Agenda and decisions

Cabinet Member(s)

Ward(s) affected

All Members

All Wards

Contact Officer;

Iain Withington Planning Policy team leader / Acting Policy Manager 01263 516034, Iain.Withington@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Summary:

Options considered:

This report details North Norfolk District Council’s response to the Coronavirus Pandemic at a strategic, local and organisational level. This includes:-

·         establishing a dedicated COVID helpline and email address operated over extended Customer Service hours including weekends and Bank Holidays since 30th March;

·         making contact with over 2000 local residents who are “shielding” under Government advice and providing support to over 1200 other people who are self-isolating and who have requested support from the Council with shopping and prescription deliveries;

·         operation of 10 Local Co-ordination Centres through which support has been provided to vulnerable people through voluntary community networks and Councilstaff

·         administering the distribution of the Council Tax Hardship fund to 3424households

·         the administration of £26million of Small Business Rate Reliefs and £45million of Small Business Grants on behalf of the Government.

The report also outlines preparations being made by the Council for the Recovery phase of this globalincident.

The report details the Council’s actions in responding to the Coronavirus pandemic during the Response phase and the preparations being made for the Recovery phase. Options considered are outlined in the report.

Conclusions:

The report details the actions taken by the District Council in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic and  of the preparations being made to support local communities and businesses “recover” from this unprecedented globalevent.

Recommendations:

Cabinet is asked to note and comment on the Council’s response to the Coronavirus Pandemic; and

note and comment upon the preparations being made for Recovery – to include:-

·                the short-term actions proposed in respect of:-

·    opening up the Council’s services and facilities;

Reasons for Recommendations:

·    transition for the stepping down of the Community SupportProgramme;

·    planning the return of staff to their main roles from working at home and redeployment into other roles;

·    re-establishing formal meetings of the Counciland

·    critically considering the implications of lockdown and phased lifting of social distancing restrictions, possibly over a number of months, on local businesses, particularly tourism businesses which face having a severely curtailed summer season.

·      the longer term need to review the Council’s Medium-Term Financial strategy in light of the changing financial situation of the Council and as a result undertake a review of the Council’s proposed programme of activity as previously detailed in the Corporate Plan and Delivery Plan.

To inform corporate learning from experiencegained

through the Response phase and inform decisions moving forward through the Recovery phase

Cabinet Member(s)

Cllr Sarah Butikofer, Leader of the Council

Ward(s) affected All

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Steve Blatch, Chief Executive

Email:- steve.blatch@north-norfolk.gov.ukTel:- 01263 516232

Summary:

Options considered:

The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic represents a monumental challenge for the District Council which will inevitably have a significant impact on the Council’s resources and budget during 2020-21 and future years.

This report provides an overview of the current assessment of the emerging financial impact of COVID-19 which will have a profound impact on the organisation’s ability to achieve planned budget savings and income for 2020-21 onwards. It also considers the COVID-19 funding provided to date from government and the extent to which this will support the current financial pressures.

An update is also provided in relation to the support provided to local businesses through the Small Business Grant scheme and the various additional business rate reliefs announced.

The Council is proactively responding to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain the delivery of vital front line services whilst at the same time freeing up capacity to help, support and protect vulnerable people, supporting businesses and ensuring the safety of all of our staff whilst delivering this vital work.  

This report sets out the initial high level forecasts relating to the COVID-19 pandemic but at this stage there are no specific alternative options considered.

Conclusions:

This report provides an overview of the current assessment of the emerging financial impact which will have a profound impact on our ability to achieve savings and income for 2020/21. In addition, it helps to set the context for the Council’s MTFS and budget planning process for 2021/22, which will be reported to Cabinet later in the year.

The Council faces an unprecedented financial and public health crisis. It will be essential to continue to engage with Government, MPs and other stakeholders to campaign for adequate and sustainable funding for the District so that we can continue to deliver vital services to residents, businesses and visitors.

The current pandemic demands very different ways of working and will require review and consideration of current and future priorities. Looking beyond the immediate impacts, the overall level of uncertainty means the financial environment remains extremely challenging for the foreseeable future. The assumptions upon which both the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and the 2020/21 budget are based have now been significantly undermined by the current crisis and will necessitate a fundamental review of the budget position given the current funding pressures.

The current projected budget position (c£1m deficit 2020/21) is constantly changing and therefore the high level projections contained within this report must be seen in this context and could be subject to significant change depending on further announcements over the coming months.

Recommendations:

Reasons for

Recommendations:

It is recommended that Cabinet note:

1.            The current package of financial support being provided to the Council by the government to support its response to COVID-19;

2.            Continues to lobby central government for further additional financial support;

3.            The forecast cost and income pressures being faced by the Council and the extent to which they exceed the available government funding and therefore the requirement for any deficit  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Summary:

Options considered:

This report details the key decisions taken by Senior Officers under delegated powers from 1^st March to 1^st May 2020.

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

Reasons for

Recommendations:

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

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)

Delegated decision forms – as completed by the relevant officer

Cabinet Member(s)

All

Ward(s) affected

All

Recommendations:

Reasons for

Recommendations:

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

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)

Summary:

Options considered:

This report identifies a further suitable property to be purchased by NNDC for use as temporary accommodation for homeless households.

Do not purchase this unit but instead invest the budget.

Conclusions:

The Council has a duty to provide temporary accommodation for homeless households. The Council purchases much of this accommodation from the private sector with a significant net cost to the Council. Purchase of this property will provide a quality, flexible home for temporary accommodation and there is budget provision available to purchase such homes.

Recommendations:

Reasons for

Recommendations:

That Cabinet agrees to the purchase of the identified property (subject to an independent valuation and survey) using the budget provision.

To provide authority for expenditure over £100,000.

Cabinet Member(s):

Cllr Andrew Brown

Ward(s) affected:

North Walsham West

RESOLVED:

Reasons for

Recommendations:

To agree to the purchase of the identified property (subject to an independent valuation and survey) using the budget provision.

To provide authority for expenditure over £100,000.