor should be open to all, regardless of their background, and that introducing a parental leave policy is a step towards encouraging a wider range of people to become councillors, and is also a step to encourage existing councillors who may want to start a family to remain as councillors;

That parental leave must apply to parents regardless of their gender, and that it should also cover adoption leave to support those parents who choose to adopt.

Northumberland County Council resolves:

To adopt the parental leave policy drafted by the LGA Labour Group’s Women’s Taskforce to give all councillors an entitlement to parental leave after giving birth or adopting; (see pages 43-46).

To ensure that councillors with children and other caring commitments are supported as appropriate;

To notify the LGA Labour Group that this Council has passed a motion at full Council to adopt the parental leave policy  .

Motion No. 1

The motion was set out in the agenda. However, Councillor Dickinson advised that he wished to defer it to September's meeting to iron out some of the wording and to get some cross party agreement. The Business Chair welcomed this.

Proposal to Appoint Independent (Co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee

Further to the announcement by the Leader of the County Council at the meeting of full Council on 26 May 2021 that the Authority would move to establish an independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee as soon as possible, this report proposes the relevant changes required to the Constitution to enable an independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee to be so appointed; together with information on steps taken to expedite the appointment (see pages 47-54).

Proposal to Appoint Independent (Co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee

Further to the announcement by the Leader of the County Council at the meeting of full Council on 26 May 2021 that the Authority would move to establish an independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee as soon as possible, the report proposed the relevant changes required to the Constitution to enable an independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee to be so appointed; together with information on steps taken to expedite the appointment. A supplementary report had been circulated to members which proposed that, following advertisement of the proposed role of Independent (Co-opted) Audit Committee Chair, and competitive interviews undertaken by the Panel, Mr Stephen Watson be appointed by County Council as the Independent (Co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee.

Councillor Dickinson referred to a letter sent to Group Leaders about the process which would be followed and sought assurances that this process had been. The Leader confirmed that it had.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)      Council agree that an independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee should be established, in addition to the 8 elected members and 2 co-opted members currently appointed to the Audit Committee;

(b)      Council agree that the Constitution be amended to reflect the County Council’s agreement to this proposal;

(c)      Council agree the role definition and person specification for the independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee, which had been prepared based on national good practice for such co-opted roles and Nolan principles, attached as Appendix A to the report;

(d)      Council note that the proposed role of Independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee had been advertised openly in local media, and that applicants would be subject to a competitive recruitment process which would evaluate their ability to fulfil the competencies set out in the proposed role definition and person specification attached to the report as Appendix A;

(e )     Council agree that applicants meeting the essential criteria for the role would be invited to interview by a panel comprising Cllr Barry Flux (Business Chair), Mrs Jan Willis (Executive Director for Finance) and Mrs Allison Mitchell (Director of Corporate Assurance), with the individual recommended to be appointed to the role of Independent (Co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee following that competitive process to be reported to County Council for approval;

(f)       Council agree that the proposed term of office for the Independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee will be two years, after which time the role will again be subject to re-advertisement and a competitive selection process, with future appointments to the role to be agreed by County Council;

(g)      Council agree that Independent (co-opted) Chair of Audit Committee will be paid an allowance at the same rate as has been paid to the elected member who has discharged this role over the last administrative term; and that the value of this allowance will be included in any review of Members’ Allowances which may take place in future, and will be subject to any recommendations made about payment of such an allowance which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Purchase of Shares in Northumberland Enterprise Holdings Limited

The purpose of this report is to authorise the purchase of share capital in Northumberland Enterprise Holdings Ltd (“NEHL”) and to effect the associated funding approvals.  

Purchase of Shares in Northumberland Enterprise Holdings Limited

The report sought authority to the purchase of share capital in Northumberland Enterprise Holdings Ltd (“NEHL”) and to effect the associated funding approvals. 

The Interim S151 Officer summarised the report briefly for members. The funding had been set aside in a reserve created by applying surpluses which had already been generated on International Consultancy activity. There was a detailed cashflow forecast to support the figure and a further report would come to the next meeting of Cabinet to deal with the more detailed governance issues and approvals which were required to give effect to this. 

Councillor Dale sought assurances that the governance arrangements were sound around the shareholder responsibilities, and that there would be no repeat of the losses suffered with Arch and Advance. All members needed a copy of the report. The Business Chair advised this would be discussed at Cabinet on 3 August.

Councillor Reid moved the report’s recommendations and did not agree that Arch and Advance had cost the Council money. They had always paid the debt that they had owed. The Leader seconded this.

Councillor Hill advised that she would abstain from voting as she had not seen the report.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)      the report be noted;

(b)      Council approve the purchase by the Council of share capital in NEHL totalling £300,000; and

(c)      Council approve the addition of £300,000 to the Capital Programme to fund the share purchase, to be funded from the earmarked reserve created for this purpose.

To consider holding a special meeting of the County Council on Wednesday, 1 September 2021 (being the date of the next quarterly meeting of the Council) to consider the appointment of Honorary Aldermen.

(Note:Under the Local Government Act 1972, the Council may – by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting hereon – and at a meeting specially convened for that purpose – confer the title of Honorary Alderman on persons who have rendered eminent service to the Council as past members thereof but who are not now members of the Council).

Council was asked to consider holding a special meeting of the County Council on Wednesday, 1 September 2021 (being the date of the next quarterly meeting of the Council) to consider the appointment of Honorary Aldermen.

(Note: Under the Local Government Act 1972, the Council may – by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting hereon – and at a meeting specially convened for that purpose – confer the title of Honorary Alderman on persons who have rendered eminent service to the Council as past members thereof but who are not now members of the Council).

The Leader advised that this was about recognising members who had served for a long time. The criteria was being looked at and a report would come forward which would be shared with Group Leaders for their input. He also felt that those from the community who provided great service for the County should be considered.

Councillor Reid agreed that the Council should consider how it could honour people including members, public and officers. He reminded members that the Authority was only 12 years old, and some members had already been awarded for their service to the District and Borough Councils. He looked forward to seeing the report.

Councillor Dickinson agreed with the points made regarding all those who had provided service to the County and welcomed a discussion on how to create a framework that fitted.

RESOLVED that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Council for member consideration.

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 item on the Agenda as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I 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:- 

RESOLVED

(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 item on the Agenda as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I 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  15

Paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A - 1, 3 and 4

Information relating to Information relating to any individual, information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and 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   The public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure because disclosure would adversely affect the Authority’s ability to conduct its affairs.

Executive Structure

To consider a report on the above (to follow).

Executive Structure

The report had been circulated to members (copy attached to the sealed minutes). The report set out information from the Head of Paid Service regarding proposals to undertake a review of the Authority’s Executive Officer team.

The report was introduced by the Chief Executive who drew members’ attention to the main points. It was the Head of the Paid Service’s statutory responsibility to deliver the review and to report to Council on the staffing arrangements which she considered should be established.

Members raised questions around the independent support element of the review. It was noted that this would need to be procured in accordance with procurement law and Finance and Contract Rules. It was likely to require a competitive tendering process.

Members sought assurances about how the support element would be selected to ensure that it was fully independent. The Leader assured members that the Chief Executive would lead on the review and that Group Leaders would be kept informed of progress. He and the Chief Executive both recognised the need for this work to be done .

RESOLVED that recommendations (a) to (c) in the Report of the Head of Paid Service be agreed.