Agenda and decisions

Executive Summary

This report presents the provisional outturn position for the 2025/26 financial year which shows a General Fund underspend of £0.354m.  It also provides an update in relation to the Council’s capital programme and use of reserves.

The position will be used to inform the production of the Statutory accounts which will then be subject to audit by the Council’s external auditors.

The report makes recommendations for contributions to reserves.

Options considered

None - This is a factual report of the financial year end position for 2025/26.

Consultation(s)

None – This is a factual report of the financial year end position for 2025/26.

Recommendations

Members are asked to consider the report and recommend the following to full Council:

a)  The provisional outturn position for the General Fund revenue account for 2025/26 (as shown in Appendix A);

b)  The transfers to and from reserves as detailed within the report (and Appendix C);

c) The surplus of £0.354m proposed to be transferred to the General Reserve

d) The balance on the General Reserve of £4.266m. (Please note does not currently include the above surplus of £0.354m)

e) The financing of the 2025/26 capital programme as detailed within the report and at Appendix D.

f) The updated capital programme for 2026/27 to 2031/32 and scheme financing as outlined within the report and detailed at Appendix E;

g) Approval of additional funding to cover capital project overspends of £0.012m as detailed in paragraph 5.7.

h) Approval of capital project budget roll-forwards from 2025/26 into 2026/27 paragraph 5.10.

i) To note the addition of £26,834 towards Property Services Electric Vehicles, to be funded by the Asset Management Reserve over a four-year lease period. This budget has been approved by the Deputy s151 Officer under constitutional powers.

j) To approve the addition of £188,539 to renovate Fakenham Play Area to be funded from capital s106 Contributions in 2026/27.

k) To approve the addition of £0.100m to the Community Housing Fund (Grants to Housing Providers) project, to be funded by Capital Receipts following a repaid grant in 2025/26.

l) To approve the updated Cromer Coast Protection Scheme budget to reflect that the approved RFCC (Environment Agency) grant has been awarded to the Mundesley Coastal Defences project only. This leaves the 2025/26 budget as £1,037,656. This is a movement of budget from the Cromer scheme to the Mundesley Scheme to meet grant conditions.

m) To approve the updated Mundesley Coastal Management Scheme budget to reflect that the approved RFCC (Environment Agency) grant has been award to the Mundesley Coastal Management Scheme project only. This leaves the 2025/26 budget as £998,217. This is a movement of budget from the Cromer scheme to the Mundesley Scheme to meet grant conditions.

Reasons for recommendations

To provide a draft outturn position for the General Fund, Capital Accounts and Reserves which will form the basis to produce statutory accounts for 2025/26. Also to provide a draft opening position for the financial year 2026/27.

Background papers

Budget report, Budget Monitoring reports, NNDR3  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Executive Summary

This is an annual report detailing the council’s collection performance and debt management arrangements for 2025/26. It includes:

• A summary of debts written off in each debt area showing the reasons for write-off and values.
• Collection performance for Council Tax and Non- Domestic Rates.
• Level of arrears outstanding
• Level of provision for bad and doubtful debts

Options considered.

To leave the write-off limits as they currently are or to increase these to a higher figure.

Consultation(s)

We are pleased to reach this year’s collection performance for council tax & Non-Domestic (Business) Rates whilst also working hard to reduce avoidance and fraud which with the cost-of-living crisis, second home premiums introduced and changes to Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief to businesses has been a more difficult time to for enforcement.

Recommendations

That Cabinet recommends to Full Council to:

1. approve the annual report which details the Council’s write-offs, in accordance with the Council’s Debt Write-Off Policy and performance in relation to revenues collection.

2. approve the continued delegated authority as shown in appendix 2 for write offs.

Reasons for recommendations

The recommendations ensure the Council makes best use of its staff resources and manages its finances to ensure best value for money.

Background papers

Corporate Debt Management and Recovery Policy -Appendix 1; Debt Write Off Policy - Appendix 2 and Recovery Methods including Enforcement Agent Code of Practice and Enforcement Agent Instructions - Appendix 3.

Wards affected

All wards

Cabinet member(s)

Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Sean Knight

Revenues Manger

Sean.Knight@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

North Norfolk District Council will claim 25% of the additional income raised from the 200% Council Tax charge for Second Homes. 

As was the case in 2025/26, NNDC proposes to use this additional income to mitigate the potential impact of high levels of Second and holiday homes - to help tackle homelessness and support building of more affordable homes for local households

This report provides details of housing projects it is proposed to fund from the additional income

This use is reflected in the 2026/27 Capital programme and the Out-turn report 2025/2026.

Options considered

-       Not to claim any of the additional Council Tax income from the 200% levy on Second Homes

-       To claim the additional income and use to support general council spending

Consultation(s)

Portfolio Holder for Housing and Peoples’ Services.

Officers in Finance, Housing Options, Estates and Property Services

Recommendations

It is recommended that Cabinet agree the proposed use of additional income from Second Homes Council Tax to fund the housing projects set out in this report.

Reasons for recommendations

To seek approval for the use of resources to help tackle homelessness and housing need

Background papers

Local Authority Housing Fund Round 4 – Purchase of Temporary Accommodation – Cabinet April 2026

Wards affected

Districtwide

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Jill Boyle, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Peoples’ Services

Contact Officer

Nicky Debbage, Housing Strategy & Delivery Manager, nicky.debbage@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

Coastwise is delivering the Corporate Plan objective “Realising the opportunities of external funding to secure a sustainable future for our coastal communities through transition and adaptation responses”. 

The Coastal Adaptation Pilot (CAP) provides an opportunity to extend the project to continue to implement local actions and trial new longer-term initiatives.  The learning continues to contribute to the national discussion for action to prepare communities impacted by coastal erosion.

It is recommended that NNDC take forward the CAP opportunity and secure or allocate the required funding contribution.

Options considered

Not to proceed with the Coastal Adaptation Pilot extension to Coastwise and not take forward the ongoing work and opportunity to better prepare our communities for coastal erosion or to contribute to national learning and approaches into coastal erosion adaptation.  This approach is not recommended as it will not meet the Corporate Plan objectives or support the delivery of the adopted Shoreline Management Plan.

Consultation(s)

This report has been developed in consultation with the Coastwise Project Board, Coastal Portfolio Holder, Director of Resources and Environment Agency.  The development of this next phase of Coastwise has also included consultation with the wider Coastal Transition Pilot local authorities including Great Yarmouth Borough Council, East Suffolk Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Cabinet:

1. Agrees to participate in the Coastal Adaptation Pilot (CAP) programme, accepting grant funds to continue the delivery and to further develop the Coastwise initiative under the existing governance arrangements.
2. Delegate to Coastal Manager, in consultation with the Coastal Portfolio Holder and Director of Resources, the formulation of the updated business case and submission to the Environment Agency.
3. Recommend to Full Council, the allocation of up to £500,000 as match funding for the programme, to be sourced from reserves if Local Levy (from the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, RFCC) or other grant sources is not forthcoming.
4. To extend the contracts of existing Coastwise personnel to the end of March 2029.

Reasons for recommendations

To enable continued development and delivery of Coastal Adaptation activity, supporting local at-risk communities and contributing towards national policy development.

To maintain the momentum established by the Coastwise initiative, the success of which has been recognised by the proposed inclusion of North Norfolk District Council as a participating authority in the Coastal Adaptation Pilot programme.

Background papers

• Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme Outline Business Case
• Coastwise Communications and Engagement Plan
• Coastal Adaptation Pilot Principles (EA)
• Coastwise Board papers

Wards affected

Coastal, Sheringham South, Sheringham North, Beeston Regis and the Runtons, Cromer Town, Suffield Park, Poppyland, Roughton, Mundesley, Bacton, Happisburgh

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Harry Blathwayt – Portfolio Holder for the Coast

Contact Officer

Rob Goodliffe – Coastal Manager – Rob.Goodliffe@north-norfolk.gov.uk – 01263 516321

Executive Summary

This report covers the early stages of Plan review and the requirement to undertake a scoping consultation

Options considered

None

Consultation(s)

Portfolio holder

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves:

1)       To progress the scoping consultation based on the material detailed in Appendix 1 in line with Government expectations, statute requirements and the project timescales.

2)       Delegates authority to the Planning Policy Manager to make any further necessary non-material modifications including consultation set up format as required.

Reasons for recommendations

To maintain an up-to-date Local Plan and to comply with statutory requirements in order to provide appropriate planning policy and guidance for the district.

Background papers

Plan-making regulations explainer - GOV.UK

This is an explainer of the emerging regulations for the new plan-making system.. 

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Andrew Brown

Contact Officer

Caroline Dodden, Senior Planning Officer

Caroline.dodden@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Andrew Brown

Contact Officer

Iain Withington, Planning Policy Manager iain.withington@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report covers the requirement to review the Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party ‘Terms of Reference’ and to agree appropriate governance arrangements for the preparation of the Local Plan review under the new Local Plan making system.

Options considered

1)    Establish a ‘Local Plan & Conservation Task Group’

2)    Exclude Conservation, Landscape and Design oversight from the proposed new governance arrangements to focus solely on the Local Plan

3)    Continue with the direct approach of taking all decisions to Cabinet.

Consultation(s)

Portfolio Holder for Planning & Enforcement

Recommendations

That Cabinet agrees to:

1)    Replace the current Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party with a new Local Plan & Conservation Task Group

2)    Adopt the Local Plan & Conservation Task Group ‘Terms of Reference’

      and recommend that Full Council:

1)    Approves changes to the overall Committee seat allocations, ensuring that political balance rules are reflected.

2)    Approves any consequential changes to the Constitution arising from the establishment of the new Local Plan & Conservation Task Group

3)    Receives nominations from the Group Leaders to appoint Members and substitutes to the Task Group (in line with recommendation 3 above).

Reasons for recommendations

To recognise the requirements and statutory obligations of the new planning system, as introduced through the 2023 Levelling Up and Regeneration Act and the 2025 Planning and Infrastructure Act, and to provide appropriate governance arrangements for Member engagement and decision making in producing a new Local Plan.

Background papers

Plan-making regulations explainer - GOV.UK

This explains the emerging regulations for the new plan-making system. 

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Andrew Brown

Contact Officer

David Glason, Assistant Director for Planning david.glason@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report details the decisions taken under delegated powers from January 2026.

Options considered

Not applicable – the recording and reporting of delegated decisions is a statutory requirement.

Consultation(s)

Consultation is not required as this report and accompanying appendix is for information only. No decision is required, and the outcome cannot be changed as it is historic, factual information.

Recommendations

To receive and note the report and the register of decisions taken under delegated powers.

Reasons for recommendations

The Constitution: Chapter 6, Part 2, details the functions which are delegated to officers. In addition, it requires that any exercise of such powers should be reported to the next meeting of Council, Cabinet or working party (as appropriate).

The law requires the Council to record executive and non-executive decisions taken by officers under delegated powers and to publish them on the Council’s website.

These requirements apply to decisions that would have been taken by Council or the Cabinet if delegated powers had not been given to an officer either -

• under an express delegation granted at a meeting of Cabinet, Council or a Committee.
• Or under a general delegation (where responsibility is delegated in the Constitution)

Background papers

Signed decision forms

Wards affected

All Wards

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr T Adams, Leader

Contact Officer

Emma Denny, Democratic Services Manager

Emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report outlines three options for the future of the Marrams Club House site in Cromer, a Council owned asset currently occupied by the Marrams Bowls Club. The building is in poor condition, with significant roof deterioration and water ingress, and requires substantial investment to remain a usable asset.

Consultation has taken place with stakeholders including The Club which supports Option 2 in principle but has previously opposed redevelopment proposals.

The report recommends that Cabinet does not proceed with Option 1 or Option 3. It recommends that Option 2 to dispose of the Bowls Club and Putting Greens   is taken forwards subject to conditions, and officers are instructed to agree complete the disposal.

Options considered

• Option 1: Renew the lease and undertake roof upgrade works.

• Option 2: Transfer the freehold to the Marrams Bowls Club inclusive of the Putting Greens.

• Option 3: Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment.

Consultation(s)

Colin Brown - Leisure and localities Services Manager

Bowls Club Tenant

Putting Greens Licensee

Local members

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

Provide approval for officers to proceed with Option 2 to transfer the freehold of the Property, known as the Marrams Bowls Club and Marrams Putting Greens, to the Marrams Bowls Club.

Delegate authority to the Asset Strategy Manager or the Assistant Director for Finance and Assets to agree to the final terms of the transfer.

Reasons for recommendations

1)    Not to proceed with Option 1 - due to the level of investment required to undertake the repairs and the continued liability the Council would hold for the buildings.

2)    Option?2 is recommended because it provides a sustainable long?term solution that supports continued community use of the Bowls Club while addressing the constraints of the site and reducing the Council’s future maintenance liabilities.

A freehold transfer can be lawfully progressed under Section?123 of the Local Government Act 1972, as the proposal meets the requirements of the General Disposal Consent (England) 2003, enabling disposal at less than best consideration where it demonstrably promotes community wellbeing. The Bowls Club’s established health, social and economic benefits provide a clear basis for relying on this exemption.

Progression of the transfer would remain subject to legal due diligence, the inclusion of appropriate safeguards such as pre?emption rights and restrictive covenants, and confirmation that the Bowls Club is willing and able to proceed with the transfer.

3)    Redevelopment - This option has not been considered further due to the capital investment required and the Bowls Club not being supportive of proposed development.

Background papers

Cabinet Report 29 June 2023

Wards affected

Cromer Town

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Milo Creasey – Surveyor –

Milo.creasey@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Renata Garfoot – Estates and Asset Strategy Manager – Renata.garfoot@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report provides details of a proposal for a major film production to be based in Cromer and the District Council’s in-kind and financial support for the production, recognising the significant direct local spend associated with the production during on site filming and secondary spend anticipated by tourist visitors having seen the film through national release.

Options considered

To not engage with the film location search and miss the direct and indirect opportunities presented by this proposal for North Norfolk with the film being made elsewhere in the UK

Consultation(s)

With Norfolk Screen, the Economic Development team at Norfolk County Council and Epic Studios, Norwich

Recommendations

That the Cabinet approves the Council’s in-kind and financial support for the film production as detailed within the report.

Reasons for recommendations

Support for the basing of this film in Cromer recognising the significant direct local spend associated with the production during on site filming and secondary spend anticipated by tourist visitors having seen the film through national release.

Background papers

2023 – 2027 Corporate Plan

Wards affected

Cromer Town and Suffield Park

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Tim Adams, Leader of the Council

Contact Officer

Steve Blatch, Chief Executive

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

Tel:- 01263 516232