Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr S Bütikofer.

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5^th December 2020

Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th December 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

None received.

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

None received.

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

None declared.

To receive oral questions from Members, if any

None received.

To receive recommendations from the following Cabinet Working Party meetings:

North Walsham Heritage Action Zone Working Party – 9^th December 2020

(Minutes extract attached)

RESOLVED to recommend to Cabinet

That Norfolk County Council be contracted as a nominated partner to assist in the design and delivery of the North Walsham town centre place making and public realm improvement work.

Planning Policy and Built Heritage Working Party – 14^th December 2020

(Recommendations attached)

Planning Policy and Built Heritage Working Party – 18^th January 2021

(Recommendations attached)

NORTH WALSHAM HERITAGE ACTION ZONE WORKING PARTY – 9 TH DECEMBER 2020

RESOLVED

That Norfolk County Council be contracted as a nominated partner to assist in the design and delivery of the North Walsham town centre place making and public realm improvement work.

PLANNING POLICY AND BUILT HERITAGE WORKING PARTY – 14TH DECEMBER 2020

ITEM 7: LOCAL PLAN - PROGRESS UPDATE ON SITE SELECTION OPTIONS - DEFERRED SITES

RESOLVED

That site BLA04/A (land east of Langham Road) is retained as an allocation in the proposed submission Local Plan and the final policy wording is delegated to the Planning Policy Manager.

That MUN03/A – land off Cromer Road and Church Lane (reduced to approximately 30 dwellings) is retained as an allocation in the proposed Submission Local Plan, and the final policy wording is delegated to the Planning Policy Manager, to include the need to protect the amenity of adjacent occupiers.

ITEM 8: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT AND LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. Adopts and publishes the revised 2021 Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Sensitivity Assessment as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

2. Revokes the existing 2009 North Norfolk Landscape Character Assessment in line with the legislative requirements.

3. Gives delegated authority to the Head of Planning in relation to the required statutory process.

ITEM 9: RECREATION AVOIDANCE MITIGATION STRATEGY

RESOLVED

1. That Cabinet endorses the approach and delegates responsibility for drafting such an approach, including that of finalising the associated tariff and Policy to be included in the Local Plan to the Planning Manager.

2. That Cabinet endorse Option 1 set out in the report to the Working Party in respect of the collection of the tariff.

ITEM 10: LOCAL PLAN DRAFT POLICY APPROACHES TO THE ENVIRONMENT

RESOLVED

That Cabinet endorses the revised Policies below and delegates responsibility for drafting such an approach, including that of finalising the associated policies to the Planning Manager:

ENV 1: Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty & The Broads;

ENV 2: Protection & Enhancement of Landscape & Settlement Character;

ENV4: Biodiversity & Geology;

ENV 5: Green Infrastructure & Public Rights of Way;

ENV 6: Trees, Hedgerows & Development;

ENV 9: High Quality Design; ENV 10: Protection of Amenity;

ENV 11: Protecting and Enhancing the Historic Environment

ITEM 11: LOCAL PLAN SITE ALLOCATIONS: NORTH WALSHAM

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. Endorses the identified sites for inclusion in the Local Plan.

2. Delegates the final policy wording to the Planning Policy Manager.

3. Discounts all other sites at this stage.

4. Agrees the green open space designations shown on the site assessment maps.

ITEM 12: BROWNFIELD LAND REGISTER UPDATE

RESOLVED

That the register is published as required by the Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017 and that Part 2 of the Register is not undertaken.

PLANNING POLICY & BUILT HERITAGE WORKING PARTY – 18 JANUARY 2021

LOCAL PLAN DRAFT SETTLEMENT BOUNDARIES FOR SMALL GROWTH VILLAGES:

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the settlement boundaries for the Small Growth Villages shown in Appendix 1 as a basis for Regulation 19 consultation and  ...  view the full decision text for item 21.

NORTH WALSHAM HERITAGE ACTION ZONE WORKING PARTY – 9 TH DECEMBER 2020

Cllr R Kershaw introduced the recommendation and informed Members that it sought to assign Norfolk County Council as an identified partner, to assist in the design and delivery of the town centre placemaking and public realm improvement schemes. He added that it would provide significant support for implementing Traffic Regulation Orders, and would be a sensible and prudent step in moving the project forward.

The recommendation was seconded by Cllr V Gay.

RESOLVED

That Norfolk County Council be contracted as a nominated partner to assist in the design and delivery of the North Walsham town centre place making and public realm improvement work.

PLANNING POLICY AND BUILT HERITAGE WORKING PARTY – 14TH DECEMBER 2020

Cllr J Toye introduced the recommendations and informed Members that they covered two months of PPBH Working Party meetings. He proposed to take the recommendations en bloc. Cllr A Fitch-Tillett seconded the recommendations and stated that she was pleased to see items 8 and 9 on landscape sensitivity and recreation avoidance. She stated that it was the Council’s responsibility as the planning authority to protect areas of outstanding natural beauty, which was congruent to her work on the Norfolk Coastal Partnership. It was stated that the recreation mitigation strategy was also very important, as Cllr A Fitch-Tillett informed Members that no breeding birds were present at the Holkham estate in 2020 due to visitor disturbance, which was a significant concern for all. She added that she was pleased to see that consideration of this issue had been applied as a condition on the recent large Fakenham planning application, and was therefore very pleased to second the recommendations.

ITEM 7: LOCAL PLAN - PROGRESS UPDATE ON SITE SELECTION OPTIONS - DEFERRED SITES

RESOLVED

1.     That site BLA04/A (land east of Langham Road) is retained as an allocation in the proposed submission Local Plan and the final policy wording is delegated to the Planning Policy Manager.

2.     That MUN03/A – land off Cromer Road and Church Lane (reduced to approximately 30 dwellings) is retained as an allocation in the proposed Submission Local Plan, and the final policy wording is delegated to the Planning Policy Manager, to include the need to protect the amenity of adjacent occupiers.

ITEM 8: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT AND LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.     Adopts and publishes the revised 2021 Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Sensitivity Assessment as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

2.     Revokes the existing 2009 North Norfolk Landscape Character Assessment in line with the legislative requirements.

3.     Gives delegated authority to the Head of Planning in relation to the required statutory process.

ITEM 9: RECREATION AVOIDANCE MITIGATION STRATEGY

RESOLVED

1.     That Cabinet endorses the approach and delegates responsibility for drafting such an approach, including that of finalising the associated tariff and Policy to be included in the Local Plan to the Planning Manager.

2.     That Cabinet endorse Option 1 set out in the report to the Working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider any recommendations made to the Cabinet by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for consideration by the Cabinet in accordance within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

The following recommendations were made to Cabinet at the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 13 January 2021:

CAR PARK INCOME DATA - JULY - SEPTEMBER 2019 AND 2020

RESOLVED

1.    To recommend to Cabinet that promotion of the Council’s annual and seasonal parking permits is increased.

2.    To recommend to Cabinet that consideration is given to reviewing potential opportunities for new car parking sites, where appropriate.

3.    To recommend to Cabinet that consideration is given to offering limited free parking arrangements to encourage support of the District’s high streets.

2021/22 BASE BUDGET & PROJECTIONS FOR 2022/23 TO 2023/24

AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY

RESOLVED

1.    To recommend to Cabinet that the Council continues to lobby for greater certainty on future levels of funding support from Central Government.

2.    To recommend to Cabinet that efforts are continued to identify potential savings options within the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

CAR PARK INCOME DATA - JULY - SEPTEMBER 2019 AND 2020

RESOLVED

1. That promotion of the Council’s annual and seasonal parking permits is increased.

2. That consideration is given to reviewing potential opportunities for new car parking sites, where appropriate.

3. That consideration is given to offering limited free parking arrangements to encourage support of the District’s high streets.

2021/22 BASE BUDGET & PROJECTIONS FOR 2022/23 TO 2023/24 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY

RESOLVED

1. That the Council continues to lobby for greater certainty on future levels of funding support from Central Government.

2. That efforts are continued to identify potential savings options within the 2021/22 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

CAR PARK INCOME DATA - JULY - SEPTEMBER 2019 AND 2020

Cllr N Dixon – Overview & Scrutiny Chairman introduced the recommendations and informed Members that the recommendations made on the 2021/22 budget should also include that ‘savings options be identified within the in-year budget’, as well as the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Cllr E Seward referred to the parking income recommendations, and stated that he agreed that the Council should increase its promotion of the parking permits. He added that he was content with the additional recommendations.

Cllr L Shires referred to the season ticket parking permits, and stated that following the Overview and Scrutiny meeting, she had spoken to the Assistant Director for Organisational Resources, who was now working to improve access to pricing data on the NNDC website.

On the budget recommendations, Cllr E Seward agreed that it would be helpful for the Council to have greater clarity on future financial support, and proposed to accept the recommendations. Cllr L Shires seconded the recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.     That promotion of the Council’s annual and seasonal parking permits is increased.

2.     That consideration is given to reviewing potential opportunities for new car parking sites, where appropriate.

3.     That consideration is given to offering limited free parking arrangements to encourage support of the District’s high streets.

2021/22 BASE BUDGET & PROJECTIONS FOR 2022/23 TO 2023/24 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY

RESOLVED

1.     That the Council continues to lobby for greater certainty on future levels of funding support from Central Government.

2.     That efforts are continued to identify potential savings options within the 2021/22 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

To receive a verbal update from the Chief Executive on the Council’s response to the Covid 19 pandemic.

The CE introduced the item and stated that with high and rising cases of Cvoid-19 over the Christmas and new year period, the Government had announced a new lockdown on the 4^th January, which would be formally reviewed on the week of the 22^nd February. It was noted that the Prime Minister had stated that Schools in England would not reopen until at least the 8^th March, suggesting that the current lockdown would continue for a further five weeks. The CE stated that it was hoped that during this time, case numbers would continue to fall, reducing pressure on hospitals and health services, whilst allowing good progress to be made on the rollout of the vaccination programme. It was reported that North Norfolk had seen some of the lowest levels of infection in the country during the first peak of the pandemic, throughout the summer and into the autumn. The CE stated that until the 14^th December, the District had not seen more than 100 cases per day. Beyond this date however, cases had risen rapidly both locally and nationally, with 442 cases recorded on the 4^th January. This equated to an infection rate of 421.6 cases per 100k, with the countywide infection rate at 505 per 100k, compared to a national rate of 680.5 per 100k. The CE reported that since then cases had fallen steadily with 169 cases or 161.2 per 100k on the 26^th January, against a Norfolk rate of 323.7 per 100k, whilst the England rate was 309.5. It was noted that North Norfolk was the only District in the county to report an infection rate below 200 per 100k since the new year. The CE reported that the cumulative total of cases since March 2020 now stood at 2659 in North Norfolk as of the 31^st January, giving a total of 2536 per 100k, compared to Norfolk’s average of 3919 and the England average of 5936 per 100k. This meant that North Norfolk continued to have one of the lowest cumulative rates of infection of any local authority area in the country, at 304 of 314 local authority areas in England.

The CE stated that the total number of Covid deaths in North Norfolk as of the 31^st January was 153 deaths since the start of the pandemic, giving a rate of 145.9 per 100k, compared to a Norfolk average of 156 per 100k and an England average of 166 per 100k. It was stated that North Norfolk was 195^th of 314 local authority areas in England, which was potentially the result of having an older demographic. The CE stated that the Council continued to promote Government messages to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. It was noted that these messages had been promoted particularly in areas where the infection rate was higher, and that Covid marshals had been deployed to provide support and guidance in town centres, as well as making  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

RESOLVED

To receive and note the report and the register of officer 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)

Cllr E Seward introduced the report and informed Members that the decisions related primarily to actions taken in response to Covid-19.

The recommendation was proposed by Cllr R Kershaw and seconded by Cllr J Toye.

RESOLVED

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

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on the write the report and which do not contain exempt information)

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Lucy Hume, 01263 516246, lucy.hume@north-norfolk.gov.uk

RESOLVED

That Cabinet agree and where necessary recommend to Full Council:

1) The 2021/22 revenue budget as outlined at appendix A1;

2) The demand on the Collection Fund for 2021/22, subject to any amendments as a result of final precepts still to be received be: a. £6,456,213 for District purposes b. £2,529,011 (subject to confirmation of the final precepts) for Parish/Town Precepts; 3) The statement of and movement on the reserves as detailed at appendix D;

4) The updated Capital Programme and financing for 2021/22 to 2023/24 as detailed at appendix C1;

5) The capital bids contained within Appendix C2;

6) That the Council adopts the changes to the LCTS scheme as detailed in section 5.3, subject to the outcome of the public consultation;

7) That the balance on the Property Investment Fund of £999,476 be transferred to the new Earmarked Reserve – the Major Repairs Reserve

8) That Members note the current financial projections for the period to 2024/25;

9) That Full Council approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy

Reasons for Recommentations:

To recommend a balanced budget for 2021/22 for approval by Full Council.

Cllr E Seward introduced the report and informed Members that they were asked to agree to recommend to Council the budget for 2021-22 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2022-25. He added that the budget had been prepared under challenging circumstances as a result of Covid-19, and at present, the levels of future Government support to mitigate this impact remained unknown. It was stated that the budget presented for 2021-22 was balanced and that it maintained existing services without cuts, or the use of reserves to plug deficits. Cllr E Seward noted that the Council was not increasing charges where possible, and that the programme to improve facilities would continue, with the expected opening of the new Sheringham Leisure Centre in August, the refurbishment of widely used toilets, and the continuation of the tree planting programme. It was noted that this was being done with less than a £5 rise in Council Tax for most residents, and that it was the expectation of Central Government that all local authorities would increase taxes to offset future deficits. Cllr E Seward noted that deficits had been forecasted for future years, and that these were largely the result of uncertainty around funding support. He added that as a financially prudent authority, the Council had to plan for a continued reduction in Government support, and therefore proposals on how to address this were included. Cllr E Seward stated that he did not expect the funding reductions to be as significant as forecasted, but the Council had to have contingency plans in place. He added that as the billing authority, it was likely that the average band D property would see an annual Council Tax increase of approximately £70, though 90% of this was for other Councils, including the police authority. It was noted that the budget would go to Council on the 24^th February for final approval, and could be subject to change prior to that date.

Questions and Discussion

   i.          Cllr J Rest referred to appendix A1 and asked whether there was an income figure available for the solar panel FIT payments. The CTA replied that this appendix showed the main variances only, and as the last figure for FIT payments was approximately £10k, it would not be included in this section of the report, but could be found within the Property Services budget.

  ii.          Cllr N Dixon noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had already seen the budget and submitted recommendations, though it was yet to see a full MTFS, which was expected at the February meeting. He then referred to the recommendations on page 19, and noted that whilst the report suggested inclusion of the MTFS, he did not see a recommendation relating to approval of this. It was suggested that an additional recommendation could be included to recommend approval of the MTFS to Full Council.

iii.          Cllr N Dixon referred to page 21, and noted that within the executive summary, reference was made to information that did  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Lucy Hume, 01263 516246, lucy.hume@north-norfolk.gov.uk           

RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommends to Full Council that;

The Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2021-22 are approved.

Reasons for Recommendation:

Approval by Council demonstrates compliance with the Codes and provides a framework within which to consider capital investment decisions.

Cllr E Seward introduced the report and stated that he was happy to propose the recommendation. Cllr J Toye seconded the recommendation.

In response to Cllr C Cushing’s question on the role Private Finance Initiatives, the CTA stated that this was only included as a potential option, and to date there had not been any previous use or consideration of PFI funding. 

RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommends to Full Council that;

The Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2021-22 are approved.

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Lucy Hume, 01263 516246, lucy.hume@north-norfolk.gov.uk

RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommends to Full Council that:

That the Council be asked to RESOLVE that The Investment Strategy is approved.

Reasons for Recommendation:

The Strategy provides the Council with a flexible investment strategy enabling it to respond to changing market conditions.

Cllr E Seward introduced the report and stated that he was happy to propose the recommendation for Council to approve the Investment Strategy. Cllr V Gay seconded the recommendation.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommends to Full Council that:

That the Council be asked to RESOLVE that The Investment Strategy is approved.

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

 Lucy Hume, 01263 516246, lucy.hume@north-norfolk.gov.uk

RESOLVED

To recommend to Council that:

That the Council be asked to RESOLVE that The Treasury Management Strategy Statement is approved.

Reasons for Recommendation:

The Strategy provides the Council with a flexible treasury strategy enabling it to respond to changing market conditions and ensure the security of its funds, as well as secure borrowing at the best value.

Cllr E Seward introduced the report and proposed the recommendation for Council to approve the Treasury Management Strategy. Cllr N Lloyd seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED

To recommend to Council that:

That the Council be asked to RESOLVE that The Treasury Management Strategy Statement is approved.

RESOLVED

To recommend to Council:

1. To approve the Council Tax Hardship Policy (Appendix 1) which will support the administration of the hardship fund.

2. That delegation is given to the Benefits Manager to make any technical scheme amendments to ensure that it meets to criteria set by central government.

3. To delegate any amendments as to funding distribution following any further funding committed by Government, to the Section 151 Officer and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Portfolio Holder for Benefits.

Cllr G Hayman introduced the report and informed Members that the Council distributed funds on behalf of the Government. He added that the methodology of the distribution was included in the report, and proposed the recommendations. Cllr L Shires seconded the recommendations.

RESOLVED

To recommend to Council:

1.     To approve the Council Tax Hardship Policy (Appendix 1) which will support the administration of the hardship fund.

2.     That delegation is given to the Benefits Manager to make any technical scheme amendments to ensure that it meets to criteria set by central government.

3.     To delegate any amendments as to funding distribution following any further funding committed by Government, to the Section 151 Officer and in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Portfolio Holder for Benefits.

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Joe Ferrari, Communications and PR Manager

01263 516040, Joe.ferrari@north-norfolk.gov.uk

RESOLVED

To approve the draft communications delivery plan.

The CM introduced the report and noted that it had been through several workshops and subject to review by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He added that the aims of the strategy were to build the audience of the Council’s social media channels, improve communication with residents, improve internal communications, provide better coverage of meetings and introduce an internal graphic design resource.

Questions and Discussion

   i.          Cllr J Rest referred to comments on improving internal communications, and asked whether officer’s numbers could be identified when calling out of the Council as many people were reluctant to answer hidden numbers. Cllr L Shires stated that this issue was being discussed, though the solution was slightly more technical than expected. The CE added that the issue had been discussed by CLT and would hopefully be addressed in the near future.

  ii.          It was proposed by Cllr R Kershaw and seconded by Cllr J Toye to approve the Communications Delivery Plan.

RESOLVED

To approve the draft communications delivery plan.

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

RESOLVED

To support the proposal to offer mortgage loan finance for Homes for Wells to allow Homes for Wells to purchase of four homes to let to key workers in Wells.

Reasons for Recommendations:

To provide authority for the Council to provide mortgage loan finance of £192,675 to Homes for Wells.

Cllr E Seward introduced the report and stated that any potential questions on the content of the exempt appendix would require the meeting to be moved into private business.

Cllr G Hayman stated that the report was part of the Council’s efforts to increase the availability of affordable homes across the District, by using partners and registered providers. He added that the loan would enable the provider to double the number of homes available, which they would acquire from a previous provider. It was noted that the proposal was an exciting innovation for the Council, that would increase the availability of affordable homes, whilst presenting very low risk. Cllr G Hayman proposed the recommendation. Cllr N Lloyd seconded the recommendation and stated that the proposals supported the aims of the Corporate Plan and sought to alleviate the issues caused by a large number of second homes in the area.

Questions and Discussion

   i.          Cllr J Rest asked whether it was known who the asset lock of Homes for Wells was with and whether this information could be shared. It was confirmed that a written response would be given.

  ii.          Cllr N Dixon referred to comments in the report that suggested that Homes for Wells were not able to raise the funds required from their usual funding sources, and asked whether it was known why this was the case. It was confirmed that a written response would be supplied to all Members together with a response to the previous question.

RESOLVED

To support the proposal to offer mortgage loan finance for Homes for Wells to allow Homes for Wells to purchase of four homes to let to key workers in Wells.

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.”