Agenda and decisions

Executive Summary

This report details the decisions taken under delegated powers from December 2024 to February 2025.

Options considered

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

Consultation(s)

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

Recommendations

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

Reasons for recommendations

The Constitution: Chapter 6, Part 5, sections 5.1 and 5.2 details the exercise of any power or function of the Council where waiting until a meeting of Council or a committee would disadvantage the Council. The Constitution requires that any exercise of such powers should be reported to the next meeting of Council, Cabinet or working party (as appropriate)

Section 2.1 sets out the requirements regarding the reporting of conditional delegated decisions.

Background papers

Signed delegated decision forms.

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Leader, Cllr T Adams

Contact Officer

Emma Denny, Democratic Services Manager

emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Links to key documents:

Executive Summary

The Corporate Plan 2023-27 Action Plan 2024-25 is being implemented as planned

Options considered

Not relevant.

Consultation(s)

The lead officer for each action in the Plan has been asked for their assessment of progress, identify issues and propose action they will take to address those issues.

Recommendations

Cabinet is recommended to note this report.

Reasons for recommendations

The progress report shows that twenty-six of the actions are in progress and on track and nine completed. One action is identified as red and six actions are identified as amber. There has been a reduction in the number of actions identified as amber from sixteen in the previous quarter to six. Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) have reviewed actions flagged as red and amber in the last quarter.

Background papers

Corporate Plan 2023-27

Annual Action Plan 2024-25

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Tim Adams

Contact Officer

Steve Hems, Director for Communities and Chair of the Performance and Productivity Oversight Board

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

Executive Summary

This report sets out the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for the year 2025/26. It sets out details of the Council’s Treasury Management activities and presents a strategy for the prudent investment of the Council’s resources. It also sets out the Council’s approach to the deployment of capital resources in meeting the Council’s overall aims and objectives.  

Options considered

No other options considered. It is a requirement that the Treasury Management Strategy report must be approved by full Council each year in advance of the new financial year to ensure the Council is compliant with the CIPFA Treasury Management, CIPFA Prudential Codes and guidance issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG).

Consultation(s)

Portfolio Holde

Section 151 Officer

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

Recommendations

To recommend to Full Council that the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 is approved.

Reasons for recommendations

Approval by Full Council demonstrates compliance with the Prudential Codes to ensure.

·       A flexible investment strategy enabling the Council to respond to changing market conditions.

·       Ensure compliance with CIPFA and MHCLG guidance.

·       Confirming capital resources available for delivery of the Council’s capital programme.

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

Background papers

The Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25.

CIPFA Prudential Code (Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice 2021 Edition).

CIPFA Prudential Code (Capital Finance in Local Authorities: Code of Practice 2021 Edition).

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

James Moore

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Daniel King

Assistant Director Finance & Assets

Daniel.king@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report sets out the proposed level of council tax discounts which shall apply to classes of dwelling for the financial year 2025-26.

Options considered.

The recommendations take advantage of the options from the reforms included in the Local Government Finance Act 2012 as amended to encourage bringing homes back into use and generate council tax income.

Consultation(s)

The legislation provides local authorities with the power to make changes to the level of council tax discount in relation to classes of property. The Council must approve its determinations for each forthcoming financial year. The calculation of the tax base for 2025/26 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 2025-26 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 2025-26 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 empty property levy charges may continue to be made by the Revenues Manager in the circumstances laid out in section 4.2 of this report.

4)    The long-term empty-property premiums for the year 2025-26 (subject to the empty premium exceptions shown in Appendix C) are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 4.2

5)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2025-26 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)    A new second homes premium of 100% as detailed in paragraph 4.3 (subject to the second home premium exceptions shown in Appendix C) is applied from 1 April 2025.

Reasons for recommendations

To set appropriate council tax discounts and premiums which will apply in 2025-26 and to raise council tax revenue.

Background papers

Local Authorities are required to approve their Council Tax discount determinations each year. The legislation provides local authorities with  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Executive Summary

This report presents the latest iteration of the budget for 2025/26. It is intended to present the position as we currently know it and it will need to be updated as more information becomes available e.g. the impact of the final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/26.

Options considered.

No other options have been considered as it is a legal requirement to calculate “the expenditure which the authority estimates it will incur in the forthcoming year in performing its functions” and then subtract “the sums which it estimates will be payable for the year into its general fund”. This is required to set a balanced budget before 11 March 2025.

Consultation(s)

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will have the opportunity to review this report at its meeting on 22 January 2025. It will be able to make recommendations that Cabinet will be able to consider at its meeting on 3 February 2025.

Budget consultation is taking place on the Council’s website currently for anyone to share their views. Consultation with Business Rates payers is also being undertaken. The results of both these consultations will be included in the report being presented to Full Council on 19 February 2025.

Recommendations

1. That Cabinet consider the list of proposed savings and agree on which ones should be taken so that a balanced budget can be recommended to full Council.
2. That an alternative option for balancing the budget should be agreed to replace savings not taken if there are any.
3. That Cabinet agree that any additional funding announced as part of the final Local Government Settlement announcement be transferred to reserves.
4. That Cabinet decide which proposed new capital bids should be recommended to full Council for inclusion in the Capital Programme.

Reasons for recommendations

To enable the Council to set a balanced budget.

Background papers

2024/25 Budget report presented to full Council on 21 February 2024.

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Tina Stankley

Director of Resources and s151 Officer

tina.stankley@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report provides an update to the report considered by Cabinet at its meeting of 9^th September 2024 proposing savings from the public toilet budget.

The provision of public toilets is a discretionary service and in light of the worsening financial position of the Council in preparing the 2025/26 budget the ongoing costs of providing these facilities has been reviewed and proposals developed for the Council to close or transfer some facilities to other providers where levels of use are low and/or the Council has no other assets such as car parks which generate income which can support provision of these facilities.

Options considered

The 9^th September 2024 report proposed the closure or transfer to other providers of six public toilets provided by the Council and the seasonal (winter) closure of other facilities.

Subsequently, attention was focussed on the savings which could be realised from the facilities proposed for closure or transfer.

Consultation(s)

For those facilities proposed for closure or transfer, conversations have been had with key stakeholders (parish councils and local businesses and community organisations) in outlining the Council’s position and exploring possible arrangements by which the facilities might be retained through transfer to a third party, sponsorship or alternative financing arrangements.

Recommendations

Cabinet is asked to:-

1)    to confirm its support for discussions being progressed with local businesses at Potter Heigham with the objective of securing sponsorship to meet the costs of retaining the Potter Heigham public toilets;

2)    to agree that proposals and a business case be prepared for a new public toilet facility to be developed on, or adjoining, the District Council’s public car park and principal bus stop at the western end of the High Street in Stalham with a report being presented to Cabinet on such a proposal in the future.  In the meantime, the existing toilets will be retained for a minimum of twelve months.

3)    to agree that the public toilets in Walsingham be retained at least until March 2026 with further discussions being held with local partners as to whether a sustainable financial model for the facilities can be agreed in the medium-term.

4)    to retain the West Runton public toilets at least for this summer (through until the end of September 2025) with further discussions being held with local partners as to whether a sustainable financial model for the facilities can be agreed in the medium-term.

5)    to confirm its support for the position adopted in removing the leased unit at Beach Lane, Weybourne realising a financial saving of approximately £26,000 per annum and retaining the eco-loo at this location and monitoring its use / mis-use and to advise that we will continue to work with Weybourne Parish Council to establish if a more sustainable location can be found for the provision of a public toilet in the village.

Reasons for recommendations

To deliver savings from the public toilet budget as part of preparing the 2025/26 budget and help reduce the deficits shown in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Executive Summary

The Non-Domestic (Business) Rates Policy 2025-26 has been revised to reflect the changes to schemes announced by government and includes guidelines as to how the schemes are to be implemented and the financial implications on the authority.

Options considered.

The policy is discretionary, so members can decide not to agree to the recommendations.

Consultation(s)

The Government expects local authorities to use their discretionary relief powers to grant these reliefs.

The Retail Hospitality and Leisure Relief, Supporting Small Business Relief, Hardship Relief, Film Studios and Flood Relief. All of these (except the Hardship Policy) will be compensated in full for our loss of rates income. This compensation will be paid by section 31 grant and calculated based on the returns that the council makes under the rates retention scheme.

The Council’s Discretionary Rate Relief Policy has been revised to reflect these changes.

Recommendations

1. It is agreed by Full Council that the Revenues Manager continues to have delegated authority to make decisions up to the NNDC cost value of £4k as indicated in Appendix A.

2. It is agreed by Full Council that the Revenues Manager continues to has delegated authority to make Hardship Relief decisions up to the NNDC cost value of £4k as indicated in Appendix C.

3. It is agreed by Full Council that the Rate Relief Policy is revised as indicated in Appendix A, B and C.

Reasons for recommendations

The new policy will enable the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Relief, Supporting Small Business Relief, Hardship Relief, Film Studios and Flood Relief to be awarded discretionary reliefs.

Background papers

1. In the Budget on 30 October 2024 the Chancellor announced the Government would introduce Film Studios and extend the award of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief but that it will reduce the relief from 75% to 40% for properties up to a cash limit of £110,000 per business for the 2025/26 financial year.

2. In the Budget on 17 November 2022 the Chancellor announced a new Supporting Small Business (SSB) Relief scheme which will cap bill increases at £600 per year for any businesses that had a Rateable Value (RV) increase from 1 April 2023 caused by the revaluation and consequently lost Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief.

3. Under section 49 of the Local Government Act 1988 businesses can apply for Hardship Relief. This scheme has now been incorporated within this rate relief policy. The cost of this scheme is funded in accordance with the Non-Domestic Rates financial retention rules.

4. Under the government’s flood recovery framework, businesses can apply for Flood Relief. This scheme has now been incorporated within this rate relief policy. Businesses can receive a minimum of 3 months rate relief. The cost of this scheme is fully funded by government.

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Sean Knight

Revenues Manger

Sean.Knight@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

The Council in conjunction with our partners are proposing to introduce four new public space protection orders (PSPOs) within the North Norfolk District to prohibit inconsiderate and inappropriate vehicle use related to antisocial behaviour. This is part of a wider control strategy involving the Norfolk Constabulary and local authority partners to curb this style of behaviour.

It is widely known that the ASB issues specified above are a cross-boundary issue and in some circumstances with perpetrators travelling extensive distances to attend meeting events. With other authorities establishing control measures, perpetrators are prepared to travel to avoid restrictions and frequently target those areas that have no controls.

The purpose of these PSPOs will be to support the Constabulary and establish a consistent approach with our partners and reduce the likelihood of this form of ASB occurring in our district.  

These orders when approved will be in force for a period of 3 years, after which time the Council will be required to review and approve once more.

The Council launched a 6-week consultation that concluded on the 11^th of December 2024 to determine the views of residents and interested parties. During the consultation 7 responses were received from the public and all were unanimous in their support.

Options considered

Essentially there are two options:

• Endorse the proposals and bring NNDC in line with neighbouring local authority partners and Norfolk Constabulary. Create a PSPO in each of the named locations.

• Turn down the proposal and do not endorse the proposals.

Consultation(s)

The Council launched a 6-week consultation that concluded on the 11th of December 2024 to determine the views of residents and interested parties. During the consultation 7 responses were received from the public and all were unanimous in their support.

Recommendations

It is the officer’s recommendation that the proposals are accepted in full.

Reasons for recommendations

• Fulfil the council’s contribution to Operation Octane (refer to appendix 2) and support the Norfolk Constabulary initiative.

• Support our local authority partners and maintain consistency regarding enforcement.

• Provide addional enforcement powers to NNDC regarding this type of ASB.

Background papers

Please refer to the operation octane briefing statement for members (appendix 2) and the PSPO order (appendix 1)

Wards affected

Cromer Town

Suffield Park

Stalham

North Walsham West

North Walsham East

North Walsham Market Cross

Lancaster North

Lancaster South

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Ringer

Contact Officer

James Ashby or Emily Capps (after 29^th of Jan 2025)

Executive Summary

This report presents the findings of a review of the car park enforcement service. It has been carried out as the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk (BCKLWN) has been in place since 2011. The current SLA has been renewed the maximum number of times allowed per the SLA and cannot be extended again after 31 March 2025. Therefore the Council needs to decide how it wants to provide this service after 1 April 2025.

Options considered.

The options considered were

1. to update and renew the SLA,
2. to bring the whole service back in-house or
3. to bring the enforcement back in-house but leave the processing of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) with BCKLWN.

No other options have been considered.

Consultation(s)

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will have the opportunity to review this report at its meeting on 12 February 2025.

Recommendations

1. That Cabinet agree to sign an updated SLA with BCKLWN for the full car park enforcement arrangement to include the patrolling of enforcement officers, cash collection and banking of cash and processing of PCNs.
2. That the signing of the SLA be delegated to the Director of Resources.

Reasons for recommendations

To allow the Council to continue to deliver a car park enforcement service throughout the district that provides value for money for the council and council taxpayers.

Background papers

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Tina Stankley

Director of Resources and s151 Officer

tina.stankley@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

The UK Government announced the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding allocations to local authorities in December 2024 for a ‘transition’ year of funding, with anticipated new models of funding from 26/27. This transition funding follows the preceding 2022-25 UKSPF programme which has been successfully delivered by NNDC (~£1.2 million) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) capital grant programme (~£1.4 million).

NNDC will receive a total allocation for the next financial year (2025-26) of £405,095, composed of £330,302 of revenue and £74,793 of capital funding.  All areas of the UK will receive an allocation from the Fund via a funding formula rather than a competitive bidding process.

There are three UKSPF investment priorities: Communities and Place; Supporting Local Business; and People & Skills.

The one-year allocation of UKSPF funding will continue to support businesses and communities in North Norfolk to address identified local challenges. This will be achieved through the development of business and community support schemes and will seek to complement existing business and community support.

Options considered

NNDC is the nominated lead authority for the delivery of this funding and, as such, is obliged to develop appropriate vehicles to disseminate this funding accordingly. However, It is within the Council’s gift to determine the priorities as to how this is committed to achieve local objectives address local needs.

Consultation(s)

An internal review of the current three-year UKSPF programme has taken place to gauge success, consider impact and realign existing projects (if appropriate) to the new guidance and significantly reduced budget, with workstreams mapped against the new Government missions and limited timeframe available. New projects that can support the Government missions, fit within the allocated interventions and align with the NNDC Corporate Plan have been considered in this process. A Local Partnership Group was established as a means of consulting on the UKSPF and REPF programme and to support the implementation of the original UKSPF Investment Plan. It will be continued into the transitional year and will meet to consider the proposals for 2025-26.

Recommendations

Recommendations

1. To confirm Cabinet’s support for the approach to the UKSPF programme (transitional year 2025/26) outlined in this report
2. To delegate to the Assistant Director for Sustainable Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth, the detailed definition of the projects to be delivered within the overall programme headings and the commissioning of specific projects and the procurement and/or appointment of any project delivery partners or contractors, as appropriate.

Reasons for recommendations

This recommendation is being made in order to deliver

the UKSPF transition programme within the one-year timescale

Background papers

UKSPF Technical Note: UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025-26: Technical note - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

UKSPF Prospectus: UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Wards affected

All North Norfolk wards

Cabinet member(s)

Councillor John Toye, Portfolio Holder Sustainable Growth

Contact Officer

Jenni Jordan, Economic Programmes and Funding Manager

jenni.jordan@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Stuart Quick, Economic Growth Manager

stuart.quick@north-norfolk.gov.uk