Agenda

Executive Summary

This report presents the provisional outturn position for the 2024/25 financial year which shows a General Fund underspend of £0.622m.  It also provides an update in relation to the Council’s capital programme and use of reserves.

The position will be used to inform the production of the Statutory accounts which will then be subject to audit by the Council’s external auditors.

The report makes recommendations for contributions to reserves.

Options considered

None - This is a factual report of the financial year end position for 2024/25.

Consultation(s)

None – This is a factual report of the financial year end position for 2024/25.

Recommendations

Members are asked to consider the report and recommend the following to full Council:

a)  The provisional outturn position for the General Fund revenue account for 2024/25 (as shown in Appendix A);

b)  The transfers to and from reserves as detailed within the report (and Appendix C);

c) The surplus of £0.622m be transferred to the General reserve to mitigate future funding shortfalls.

d) The balance on the General Reserve of £2.825m following the transfer outlined above.

e) The surplus of £0.384m relating to retained business rates be transferred to the Business Rates reserve.

f) The financing of the 2024/25 capital programme as detailed within the report and at Appendix D.

g) The updated capital programme for 2025/26 to 2030/31 and scheme financing as outlined within the report and detailed at Appendix E;

h) Approval of additional funding to cover capital project overspends of £10,816 as detailed in paragraph 5.7.

i) The roll-forward of existing capital project funding from 2024/25 into 2025/26 as detailed in paragraph 5.9.

j). To note the addition of £55,000 towards the New Play Area (Sheringham, The Lees) to be funded from the Asset Management Reserve in 2025/26 for a total project budget of £120,000

k) The addition of £6,081 towards the Cromer Offices LED Lighting in the Capital Programme to be funded from Capital Receipts in 2025/26 for a total project budget of £178,796.

l) The addition of £20,000 towards the Public Conveniences (Sheringham & North Walsham) project in the Capital Programme to be funded from Capital Receipts in 2025/26 for a total project budget of £565,514.

m) The addition of the Holt Eco Learning Space scheme for £100,000 into the 2025/26 Capital Programme to be funded by an external contribution.

Reasons for recommendations

To provide a draft outturn position for the General Fund, Capital Accounts and Reserves which will form the basis to produce statutory accounts for 2024/25. Also to provide a draft opening position for the financial year 2025/26.

Background papers

Budget report, Budget Monitoring reports, NNDR3 return

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Daniel King

Director of Resources

daniel.king@north-norfolk.gov.uk

01263 516167

Executive Summary

This report sets out the Treasury Management activities undertaken during 2024/25 compared with the Treasury Management Strategy for the year.

Options considered

For the Council to comply with the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (Prudential Code) and CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services Code of Practice an outturn report must be presented to Members to inform them of the outcome of the Treasury Management activity for the year. Therefore, no other option has been considered.

Consultation(s)

Link Treasury Services have provided the economic information in Appendix A of this report.

Recommendations

That  Cabinet recommends the Treasury Management outturn position to Full Council for approval.

Reasons for recommendations

The Treasury Management activity for the year requires approval by Full Council for the Council to comply with the CIPFA Treasury Management and Prudential Codes.

Background papers

This report refers to the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25.

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Claire Waplington

Claire.Waplington@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This is an annual report detailing the council’s collection performance and debt management arrangements for 2024/25. It includes:

• A summary of debts written off in each debt area showing the reasons for write-off and values.
• Collection performance for Council Tax and Non- Domestic Rates.
• Level of arrears outstanding
• Level of provision for bad and doubtful debts

Options considered.

To leave the write-off limits as they currently are or to increase these to a higher figure.

Consultation(s)

We are pleased to reach this year’s collection performance targets for council tax & Non-Domestic (Business) Rates whilst also working hard to reduce avoidance and fraud which with the cost-of-living crisis is a difficult time to for enforcement.

Recommendations

That Cabinet recommend to full Council that it:

1. approves the annual report which details the Council’s write-offs, in accordance with the Council’s Debt Write-Off Policy and performance in relation to revenues collection.

2. approves the continued delegated authority as shown in appendix 2 for write offs.

Reasons for recommendations

The recommendations ensure the Council makes best use of its staff resources and manages its finances to ensure best value for money.

Background papers

Corporate Debt Management and Recovery Policy -Appendix 1; Debt Write Off Policy - Appendix 2 and Recovery Methods including Enforcement Agent Code of Practice and Enforcement Agent Instructions - Appendix 3.

Wards affected

All wards

Cabinet member(s)

Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Sean Knight

Revenues Manger

Sean.Knight@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report provides an update on Housing Benefit debt recovery detailing the Councils’ collection performance and debt management arrangements for 2024 – 25.

The report includes a:

• A brief overview of Housing Benefit overpayments
• Housing Benefit Debt Recoveries performance
• Key trends and known risks to performance
• Recommendations of future recovery strategies

Options Considered

To continue with the write-off limits at their current levels.

To continue to recover outstanding debt within the current guidelines.

The implementation of additional recovery methods to maximise recovery options to the Council.

Consultation(s)

No consultation is required as this is a statutory requirement.

Recommendations

(i)            Note the performance of the debt management function carried out by the Benefits service.

(ii)           Note the debt write-offs for the year.

(iii)          Note the emerging impact of Universal Credit on collection levels.

(iv)          To support the implementation of future recovery strategies.

(v)           To approve the annual report giving details of Housing Benefit Overpayment debt recovery in accordance with the Council’s Debt Recovery Policy, Write-Off Policy, and Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy.

Reasons for recommendations

Recommendation is to approve the annual report in relation to Housing Benefit Overpayment recovery and to approve the continued use of legislated recovery methods to ensure revenue to the Council is maximised.

Background papers

Housing Benefit Overpayment Policy (Appendix 1)

Corporate Debt Management and Recovery Policy

Debt Write Off Policy

Wards Affected

All

Wendy Fredericks

Contact Officer

Trudi Grant, Benefits Manager (01263 516262)

trudi.grant@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

The lease for this café/restaurant, owned by the District Council, is due for renewal. The tenant is an established business that provides jobs in the district.

Several options have been considered to demonstrate the Council’s best value duties, including renewing the lease on improved terms, ending the tenant's occupation to re-let the premises, or selling the property.

Granting a new lease on improved terms will secure the Council’s revenue at a market rent, ensuring best value is achieved while also providing security to the tenant’s business and safeguarding local jobs.

It is recommended that Option 1 to agree new lease with the existing tenantat a higher rent is taken forwards.

Options considered

The following options have been considered to ensure the Council achieves best value from it’s letting of the property:

• Option 1 - Agree new lease and rent increase with the existing tenant. – Recommended.
• Option 2 - End the tenant’s occupation and relet the premises – Not recommended.
• Option 3 - Sale of the property - Not recommended.

Consultation(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires - Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services.

Cllr Tim Adams- Leader of the Council - Portfolio Holder for Executive Support & Legal Services and local member.

Cllr Jill Boyle – Local member

Daniel King – Assistant Director for Finance and Assets

Cara Jordan - Monitoring Officer

Recommendations

Resolution for Cabinet to approve:

• The renewal of the lease with the existing tenant as per Option 1 detailed in the exempt appendix.
• Delegate approval to the Asset Strategy Manager to agree the exact terms of the above legal agreement.

Reasons for recommendations

• Granting a new lease at the property will secure the Council’s revenue income from the property at a market rent ensuring best value is achieved in line with the Council obligation under the Section 26 of the Local Government Act.
• Granting a new lease at the property will provide security to the tenant’s business and secure jobs in the district.

Background papers

Rocket House Cromer Cabinet decision 15/04/2024.

Wards affected

Cromer Town

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires  

Contact Officer

Milo Creasey – Trainee Estates Surveyor -milo.creasey@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Renata Garfoot - Asset Strategy Manager -Renata.Garfoot@north-norfolk.gov.uk