APPENDIX 2 Northampton Borough Council 
Corporate Plan Priorities and Budget Proposals for Northampton 2010/13 Consultation Results 
Report authors: 
 
Silvina Katz  
  
Corporate Policy and Consultation Manager 
01604 837573 skatz@northampton.gov.uk 
 
 
Rebecca Smith 
Assistant Head of Finance 01604 838046 rsmith@northampton.gov.uk 


February 2010
1 INTRODUCTION 
1.1 
Consultation on the Corporate Plan 2010/13 priorities commenced in 
November 2009. Cabinet approved the draft Housing Revenue 
Account, General Fund Revenue Budgets 2010-2011, Capital 
Programme 2010-2011 and Capital Strategy as the basis for consultation on 16 December 2009 and confirmed that consultation on the draft Corporate Plan should continue alongside the budget consultation process. 1.2 
The consultation process was carried out in two phases. The first 
phase, consulted on the future Corporate Plan priorities. It commenced 
in November 2009 and continued through to the end of January 2010. The aim of this consultation was to find out if the priorities agreed during the previous year were still right for Northampton, to check what was important to people and to find out which priorities the Council should concentrate on and develop. 1.3 
The second Phase, which started in December 2009, asked people for 
views on budget proposals, which had been informed by the results from the first phase, including help prioritising the council's capital programme for investments in assets and infrastructure. 1.4 
Completed questionnaires were accepted up to 31 January 2010. 1.5 
The consultation period will formally close on the date the budget and          
corporate plan are approved in February 2010. 
 
1.6 
This consultation followed the principles set out in the Council's 
Consultation Toolkit adopted in 2008. 
 
1.7 
The results of the consultation are contained in this report. They will be 
used to by the Council as part of the process of setting a balanced budget (including a capital programme) and priorities for the next financial year (April 2010 to March 2011) and Corporate Plan 2010/13. 
 
2 METHODOLOGY 
 
2.1 
Stakeholders were encouraged to provide feedback on the proposals 
for the draft budget and priorities during the consultation period and support 
was 
made 
available 
to 
maximise 
involvement 
and 
understanding of the proposals. 
 
2.2 
People were consulted by the following methods: 
- 
Public meetings across a range of venues in the town 
- 
On-line survey  
- 
Questionnaires made available in public council locations across 
Northampton (including leisure centres and council receptions) 
- 
The consultation proposals and questionnaire were available to 
download and complete on-line via the Council's website. An email address, freepost address and consultation phone line were set up to receive comments/views etc. 
- 
Questionnaires were also taken to a range of community venues 
where public events were held. 
- 
Staff via briefings from the Chief Executive and Live News 
- 
Newsletter to all members of our Residents Panel with an 
invitation to participate 
- 
Focus groups with representatives from our Residents Panel 
and Community Forums 
- 
Engagement with the business community via the Chamber of 
Commerce, their network and the Federation of Small Businesses 
- 
An invitation to all tenants via housing magazine to participate 
- 
Engagement with the voluntary and community sector via their 
various networks as well as Neighbourhood Partnerships, representatives from the Community Forums and the Youth Forum (expand) 
- 
Engagement with our key stakeholder and partners 2.3 
2,500 questionnaires (See Appendix 3) were distributed in a range of 
public locations including 
- 
One Stop Shop at the Guildhall 
- 
Cliftonville Reception 
- 
Westbridge Reception 
- 
Leisure centres (Lings Forum, Danes Camp and Mounts Baths) 
- 
Museums 
- 
Northampton Federation of Residents Associations 
- 
Kingsthorpe Children's Centre 2.4 
Six focus groups were held between December 2009 and February 
2010. Participants were recruited from our community forums and residents' panel, to reflect a range of diverse views and to help us identify issues relating to both our corporate priorities and budget proposals and plans. 2.5 
Seven public meetings were held at locations across the town chosen 
to enable the widest possible local access. 2.6 
The consultation was advertised widely through the media including, 
mail shots, press releases, paid advertising in two local newspapers, a poster campaign on hoardings across the town and radio interviews to raise awareness. Posters were also placed at venues 
3 
RESPONSE 3.1 
436 completed questionnaires were received by 31 January 2010 Over 150 people attended 6 focus groups involving community forums and residents panel members and 7 public meetings held in the community and open to all residents. 
      
A range of free comments made via letter, phone call and e mail. 3.1.1 The profile of our respondents was as follows: 
Male 
50% 
Female 
50% Age Under 25 
2.7% 
 
41-60 
41.6% 
25-40 
16.8% 
 
Over 60 
38.9% 8% were from BME and 92% were non-BME. 
 
3.2 
The response level resulted in a 95% confidence interval with an error 
level of 5%. This means that the results obtained can be taken as being statistically reliable. 3.3 
Please note that additional activity related to the budget and the 
council's priorities was undertaken independently of this consultation during the period of consultation including local press, on-line press sessions, public and residents meetings, forums, etc and that the views expressed during such events are not included in this report. 
 
4 
FINDINGS ON THE CORPORATE PLAN 
 
RESULTS FROM THE QUESTIONNAIRES: 
4.1 
Summary 4.2 
An evaluation of responses supports the assertion that the proposed 
priorities are still the right ones for Northampton. Results are as follows: 
 

| Priorities                                      | Still right    |
|-------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| No longer                                       |                |
| right                                           |                |
| 1. Safer, greener and cleaner                   |                |
| 94%                                             | 6%             |
| 2. Improved homes, health and well being        |                |
| 86%                                             | 14%            |
| 3. A confident, ambitious and successful        |                |
| Northampton                                     |                |
| 76%                                             | 24%            |
| 4. Strong partnerships and engaged communities  |                |
| 86%                                             | 14%            |
| 5. An efficient, well managed organisation that |                |
| puts the customer at the heart of what we do    |                |
| 90%                                             | 10%            |

4.3 
The responses received indicate that the priorities selected are still 
valid and fully supported. 4.4 
People were asked to cite the issues that were most important to them 
and those that were in most need of improvement. There was a strong correlation between the top issues in both categories. 4.5 
The Corporate Plan 2010-2013 includes the priorities detailed above. 
 
4.6 
The top five issues cited as the most important  
 

| Priorities                                            | Most Important   |
|-------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| 1. A vibrant and viable town centre                   |                  |
| 179                                                   |                  |
| 18%                                                   |                  |
| 2. A sound planning policy framework                  |                  |
| 153                                                   | 16%              |
| 136                                                   | 14%              |
|                                                       |                  |
| 3. Reduce crime and anti social behaviour and         |                  |
| Improve perception of crime and increase              |                  |
| community confidence                                  |                  |
| 4. Provide a range of leisure and cultural activities |                  |
| 107                                                   |                  |
| 11%                                                   |                  |
| 100                                                   | 10%              |
| 5. Provide a reliable and cost-effective refuse       |                  |
| collection and street cleansing service and Achieve   |                  |
| cleaner neighbourhoods                                |                  |

## 4.7 The Top Five Issues Cited As Most In Need Of Improvement

Priorities Most in need of improvement 
1.   A sound planning policy framework  
88 
19% 
2.   A vibrant and viable town centre 
87 
19% 
3. Reduce crime and anti social behaviour and 
Improve perception of crime and increase community confidence 
64 
14% 
4. Provide a reliable and cost-effective refuse 
collection and street cleansing service and Achieve cleaner neighbourhoods 
49 
11% 
5. Provide a range of leisure and cultural activities 
42 
9% 

## 4.8 The Bottom Five Issues With The Least Support For Most Important And Most In Need Of Improvement

Bottom 5 priorities with the least support for most important 
Bottom five priorities with the least support for most in need of improvement 
A well regarded organisation 
Services with a local focus 
Meet Carbon Reduction commitment 
A well regarded organisation 
Reduce the amount of waste produced 
Reduce homelessness 
Meet national air quality objectives 
Understanding our customers 
Reduce homelessness 
Meet national air quality objectives 

4.9 
Conclusion 
 
- These two tables at 4.6 and 4.7 show the items that the public would 
therefore like the council to focus on during the period covered by the Corporate Plan as well as issues raised in 5 below. 
- The feedback received has been used to inform the content of our 
Corporate Plan 2010/13. 
- The table at 4.8 indicates the issues that were raised as neither 
important nor in need of improvement in this consultation.   
- In some instances priorities are included within the Corporate Plan in 
the absence of public support, due to the fact that the Council has a statutory responsibility to carry it out or meet a specified government target (e.g. homelessness, air quality). 
 
5 Priority gap analysis 5.1 
People were concerned that the following issues needed to be included 
in the council's work programme going forward. 
 
 
1. Work with partners to provide more visible and responsive 
policing  
2. Review charges for collection of bulky items 3. Review the allocations policy to improve access to Council 
housing 
4. Empty homes management 5. Improve management and relationship with tenants 6. Working with partners, other than the NHS, to promote and 
improve the health of local people 
7. Car parking provision - better, cheaper parking 8. Licensing and enforcement in the town centre 9. Town centre regeneration plans and bigger, better shopping 
provision 
10. 
Unitary council debate - support for this 
11. 
Include integrity, accessibility and visibility of councillors 5.2 
Some of these issues already form part of the normal work streams for 
specific council service areas, or are provided in partnership.  The issues will be passed on to the relevant service managers to take forward as appropriate. 
 

## 6 Budget Findings 6.1 Summary 6.1.1 Budget

Results are as follows: 

 
Agree  
Disagree 
 
12% 
Grants to voluntary sector should be maintained at their current level 
88% 
 
16% 
No increase be made to the hours of the Concessionary Bus Fare scheme 
84% 
11% 
Car parking prices should not be increased to help local businesses and encourage visitors to the town. Discounts to seasonal ticket holders, town centre residents and overnight parking will however be reviewed 
89% 
 
Yes 
No 
 
51% 
As long as the service provides good value for 
money, are you concerned over who provides it? 
49% 
 
16% 
Do you think the council should actively be pursuing 
a Green Agenda? 
84% 
54% 
Would you be prepared to receive a reduced level of service in some areas in order to support the needs 
of people most affected by the recession? 
46% 
 
50% 
Do you use of council services where a fee is charged? 
50% 
Do you think they are value for money? 
76% 
24% 
Do you accept prices should go up from time to time 
75% 
25% 

 People were asked whether they thought that services for which a fee is charged gave value for money. 

|                                           |
|-------------------------------------------|
| Out of 109 responses, from people who use |
| services where a fee is charged           |
| 67%                                       |
| 33%                                       |
|                                           |
| 6.1.2 Conclusions                         |

- The public agree that grants to voluntary organisations should be 
maintained at their current level, no increases should be made to the hours of the Concessionary Bus Fare Scheme and that car-parking prices should not be increased. (Note that the Council can only make decisions on parking prices relating to its own car parks). 
- The public were evenly split on the question of who provides services 
to them. This will be an important consideration in determining any 
future questions of privatisation or partnership working with other sectors. 

- There was strong support for pursuing the green agenda in the budget 
feedback. However, in the corporate plan priorities, support for the green agenda was not strong in comparison with other priorities. 
- This clearly shows that the public think that the services provided by 
the council generally give good value for money and also that they recognise that it is necessary to put prices up from time to time. 

## 6.1.3 Capital Programme

People were asked the following: 

|                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                      |
| 19%                                                  |
| Should the council dispose of non-essential          |
| properties to enable resources to be directed assets |
| providing essential services?                        |
| 81%                                                  |

People were also asked to rank new bids from the capital programme. Below is a list of the responses, in order of support (1 being the highest priority and 5 the lowest): 

1 
Disabled adaptations  
2= 
Abington Street and Market Square improvements 
2= 
Improvements to car parks 
4 
Refurbishment of cemeteries and churchyards 
5 
Refurbishment of changing rooms within parks 
(Focus Groups with Community Forums and Residents Panel members fully supported the survey results) 

## 6.1.4 Capital Programme Conclusions

- There was support for disposal of non-essential properties to enable 
resources to be directed to essential services. (Note that income generated from the sale of such assets can only be used for capital projects). 
- The order of support for capital bids indicates that if there were 
insufficient resources to undertake all projects, the lowest priority should be given to the refurbishment of changing rooms in parks. 

## 6.2 Capital Strategy

Members of our Residents Panel and Community Forums, during a range of focus groups, were asked to consider if our criteria for capital spending was right. The groups agreed in the main that the approach was correct and no changes are therefore required. Comments are detailed in Appendix 1. 

## 6.3 Annual Report

The focus groups were split on the question as to whether the authority should produce an annual report. Half of those asked, indicated that they would like the council to produce an annual report, available electronically in our website, with hard copies available in public offices/receptions or further detail available upon request. The other half felt that an annual report would not be necessary and would not be a good use of our resources. If a report was produced, the format used by Coventry City Council was preferred by most. Comments are detailed in Appendix 1. 

 
7 
Further activities and improvements that people would 
like to see (including comments) 7.1 
As respondents made more than 1300 comments, they have been 
considered together to capture the themes and issues of the views and opinions received. A full list can be obtained upon request. A summary is included in Appendix 1. 7.2 
As people made more than 120 additional comments on the budget 
proposals, these have been brought together to capture the views and opinions received.  These comments can also be found at Appendix 1. 
 
8  
How will comments received and results be used 
 
7.1 
Where comments relate to service specific issues that relate to the 
usual business of the organisation, these will be forwarded to the relevant service area. 
 
7.2 
Where issues raised are not our responsibility, such as the state of the 
roads or about school provision, the comments received will be forwarded to the appropriate organisation as appropriate. 7.3 
In relation to the budget, the Cabinet will consider all responses 
alongside the need to set a balanced budget. Any changes arising from the consultation will be detailed in the Council Wide General Fund Revenue Budget 2010/11-2012/13 Report. 
 
8 
EQUALITIES 
 
8.1 
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission has expressed 
concerns that some decisions that public authorities make in relation to efficiency drives, budget cuts, service reductions, reorganisations, relocations, and redundancies may have a disproportionate effect on certain groups and be contrary to the statutory equality obligations to which public authorities are subject. 
8.2 
Public authorities should carry out robust Equality Impact Assessments 
and consult and involve relevant stakeholders as part of the decision making process to ensure that they have carried out their equality duties and ensure that any decision does not unfairly discriminate.  
8.3 
Under the Gender Equality duty public authorities must consult staff, 
service users and other relevant bodies.  Under the Disability Equality Duty, authorities must promote disabled people's participation and involve disabled people. (Note that involvement requires more active engagement of disabled people than consultation).  Public authorities should consult and involve relevant stakeholders before making any important decisions. (EHRC paper "The Public Sector Equality Duties and Financial Decisions"). 
8.4 
This consultation was designed using the principles established in the 
recently adopted Consultation Toolkit to ensure that it was accessible to local people, businesses, partners of the Council and the voluntary and community sectors. The recommendations from the Equality Impact Assessment undertaken during 2007/08 were used as the basis to develop the programme for this process wherever possible. Individual options and proposals were also subject to screening and impact assessments were carried out as appropriate. Further details, including information about stakeholders are available upon request 8.5 
The Cabinet will consider the results of this consultation and of all 
relevant impact assessments to make an informed decision regarding the Council's budget and priorities. 8.6 
Equality and Diversity were considered as part of the budget build 
process and an equality impact assessment or screening was completed as part of each medium term planning option submitted. 8.7 
Where issues have been identified and the option is approved, the 
detailed equality impact assessment will be used to inform the 
implementation of the budget option. 8.8 
An Equality Impact Assessment for this consultation process is 
available in as Appendix 2. 

## Appendices Appendix 1 Additional Feedback Received Appendix 2 Consultation Equality Impact Assessment Appendix 3 Questionnaire Appendix 1

The comments in Appendix 1 are made by members of the public in their consultation responses and at focus groups.  They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Northampton Borough Council or its officers 
 
Contains a sample of comments received  
 
I would also like to include Priority 1: Safer, greener and cleaner communities Moving to weekly rubbish collection The current refuse collection contract works.   Why change it. The reintroduction of a fortnightly green bin collection and if necessary the dropping of the glass collection Give Lumbertubs Estate Black Wheelie Bins. Priority 2: Improved homes, health and wellbeing Better management of council housing. How about letting the tenants manage their own areas. Provisions for Northampton Muslim community, a mosque with adequate parking and social facilities More facilities for teenagers I.e. bmx parks, free footy in the community/summer activities Build Council houses and single person accommodation in smaller units i.e.. not large estates Stop wasting money on non unnecessary improvement till necessary ones are put right.  Then we need a picture house where young and old can use.  A hall to dance.  They haven't all got cars shops Whilst  I agreed to the disposal of non-essential properties, I am concerned as to who decides what is and isn't. I would prefer properties to remain in public ownership but leased out if at all possible. Council should recognise the value of community centres and help more Priority 3: A confident, ambitious and successful Northampton With regards to the priority a 'Confident, Ambitious and Successful Northampton', there could be more of an emphasis on being up front about the need to address and plan for the expansion of Northampton given the growth targets set in the East Midlands Regional Plan. This is a significant challenge for the Council, both politically and resource wise in terms of the statutory planning system, but also corporately in service planning. It is not clear from the corporate plan's priorities that Northampton will become a much larger place and that the Council will actively be embracing this. 

The promotion of local businesses. Working with retailers to reduce packing and waste, all packing should be recyclable The Council needs to adopt more vision and open mindedness with planning and developments. 

Not just town centre Improving the built environment - for now and the future.  Ensuring a high standard of design in all private and public building projects.  Taking every opportunity to prevent degradation of our architectural heritage. 

Become a unitary authority. Missed opportunity in the 1990's. Extend Northampton's boundaries to the M1. Build a proper ring road to circumnavigate the north of the town.  
Priority 4: Strong partnerships and engaged communities I want a Borough Council that communicates with me and makes more effort to engage with me. 

While I see this in one of the priorities. I'm not sure this has been put into action. I want the council to communicate directly with me. As a citizen of the town I do not think it is unreasonable for the council to provide something more than a council tax booklet as my only source of information. This should be regular communication between citizens and the council. It shouldn't be down to me to have to seek this information out. 

NBC needs to Listen and Hear local people opinions to engage well with people on everything they do and appreciate voluntary sector groups across Northampton for all the do Much wider consultation with the people of Northampton about important changes. A past example of how this can work well was the consultation about the Guildhall extension. 

Large planning application should be decided by public consultation A Clear explanation of what will be left out and why - all the above are important, but some parts of some of them could be delayed or slowed down at present Listen to the public.  You did not listen to us over the Market you are not listening over the toilets re Sheep St.  Environment is trying very hard to improve parks etc.. 

Priority 5: An efficient, well-managed organisation that puts our customers at the heart of what we do The reduction year on year of the burden placed on the taxpayer, I would suggest that over the period of the plan, that the budget be cut by 10% yea! r on year, with a view to privatising all services by 2013. Further I would like to see the disbanding of the council in favour of a regional assembly based in Nottingham. 

Understand what the Council must do, Not what it would like to do Looking at what is being paid for management and above staff and cutting down on high salaries so that the day to day running of Council departments can be improved by keeping staff employed who can make a difference to the people of Northampton 
"In the current economic climate" The borough council are getting no lesser rates from people, in fact more each year. So this should not affect workings of the council at all. 

A council that fulfils its statutory duties well-A council that tells people what is will do and does not change decisions because of political pressure-A council that not only listens to people but to staff (they appear to know what needs doing) 
Reduction in costs of councillors fees and expenses A council that cares about its workforce and does all it can to avoid wasteful contractors and the expensive bureaucracy that comes with such contracts Other Take back from the county council maintenance of the towns roads Some communications received via email and letter  
It would be nice to try and find something that we can run within budget that gives people the opportunity to be proud about where they live and attract others to come and spend in the town. We have the Carnival, but a lot of other places have Carnivals, so what makes ours any different or outstanding. It is great that we have all these different markets, but we have lost the balloon festival (that was combined with Northampton show), St Crispin's fair, What major attraction do we have? 

 
If help is need to think of something then I am sure staff or residents can come up with a few ideas. 

 
One of Northampton Borough Council's top priority must be to make more efficient use of their staff.  
I have reported to the council, that,on a daily basis,council workmen are spending inordinate amounts of time not working in our community . By that, I mean they spend hour upon hour,sitting in their vehicles, smoking eating drinking and time wasting, being unsupervised and non productive. I look forward to Northampton Borough Council putting in place more effective supervision to make more cost effective use of manpower. In the meantime there is no case for increases in council tax,there is a stronger case to make far better use of existing resources to identify substantial efficiency savings.  
 
Please note that it is sent in entirely a personal capacity, and is in no way related to the business of my employer. Nor does it represent, or purport to represent, any views that my employer may or may not have. Issue:- 
The Borough Council owns a lot of land which costs money to maintain but for which there is little or no income to offset these very real costs. 

 
Appendix 1 -Continued Including cost of public liability, and any other associated risks. Typically these are the smaller parks, playgrounds and public open spaces, but also include allotments and cemeteries, some of which are no longer in use. I do NOT include in this the prestige parks such as Abington or the Racecourse. Most of these areas of land cannot be developed as they are conditional gifts, or have been a required dedication from a developer, or are allotments or cemeteries. 

Allotments cannot be developed whilst demand exceeds supply, which it does in the Borough. 

So much of this land has, in effect, negative equity, but may still serve a purpose to locality communities. 

Possible Solution:- In the Parished areas, affected land could be handed to the parish council. These bodies are much more in touch with local views etc than the Borough is. The parishes would be tasked with maintaining them according to an agreed level of service. This would save the Borough the cost of maintenance. The Parish maintenance costs would be lower as they could use local & voluntary labour, and they also have lower admin overheads. Their costs could be recovered via parish precept. In the instance of a Parish NOT wishing to participate, then the very existence of the Parish has to be questioned as it would be not fulfilling its statutory function. The scheme could be trialled in existing parishes, and if successful would be good grounds for the establishment of Neighbourhood Councils, which have similar powers to those of Parishes. 

Additional Benefits:- 
Since the Parishes would have more work to do, their might be an incentive for more people to get involved voluntarily, instead of being co-opted. The parishes might even be a good training ground for future Borough or County Councillors, of whatever persuasion or none, as they could learn the ropes with less risk of expensive or embarrassing error. 

I hope that you will give this idea some consideration. Dear Sir or Madam I am writing to NBC with regard to the Budget review and to voice my concern over the cuts coming to us in Northampton for its people to experience. I would like to say firstly to NBC Administration and the Authority to look at your target expense which is your internal wage bill and to firstly recognise there needs to be savage cuts there first! E.g. Directors of council and Chief Executives wages and soon! Further down the line e.g. 

Consultants to Interims, these are big pay packets in your internal wage bill so I would hope the Authority cuts within first! Before they make any cuts to the people's services to tax payers across Northampton. Thank you for reading my letter and I will monitor to see if the organisation do cut within first before they make any cuts to our vital services here in Northampton. 

 

## **Appendix 1 -Continued**

Comments on the Budget Proposals  
Parking Pricing levels are satisfactory Car park fees are too high and are driving people out of the town centre Parking in town centre appears to have levelled to appropriate price but after 6:00 (18:00) charge.  Feels wrong in terms of use of town centre facilities and to keep centre alive with cross section of ages I feel strongly that you should provide 'free' car parking. Car Parking charges should be abolished to encourage people to Northampton and shop and spend money!! Reduce parking attendants. 

If Northampton Town centre is to compete with places like Milton Keynes then parking prices is a big issue.  Get more for your money in Milton Keynes. 

Car parking prices should be rounded up/down to whole units, it is ridiculous to have odd sums - especially when no change is provided. Shoppers should be encouraged onto the buses, but for those who cant/wont perhaps we should seriously look at free/discounted rates for the weekend. I think that only a drastic cut in parking fees would encourage visitors. It's gone past the point of no return. Therefore, you might as well increase parking prices as there would be little or no decrease on number of users, therefore more income. Car park charges appear to be discounted on many days leading up to Christmas and most Sunday's? Could the price of car parking be reduced however remain the same all year round thus increasing revenue? 

Mayorhold parking charges are too high.  The council is losing £260,000 a year as it is not used to the maximum.  Market traders can't afford to park their vans there. While I feel it is sensible to pay more for car parking, Northampton is in competition with MK where it is free in some parts. It does appear that parking charges are used as an easy income generator. 

Concessionary fares Concessionary bus fare scheme should be extended for disabled so they can travel to work before 9:30am Concessionary fares should require a combination, albeit small, from the user, say 20p. It is unlikely to stop buses being used but may be enough to keep some services profitable. 

On receiving our bus passes we hardly used our car, using the bus for doctors, dentists, shopping, connecting with coach and trains in Banbury and Northampton.  Our first bus is now 10:00am which is too late for the majority of these trips.  We are glad we didn't sell our Honda fuel miser! We often drive in with the early buses which are never full now! 

Bus passes - Consider disabled people and carers for before 09:30 travel.  How many bus pass folders (30,000) are disabled or and  blind Concessionary fares is a drain on tax payers - bus companies are too greedy and hold local authorities to ransom for the benefit of share holders Extended hours on concessionary fares scheme People can just change their early appointments with a phone call There needs to be a policing system for bus companies Electronic systems should be able to make enforcement possible on bus companies London bus companies pay for inspectors but you never see any in Northampton As a nurse urge the council to change the times on concessionary fares I think services should be prepared to contribute to bus fares, say 50p for inter Northampton journeys and £1  for out of town journeys Leisure I'm fed up with our swimming pools times,  they are only open certain times for 50+ or general swim which isn't always convenient Sports centre fees should not be a 'commercial rate' this would contradict NHS agenda and potentially discourage use Subsidised prices on private gym membership could be an option Too expensive for average family to use I feel if certain things were costed lower more people would be more than less likely to use them : lower prices for a six month period and see the result 
 
I don't think there is any need to provide free swimming for the over 60's (unless this is the law now - most over 60's who want to swim can afford it) Please don't increase prices at the triology gym.  A lot of users are pensioners like me The forum provides a very good programme of classic and foreign languages and mainstream films. It should advertise more widely I use the swimming pool at Lings Forum. Over the past few weeks the temp has been colder. Although I am over 60 and have free admission, I do not think that old people should be shivering because of price cuts. I would rather pay than be cold. 

With such poor attendance at theatres, expensive, why not offer concessions to youth groups schools, community groups etc A small charge could be made to visit the museum Bulky waste  
Bulky Waste should be removed free of charge for over 70's Don't think a fee should be charged for bulky waste. bulky waste is expensive-it should be outsourced to private enterprise, who should pay a license fee to the council for providing approved bulky waste collection. Leisure services are reasonably priced In the case of bulky waste, I am under the impression you can only use it a certain nosy of times a year.  This is somewhat restrictive especially for residents who have small cars. 

Should be set amount-Charges can lead to fly tipping Driving people away from using them due to cost The fee for bulky waste collection should not exist.  Since NBC have started charging £25, fly tipping around our area has increased.  I was shocked about how much NBC charge for burial and cemetery services.  The increase in these charges is substantial.  Surely NBC should consider how much a funeral costs these days and adjust the fees so they are more affordable. Bulky waste should be free of charge The 100,000 spent on the clean up on the eastern district ia a disgrace-it encourages more fly tipping and areas that pay for collection of bulky waste are penalised. Bulky waste collection should be free and incorporated into the now excess Council Tax we have to pay I feel if the prices go up it will encourage fly tipping - appreciate this is a fine balance Charges should not be made for bulky waste to stop fly tipping I understand that a charge should be made but not limit the amount of pick ups per year.  I have brought a smaller (greener) car and therefore have difficulty in taking larger items to the 'tip' Improve recycling and cut energy waste but some green initiatives probably waste money. Charging for collection of bulky waste has increased fly-tipping in Northampton east - false economy Costs for bulky waste have increased fly-tipping. Bulky waste should be collected free for those on benefits and pensioners bulk waste should return to 15 as in current climate 25 is too much for the average family. I am happy that the service is provided and right that those that use it pay for it. Not sure that people who fly tip would bother to arrange collection even if service were free. 

Bulky waste service costs are too high, this will encourage fly tipping this will cost more in the long run, lower charges will give people more to spend helping to break the grip of recessionary worries I would like to use your bulky waste collection service, but I feel that £25 is too much. Happy to pay additional for better services i.e. Daventry's waste collection and recycling service Fly tipping - Need more Neighbourhood wardens to enforce on the spot fines - Links to bulky waste charges Bulky waste charges are too high for the elderly - could it be reduced to £10 or less for them? 

Fees and charges They look fair and reasonable to me It seems silly to give free swimming to the over sixties and charge a lot for children when it is the children who are obese Only put up prices where you are losing money People are using black bags in their black bins - sell paper or recycled bags Charges should not be increased or the level of service reduced to subsidies the town centre improvements 
 
You need to encourage more small business in Kettering by not charging such high rents for shops (shops are boarded up). Using the private sector is not cost effective because once they have the tender for a service they drop standards and do not provide what they agreed, and there is no adequate monitoring from NBC. 

Any planning application that has been refused and its appeal turned down and is re submitted within five years should be charged at least 3%x more. 

Do not charge for household refuse!! Prices should go up in line with inflation/cost of living and be comparable to other Council fees. NBC should not be undercharging for services, but on the flip side NBC functions as a public service and costs should not be the same as the Private Sector All charges should be increased by the same % across the board with no exceptions Occasional use of services (bulky waste, leisure, libraries) could make a small increase as there is an element of choice Inflationary rises are acceptable Fees should reflect the balance between providing the service and its value to the community I.e. if the service is supported by the local community but at a lossthen its value to the community as a service should be taken into consideration.  It is important to maintain the cultural and leisure activities but we should consider the full cost implications. 

Waste disposal is the key service I use but this could be more efficient A decrease in prices on services like leisure and parking could increase volumes General Council tax should be proportionate to the services different areas use. I live in a one bedroom flat in duston, I pay over £1000 in Council Tax, we pay extra for our rubbish to be removed, I think we should pay less. Stop putting up Council taxes.  Make it cheaper for pensioners Make Council housing more available for our own people first.  Kids today can't afford houses Cost should be controlled, payment as close to the source/user as possible with due consideration to age ability to pay and the use of the service The halved brown wheelie bin collection is exceedingly inconvenient for me, especially having bought an additional bin previously as collections inadequate. Glass recycling never a problem as there are bottle banks at supermarkets and volumes are small compared to garden waste from a large house/large council tax band Why limit Council tax to 2.5% if the ceiling is 5% then go up to the limit! The councils should stop wasting money on market square etc. and concentrate on economy, to replace road pavement people will only want to come and live here if we have what they want.  Not a drink criminals, shops full of drink, foreign food.  Good market not entertainment. 

1) Advised that swimming charges for families are too high 
2) If NBC support the Rennie Mackintosh Centre then this is laudable, as we have very little of value in the town centre Stop all grants to external arts bodies I.e. Royal & Derngate, Charles Rennie Mackintosh House, Fish Market Gallery Stop Revenue and Capital funding to above The borough council does not provide me with any other service apart from recycling and bin collections Far more money should be put into recreational use and promoting family time I.e. events at local parks etc I think the cost of services should be 'cost' to where you live, as we do no use a lot of services in some areas. Council tax should be reduced for pensioners, and extra should be charged when more of the family (living in one house) 
have jobs. 

The commentaries are very leading statements, prompting a 'yes' answer. Difficulty to answer but I understand problems are occurring in the Hearing Difficulty area.  Also the elderly who are vulnerable.  Financially the help there is declining. 

Not at this time will review and give feedback at another time The Council Tax.  I don't think a single person should only get 1/4 off the bill they should get 1/2 off at least, as a pensioner on my own I don't use as much of the facilities it covers as a family of 4 or more We all pay council taxes, but I find private estates are better looked after e.g.. Grass verges cut, road sweeper etc. but council estates are left run down & scruffy if you concentrated on these areas things would improve and people take pride in their estates 
 
It is important that short-medium term economic fluctuations do not undermine efforts to move towards a more environmentally sustainable future.  The very young, elderly and unemployed should be main focus for reduced service rates Although I have ticked the box re services providers, it does seem to me that when the private sector is bought in to provide public services, the service they provide deteriorate after a short peroid of time. E.g. cleaning services of NHS. In house services are always better VFM.  
Unable to comment on reduced level of service this would greatly depend on what services were reduced. Out of the now £128 per month I pay for Council Tax, the only service I receive is waste collection.  I do not have any children.  Council Tax should be more fairly distributed, with people using more of the services paying more Council Tax and those using less payng less Council Tax.  I am therefore for example paying for school facilities and other matters for other peoples children As I have already said the service to the old people who have lived and paid taxes here all their lives are treated badly.  I 
spent time listening to equality and diversity for all sorts of people but when there is some one to blame it's the old.  How about discrimination for the old who paid for what they need but don't get it.  While people like social services pct all these supposed to be concern are not I have no computer to check specific fees and charges you proposed I checked on the web Very happy with the museum refurbishment.  Please make sure people know about the Thursday events and talks It is hard to tell where the efficiency savings are coming from in terms of front line services due to the presentation Wording on options in the budget report is not open and transparent Some terminology is unclear to the lay person What will happen to the council's budget if the election changes the Government? Concerned over privatisation of services Northampton door to door service is very good, please do not cut the grant Take issues with the suggestion that privatisation can deliver efficiency savings for example Bedford's work and the county's PFI in schools.  Privatisation leads to poorer services It is a mistake to think you can focus all cuts on the back office as front office relies on them for support.  It can lead to problems on the front line.  You should look for efficiency across the board In house options should be considered It is unclear how many jobs are at risk under restructuring proposals Make sure contracts are water tight to stop councils getting ripped off at taxpayers expense like Carillion, and Amey People can get to appointments in other ways like the volunteer driver service. The door to door service starts at 8.30am How will services be affected if jobs are going?  If jobs aren't going will services be reduced instead? I am worried that volunteers could be lost because they have fears over the caretakers proposals and don't know what is going on People value community centres and we want one in Kingsley to help keep anti social behaviour down, kids off streets and give older people a place to go and people a place to meet. Eastfield was promised a community centre in 1956.  We only have a small comunity place for 27 people and people live above.  It is a deprived area with problems and people need somewhere to go. More detailed information is needed to get on board with efficiency savings Organisation of allotments is a farce. Should management be restructured?  We have gone from 23 Heads of Service to 12 Corporate Managers to 4 Directors, an Assistant Chief Executive and half a Director of the LSP and many Heads of Service. 

Is the Northampton Partnership good value for money? The budget papers don't spell out what the impact on services will be Be clear - what is a strategic business review?  Does it include outsourcing options? People of Northampton are afraid of market testing but it has worked in Barking and Dagenham When considering services for privatisation consider carefully what you are signing for 7, 10, 12, years or however long If services are privatised will people be consulted for example at Neighbourhood meetings? 

 

## Capital Strategy - Focus Group Comments

Use natural resources - No Concrete! Promoting partnership and achieving priorities is dependant on the electorate Performance Management Arrangements must be better Purchasing protocol must be private sector orientated and led Team Northampton - with the Tax payer/Tenants National and local performance targets are a necessary evil.  Ensure national targets are in line with local Promote partnership working particularly public especially constituted groups e.g. residents groups A clear purchasing protocol can be as much negative as positive Promote effective Asset Management, including DDA and Health and Safety issues, Achieve the Council's priorities,  
Improve performance against national and local targets - should be a matter of course! and not prioritised Achieve the Council's priorities - Which should be potholes.   Promote partnership working - with firms with good, work agenda, like Ashmack for the pot holes. 

Improve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery - How is value for money measured? Generate or increase income streams - Not in the current climate Would be interested in how this is to be achieved. 

 

## Annual Report - Focus Group Comments

Would You Want to Receive and Annual Report? 

Although I do not want an annual report I might like to find the information somewhere A précis should be sent with the council tax leaflet and more detail available on request It'll be helpful to have something 6 monthly or yearly A simplified one with cross references for more detail No but would probably view it if it was available on line Not personally but it should be available to view on line or in libraries Would you prefer it on the Internet, leaflet, paper style, small booklet, etc? 

Electronic, hard copies in all Libraries, graph form, easy to understand pie charts.  Internet but also available in a booklet when requested and Library.  Small booklet. Internet or at NBC offices.  Internet or small booklet. Internet personally but booklet for older people.  Paper style or booklet because recognising not all people are on Internet and may need in a booklet format. 

A3 folder - a simplified one with cross references for more detail.  Leaflet A3 folded. 

Leaflet - it is the lowest cost.  Internet or small booklet in libraries.  Nb. Photos and large areas of colour layout are expensive to produce and given the number of the population willing to plough through a report not value for money Internet, leaflet.  No colour pictures etc, no additional agency fees, a simple one colour production.  Cut down on expense! Internet, copy in public libraries.  Internet and one hard copy in the Library. Libraries?  Download.  A4 booklet similar comprising Annual Report.  Paper style.  Small booklet.  Too many would cost too much. 

Based on this selection of Annual Reports which is your preferred example and why? 

Disliked Gateshead - looked like Royal Mail marketing.  Chorley Council - clear simple, easy to understand; not too fussy! Coventry City Council - most simple to understand and read not too long.  Havant - good mix of illustrations and large and easy to read print.  Covered all issues/subjects.  Havant was hopeless - more of a promotional document than an Annual Report None.  Too wasteful, too costly to produce (use as a political tool?) No clear favourite, prefer concise approach. Coventry because it contains more info, facts and figures has more detail, good info and pictures.  Good information and layout given. 

Moorlands straightforward not glossy whilst I personally do not like pie charts, these are popular and they need to be effectively used.  Coventry was good in some respects but too many glossy photos.  Enough currently in Council Tax Leaflet summary. 

Coventry because all the information of annual report was on one page, well laid out and good content, more succinct, and was not full of PR garbage. 

 
Havant - easy to view figures.  Good information on local things. Coventry City - format.  Havant.  Less bumph, straight forward report. None - simple on colour production in library. Staffordshire Moorlands a simple style, low cost.  Chorley - not landscape on white paper (pie charts elements in others) 
What Key Areas Would You Want to See Covered in an Annual Report? 

What Northampton has to offer; football, history, architecture, rugby, shoe industry, emergency contact nos and also financial justifications where savings made.  Financial information disliked Gateshead and Moorland.  Events that were successful, events that failed and why?  Brief history of budgeting for future and how successful previous years have been. How much?  Long term effects?  All the main priorities, targets set, those achieved and those not and reasons why. The major ones.  Finance / operational efficiency All of them!  As per the Coventry report.  Moorlands too much about themselves not caring on info.  Moorlands too much about themselves not caring on info.  Chorley too thin.  Havant too bulky. Gateshead too plain looks like its from the Post Office!  Explanatory in plain English of what's going on and what the key issues are and priorities and expenditure of it Housing, finance and community Expenditure, income, budget forecast.  Finance in respect of % of budget spend against what and any overtime and performance against national indicators.  Corporate health indicators.  Brief summary of actual achievements.  Brief analysis of income expenditure.  Brief summary of capital expenditure. Housing improvements etc.  All services provided.  Particularly which areas have been outsourced and what value for money is being achieved.  Spending, achievements, difficulties not foreseen (to explain why some things don't happen).  
Leisure, waste disposal, parks, policies in burglary. 

Basic income details and expenditure Where money is being spent are we getting value for money?  How are the views of Council tax payers?  As to priorities, collated and acted upon.  Performance to budget and BVPI and KPI (local) service standards.  Value for Money. Essential facts. 

In what format would you wish to see the summary financial details of NBC and what would be the ideal content? 

Pie charts with small description next to it, bullet points and interesting facts.  Graphical. Not too many pie charts.  In layman terms rather than standard report and account layout, showing the full details. No pictures just plain facts.  Precis sent with Council tax demand, more detailed report on request.  No unnecessary questions. Pie charts or bar charts for simplicity.  All costs incurred by NBC and to show any savings made. To the point.  A3 folded sheet chart. Brief summary of actual achievements.  Brief analysis of income expenditure.  Brief summary of capital expenditure. 

Internet - no waste - option to view if you wish.  No paper copies at great cost - these are nearly all discarded.  Instead put this for access on the Council website.  No paper copies - put it on the Council website.  Put into public buildings. Basic/simple to understand.  On line - simple for a non-financial person to understand. Do not have sufficient knowledge to make a suggestion.    Income and Expenditure, balance sheet, current year, last year 
- columns and pie diagram.  As a booklet.  Pie charts to encourage clarity. 

## Appendix 2 Equality And Community Impact Assessment Budget And Corporate Plan 2010-2011 Consultation Programme What Are We Looking To Achieve In This Activity?

This consultation was designed using the principles established in our Consultation Toolkit to make sure that it was accessible to local people, to businesses, to partners, to the voluntary and community sectors and to any other interested parties and that all groups can participate and respond meaningfully. 

## How Will The Decision Be Made?

Cabinet will consider the results of this consultation and of all relevant impact assessments to help it make an informed decision regarding the Council's budget and priorities. The Council will agree its Corporate Plan and set its Budget for the forthcoming 2010/2011 on 25 February 2010. Who has been involved in devising the programme? 

Assistant Chief Executive's team-draft programme Heads of Performance and Change and Finance and Assets Management Board-recommendations and approval Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance sign-off 

## What Information Exists Already To Assist With Making The Judgments Above? Has Any Consultation Been Undertaken On This Or Any Other Related Issue? Are Any Reports Or Relevant Documents Available Internally Or From Partners Or Other Sources?

The EHRC recommendations contained in the report The Public Sector Equality Duties and Financial Decisions emphasise the local authority's statutory duties to consult and involve equalities groups and stakeholders prior to making financial decisions. Recommendations from earlier impact assessments were used as the basis to develop the programme wherever possible. Individual budget options and proposals were also subject to screening and impact assessments were undertaken as appropriate. These included the need to give greater consideration to the potential impact of the options and to broaden the consultation to make it more accessible to people in the community, including those whose voices are seldom heard. Budget and priorities consultation reports including findings and impact assessment information are available for 2007/08, 08/09 and 09/10 on the council's website. 

## Who Is/ Will Be The Main Beneficiaries/People Affected By This Activity?

Everybody living, working, studying or otherwise engaged with the town or its people may be potentially affected by the choice of priorities and budget plans. This includes businesses, employees of the Council as well as, partners and contractors.

Some efficiency savings will impact on staff and could lead to redundancies and changes in service provision, not the level of service received by the public. Where this is appropriate, consultation will be undertaken in accordance with council policy and all those affected will be able to have a say in the process. 

## Does The Activity Have The Potential To Cause Adverse Impact Or To Discriminate Against Different Groups In The Community Or To Make A Positive Contribution To Equalities?

The testing challenges caused by the general economic environment, and the credit crunch in particular, are already having a significant impact on our communities and also on our budget, creating added pressure and increase demand for our services. With limited resources, service provision will need to be reviewed and this may affect the services we provide, the people who deliver them and those who receive them.  It is critical when making decisions that may affect people that their views are sought and considered so that we can understand what matters to them, what they consider priority and what areas are in need of improvement and how the choices made may impact on their lives. 

## Areas For Concern And Actions Consultation Period

Cabinet considers draft budget proposals in mid December. The Council is required to set its budget by the end of February. This leaves a window for consultation, which is less than the 12 weeks we would have preferred. Last year our consultation programme ran from December to January and we would have liked to give people more time to consider their responses. This year we launched our programme a month earlier. The extra time allowed us to consult on the priorities for our corporate plan which were later revised and validated alongside the budget proposals 

## Public Meetings And Focus Groups

Last year we ran a consultation programme via our website, the media, council buildings and our extensive networks including local business. We also held two focus groups with representatives from our Residents Panel. No open public meeting took place. This year we wanted to reach even further and to be even more inclusive. We devised a comprehensive programme of public meetings and focus groups including the following: Residents Panel (a group that mirrors the demographic make up of the town) Community Forums (including representatives from the Disabled Peoples' Forum, Pensioners' Forum, Young Peoples' Forum, Diverse Communities Forum, etc) Northampton Federation of Residents Association Public Meetings across the town (covering outlying and central locations) Voluntary and Community Sector. 

## Outcome

Having circulated our surveys to all members of the residents' panel and also the wider engagement, we were able to increase take up by 100% and also received responses from a more diverse group of people.  

 The profile of our survey respondents was as follows: 
Gender Male 
50% 
Female 
50% Age Under 25 
2.7% 
 
41-60 
41.6% 
25-40 
16.8% 
 
Over 60 
38.9% 8% were from BME and 92% were non-BME. Representatives from our residents' panel and diverse community forums were invited to attend focus groups to ensure that views were taken from as wide a range as possible. 

## Savings

Proposals that will lead to efficiency savings have been screened for impact against the equality strands.  Where proposals involve staff changes and rationalisation, appropriate consultation in line with council policy will be followed and outcomes monitored for any disproportionate and adverse impacts on individual groups. 

Any savings with impact on services will have the issues and risks raised through their individual assessments and evaluations taken into account in the implementation and monitoring of the options. 

Started November 2009 

Completed February 2010 
 

 
Appendix 3