Agenda and decisions

Executive Summary

This report seeks Cabinets’ support to agree a response on behalf of North Norfolk District Council to two consultations proposing to introduce new regulations in relation to the use of dwellings as temporary letting accommodation (holiday, Air B&B).

Options considered

Alternative consultation responses have been considered.

Consultation(s)

This report is in response to a Government consultation and members and officers have provided comments and views.

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to respond to the consultations as outlined in Appendix A to this report

Reasons for recommendations

To support government proposals to introduce a more effective regulatory framework for the use of dwellings for purposes other than as principal residences and hence give local authorities better tools to manage the potential impacts of such uses.

Background papers

None

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr A Brown, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Cllr W Fredericks, Portfolio Holder for Housing

Contact Officer

Mark Ashwell, Planning Policy Manager

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:          

Local Homes for Local People

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

N/A

Council Policies & Strategies

N/A

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

 Yes / No

Has the public interest test been applied

No

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

Overview & Scrutiny Committee considered this issue in July 2022

Managing Performance Quarter 4 and cumulatively for 2022/2023

Executive Summary

The Managing Performance Report attached, as Appendix A, will enable the Council to assess delivery against objectives detailed in the Corporate Plan Delivery Plan 2019-2023 and operational service performance during the period 1^st April 2022 to 31^st March 2023.

It gives an overview of progress towards achieving the objectives in the Corporate Plan and wider corporate performance around core service delivery during the year, and the actions taken to address any issues and proposes further action as needed.

Options considered

Actions to address any areas of under-delivery or poor service performance are raised with the relevant Assistant Director.  Where there are ongoing issues with project delivery or service performance these are presented separately, for Cabinet’s information and comment.

Consultation(s)

The preparation of this report itself has not involved consultation.  Initially the development of the Corporate Plan in 2019 involved extensive consultation and the progression of specific actions within the Plan have involved further public engagement and consultation processes.

Recommendations

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

Reasons for recommendations

To ensure the objectives of the Council are achieved and service performance monitored, reviewed and as necessary improved.

Background papers

The 2019 – 2023 Corporate Plan and In-Phase performance management system

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Tim Adams, Leader of the Council

Contact Officer

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:          

This performance management report records outcomes against each of the Council’s Corporate Plan’s six key themes, and reports by exception on the operational performance of the Council.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

This report in itself does not raise any issues in respect of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy – although individual project proposals and actions need to be considered in the context of the Council’s financial position and be supported by a business case and agreed budget / savings or efficiency targets.

Council Policies & Strategies

The Council’s Corporate Plan is a key document for the authority, supported by a number of corporate policies and strategies, some of which have been developed as specific actions or objectives of the Corporate Plan.

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

No

Has the public interest test been applied

Not an exempt item of business.

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

This is a quarterly performance report presented to Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Executive Summary

This report outlines the requirement for allocation of capital funding for the purchase of two new refuse collection vehicles for the commercial and garden waste collection services delivered by Serco on behalf of the Council. These services have experienced significant customer growth over the last few years and are at a point whereby additional vehicles are required to ensure that the Council can continue to meet customers’ expectations and deliver its statutory duties around domestic and commercial waste collections.

Options considered

Do nothing – this would result in a deteriorating service level and loss of customers resulting in lost income for the Council.

Hiring additional vehicles – deemed poor value for money.

Purchasing second-hand vehicles – no availability of suitable vehicles. 

Contractor purchasing vehicles – poor value for money and not in line with current fleet.

Consultation(s)

The proposal has been drawn up in conjunction with Serco who have recommended the provision of the additional vehicles and will look to factor their use in to a future round reorganisation. 

Recommendations

That Cabinet recommend to full Council an addition to the Capital programme of £385,000 to purchase two new refuse collection vehicles and that the £385,000 be added to the residual £65,000 that is left over from the original budget to purchase refuse vehicles from 2019 to date.

That Cabinet recommend to full Council that the purchase be funded by borrowing of £335,000 and a revenue contribution of £50,000.

Reasons for recommendations

To ensure the Council can meet customers’ expectations and provide a service that can keep up with the continuing increase in demand for garden and commercial waste collection services.  To ensure statutory duties around waste collection can be fulfilled.  To support the future growth in revenue generating services.

Background papers

None

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Callum Ringer

Contact Officer

Scott Martin, Environment and Safety Manager, scott.martin@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:          

N/A

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

The provision of additional resources on the revenue generating garden and commercial waste services will enable a better level of service delivery and help achieve future customer and revenue growth, supporting the MTFS.

Council Policies & Strategies

None

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

Yes

Has the public interest test been applied

Is the item exempt, if so, state why.

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A

Executive Summary

Stalham was selected as a suitable town for an investigation into the opportunities for improving the health (vitality and viability) of its town centre. A successful application was made in 2022 for a government-funded scheme and the Council subsequently progressed the initiative. A meeting took place in March with the appointed consultants and relevant stakeholders and subsequently a report was prepared, entitled ‘Unlocking Your Place Potential.’   

Options considered

The study has been undertaken and the further offer of support is available. The alternative option of taking this no further would not be sensible, however, once the further work has been done options for further support to the town’s High Street will be considered.

Consultation(s)

In the lead up to the preparation of the HSTF initiative, representatives of Stalham Town Council (STC) and Stalham Business Forum (SBF) were engaged to agree the scope of the activities. Through the ‘Unlocking Your Place Potential’ study, representatives of Stalham Neighbourhood Development Committee, the Museum of the Broads, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and Norfolk County Council were involved, alongside officers and members from NNDC and representatives of STC and SBF.

Recommendations

Cabinet is asked to endorse the findings of the UYPP report and agree to the following actions:

• Continue to work with interested organisations in Stalham to progress options for supporting its town centre and local businesses operating there
• arrange a meeting in the summer to discuss the findings of the HSTF investigation and to develop a scope for future actions by the relevant stakeholders
• host a workshop in Stalham on improving local capacity, leadership and partnerships led by a High Streets Task Force expert that will consider governance and place management partnership structures, with an awareness of identified needs and potential future responsibilities
• following the workshop, act on the recommendations to establish a partnership with a timetable and cycle of meetings suitable to prepare a joined-up plan and coordinate future delivery
• evaluate the scope for a ‘Place Making Programme’ workshop to follow on from the above actions.

Reasons for recommendations

To support the further exploration of ways for Stalham’s town centre to be improved.

Background papers

Stalham High Street Task Force Unlocking Your Place Potential (attached as an Appendix)

Wards affected

Stalham

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Paul Heinrich, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Growth

Contact Officer

Rob Young, Assistant Director for Sustainable Growth

Tel: 01263 516162

Email: robert.young@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:          

Boosting Business Growth

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

None

Council Policies & Strategies

North Norfolk Local Plan

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

No

Has the public interest test been applied

N/A

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

None

Executive Summary

Increasing consideration is being given to the potential of the Bacton Energy Hub playing a major role in the UK’s future energy security strategy as our national economy looks to transition to Net Zero, moving away from reliance on natural gas to sources of low carbon and renewable energy, including hydrogen and carbon capture and storage.

The District Council therefore needs to understand the implications and opportunities presented for the future of the Bacton Energy Hub site through commissioning some research into how hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage might be accommodated on the site and understand the potential benefits which might be realised for the North Norfolk economy through such investments in terms of jobs, training, supply chains etc.

This report therefore recommends that the District Council establishes a budget to commission a research report into the future opportunities for the Bacton Energy Hub site.

Options considered

Commission research into the future opportunities for the Bacton Energy Hub site so that the Council is able to take an informed and proactive position in engaging with investors proposing investments at the site to produce hydrogen and in the storage of carbon in depleted offshore gas fields in the southern North Sea.

Do nothing – not considered to be an appropriate position for the Council as potentially major proposals are developed for the Bacton Energy Hub site

Consultation(s)

The Council has held initial meetings with the North Sea Transition Authority, National Grid Gas Transmission, Cadent, and the Hydrogen Capital and Hydrogen Valley projects about the potential of future investments at the Bacton Energy Hub site.

However, these conversations are at a very early and formative stage and have not provided the Council with much information such that it can take an informed position of the opportunities and implications of such proposals for the Bacton site.

The Council therefore wishes to commission some initial, independent, research into these project proposals in order that it can, in due course, represent the interests of local communities and businesses in the further development of proposals made for the site.

Recommendations

Cabinet is recommended to establish an initial budget as detailed in the exempt appendix funded from the Corporate Plan Delivery Plan Reserve to commission a piece of independent research of the opportunities being proposed for the future of the Bacton Energy Hub site, particularly as a location for the production of hydrogen and the capture and storage of carbon, in order that the Council can take an informed position with respect to these significant proposals in support of the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.

Reasons for recommendations

To position North Norfolk strongly in respect of developing proposals for the Bacton Energy Hub to make a significant contribution to the UK’s Net Zero strategy and ambitions.

Background papers

North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA): Bacton Energy Hub - The move to <br/>net zero (nstauthority.co.uk)

North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA): Carbon Capture and Storage - The move to <br/>net zero (nstauthority.co.uk)

Capital  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.