Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cabinet - Monday, 5th December, 2022 10.00 am

Venue: Council Chamber - Council Offices. View directions

Contact: Emma Denny  Email: emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

75.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 216 KB

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7th November 2022.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 7th November were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

76.

Public Questions and Statements

To receive questions and statements from the public, if any.

Minutes:

None received.

77.

Items of Urgent Business

To determine any other items of business which the Chairman decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972

Minutes:

None received.

78.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 721 KB

Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests that they may have in any of the following items on the agenda. The Code of Conduct for Members requries that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (see attached guidance and flowchart)

Minutes:

Cllr L Shires declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 13: North Walsham Market Place Improvement Scheme. She informed members that she belonged to North Walsham Phoenix Group which had been awarded a Building Improvement Grant (BIG) as part of the Heritage Action Zone Scheme. She added that she was also the County Councillor for North Walsham.

 

79.

Members' Questions

To receive oral questions from Members, if any

Minutes:

The Chairman advised members that they could ask questions as matters arose.

80.

Recommendations from Overview & Scrutiny Committee

To consider any recommendations referred to the Cabinet by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for consideration by the Cabinet in accordance within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules

Minutes:

Cllr N Dixon, Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee confirmed that there were no recommendations to Cabinet from the November meeting.

 

81.

Fees and Charges 2023 - 2024 pdf icon PDF 229 KB

Summary:

 

 

 

Options considered:

This report recommends the fees and charges for the financial year 2023-24 that will come into effect from 1st April 2023.

 

Alternatives for the individual service fees and charges now being proposed will have been considered as part of the process in arriving at the fees presented within the report.

 

Conclusions:

 

The fees and charges as recommended have been used to inform the income budgets for the 2023/24 budget.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

That Cabinet agree and recommend to Full Council:

a) The fees and charges from 1 April 2023 as included in Appendix A.

b) That Delegated Authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Heads of Service, to agree those fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required as outlined within the report

 

To approve the fees and charges as set out in the report that will have been used to support the 2023/24 budget process.

 

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

 

 

Current fees and charges

 

 

 

 

               

Cabinet Member(s)

 

Ward(s) affected: All

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

James Moore, 01263 516430, James.Moore@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet agree and recommend to Full Council:

a) The fees and charges from 1 April 2023 as included in Appendix A.

b) That Delegated Authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Heads of Service, to agree those fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required as outlined within the report

 

Reason for the Recommendations:

 

To approve the fees and charges as set out in the report that will have been used to support the 2023/24 budget process.

 

 

Minutes:

Cllr E Seward, Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, introduced this item. He explained that it was a statutory report which set out the fees and charges that would come into effect from April 2023. Cllr Seward asked that the car park designations for Sheringham (page 47) were amended to show Station Road as a resort category car park and Chequers as a coastal car park.

It was proposed by Cllr E Seward, seconded by Cllr R Kershaw and

 

RESOLVED

 

To recommend to Full Council:

a) The fees and charges from 1 April 2023 as included in Appendix A.

b) That Delegated Authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Heads of Service, to agree those fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required as outlined within the report

 

Reason for the Recommendations:

 

To approve the fees and charges as set out in the report that will have been used to support the 2023/24 budget process.

 

 

82.

Treasury Management Half Year Report pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Summary:

 

 

Options considered:

This report provides mid-year information to Members on treasury activity

 

This report is for information purposes.

 

Conclusions:

 

This report provides mid-year information to Members on treasury activity.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

To recommend that Full Council approves the Treasury Management Half Yearly Update

 

To comply with Local government requirements on reporting treasury activity regularly.

 

               

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr Eric Seward

Ward(s) affected

N/A

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

James Moore, 01263 516430, james.moore@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED:

 

To recommend that Full Council approves the Treasury Management Half Yearly Update

 

Reason for the Recommendation:

 

To comply with Local government requirements on reporting treasury activity regularly

 

 

Minutes:

 

Cllr E Seward, Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, introduced this item. He said that it provided mid-year information on the Council’s treasury activity.

 

It was proposed by Cllr E Seward, seconded by Cllr L Shires and

RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council:

 

That Full Council approves the Treasury Management Half Yearly Update

 

Reason for the Recommendation:

 

To comply with Local government requirements on reporting treasury activity regularly

 

 

83.

Managing Performance Quarter 2 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 436 KB

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

The revised Managing Performance Report attached, as Appendix A, enables the Council to assess delivery against objectives detailed in the Corporate Plan Delivery Plan 2019-2023 and operational service performance. It gives an overview of progress towards achieving the objectives in the Corporate Plan, assesses the achievements and issues identified in the second quarter of 2022/23, and the actions being taken to address these issues and proposes any further action needed.

 

Options considering action regarding performance are presented separately, issue by issue, to the appropriate Council Committee where committee approval is required.

 

Conclusions:

 

Overall good progress has continued to have been made over the second quarter of 2022/23 in areas of core service delivery and in respect of key Corporate Plan projects and objectives as detailed in the report.  This is particularly the case given that the quarter covers the months of July and August when the District accommodates many thousands of tourist visitors placing demands on many of the Council’s public-facing discretionary services and many staff take annual leave.

 

Two exceptions have been the introduction of new waste and recycling collection rounds which initially saw quite high numbers of missed collections and related pressures on the Customer Contact Centre and increased telephony response times.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

 

That Cabinet resolves to note this report and endorses the actions being taken by Corporate Leadership Team detailed in Appendix A – Managing Performance.

 

That Cabinet asks for further information or action where they consider it necessary regarding performance as outlined in Appendix A.

 

To ensure the objectives of the Council are achieved.

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr Tim Adams

Ward(s) affected

All

Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Steve Blatch, Chief Executive

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

Tel:- 01263 516232

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman, Cllr T Adams, introduced this item. He explained that this was a regular report that outlined the work that had been achieved in the previous quarter. He drew members’ attention to the completion of 8 new affordable homes in Southrepps and explained that there would be a much lower number of completions overall in 2022/2023 due to the nutrient neutrality issue.

 

The Chairman said that significant time had been taken up during the early part of the second quarter finalising the Levelling Up Fund bids for Fakenham and Cromer. It was now anticipated that the outcome would be known by the end of the calendar year.

 

The Chairman referred to page 95 and queried the inclusion of the purple section of the pie chart for the Climate, Coast & Environment. He wondered if this was an error.

Cllr E Seward referred to page 99, which referred to the completion of changing places facilities in Fakenham and Wells by June 2022. He said that the work at Wells would be completed shortly and in Fakenham it was likely to be June 2023.

Cllr A Fitch-Tillett said that she was disappointed that there was no table included for the Coast. The Chief Executive replied that it was an ‘exceptions’ report and that no commentary was a positive sign. He added that there was commentary regarding the Mundesley and Cromer coastal protection schemes included and the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme (CTAP) would be covered in future reports.

The Chairman asked Cllr Fitch-Tillett if there had been an annual update to the Overview & Scrutiny committee on the work of the Coastal team. Cllr Fitch-Tillett replied that she was pleased to confirm that this had taken place in November.

 

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr L Shires and

 

RESOLVED

 

To note the report and endorse the actions being taken by Corporate Leadership Team detailed in Appendix A – Managing Performance.

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To ensure the objectives of the Council are achieved.

84.

North Norfolk District Council Cost of Living Summit and possible future actions pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

North Norfolk District Council hosted a Cost of Living Summit on 3 November 2022. The event was well attended by statutory and voluntary and charitable organisations operating in the district and by local representatives. The event was positively received and feedback has been good. A cost of living survey targeted at residents, undertaken immediately preceding the event, received 966 responses over the course of a week. The report considers what further action can be taken by the Council and partners to support residents of the district to manage the impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis.

 

The report identifies some further actions that could be taken by the Council and partners addressing issues raised at the summit.  

 

 

Conclusions:

 

 

The Cost of Living Summit identified further actions that could be taken by the Council and partners to support residents of the district to manage the impacts of the Cost of Living crisis.  

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

 

To consider the further actions identified and decide which of these the Council would like to develop further.

 

 

To act upon the findings of the Cost of Living Summit and support residents of the district to manage the impacts of the Cost of Living Crisis. 

 

 

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

 

 

The Cost of Living Summit presentation pack.

The Cost of Living Summit was a hybrid event with the majority present in person and some attending remotely via Zoom. The event was recorded through Zoom. 

 

 

               

Cabinet Member(s)

 

Ward(s) affected – all

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Karen Hill, Assistant Director of People Services, 01263 516183, karen.hill@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman began by thanking officers for contributing to the event and it was very beneficial having the expertise from external organisations too. He said that key findings showed that 60% of people didn’t know where to go for support with cost of living issues and this showed how important communication was. He concluded by saying that the Community Connectors were supporting in excess of 20 ‘warm hubs’ across the District.

 

The Assistant Director for People Services explained that the report outlined the issues that arose out of the summit, adding that most of them could be achieved without any additional resource and by working in partnership with community organisations. Financial support had been requested for food hubs, so more work would be undertaken regarding this to see if it was a cost-effective and sustainable approach for the Council to take. The Chairman agreed, saying that further consideration was needed regarding the provision of any support across the District.

 

Cllr J Toye said that he was amazed by the agility of officers and how quickly they had adapted and responded to the cost of living crisis. He thanked them for their continued hard work.

 

Cllr L Shires echoed Cllr Toye’s comments. She said that she was grateful for the way in which officers had responded to the Cost of Living Motion. She said that it was important to remember that 66% of people felt that their mental health had been impacted by the cost of living crisis. Several residents had spoken to her about their concerns for the winter and how they would manage to heat their homes. It was an appalling situation for people to be medicated against a situation that they were powerless to prevent.

 

Cllr V Gay thanked officers for making the recording of the summit available as it made it accessible for a much wider audience.

 

The Chairman said that the Council would continue to monitor the cost of living crisis closely.

 

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr L Shires and

 

RESOLVED

 

To consider the further actions identified and to decide which to develop further.

 

Reason for the decision

 

To support residents of the District during the cost of living crisis.

 

 

85.

Community Engagement Strategy pdf icon PDF 164 KB

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

Customer Focus is one of the Council’s six priorities in the Corporate Plan with stronger Community Engagement being identified in the Corporate Delivery Plan as being key to putting customers at the heart of all that the Council does and to improve access to services.

 

The Community Engagement Strategy sets out a high- level approach to meeting the statement above. It has been developed from what was considered best practice across a range of Community Engagement Strategies.

 

The intent of the Strategy is to provide an understanding of what is meant by engagement, a consistent, agreed corporate approach to how engagement is undertaken, and the outcomes used to informpolicies, strategies,procedures, servicedelivery and working with partner organisations.

 

This report seeks Cabinet approval of the Community Engagement Strategy (appendix A).

 

 

1.    To adopt the Strategy and actionplan.

 

2.    To not adopt the Strategy and continue undertaking community engagement on an as and whenbasis.

Recommendations:

 

 

 

Reasons for Recommendations:

That Cabinet approve the Community Engagement Strategy.

 

That Cabinet agree the content of the Action Plan.

 

To clearly support the Customer Focus element of the CorporatePlan andCorporate DeliveryPlan andto set ahigh-level frameworkwhich ensuresthat engagement is undertaken in a consistent and effective manner; to ensure that people feel well informed about local issues, have opportunities to get involved, influence local decision making, shape their area and allow us to continue to improve services theyreceive.

 

The action plan identifies activities which support the transition of the Strategy into delivery of engagement.


LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

Text Box: None

 

Cabinet Member (s)

Lucy Shires, Virginia Gay

Ward(s) affected All

Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Steve Hems, Director for Communities

01263 516182

steve.hems@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

Karen Hill, Assistant Director People Services 01263 518183

karen.hill@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet approve the Community Engagement Strategy.

That Cabinet agree the content of the Action Plan.

 

Reason for the Recommendations:

 

To clearly support the Customer Focus element of the CorporatePlan andCorporate DeliveryPlan andto set ahigh-level frameworkwhich ensuresthat engagement is undertaken in a consistent and effective manner; to ensure that people feel well informed about local issues, have opportunities to get involved, influence local decision making, shape their area andallow us to continue to improve services theyreceive.

 

The action plan identifies activities which support the transition of the Strategy into delivery of engagement.

 

Minutes:

Cllr V Gay, Portfolio Holder for Health & Wellbeing, introduced this item. She referred to the actions table and highlighted the way that the strategy fed through into democratic engagement. Other key measurements included increasing volunteering and work placements and these were all good outcomes for a community engagement strategy.

 

Cllr L Shires said that the strategy was predominantly customer focussed and it was based on what residents wanted and how they wanted North Norfolk to be. She thanked the Director for Communities for all his hard work in pulling the strategy together.

 

The Assistant Director for People Services, said that she had pulled together the responses that had been received as part of the consultation process, some of them had been excellent and had suggested different models of engagement which was helpful and would assist with learning and future development around working with partners and delivering the strategy.

 

Cllr J Rest referred to page 143 and the North Walsham Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project. He said that there had coverage of the scheme on local radio which indicated that people were not very supportive – which was not implied within the strategy. The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth, Cllr R Kershaw, replied that a project of this scale would always cause some level of disruption. He said it was unfortunate that the interviewer had not asked for a Council representative to respond. He added that some of the issues experienced by businesses were caused by the wider economic problems and not the HAZ scheme.

 

Cllr L Shires said that there had been an extensive consultation process for the HAZ scheme and a number of groups had been formed, including the business group, and there had been several public meetings. There was also a stakeholder consultation group which included representatives from across the town. So, although there were a few vocal objectors to the scheme, the level of consultation and engagement should not be dismissed.

 

The Director for Communities said that the Council needed a consistent approach to community engagement. The strategy was about setting out the Council’s activity along project lines. There would always be differences in opinion but as long as the criteria were clearly set out, members could make informed decisions. He concluded by saying that the action plan was a living and evolving document.

 

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr L Shires and

 

RESOLVED

To approve the Community Engagement Strategy.

To agree the content of the Action Plan.

 

Reason for the Recommendations:

 

To clearly support the Customer Focus element of the CorporatePlan andCorporate DeliveryPlan andto set ahigh-level frameworkwhich ensuresthat engagement is undertaken in a consistent and effective manner; to ensure that people feel well informed about local issues, have opportunities to get involved, influence local decision making, shape their area and allow us to continue to improve services theyreceive.

 

The action plan identifies activities which support the transition of the Strategy into delivery of engagement.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

86.

North Walsham Market Place Improvement Scheme pdf icon PDF 171 KB

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

The North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone (NWHSHAZ) includes measures to enhance the public realm and improve accessibility within North Walsham town centre. This scheme was based on concepts developed in 2018/19 and budget estimates submitted for funding to two separate external funds in 2020. This report seeks additional finance to complete the implementation of the scheme to the standard anticipated.

 

The scheme is part of a programme of measures that will make very significant improvements to the attractiveness and accessibility of North Walsham town centre and its historic assets, thereby improving town centre vitality and the viability of local businesses. Phase one, the creation of a new amenity garden at the gateway to St Nicholas’s Church, is virtually complete and the Market Place/King’s Arms St. improvement works are continuing apace, with the programme projecting completion in March 2023. In addition, a new bus interchange has been developed at New Road, which enabled through traffic in the Market Place to be reduced and for congestion and pollution caused by idling busses to be resolved.

 

The fixed budget for the project (with substantial external funding), in the face of inflationary pressures since the scheme was conceived in 2020, has meant that the scheme has had to be tailored to fit. Further funding is therefore required in order to complete the improvements to the satisfaction of the Council and local stakeholders – in effect achieving more than the current budget allows. 

 

Alternative options would be:

·         to complete a reduced  scheme within the existing budget – this would not capitalise fully on the opportunity that exists to transform the town centre;

·         to implement the project within the existing budget and to bid for further external funds (at a later date) to implement additional works - as above but also, the likely delay and uncertainty would inevitably incur additional costs of remobilising and further inflation.

 

Conclusions:

 

The jointly funded (Government and Local Authority) place-making scheme will be enormously beneficial and the opportunity exists to capitalise on the effort but that will require additional budget. Due to cost increases, the scope of the scheme has been amended but with additional budget, greater outcomes can be achieved. It is therefore proposed that additional financial resources are made available from the Business Rates Retention Reserve (which currently holds circa £600,000 within the overall balance. This was the share of the distributed surplus from the pooling arrangement in 2019/20 and which was agreed should be set aside for regeneration projects such as this) in order to complete the proposed Market Place scheme and to undertake improvements to ancillary areas.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

Recommendations:

To recommend to Full Council that £400,000 be allocated from the Business Rates Retention Reserve for the completion of the NWHSHAZ place-making scheme.

 

This recommendation is made in order to deliver the additional town centre improvements as part of the HSHAZ place-making scheme.

 

               

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr Richard Kershaw

Cllr Eric Seward

Ward(s) affected

All North Walsham wards

Contact Officer, telephone  ...  view the full agenda text for item 86.

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED:

 

To recommend to Full Council that £400,000 be allocated from the Business Rates Retention Reserve for the completion of the NWHSHAZ place-making scheme.

 

Reason for the recommendation:

 

This recommendation is made in order to deliver the additional town centre improvements as part of the HSHAZ place-making scheme.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth, Cllr R Kershaw, introduced this item. He said that the earlier reference to the radio interview on the scheme was pertinent, because that had arisen due to the report being placed in the public domain. He agreed with Cllr Shires summary of the extensive consultation process for the scheme and said that it had been revised to accommodate the majority of views. He said that he firmly believed in the scheme. It had already generated additional business in the town.  It was well known that there were some people who were not supportive but this was always the case for any large project.

 

Cllr Kershaw explained that the original budget had been drawn up in 2020 and a lot of change had happened since then, including a pandemic and an economic crisis. He said that the Project Manager had had the foresight to pre-purchase a lot of the construction materials which had already saved a considerable amount of money. He reminded members that costs for the Kings Lynn HAZ scheme had increased by 48%, whereas the North Walsham scheme had increased by 18%.

 

Cllr E Seward said it was important to remember why the scheme had commenced. North Walsham Town Centre had been in decline for some time and to arrest this decline, there was a need to improve the environment of the town centre. There had been small projects undertaken in the past which had not been done properly. He went onto say that there were a small number of individuals on social media which said certain things about the project which had not truth in them. He gave the example of the travel hub and false comments that had suggested that the buses would not be able to turn and they would hit the bus shelters. This had not happened and since its opening, it was now a welcome improvement to the town.

 

Regarding inflation, Cllr Seward said that as Finance Portfolio Holder, he was concerned about escalating construction costs. It was a struggle faced by all councils but it must be remembered that the cost increases for this project were relatively low compared to others. He concluded by saying that, as a resident of the town, he was confident that the project would be completed and it would be done properly. Ultimately, people would say what a success it was.

 

Cllr N Lloyd said that he had been a resident of North Walsham for 40 years and during that time he had seen huge change – including housing growth and the closure of some businesses. Very little had been spent on the town and a project of this scale was well overdue. He said that Church Slope looked wonderful now. It was very unfortunate that there were a few, very vocal people who seemed to get all the media attention.

 

Cllr N Dixon said that he had no issue regarding the merits of the scheme or the impact of cost inflation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

87.

Go-Go Discover Mammoth sculpture (Lumi) location pdf icon PDF 313 KB

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

Following the successful conclusion of the Go-Go Discover Sculpture Trail, as lead sponsor for the countywide trail, NNDC retains ownership of two sculptures: ‘Margaret’s Mammoth’ at West Runton Deep History (DHC) discovery point; and ‘Lumi’, which was temporarily placed at the DHC discovery point at Cart Gap. Margaret’s Mammoth will be retained permanently at West Runton. This paper provides options and a recommendation for the final location of the climate change-themed Mammoth sculpture, Lumi.

 

A number of options have been considered, from donating the sculpture back to Break for auction, leaving the sculpture in its trail location at Cart Gap and relocating to a new site which meets the practical and logistical requirements of the sculpture and takes account of financial considerations.

 

Conclusions:

 

After considering practical, financial and logistical matters (size, weight, maintenance and health and safety etc.) – including the benefit it will bring to North Norfolk – the preferred option is donation to Sheringham Museum.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

It is recommended that:

1.    Lumi be donated to Sheringham Museum to display as part of its climate change and Deep History Coast collection;

2.    Delegation to finalise the arrangements is given tothe Assistant Director for Sustainable Growth in consultation with the portfolio holder for Leisure, Wellbeing and Culture.

 

The sculpture would be a welcome and relevant addition to the Museum’s collection, strengthening local links to the Deep History Coast. The museum is also able to offer a safe and secure location to display the sculpture and ensure its long-term maintenance.

 

 

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr Virginia Gay

 

Ward(s) affected

Sheringham North

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Robert Young - 01263 516162, Robert.Young@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED

 

 

1.    Lumi be donated to Sheringham Museum to display as part of its climate change and Deep History Coast collection;

2.    Delegation to finalise the arrangements is given tothe Assistant Director for Sustainable Growth in consultation with the portfolio holder for Leisure, Wellbeing and Culture.

 

Reason for the recommendation:

 

The sculpture would be a welcome and relevant addition to the Museum’s collection, strengthening local links to the Deep History Coast. The museum is also able to offer a safe and secure location to display the sculpture and ensure its long-term maintenance

Minutes:

Cllr V Gay, Portfolio Holder for Culture, introduced this item. She explained that, following the successful conclusion of the GO_GO Discover Sculpture Trail, as lead sponsor for the countywide trail, NNDC retained ownership of two sculptures, including ‘Lumi’ which was temporarily placed at the DHC discovery point at Cart Gap. Sheringham Museum had expressed an interest in hosting the sculpture permanently and it would accept Lumi on a gift or loan basis, allowing the Council to ‘borrow’ it for events such as Greenbuild in the future, if necessary. The sculpture was currently on display at the museum’s entrance.

 

Cllr E Withington, said that, as local member for Sheringam, she would be delighted for it to be permanently hosted at the museum.

 

Cllr N Dixon asked if there would be any scope for the sculpture to be located at other locations across the District during the tourist season. Cllr Gay replied that this could be considered in the future, however, as yet no other places had expressed an interest. The sculpture was extremely heavy and required a low-loader to transport it as well as a proper base if it was to be sited outdoors.

 

Cllr L Shires said that she welcomed the request for it to be hosted safely at the Sheringham museum.

 

It was proposed by Cllr V Gay, seconded by Cllr N Lloyd and

 

RESOLVED

 

 

1.    Lumi be donated to Sheringham Museum to display as part of its climate change and Deep History Coast collection;

2.    Delegation to finalise the arrangements is given tothe Assistant Director for Sustainable Growth in consultation with the portfolio holder for Leisure, Wellbeing and Culture.

 

Reason for the recommendation:

 

The sculpture would be a welcome and relevant addition to the Museum’s collection, strengthening local links to the Deep History Coast. The museum is also able to offer a safe and secure location to display the sculpture and ensure its long-term maintenance

88.

SUPPORT FOR UK100 and ADEPT Environmental Initiatives pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:

The NZSAP board recommends that the council joins the UK100 network to share knowledge and collaborate on environmental issues.  This requires a change to the wording of the environmental charter to reinforce our commitment to the wider district to assist decarbonisation.

In addition, the board recommends supporting the ADEPT Blueprint to accelerate climate action and green recovery at the local level by the portfolio holder for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Environment signing an online petition.

The change in wording to the environmental charter requires Cabinet approval and a formal record of support for these initiatives by Cabinet is sought.

 

 

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

To support:

·         Making the suggested changes to the Environmental Charter

·         Joining the UK100 network

·         The portfolio holder for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Environmentin signing the online form showing support for ADEPT a Blueprint for accelerating climate action and a green recovery at the local level.

To access assistance from and show support for initiatives to help the Council meet its Net Zero targets.

 

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

 

 

 

 

               

Cabinet Member(s) Cllr Nigel Lloyd

 

Ward(s) affected All

Contact Officer: Kate Rawlings kate.rawlings@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED

·         To make the suggested changes to the Environmental Charter

·         To join the UK100 network

·         That the portfolio holder for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Environmentsigns the online form showing support for ADEPT a Blueprint for accelerating climate action and a green recovery at the local level.

Reason for the decision:

To access assistance from and show support for initiatives to help the Council meet its Net Zero targets

 

Minutes:

Cllr N Lloyd, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Climate Change, introduced this item. He explained that it was recommended that the Council joined the UK100 network to share knowledge and collaborate on environmental issues. Doing so required a change to the wording of the Council’s environmental charter, to reinforce the commitment to the wider district to assist decarbonisation. In addition, it was proposed that the Council demonstrated support for the ADEPT Blueprint to accelerate climate action and green recovery at local level, by the Portfolio Holder for Environment & Climate Change signing an online petition.

 

It was proposed by Cllr N Lloyd, seconded by Cllr R Kershaw and

 

RESOLVED

 

·         To make the suggested changes to the Environmental Charter

·         To join the UK100 network

·         That the portfolio holder for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Environmentsigns the online form showing support for ADEPT a Blueprint for accelerating climate action and a green recovery at the local level.

Reason for the decision:

To access assistance from and show support for initiatives to help the Council meet its Net Zero targets

 

89.

FORMER SHANNOCKS HOTEL SITE, SHERINGHAM pdf icon PDF 324 KB

Summary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options considered:

This report informs Cabinet that following demolition of the former Shannocks Hotel in Spring 2021, works on the site have stalled and not progressed further as proposed within the agreement made between the Council and the site owner, Huddies Limited.

 

Given the prominence of the site on Sheringham Seafront and public interest in the site’s re-development it is recommended that the District Council now seeks to implement the Compulsory Purchase Order as previously agreed in respect of the development site so as to bring about its future redevelopment.

 

1.            Pursue the CPO process by serving a General Vesting Document to take ownership of the site as the owner has failed to commence works to provide a new building on the site before 23 November 2022.

 

2.            Demur from enforcing the terms of the CPO on commencement trigger (23 November 2022), deferring action until a subsequently agreed deadline, leaving the owner to continue with its own development plans to complete on agreed deadline. The risk being that without pressure from the Council, these works will not be progressed at all. This may result in the site remaining empty and blighting the Sheringham Conservation Area.

 

3.            Demur from enforcing the terms of the CPO in its totality, leaving the owner to continue with its own development plans at its own pace, with the risk that without pressure from the Council, these will not be progressed at all. This may result in the site remaining empty and blighting the Sheringham Conservation Area and reputational harm to the Council in not following through with any action.

 

Conclusions:

 

The owner has completed phase 1 of the agreed works by demolishing the former Shannocks Hotel building by June 2021. Beyond this, notwithstanding consistent pressure on the owner by the Council for a number of months, redevelopment of the Shannocks site remains stalled. The owners have stated that they are making their best efforts to start re-development of the site. However, progress has historically been either at a slow pace or non-existent. The owner has repeatedly asked to extend the agreed project start dates, whilst providing no practical evidence of being ready to commence redevelopment.

 

The Compulsory Purchase Order obtained by the Council is in place and supported by a completed agreement with the owners, which sets out a timetable for their re-development of the site to proceed. Having completed demolition of the long-term vacant building by June 2021 the next key date by which redevelopment works should have commenced was the 23rd November 2022, with the agreement stating that the project should be completed by June 2023.

 

The November 2022 date has now passed with no works to commence re-development of the site being started.  Officers remain concerned that the owner will not develop the Shannocks site in accordance with the timetable outlined in the agreement, and are mindful of public concern over the continual delays in the progression of this high profile scheme at the centre of Sheringham seafront.

 

The actions of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 89.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED

 

1. To confirm support for the serving of the General Vesting Document to take ownership of the site as soon as possible

 

2. To recommend to Full Council that it approves the addition of a capital budget of the valuation cost as set out at section 6 of the confidential appended report, and an additional £10,000 to cover the costs associated with the purchase of the property to be financed by the use of capital receipts, use of reserves and borrowing if required.

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To secure timely redevelopment of the site, in accordance with the previously agreed Compulsory Purchase Order process, and the decision of the public inquiry to confirm the Order.

Minutes:

The Assistant Director for Planning introduced this item. He said there was a small error at section 2.3 of the report. It should state £10,000 not £50,000.

 

He went on to explain that this was a long-standing matter and the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) had been granted some time ago. The building had been demolished in June 2021 and no further work had been commenced to take forward the development of the approved new building. Work should have started by June 2022, with an extended date of 23rd November 2022. This date had now passed and with increasing public concern about the lack of progress made, it was felt that it was an appropriate time for the Council to consider whether it should exercise the CPO by serving the General Vesting Document on the site owner as soon as possible. He informed members that the deadline for completion of the new development was June 2023. It was therefore proposed that the Council proceeded with the CPO and took control of the site.

 

Cllr A Brown, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Enforcement, said that it was a myth that the CPO process was straightforward. It was extremely complex. He explained that this had begun in 2014 and if no action was taken by the Council now, it would run until 2024, when the CPO expired. That essentially meant Sheringham had been subjected to 10 years of blight on a prominent site on the seafront. It was time to take decisive action as it was clear that very little was being done by the owner to progress the development of the site.

 

Cllr E Withington, Local member for Sheringham, thanked officers for all their hard work. She said that the community was very appreciative, adding that the owner of the adjacent building was becoming increasingly concerned that no action was being taken.

 

Cllr R Kershaw commented that it was incumbent on the Council to act decisively and serve documents on the owner. It was a prime site in the town and could not be left any longer.

 

Cllr N Dixon said that he recognised the need for the Council to support and deliver effective planning enforcement, however, he was concerned that any action taken could commit the Council to delivering the CPO and regenerating the site too. He asked whether the costs and risks had been robustly and reliably addressed in the Savills report (included in the exempt appendix)

 

The Assistant Director for Planning replied that Savills had provided an updated report to support this process in terms of the General Vesting Document. The process in terms of the Council becoming a developer was not confirmed at this stage. It was intended that the Council would take ownership of the site and then work with property experts to move the matter forward. It was possible that a further report would come to Cabinet, looking at a back to back project, limiting the risk, by using a partner as a developer for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

90.

Exclusion of Press and Public

To pass the following resolution:

 

a.    That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”

 

b.    That the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure for the following reasons:

 

 

Agenda Item Number

Paragraph of Part 1 Schedule 12A

18

3

 

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). The appended report contains commercially confidential information.

 

91.

Private Business