Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cabinet - Monday, 2nd October, 2023 10.00 am

Venue: Council Chamber - Council Offices. View directions

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

Items
No. Item

48.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 424 KB

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 04 September 2023.

 

Please note that there is an exempt minute for Agenda item 15 – Rocket House, Cromer, which is not included in the public agenda pack.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4th September were approved subject to the following amendment on page 3, Recommendations from Cabinet Working Parties paragraph 2:

 

‘It was regrettable that they would lead to no increased growth in the parish’

 

Cllr C Cushing referred to Minute 45 – Rocket House Building, Cromer and asked when the requested briefing for Members was likely to take place. The Leader replied that a date had not been confirmed yet but it would be soon.

 

49.

Public Questions and Statements

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

Minutes:

None received.

50.

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:

None.

51.

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.

52.

Members' Questions

To receive oral questions from Members, if any

Minutes:

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

53.

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.

 

There were no recommendations made to Cabinet at the meeting of Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 13th September.

Minutes:

There were no recommendations to Cabinet made at the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 13th September.

54.

Recommendations from Cabinet Working Parties

The following recommendations were made at the meeting of Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party meeting held on 11th September:

 

To recommend to Cabinet that:

 

1.    The responses received to the first round of public consultation on the Glaven Valley Conservation Area Appraisal are noted, and the subsequent revisions made to the text and boundary are endorsed;

2.    Another round of public consultation is undertaken on the revised appraisal document as laid out in the report, the results of which will be brought back to Working Party in due course.

 

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED that

 

 

1.    The responses received to the first round of public consultation on the Glaven Valley Conservation Area Appraisal are noted, and the subsequent revisions made to the text and boundary are endorsed;

2.    Another round of public consultation is undertaken on the revised appraisal document as laid out in the report, the results of which will be brought back to Working Party in due course.

 

 

 

Minutes:

Cllr A Brown, Chairman of the Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party, introduced this item. He explained that a further consultation was being rolled out for a 3 week period and it was anticipated that the matter would come back to the Working Party and then Cabinet in November.

 

It was proposed by Cllr A Brown, seconded by Cllr T Adams and

 

RESOLVED that

 

 

1.     The responses received to the first round of public consultation on the Glaven Valley Conservation Area Appraisal are noted, and the subsequent revisions made to the text and boundary are endorsed;

2.     Another round of public consultation is undertaken on the revised appraisal document as laid out in the report, the results of which will be brought back to Working Party in due course.

 

 

 

55.

Managing Performance Q1 2023 - 2024 pdf icon PDF 244 KB

Executive Summary

The 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 for the first quarter of the 2023/24 civic year – i.e. 1st April – 30th June 2023.

 

Options considered

 

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

 

Consultation(s)

The Section 151 officer and the Monitoring Officer reviewed this report prior to it being presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 13 September 2023.

 

Recommendations

 

That Cabinet resolves to note this report, address any recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny committee and endorse 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

Contact Officer

Steve Blatch, Chief Executive

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

 

Links to key documents:

 

Corporate Plan:          

The large part of this report is concerned with ensuring the objectives within the Corporate Plan 2019-23 are achieved.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

Achieving the objectives in the Corporate Plan 2019-23 and delivering services effectively and efficiently is a part of ensuring the MTFS is achieved.

Council Policies & Strategies

Corporate Plan 2019 - 23

 

Corporate Governance:

 

Is this a key decision 

 No

Has the public interest test been applied

Not applicable. Item not exempt.

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

Not applicable. Quarterly performance management report presented throughout the life of the Corporate Plan 2019-23.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced this item. He explained that it had been considered by Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 11th September and he had no further comments to add to the written report.

 

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr W Fredericks and

 

RESOLVED to

 

Note the report, address any recommendations from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and endorse the actions being taken by Corporate Leadership Team as detailed in the appendix.

 

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure that the objectives of the Council are achieved.

56.

Round 2 - Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) pdf icon PDF 182 KB

Executive Summary

NNDC has been offered government grant through Round 2 of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) to acquire four homes to meet housing need.

Three homes are to be initially used to meet the needs of resettled Afghan households and one is to provide Temporary Accommodation (TA) for homeless households.

The grant available can cover up to 40% of the capital cost of homes with a further £20k per home for associated costs. This report considers options for delivering these four homes and the associated costs and implications.

 

Options considered

 

a)   NNDC takes up the offer of Round 2 LAHF and delivers four homes – match funding the grant largely using existing Capital funding earmarked for Temporary Accommodation

b)   NNDC takes up the offer of Round 2 LAHF and works with a partner Registered Provider to deliver four homes

c)    NNDC takes up the offer of Round 2 LAHF and delivers four homes – match funding from borrowing

d)    NNDC does not take up the offer of Round 2 LAHF

 

Consultation(s)

Portfolio Holder for Housing & People Services

Assistant Director People Services

Housing Options Manager

Estates and Asset Strategy Manager

Flagship Housing Group – Head of Development

 

Recommendations

 

1.    NNDC accept the Round 2 LAHF grant

 

2.    Officers seek to work with Flagship to acquire three of the four homes, and officers seek to identify one LAHF home to acquire for use as TA to be match funded from our existing TA budget

 

3.    In the likely event that Flagship are unable to find three homes to purchase, that officers seek to identify up to four homes to acquire to be match funded using the existing TA budget and HPG funding

 

4.    Cabinet give delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer / other member of Corporate Leadership Team, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Peoples Services, to agree the specific purchase of up to four properties (within the identified budget limits).

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

To seek approval for the Council to accept the LAHF grant and agree the delivery option recommended

Background papers

 

Cabinet March 2023 – LAHF Round 1 Opportunity

Cabinet June 2023 - Purchase of Temporary Accommodation Unit

Cabinet June 2023 – Outturn Budget report 2022/23

Cabinet November 2022 - Purchase of Temporary Accommodation Unit 

 

 

Wards affected

District-wide (potentially)

Cabinet member(s)

Councillor Wendy Fredericks - Portfolio Holder for Housing & Peoples Services

Contact Officer

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

 

Links to key documents:

 

Corporate Plan:          

Meeting Our Local Housing Need

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                  

One of the four homes will be used immediately for Temporary Accommodation for homeless households delivering savings compared to the cost of alternatives such as bed and breakfast. The remaining three homes can be used as Temporary Accommodation in the longer-term.

Council Policies & Strategies

Housing Strategy 2021 – 2025

 

Corporate Governance:

 

Is this a key decision 

 Y

Has the public interest test been applied

NA

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

NA

 

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED that

 

1.    NNDC accept the Round 2 LAHF grant

 

2.    Officers seek to work with Flagship to acquire three of the four homes, and officers seek to identify one LAHF home to acquire for use as TA to be match funded from our existing TA budget

 

3.    In the likely event that Flagship are unable to find three homes to purchase, that officers seek to identify up to four homes to acquire to be match funded using the existing TA budget and HPG funding

 

4.    Cabinet give delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer / other member of Corporate Leadership Team, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Peoples Services, to agree the specific purchase of up to four properties (within the identified budget limits).

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To seek approval for the Council to accept the LAHF grant and agree the delivery option recommended

Minutes:

Cllr W Fredericks, Portfolio Holder for Housing, introduced this item. She explained that this was the second round of funding through the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) and would be used to acquire 4 homes to meet housing need in the District. Three homes would be used to meet the needs of resettled Afghan households and wone would provide temporary accommodation for homeless households. The grant could cover up to 40% of the capital cost with a further £20k per home for associated costs.

 

The Chairman invited Members to speak:

 

Cllr C Cushing sought clarification regarding Option A and Option B and asked whether for both options whether it would be the same properties that would be purchased. Cllr Fredericks confirmed that it would and explained that Option B was referenced to be ‘challenging’ because Flagship Homes would only agree to take on new build properties and this was not affordable with the level of funding on offer. For that reason, Option A was the preferred option.  

 

The Housing Strategy & Delivery Manager (ND) confirmed that this was the case and said that the Council was willing to purchase older properties as long as there were no major maintenance issues.

 

It was proposed by Cllr W Fredericks, seconded by Cllr T Adams and

 

RESOLVED that

 

1.     NNDC accept the Round 2 LAHF grant

 

2.     Officers seek to work with Flagship to acquire three of the four homes, and officers seek to identify one LAHF home to acquire for use as TA to be match funded from our existing TA budget

 

3.     In the likely event that Flagship are unable to find three homes to purchase, that officers seek to identify up to four homes to acquire to be match funded using the existing TA budget and HPG funding

 

4.     Cabinet give delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer / other member of Corporate Leadership Team, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Peoples Services, to agree the specific purchase of up to four properties (within the identified budget limits).

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To seek approval for the Council to accept the LAHF grant and agree the delivery option recommended

57.

Proposed 2023/24 Section106 Commuted Sums grants to support delivery of affordable homes pdf icon PDF 167 KB

Executive Summary

Cabinet in February 2021 agreed to the establishment of an annual budget in the Capital Programme to provide grants, using section 106 capital receipts held by the council, to support Registered Providers to deliver new affordable homes.

A budget of £500k in 2021/22 and £300k per annum 2022/23 - 2024/25 was established. No grants have yet been paid so this budget has been carried forward.

This report now details the programme of grants for 2023/24 and seeks support to provide s106 grant totalling £1,186,000, which will provide 71 affordable homes (an average of less than £17k grant funding per home).

 

Options considered

 

The housing section 106 monies held can only be used to fund delivery of affordable homes.

The option of retaining the monies for alternative future affordable housing schemes is rejected as this runs the risk of some of the current proposed affordable housing schemes not going ahead.

Additionally, as some section 106 receipts have a time limit on their use, not using them risks needing to repay them.

 

Consultation(s)

Portfolio Holder for Housing and Peoples Services 

Finance team

S106 Officer

 

Recommendations

 

That Cabinet support the granting of £1,186,000 of existing s106 housing monies in 2023/24 to support Registered Providers deliver new affordable housing schemes as detailed in the report.

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

To provide support for £1,186,000 grant funding to help deliver affordable homes

Background papers

 

Cabinet February 2021 - Use of s106 Commuted Sums to support delivery of affordable homes in North Norfolk

Cabinet March 2022 - Proposed 2022/23 programme of Section106 Commuted Sums to support delivery of affordable homes in North Norfolk

 

Wards affected

Holt, Stibbard, Coastal, Priory, Bacton, Suffield Park

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Wendy Fredericks, Portfolio Holder Housing & Peoples Services

Contact Officer

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

 

Links to key documents:

 

Corporate Plan:          

Meeting our Local Housing Need – specifically:

-       Supporting the delivery of more affordable housing, utilising partnership and external funding wherever possible.

-       Working with partners to deliver more rural exception sites

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                  

NA

Council Policies & Strategies

Housing Strategy 2021-25

 

Corporate Governance:

 

Is this a key decision 

Yes

Has the public interest test been applied

NA

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

NA

 

 

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet support the granting of £1,186,000 of existing s106 housing monies in 2023/24 to support Registered Providers deliver new affordable housing schemes as detailed in the report.

 

Reason for the decision:

To provide support for £1,186,000 grant funding to help deliver affordable homes

Minutes:

Cllr W Fredericks, Portfolio Holder for Housing, introduced this item. She explained that, following a previous Cabinet decision to establish an annual budget in the Capital Programme, using Section 106 receipts held by the Council, this report now detailed the programme of grants for 2023/24 and sought support to provide s106 grants totalling £1,186,000 which would provide 71 affordable homes.

 

It was proposed by Cllr W Fredericks, seconded by Cllr T Adams and

 

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet support the granting of £1,186,000 of existing s106 housing monies in 2023/24 to support Registered Providers deliver new affordable housing schemes as detailed in the report.

 

Reason for the decision:

To provide support for £1,186,000 grant funding to help deliver affordable homes

58.

Age Friendly Communities pdf icon PDF 245 KB

Executive Summary

According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) census data, North Norfolk is the local authority area with the highest average age in England and Wales. With a median age of 54, the average age of people living in North Norfolk is 14 years higher than the national average (40 years old).
An Age-Friendly Community is a place that enables people to age well and live a good later life. Somewhere that people can stay living in their homes, participate in the activities they value, and contribute to their communities, for as long as possible.

 

Alignment with the UK network for Age Friendly Communities and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities will support the delivery of work by both NNDC and the North Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership (NNHWP) in developing a culture of Age Friendly Communities across the district through sustainable projects and schemes.

 

This alignment requires the political buy in of the Council and to align with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities there needs to be written confirmation of political support from the leader of the Council.

 

Options considered

 

  • To commit to the development of Age Friendly Communities and align with the UK and global networks of age friendly (cities and) communities.

 

This is the recommended option, as it would confirm commitment to supporting our demographic, which is the oldest population in the UK. It will also allow for access to peer support from other Age Friendly Communities nationally and globally, and to access resources which may not be available without the affiliations.

 

Age Friendly Communities and the work surrounding it already has the endorsement and support of the NNHWP and its Older Persons Working Group. In committing to this alignment it may open up opportunities to access funding for this work.

 

  • To not align with age friendly communities networks, and not commit to the development of age friendly communities and associated projects.

 

This option is not recommended as it would restrict the work of the NNHWP and its working groups in relation to Older People. Political buy-in is required to make the alignments as without it, any work completed would stand alone and be detached from national and global collaborations and there would be restricted access to support and potential resources including funding.

 

Consultation(s)

Consultation has been held with the NNHWP and its Older people working group, including public health.

 

The NNHWP, of which NNDC are the lead organisation, released a strategy and action plan for 2023 to 2026. The strategy was devised in consultation with partners from across statutory and voluntary organisations and charities, and three priority areas were addressed at individual workshops, which included input from wider stakeholders.

 

Older people were identified as a priority area and, in response, a number of actions were identified to support work in this area.


The first of these actions was the adoption of Age Friendly Communities and alignment with  ...  view the full agenda text for item 58.

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED

 

Cabinet to receive the report and to formally confirm

 

  • Political commitment and support for the development of Age Friendly Communities in North Norfolk.
  • Alignment with UK network of Age Friendly Communities (Centre for better ageing).
  • Alignment with the WHO Global for Age Friendly Cities and Communities, which should be evidenced by written confirmation of the political support from the leader of the Council.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Political support and endorsement is required to enable alignment with and access to networks which will provide guidance, resources and peer support to progress the achievement of Age Friendly Communities in North Norfolk.

With the current older demographic of the district and predicted increase of older residents in North Norfolk aligning with Age Friendly Communities will assist in developing a culture of supporting older residents and visitors to live and enjoy healthy and active later lives.

 

In turn, this will support other services and systems within the district, including those provided by NNDC and health services, by reducing admissions to hospital and use of resources which are better provided elsewhere, increasing community and individual resilience, helping maintain independence and improving wellbeing.

 

Minutes:

In the absence of Cllr Withington, Portfolio Holder for Community Outreach, Cllr W Fredericks introduced this item. She outlined the definition of an age friendly community and explained that it focussed on four key aspects to help residents age well and live a good later life. Somewhere that people could stay in their homes, participate in the activities they valued and contribute to their communities for as long as possible. She added that the District had the oldest demographic in the UK, with one in three residents being over the age of 65. She concluded by saying that the Council was the first District Council to adopt this approach. As Chair of the North Norfolk Health & Wellbeing Partnership, she said that this strategy was very important and one of the sub-groups focussed on living and ageing well.

 

The Chairman invited Members to speak:

 

Cllr A Brown asked if there was any prospect of Norfolk County Council following suit in adopting this approach and if so, would this result in a review of the proposed closures of Blakeney surgery and Benjamin Court in Cromer.

 

Cllr Fredericks replied that representatives from the Integrated Care Board and Adult Social Services attended the Health & Wellbeing Older Persons Working Group meetings. So, findings would be fed back to them. She agreed that the County Council should adopt this approach as may people chose to retire in North Norfolk and it impacted on the provision and quality health services in Norfolk generally.

 

Cllr L Shires said that she welcomed this report which was very powerful. She said that it was vital that older people had access to services but also to support from each other. She said that she understood the reference to the County Council and one of the biggest issues that elderly people faced was traversing uneven pavements. She asked if there was a consultation prepared to assist with understanding the older residents in the district and what they would want to see from this strategy.  The Service Development Officer (Early Help) said that an initial piece of work was underway by the Older Persons Working Group and it was intended that the Community Connector Team would be involved in various events to undertake some initial scoping work and a survey. There were also ongoing discussions with GP surgeries to assist with the scoping of any consultation. A big part of the process was speaking to ageing communities and listening to their voices.

 

It was proposed by Cllr W Fredericks, seconded by Cllr T Adams and

 

RESOLVED

 

To receive the report and to formally confirm

 

  • Political commitment and support for the development of Age Friendly Communities in North Norfolk.
  • Alignment with UK network of Age Friendly Communities (Centre for better ageing).
  • Alignment with the WHO Global for Age Friendly Cities and Communities, which should be evidenced by written confirmation of the political support from the leader of the Council.

 

Reason for the decision

 

Political support and endorsement is required to enable alignment with and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

59.

Exclusion of Press and Public

To pass the following resolution:

“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 _ of Part I ofSchedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”

60.

Private Business