The Executive of North Northamptonshire Council met on Thursday 13 June 2024 and agreed to all of the recommendations put to them. The meeting discussed, among other things, a range of funding applications for improving the Council's energy efficiency, improving internet connectivity in schools, and carrying out essential maintenance on roads and traffic signals. The meeting also received a report on the Council's Carbon Management Plan.

Capital Programme Update 2024-25

The Executive received a report detailing a range of projects that had been awarded grant funding or that required approval to apply for grant funding.

Councillor Lloyd Bunday, the Executive Member for Finance and Transformation, praised officers for their work in securing funding for these projects.

These are four good news stories and [they] demonstrate that the Council is ambitious and forward thinking. - Councillor Lloyd Bunday

The four projects were:

• Swimming Pool Support Fund This grant of £303,500 from Sport England will fund energy efficiency improvements to leisure centres across the Council area. Councillor Helen Howell, the Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism praised the fund, saying that the improvements will assist in reducing energy consumption and minimise the chance of facility closure.
• Connecting the Classroom This grant of £171,900 from the Department for Education will fund improvements to internet connectivity in schools.
• Relocation of Wilby CE VA Primary School to Glenvale Park This grant of £1,278,000 will provide for furniture, fittings and equipment for the school, which was recently relocated.

• Corporate property decarbonisation project This grant of £275,800 will fund improvements to the energy efficiency of the Council's corporate estate. Explaining the project to the meeting, George Candler, the Executive Director of Place and Economy said that the works would significantly reduce the Council's carbon footprint . The project is part of a wider commitment by the Council to reduce its environmental impact. In 2023 the Council established a £1 million Carbon Reduction Fund, and this has helped the Council secure significant investment from central government. Praising the Council's ambition, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jason Smithers said:

  [The Council] has been paid back almost fourfold with government investment into the Decarbonisation Fund.

  This sentiment was echoed by Councillor Howell, who said I welcome the funding for the corporate property decarbonisation project .

Carbon Management Plan Annual Report

Councillor Harriet Pentland, the Executive Member for Climate and Green Environment presented the Council's Carbon Management Plan Annual Report.

The report provides an update on the Council's progress in meeting its climate change targets. The Council has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and the report sets out the progress that has been made towards this goal. The report also sets out the challenges that the Council faces in meeting its targets and the actions that it is taking to overcome them.

Procurement of Supporting Carers Services

The Executive received a report on the Procurement of Supporting Carers Services.

The report sought approval for the Council to begin the process of finding a new provider for its Supporting Carers Services.

The Council currently provides these services through a contract with Northamptonshire Carers. The contract is due to expire in September 2024.

The Council has a statutory duty to provide support to carers under the Care Act 2014.

[The Council] has a duty to ensure that carers have access to a range of support services that meet their needs. - Supporting Carers Services Report

The report was presented by Councillor Gill Mercer, the Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing. Councillor Mercer told the meeting that the Council was committed to providing high-quality support to carers .

Councillor Mercer also said that the Council would be working closely with carers and their families to ensure that the new service meets their needs .

Traffic Signals Obsolescence Grant Funding 2024/25 and 2025/26

The Executive received a report on the Traffic Signals Obsolescence Grant Funding 2024/25 and 2025/26.

The report sought approval to accept funding from the Department for Transport for the replacement of traffic signals. The funding is being made available through the Traffic Signals Obsolescence Grant Fund. The fund is intended to help local authorities to replace traffic signals that are nearing the end of their life.

The funding will be used to replace traffic signals that are no longer fit for purpose. - Traffic Signals Obsolescence Grant Funding Report

The report was presented by Councillor Matt Binley, the Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets. Councillor Binley told the meeting that the funding would help to improve road safety and reduce congestion .

Councillor Binley also said that the Council would be working closely with local communities to minimise disruption during the works .

Smoke Free Generation Grant Funding

The Executive received a report on the Smoke Free Generation Grant Funding.

The report sought approval to accept funding from the Department for Health and Social Care for the provision of smoking cessation services. The funding is being made available through the Smoke Free Generation Grant Fund. The fund is intended to help local authorities to reduce smoking rates.

The report was presented by Councillor Mercer. Councillor Mercer told the meeting that the funding would help to improve the health of our residents .

Councillor Mercer also said that the Council would be working closely with partners to deliver a range of smoking cessation services .

SEND Unit Sufficiency of Places

The Executive received a report on the SEND Unit Sufficiency of Places.

Councillor Scott Edwards, the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills presented the report, which sought approval to create additional places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

There is a growing demand for SEND places in North Northamptonshire. This is due to a number of factors, including an increase in the number of children being diagnosed with autism. - SEND Unit Sufficiency of Places Report

The report was welcomed by Councillor Mercer, who said that it was important that all children have access to the education they need .

Mainstream Sufficiency Projects for September 2024

The Executive received a report on Mainstream Sufficiency Projects for September 2024.

Councillor Edwards presented the report, which sought approval for a number of projects that will create additional places in mainstream schools.

The Council has a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places for all children in its area. - Mainstream Sufficiency Projects Report

The report was welcomed by Councillor Mercer, who said that it was important that all children have access to a good quality education .

Treasury Management Outturn Report - 2023-24

Councillor Bunday presented the Council's Treasury Management Outturn Report - 2023-24.

The report provides an update on the Council's treasury management activities for the 2023-24 financial year. Treasury management is the management of the Council's cash flow, borrowing and investments.

The Council's treasury management activities are governed by the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management in Public Services. - Treasury Management Outturn Report

The report was noted by the Executive.

Capital Outturn Report 2023/24 - Period 12

Councillor Bunday presented the Council's Capital Outturn Report 2023/24 - Period 12.

The report provides an update on the Council's capital expenditure for the 2023-24 financial year. Capital expenditure is expenditure on assets that will benefit the Council for more than one year.

The Council's capital expenditure is governed by the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities. - Capital Outturn Report

The report was noted by the Executive.

Performance Indicator Report 2023/24 Period 12 - March 2024

The final report presented to the Executive was the Performance Indicator Report 2023/24 Period 12 - March 2024.

Councillor Bunday presented the report, which provides an update on the Council's performance against its key performance indicators (KPIs). KPIs are measures that are used to assess the Council's progress in delivering its services.

The Council's performance is reported to the Executive on a quarterly basis. - Performance Indicator Report

The report was noted by the Executive.