Scott Collins

After five years of inspections, Northampton Borough Council is out of government monitoring.

In a letter received on the 21st December, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) confirmed that the government had wrapped up its monitoring of Guildhall performance.

The Guildhall was formally assigned inspectors back in 2004, when the then-Conservative Council posted a rating of ‘Poor’ in its annual assessment.

The ‘Poor’ score meant a Monitoring Board tracked the Council’s activity until steps could be taken to improve quality and value for money across the Council’s services.

Inspectors last met in January 2009, almost a year ago, but today announced the Guildhall had been given a clean bill of health.

It is the third piece of good news for the Lib Dem authority in recent weeks.

Scott Collins Commented “A trio of presents for Northampton this Christmas, Out of Government monitoring, Recognised as having improved significantly by the Audit Commission and shortlisted as one of the most improved Councils in Britain, I’m not sure we could have written a better Christmas list for Santa this year if we’d tried”

Earlier this month, the Audit Commission said the Council had ‘transformed’ itself and was now on a par with its peers.

And last week, the Council was shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle’s ‘Most Improved Council’ award.

Lib Dem Leader Brian Hoare welcomed the news, saying:

“This is another piece of good news for hard-working local taxpayers.

“After two years under the Lib Dems, the Council is now recognised as being well run, with solid plans for improvement.

“We now want the Guildhall to be up there with the best-run Councils in the country by 2013.

“Like the rest of the country, the Council is facing financial challenges the likes of which local government hasn’t seen in years.

“That’s why we are taking the tough choices now to work more smartly with neighbouring Councils, local charities and the private sector to get better value for people’s £200-odd a year.”

Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council is in the running for ‘Most Improved Council of the Year’ at the 2009 Local Government Chronicle Awards.

The LGC also announced that the Guildhall would be shortlisted for a high-profile regeneration award following this year’s Market Square revamp.

Every year, the LGC recognises achievements in local government. The awards are considered an industry standard in local government.

The nominations wrap up a good year for the Guildhall, following hot on the heels of the Audit Commission’s assessment of the Council as a ‘transformed’ authority.

The judging panel were especially impressed by the transformation of Northampton’s historic Market Square.

Responding to the news, Council Leader Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington), said:

“This is great news and another vote of confidence in the progress we have made since 2007.

“The Council’s pace of change is now being recognised by residents, public sector partners, the Audit Commission and local government peers.

“We won’t hear if we have won until 24 March. But to be up there with the best is a huge achievement and shows we are making a difference.

“The Council still has a long way to go. But with Liberal Democrats at the helm, we can and we will make the Guildhall greener, smarter and more relevant to people in their everyday lives.”

“More good news!!” said Eastfield Councillor Scott Collins

Commenting further Scott said ” This is becoming a Christmas to remember for Northampton and the Liberal Democrats.

Following on from the Audit Commission report this is proof positive that Northampton under the Liberal Democrats is not just changing for the better but is actively being recognised for its progress, and not by Lib Dems or Councillors who might be expected to say such things, but instead by completely independent bodies”

“The only thing we can guarantee is that opposition councillors will refuse to believe any of this. So whilst the County Council under the Tory’s is floundering the Lib Dems are showing true leadership and direction for Northampton and our County town.

Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council has ‘transformed’ the way it works according to government spending watchdog, the Audit Commission.

In its annual assessment, published on the 9th December, the spending agency praised the improvements made at the Guildhall, commenting that the Council now has ‘the leadership and capacity to continue to improve’.

The report comes just two years after the Lib Dems took control at the Guildhall and is a marked improvement on the Conservatives’ tenure, during which the commission judged there was ‘little real progress’.

In 2007, the Audit Commission criticised Conservatives in the Guildhall for failing to improve on the Council’s ‘poor’ rating. The report picked out numerous failings, including lacklustre management, poor political leadership and inadequate financial controls.

According to their latest report, the Borough Council is now performing as well as most other comparable Councils - a huge improvement since their previous inspection, which rated the Council among the worst 13 authorities in the country.

Commenting on the report Scott Collins said “This is truly a great way to start the Christmas period. After so many years of mismanagement by both Labour and Tory administrations it has fell to the Liberal Democrats to make real change for the better across Northampton.

It hasn’t been easy but then good and lasting change never is. It would be foolhardy to say we have become the best council we can be but i feel we are more than aware that there is still so much to do if we want Northampton to emerge from this recession as a real force to be reckoned with across the region”

The report highlights how the Council is now better at listening and helping residents get involved. The ongoing regeneration and rejuvenation of the town centre also comes in for praise. There is also recognition that ‘good progress’ has been made to improve the Council’s Revenues and Benefits service and its Housing team - both of which support the town’s most vulnerable residents.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington) welcomed the assessment as good news for local taxpayers, saying:

“I am pleased that the Audit Commission now recognises we are a transformed Council. Earlier this year we were told we had made significant progress; this report is further evidence that we have improved local services across the board.

“We will not be resting on our laurels and we have many more tough changes to make. This year has seen the financial climate change considerably; spending cuts and fewer jobs have a huge effect on the Council’s coffers and we must do everything possible to protect vital front line services.”

A copy of the report is available on the Council’s website - www.northampton.gov.uk

The 2009 Audit Commission’s Organisational Assessment has found:

The Council has transformed how it works.

The Council has the leadership and capability to continue to improve.

New staff and departments have enabled the Council to improve services for local people.

The Council has made good progress in improving the revenues and benefits Service, and has improved its approach to housing.

Local people are more involved with the Council.

The Council is aware that more improvement is needed to provide the Borough with cost effective services that meet people’s needs and hopes.

The Council has put in place good clear plans to continue to improve, linked to what is important.

The Council has set up good processes to manage and improve value for money.

As Northamptonshire County Council prepares to confront the full costs and complications of its failed contract with Carillion the Liberal Democrat opposition are calling for the figures to be made public. Leader of the group Cllr Brendan Glynane (Delapre) made a clear call for openness from the Conservative council Cabinet:

“In the name of all the hard working, scandal-weary taxpayers in Northamptonshire I am demanding that the financial incompetence of the Conservative administration be made public knowledge.

“First the Conservatives made this disastrous contract, now they have to pay the termination fees using tax-payers’ money. It is a terrible waste of funds at a time when the cash is needed elsewhere: to pay off the Conservative council debt and to ensure quality care services.

Scott Collins commenting on the continuing farce said “It is a public disgrace to see such mismanagement of the public finances by the Tory administration, not only in the initial awarding of the Carillion contract but now to have the costs to the tax payer to resolve these failings hidden from the taxpayer smacks of holding taxpayers across the County in contempt”

“This from a Conservative Council that constantly crows about how well it is performing, but constantly fails to tell the public the real story, that the facts just do not bare any resemblance to the tall tales they tell”

Brendan Glynane further commented “Tax-payers have a right to know what the finance-bungling Conservatives in County Hall are wasting their money on; especially when that waste is due to mismanagement and incompetence by those they elected to govern sensibly.

“Before long the council tax-payers of Northamptonshire will have to be told of transition costs, legal fees, compensation payments and a host of other costs; the sooner the better.

“As Lib Dems we believe whole-heartedly in openness and honesty; council tax-payers can be sure that we will be pushing the Conservatives for them, all the way until they reveal these figures.”

Scott added “We must have clarity if we are ever to be able to believe a single word this Tory administration says. This never ending charade of smoke and mirrors to avoid their true failings is becoming the stock in trade of this Council and if George Osborne (Conservative Shadow Chancellor)* and Eric Pickles MP** to be believed we can only expect this kind of disdain for the public to continue in Whitehall should the Conservatives take power at the next General Election”

The full report on the Carillion contract will be debated at a meeting of the County Council Cabinet on Tuesday December 1st, at two pm. Northamptonshire County Council Liberal Democrats would like to urge concerned members of the public to register to speak at the meeting. This must be done before two pm on Monday November 30th.

The report can be found at http://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/CmisWebPublic/Meeting.aspx?meetingID=461 as a PDF file titled ‘Item D1 Facilities Management Update Report’.

“Conservative Whitehall will have much to learn from Conservative town [/county] halls.” George Osborne, speech to Conservative councillors, 10th September 2009.

** “Our Conservative Councils will demonstrate how we will run the country.” Eric Pickles (Big Ideas, Building on Conservative Fundamentals, Localis 2008).

Liberal Democrats in Northampton have reacted strongly to news that Northamptonshire County Council faces a £100m shortfall over the next five years.

The news, announced ahead of a crunch Cabinet meeting next week, puts hundreds of public sector workers’ jobs at risk.

Responding to the announcement, County Hall’s Opposition Leader, Brendan Glynane (Lib Dem, Delapre), said:

“As far back as 2005, the Liberal Democrats warned against keeping Council Tax artificially low while the going was good.

“By raising Council Tax just 2% their first term, the Tories would now been sitting on a £20m fighting fund to ease the pace of these cuts.

“It is sad fact that public sector workers in Northamptonshire will now be paying for the ‘lowest Council Tax in the country’ with their jobs.”

Liberal Democrat Scott Collins commented

“I am stunned that a Tory administration that spent the County elections telling voters that only they could be trusted with the counties tax payers money. Well following hard on the heels of the collapse of the schools sell off deal, Carriliongate, endless mishaps and debts set to reach £629m this administration has changed tack from financial mismanagement to a ’slash and burn’ farce.

The ramifications of which the public will be feeling for years to come.

George Osborne recently told delegates that he would learn lessons in good governance from Tory run Councils, Lets hope he isn’t including Northamptonshire County Council in his lesson!!

Whilst in his key note Conference speech Mr Osborne continually said “We are all in it together”, Well i’m not sure beleaguered Council Workers would agree with his sentiment”

“All of this is just more proof, should it be needed, that this current administration cannot be trusted with our money or our services.

Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council has agreed a landmark deal with Legal & General binding the developer to push ahead with the redevelopment of Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre and Greyfriars bus station.

As part of a multi-million Pound town centre overhaul, historic pedestrian routes across the town would be complemented by a open and covered shopping areas, better car parking and modernised bus facilities to replace the outdated bus station.

Legal & General will now work with the Council to set priorities for the venture before a planning application is submitted. Northampton’s biggest ever public consultation will form part of the work, involving businesses, bus companies and the public.

Responding to the news, Lib Dem Cabinet member for Planning & Regeneration, Cllr. Richard Church said:

“I am delighted that we now have a binding deal with L&G. It is a significant step forward towards a better, brighter town centre.

“The deal is a huge commitment by one of the country’s largest corporate developers in Northampton’s future and is doubly impressive given the state of the economy.

“The Lib Dems want Northampton to be a town with a stronger sense of identity, community and civic pride. Better shopping facilities and public transport facilities are a must, not an optional extra.

“There is still a huge amount of work that needs to be done before work gets under way, but this is good news.”

Commenting on the news Scott Collins, Cllr for Eastfield, said “This is fantastic news, not just for Northampton but also for wider Northamptonshire.

This is just another example of the the Liberal Democrats to re invigorate Northampton and make Northampton a destination for shoppers and businesses across the country and also the confidence a major developer has in our ambitions for the town”