Agenda and decisions

Executive Summary

This report and accompanying appendix present the 2023 – 2027 Corporate Plan Action Plan for the period April 2024 – March 2025 to Cabinet for approval.

Options considered

The actions detailed in the Action Plan have been developed in support of the five themes in the adopted Corporate Plan through a series of member/officer workshops, recognising the challenges and opportunities facing the district and the Council over the next 18 months.

The actions proposed seek to balance the capacity of the organisation to deliver, taking into account the staff and financial resources available to the Council and potential to access external funding or partnership resources, with the aspirations laid out in the Corporate Plan.  In this respect it is recognised that there is a degree of choice and prioritisation as to the actions proposed for delivery in the period April 2024 – March 2025.

Consultation(s)

The recent workshops involving elected members and officers have been an inclusive and consultative process, the outcomes from which have informed future priority actions and work programming by the Cabinet for delivery in the 2024/25 civic year.  These will need to be aligned with the 2024/25 budget preparation and revised Medium-Term Financial Strategy in the coming weeks.

Recommendations

That the Cabinet approves the Corporate Plan Annual Action Plan for 2024/25.

Reasons for recommendations

Sound management of the authority’s staff, property and financial resources to deliver projects and initiatives which support improved service delivery and positive outcomes aligned to the previously agreed Corporate Plan themes.

Background papers

2023 – 2027 Corporate Plan

Notes from the recent themed workshop events attached as appendices to this report

Wards affected

All

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

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:          

This report details the list of actions and proposals the Council proposes taking forward in support of the five Corporate Plan themes in the twelve months April 2024 – March 2025.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

Proposed actions, projects or initiatives will need to give due consideration to the Council’s financial position as detailed in finance reports and a revised Medium-Term Financial Strategy and have the necessary resources allocated to them or efficiency savings identified through the preparation of the 2024/25 budget.

Council Policies & Strategies

See comment under Corporate Plan heading above

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

Yes

Has the public interest test been applied

Yes – there is no private or confidential information to be considered by this report

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A

Executive Summary

This report provides an update on the Council’s financial performance and projected outturn for 2023/24 for the revenue account, capital programme and reserves statement as at the end of September 2023.

The overall position at the end of September 2023 shows a £1.685m underspend for the net operating expenditure on the revenue account, this is however an unadjusted position that does not include any known variations e.g. the inclusion of the pay award for 2023/24.

As at 30 September 2023, the General Fund projected a deficit of £0.515m for the full year 2023/24. This is after adjusting for all known variations and full year forecasting by service managers.

Options considered

This is an update report on the Council’s financial position and so no other options were considered.

Consultation(s)

Cabinet Member

Section 151 officer

Budget Managers

Recommendations

It is recommended that Cabinet:

1)    Note the contents of the report and the current budget monitoring position and note that officers will work together to take action to reduce the overall projected deficit on the General Fund at the year-end of 2023/24.

recommends to full Council that it

2)    Approves an additional capital budget of £58k so that the work for the refurbishment of the Red Lion roof (Cromer), the Art Deco Block roof and handrails (Cromer) and the Chalet Block at Sheringham can be awarded as one contract. And that approval be given to fund the additional expenditure from the Asset Management Reserve.

3)    Approves an increase to the DFG capital budget of £118k and approves that it is funded by the additional grant received for this purpose from the Government.

4)    Approves the provision of a new play area at the Lees in Sheringham and approves a capital project budget for this of £65k and that funding for this should come from the Delivery Plan Reserve.

5)    Approves the capital spending of £11k on the Morris Street Car Park Boundary Wall and that it be funded from the Asset Management Reserve.

6)    Approves that the £85k of the Car Park refurbishment capital budget is reallocated to the Public Conveniences so that the outstanding works can be carried out and complete the scheme.

Reasons for recommendations

To update members on the current budget monitoring position for the Council.

Background papers

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Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

s151 Tina Stankley, Tina.stankley@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:          

Budgets set to support the Corporate Plan objectives.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)

Budget process in line with MTFS

Council Policies & Strategies

Service Budgets set in line with the council policies and strategies.

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

 no

Has the public interest test been applied

Not an exempt item

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A

Executive Summary

This report sets out the Treasury Management activities undertaken during the first half of the 2023/24 Financial Year compared with the Treasury Management Strategy for the year.

Options considered

This report must be prepared to ensure the Council is compliant with the CIPFA Treasury Management and Prudential Codes.

Consultation(s)

Cabinet Member

Section 151 Officer

This report has been prepared with the assistance of Link Treasury Services, the Council’s Treasury advisors.

Recommendations

To recommend to Full Council that the Treasury Management Mid Year Report 2023/24 is approved.

Reasons for recommendations

Approval by Full Council demonstrates compliance with the Prudential Code to ensure adequate monitoring of the capital expenditure plans and treasury management activity.

 It is a requirement that any proposed changes to the 2023/24 prudential indicators are approved by Full Council.

Background papers

The Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24.

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

James Moore

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:         

This report is required to ensure the Council can demonstrate it is in a sound financial position and able to deliver the projects in the Capital Programme which support the Corporate Plan Objectives. 

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

This report supports the MTFS in confirming adequate financing is in place to deliver the Council’s Capital Programme.

Council Policies & Strategies

The Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

 No

Has the public interest test been applied

Not an exempt item.

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A

Executive Summary

This report sets out the proposed level of council tax discounts which shall apply to classes of dwelling for the financial year 2024-25.

Options considered.

The recommendations enable the Council to take action, as a result of the reforms included in the Local Government Finance Act 2012 (as amended), to encourage homeowners to bring their homes back into use and generate council tax income.

Consultation(s)

The legislation provides local authorities with the power to determine the level of council tax discount in relation to certain classes of property. The Council must approve its determinations for each financial year. The calculation of the tax base for 2024/25 will be made on the assumption that the determinations recommended below will apply. 

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

Recommendations

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

1)    The discounts for the year 2024-25 and beyond are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 3.1.

2)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2024-25 for eligible cases of hardship under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended). See the associated policy in Appendix B.

3)    That an exception to the levy charges may continue to be made by the Revenues Manager in the circumstances laid out in section 3.2 of this report.

4)    The premiums for the year 2024-25 and beyond are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 4.2.

5)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2024-25 for eligible cases of care leavers under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended).

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

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

8)    The long-term empty-property premium of 100% is brought forward to increase from 12 months rather than 24 months from 1 April 2025, subject to the necessary legislation.

9)    A new second homes premium of 100% as detailed in paragraph 4.3 is applied from 1 April 2025, subject to the necessary legislation.

Reasons for recommendations

To set appropriate council tax discounts and premiums which will apply in 2024-25 and to raise council tax revenue.

Background papers

Local Authorities are  ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Executive Summary

Emergency phones are in place at 22 locations along the North Norfolk coast from Morston to Horsey. Providing emergency telephones on beaches is not a statutory requirement, however North Norfolk’s have remained in place for over 30 years. Usage data shows not a single emergency telephone anywhere along the coast has been used for a documented emergency for many years.

BT have announced their move to digital by 2025 raising uncertainty about the future viability of the emergency phones. Unfortunately BT have been unable to say one way or another whether an alternative option will be available following the change.

The cost of keeping these phones operational is over £30k per year. The necessity of providing these phones has now vastly reduced and an opportunity to consider their future now exists.

Options considered

Option 1: Do nothing and keep the phones in operation. This option will be affected by the move to digital but we are not sure exactly how at this stage as BT are unable to confirm if there will be an alternative option following the change.

Option 2: Remove all emergency phones from the districts coastline.

Option 3: Remove only the emergency phones where mobile phone signal is known to be adequate, leaving those where signal is particularly poor. This option will be affected by the move to digital but we are not sure exactly how at this stage as BT are unable to confirm if there will be an alternative option following the change.

Consultation(s)

Discussions have been held internally within the Leisure Team and the IT department.

Externally discussions have been held with the RNLI and Coastguard, who showed no concern about the proposal and indicated that they are reviewing their own processes as a result of BT’s digital move.

Recommendations

The Council takes the decision to remove all Emergency Phones in the district.

Reasons for recommendations

1.1           It is proposed that the necessity for Emergency Phones is no longer as important as it once was. Their lack of use and the imminent move by BT to go digital mean that we believe the requirement for these phones no longer exists.

1.2           BT are unable to provide assurances that an alternative to analogue lines will be available to keep the emergency phones operational post digitilisation. However they have given assurances that mobile phone signal is being targeted for improvement throughout the district.

1.3           The Council could make a financial saving of over £30k per annum by removing this service.

1.4           It is not deemed that removal would cause significant community safety issues. Partners such as the RNLI have been consulted and raised no concerns either.

Background papers

NA

Wards affected

Coastal, Sheringham South, Beeston Regis and The Runtons, Cromer Town, Suffield Park, Poppyland, Mundesley, Bacton, Happisburgh, Hickling.

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Liz Withington

Cllr. Harry Blathwayt

Contact Officer

Colin Brown, Leisure & Locality Services Manager, 01263516001

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:         

NA

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

This could generate  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Executive Summary

Stalham Sports Centre is one of three dual use community sports centres operated on behalf of the Council by Everyone Active as part of the current Leisure Contract. It has consistently been the least well attended of the three sites and last calendar year only received a little over 5000 visits. The Council budgets £17k per annum for its share of maintenance and utility costs as per the dual use agreement in place.

A proposal has been made for the incumbent trust – Synergy Multi Academy Trust – to take the operations of the site back in-house. Everyone Active have indicated that they are open to this transfer taking place and the Leisure Contract contains a clause allowing it to happen.

Options considered

1. To hand back the operation of the Stalham dual use sports centre to the Synergy Multi Acadmey Trust.
2. To not hand back the operation of Stalham dual use sport centre and for it to continue to be operated as part of the NNDC leisure contract with Everyone Active.

Consultation(s)

Meetings with local ward members for Stalham have been undertaken, alongside meetings with Everyone Active, The Synergy Trust and the NNDC Communications Manager.

Recommendations

Cabinet agrees to hand back operations of the Stalham dual use sports centre to Synergy Multi Academy Trust and instruct the Leisure and Locality Services Manager to undertake this process.

Reasons for recommendations

The Council have been approached by the Synergy Multi Academy Trust to operate Dual Use Centre.

The council have put a lot of resource into this site over a number of years, both in-house and through a Leisure Operator. Neither have been overly successful and therefore it is believed to be a good option to allow the Academy themselves to operate the site for community use.

Background papers

Wards affected

Stalham

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. L, Withington

Contact Officer

Colin Brown Leisure and Localities Manager 01263 516001                     

Emily Capps- Assistant Director for Environmental and Leisure Services

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:         

Developing Communities

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

The proposal could generate a saving to the Council of £17k per annum

Council Policies & Strategies

N/A

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

 Yes

Has the public interest test been applied

N/A

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A

Annual Update - Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)

Executive Summary

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

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

Officers have reviewed the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy and Procedures document and made a number of minor changes. These changes reflect references in the document to relevant Codes of Practice and removed references to a guidance document which has been withdrawn and not yet replaced.

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

The Council has made use of powers under RIPA on one occasion in the last 12 months.

Options considered

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

Consultation(s)

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

Recommendations

1. That the amendments to the revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Policy and Procedures, set out at Appendix A, be accepted.

2. That Members note that there are no amendments required to the Internet & Social Media Research & Investigations Policy

3. That Members note the activity undertaken under RIPA.

Reasons for recommendations

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

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

Background papers

None

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Calum Ringer

Contact Officer

Steve Hems, Director for Communities

01263 516192

Steve.hems@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Links to key documents:

Corporate Plan:         

This item does not directly relate to delivery of the Corporate Plan objectives but is a statutory requirement.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

There is no direct impact on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Council Policies & Strategies

NNDC Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy and Procedures

NNDC Internet & Social Media Research & Investigations Policy

Corporate Governance:

Is this a key decision 

 No

Has the public interest test been applied

Yes, not exempt

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A