Agenda and decisions

Executive Summary

This report provides an update on the progress made to deliver the Corporate Plan 2023-27 Action Plan for 2025/26

Options considered

This is a report on the progress being made to deliver against the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Consultation(s)

The named officer for each action in the annual action plans has been asked for their assessment of progress, to identify any issues impacting on anticipated delivery and to propose actions they will take to address any slippage or uncertainty around delivery in the coming months.

Recommendations

Cabinet is invited to note the contents of the report and provide comments on any items they feel appropriate.

Reasons for recommendations

That Cabinet is aware of the progress made to deliver their priorities for the year 2025/26 and are asked to provide comment on progress so that officers have a steer on any items that are not on track for delivery.

Background papers

Corporate Plan 2023/27

Annual Action Plan 2025/26

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Tim Adams

Contact Officer

Steve Hems, Director for Communities and Chair of the Performance and Productivity Oversight Board

Email:- steve.hems@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

The hourly Car Park charges were last revisited during the budget setting process for the 2025/2026 year. The decision list of Cabinet meeting held on 4 November 2025 states that the charges will be revisited as part of the budget setting process for 2026/2027 – this report looks into the charges for car parks and season tickets pricing for 2026/2027.

The Council operates its car parks with 3 different rates which are dependent on where the car park is located. There is the standard rate for the inland car parks (mainly used by our residents), the resort rate for the car parks located in our resorts but not alongside the beaches and the coastal rate for the car parks that are the nearest the beaches and which are predominantly used by tourists and visitors. The Council also provides the option to purchase season tickets.

This report provides details about the current car park fees and charges, and then the options for increases.

Options considered

Car Parking Charges

·       Option 1: No increase to standard car parking up to and including 24 hour tariffs but increase car parking fees for resort and coastal car in line with CPI inflation of 3.8%.

·       Option 2 increase car parking fees by 2%.

·       Option 3 increase car parking fees by 5.8% (CPI+2%).

·       Option 4 no increase applied to car parking for the financial year beginning 1 April 2026.

Season Ticket Charges

·       Option 5 no increase applied to the season tickets for the financial year beginning 1 April 2026.

·       Option 6 increase season ticket fees by 3.8%.

·       Option 7 increase season ticket fees by 2.0%.

·       Option 8 increase season ticket fees by 5.8% (CPI+2%).

Consultation(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires - Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services

Recommendations

Cabinet is asked to consider the various options discussed within the report, taking into account any recommendations made by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The below officer recommendation is as follows:

·       Option 1 & Option 6: increase car parking fees and season ticket fees in line with CPI inflation of 3.8%.

·       For the Asset Management Officer in consultation with the s151 Officer to proceed with the Consultation in relation to the Off Street Parking Places Order.

Reasons for recommendations

Car parking income represents a significant income source to the Council and as such has a substantial contribution to make to the Council’s long term financial sustainability.

Background papers

None.

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Daniel King

Daniel.King@North-Norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report recommends the fees and charges for the financial year 2026-27 that will come into effect from 1 April 2026.

Options considered.

Alternatives for the individual service fees and charges proposed have been considered by service managers as part of the process of creating this report.

Consultation(s)

Portfolio Holder

Assistant Director Finance & Assets/Deputy S151 Officer

Director of Resources/S151 Officer

Budget Managers

Recommendations

That Cabinet approves the following fees within the appendix as per requirements set out in legislation:

• Licence to Drive Hackney Carriages or Private Hire Vehicles
• Private Hire Vehicle Licence
• Scrap Metal Dealer (all)
• Scrap Metal Collector (all)

That Cabinet recommends that it supports the following recommendations to Full Council:

• The fees and charges from 1^st April 2026 as included in Appendix A.
• That delegated authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Directors/Assistant Director to agree the fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required (outlined within the report).

Reasons for recommendations

To approve the Council’s proposed fees and charges for 2026/27.

Background papers

Fees & Charges 2025/26 report (Full Council – 19^th February 2025)

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

James Moore, Technical Accountant, James.Moore@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report sets out the proposed level of council tax discounts which shall apply to classes of dwelling for the financial year 2026-27.

Options considered.

The recommendations take advantage of the options from the reforms included in the Local Government Finance Act 2012 as amended to incentive homes back into use and generate council tax income.

Consultation(s)

The legislation provides local authorities with the power to make changes to the level of council tax discount in relation to classes of property. The Council has to approve its determinations for each financial year. The calculation of the tax base for 2026-27 will be made on the assumption that the determinations recommended below will apply. 

In accordance with the relevant legislation these determinations shall be published in at least one newspaper circulating in North Norfolk before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the determinations.

Recommendations

Recommend to Full Council that under Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 and other enabling powers that:

1)    The discounts for the year 2026-27 and beyond are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 3.1.

2)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2026-27 for eligible cases of hardship under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and that the Revenues Manager has delegated authority to make Discretionary Reductions under the Hardship Policy up to the value of £4k as indicated in the associated policy in Appendix B.

3)    That an exception to the empty property levy charges may continue to be made by the Revenues Manager in the circumstances laid out in section 4.2 of this report.

4)    The long-term empty-property premiums for the year 2026-27 (subject to the empty premium exceptions shown in Appendix C) are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 4.2

5)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2026-27 for eligible cases of care leavers under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended).

6)    Those dwellings that are specifically identified under regulation 6 of the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings) (England) Regulations 2003 will retain the 50% discount as set out in paragraph 2.1 of this report.

7)    Those dwellings described or geographically defined at Appendix A which in the reasonable opinion of the Revenues Manager are judged not to be structurally capable of occupation all year round and were built before the restrictions of seasonal usage were introduced by the Town and Country Planning Act 1947, will be entitled to a 35% discount.

8)    A new second homes premium of 100% as detailed in paragraph 4.3 (subject to the second home premium exceptions shown in Appendix C) continues to be applied in 2026-27.

Reasons for recommendations

To set appropriate council tax discounts and premiums which will apply in 2026-27 and to raise council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Please note due to the size of the documents, appendices 2,3,5,6 and 7 are not included in the agenda but can be accessed in the Document Library: Home | Library folder - Local Plan 2024 - 2040 Appendices

Executive Summary

The purpose of this report is to progress the North Norfolk Local Plan 2024-2040 to adoption in order to provide the Council with an up-to-date Local Plan. The Plan has undergone independent examination and found to be sound and legally compliant, with the Inspector concluding that the Plan provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the District provided that a number of Main Modifications are made to it.

The Local Plan contains multiple policies underpinned by the principle of delivering sustainable and climate-resilient development to secure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations. All policies within the Plan contribute towards achieving these aims, including those promoting the sustainable location of new homes, jobs and economic growth; the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment and built environment; improved infrastructure and renewable energy; the provision of green spaces and the creation of balanced, healthy communities.

This report sets out the process followed; summarises the Inspector’s report and main modifications required, provides an overview of the Plan and reviews the options available for the Council. The appendices contain the Inspectors report, Main Modification schedule, the updated Local Plan containing the necessary modifications, the updated policies map (link), Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement, (incorporating HRA adoption statement) updated Equalities Impact Assessment, and a presentation providing an overview of the Local Plan.

Options considered

1. Adopt the Local Plan (as modified)
2. Not adopt the Local Plan.

Consultation(s)

The Local Plan production has been informed by direct member engagement through the Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party, with key decisions endorsed by Cabinet. Each relevant stage has been subject to public and statutory consultation, and feedback has informed its development.

Recommendations

That Cabinet:

1)    Notes the outcome of the Inspector’s Report into the examination of the North Norfolk Local Plan, dated 31 October 2025 (Appendix 1 & 2);

2)    Recommends that the Council adopts the modified Local Plan which incorporates the Main Modifications as the appropriate basis for the future planning of the whole District (Appendix 3);

3)    Notes that all policies of the North Norfolk Core Strategy 2008 and the Site Allocations; Development Plan Document 2011 (the current Local Plan) will be superseded by the new Local Plan upon adoption. This is subject to the provisions of paragraph 9.3 of this report that: ‘Upon adoption there is a six-week window under section 113 of the Planning  and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 during which an aggrieved party can challenge the decision to adopt a Local Plan on legal and procedural grounds’

4)    Delegates authority to the Assistant Director for Planning to publish the Adoption Statement and accompanying documents, making the North Norfolk Local Plan part of the Adopted Development Plan for North Norfolk;

5)    Delegates authority to the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Executive Summary

Endorsement of the Draft Norfolk Coast National Landscape Management Plan (2025-2030) during the Public Consultation Stage.

The Council, along with other relevant authorities, has a statutory duty to publish a Management Plan for the conservation and enhancement of the designated landscape and to update the Plan every 5 years. The current Plan (2019-2024) is due for review.

Options considered

There are no alternatives in place to allow the Council to fulfil this statutory duty.

Consultation(s)

At a Business Planning Meeting on 27^th August 2025 Cabinet reviewed an earlier Draft that was issued to Stakeholders. Feedback from Officers and Cabinet has been incorporated into this latest Draft which is open to full public consultation.

Recommendations

That Cabinet:

1)    Endorses the Draft Norfolk Coast Landscape Management Plan (2025-2030)

Reasons for recommendations

1. The publication of a Management Plan for the Norfolk Coast National Landscape every 5 years forms part of the statutory duty of the relevant authorities (of which NNDC is one) in managing the area.
2. This Plan will complement and support the Council’s Local Plan Planning policies

Background papers

Appendix 1 Norfolk Coast National Landscape Management Plan - Norfolk Coast

Appendix 2 State of the Norfolk Coast National Landscape Report, Sep 2025, LUC 

Wards affected

Bacton, Beeston Regis and the Runtons, Binham, Coastal, Cromer Town, Gresham, Hickling, Holt, Poppyland, Roughton, Sheringham North, Sheringham South, Suffield Park , Trunch, Wells with Holkham

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Harry Blathwayt (Coastal)

Cllr Andrew Brown (Planning)

Contact Officer

Cathy Batchelar, Senior Landscape Officer cathy.batchelar@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

In accordance with The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) have a maximum duration period of 3 years at which point a review of the order is triggered. Following a consultation on the Council’s inland PSPOs earlier this year, Cabinet resolved for consideration of additional PSPOs and PSPO amendments raised by consultees in a subsequent consultation.

Options considered

• Adopt all PSPO proposals.
• Maintain PSPOs as currently constituted.
• Adopt PSPO proposals on a case-by-case basis as decided by Cabinet.

Consultation(s)

The Council launched a consultation from Monday 6 October 2025 that concluded Wednesday 5 November 2025 at 11.59pm to determine the views of residents, local councils, organisations, and other interested parties. During the consultation 21 responses were received from the public and local Councils. The majority supported all PSPOs being retained, with most of the others seeking changes to one or more PSPO.

Recommendations

Cabinet is asked to make the following resolution: Adopt all the Public Space Protect Orders (PSPOs), as set out in Appendix A, relating to dog control.

Reasons for recommendations

The recommendation allows the modification of and addition to the dog control PSPOs, as supported by the majority of consultees.

Background papers

N/A.

Wards affected

2.   Beeston Regis & The Runtons

4.   Coastal

5.   Cromer Town

7.   Gresham

13. Lancaster South

14. Mundesley

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Callum Ringer

Contact Officer

David Addy

Environmental Protection Team Leader

01263 516145

Executive Summary

The Council is required to have a Policy for the use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

Home Office guidance recommends that elected members should review the use of the RIPA powers and ensure the policy remains fit for purpose at least once per year.

Officers have reviewed the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy and Procedures document and made no changes.

Officers have reviewed the Internet & Social Media Research & Investigations Policy and identified that no changes are necessary at this time.

The Council has made no use of powers under RIPA in the last 12 months.

Options considered

The Policy is required to ensure proper application of the Act, so there is not an alternative option. 

Consultation(s)

Consultation has been undertaken with the Monitoring Officer, who also acts as the Gatekeeper for RIPA activity.

Recommendations

1. That Members note that there are minor operational amendments to reflect the latest best practice and guidance are required to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Policy and Procedures.

2. That Members note that there are minor amendments required to the Internet & Social Media Research & Investigations Policy in order to reflect changes to relevant legislation which impact on the policy.

3. That Members note there has been no activity undertaken under RIPA within the period since the last report.

Reasons for recommendations

The Council is required to have an up to date policy/procedure in order to exercise its powers.

Members are required to be aware of the RIPA activity undertaken by the Council.

Background papers

None

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Calum Ringer

Contact Officer

Steve Hems, Director of Service Delivery

01263 516192

Steve.hems@north-norfolk.gov.uk