Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 05 January 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5^th January 2022 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 (see attached guidance and flowchart)

None.

To receive oral questions from Members, if any

The Chairman advised members that they could ask questions during the meeting, as matters arose.

The following recommendations were made to Cabinet by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee at the meeting held on 12 January 2022:

PRE-SCRUTINY: REVIEW OF CAR PARKING CHARGES

RESOLVED

1.     To recommend to Cabinet that consideration is given to increasing car parking charges in-line with the following options:

·       Option 1 (b) – consideration of seasonal price increases for coastal car parks with prices tied to CPI inflation from date of previous increases.

·       Option 2 – consideration of season ticket price increase with prices tied to CPI inflation from date of previous increases.

Cllr N Dixon, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee informed Cabinet that the following recommendation had been made in relation to the review of car parking charges:

To recommend to Cabinet that consideration is given to increasing car parking charges in-line with the following options:

·       Option 1 (b) – consideration of seasonal price increases for coastal car parks with prices tied to CPI inflation from date of previous increases.

·       Option 2 – consideration of season ticket price increase with prices tied to CPI inflation from date of previous increases.

The Chairman thanked the committee for their input and said that Cabinet would consider the recommendation when the item was debated later in the meeting.

Contact Officer:annie.sommazzi@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Decision

RESOLVED

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Fitch-Tillett, Portfolio Holder for Coast, introduced this item. Before reading out a statement from Cllr Lloyd, she said that as the Cabinet member responsible for the coast, she was only too aware of the problems caused by climate change. Just at the weekend, due to a rise in the sea level, the railings at Overstrand had been lost and at Hemsby the lifeboat could not get out due to a large number of rocks dispersed across the beach.

She then read out the following statement from Cllr N Lloyd:

‘It is my belief that addressing Climate Change is one of the most pressing problems threating humankind and indeed all life forms on this Planet. Failure to limit our carbon emissions now will result in much higher mitigation costs later – not to mention the personal suffering that is predicted to ensue from rising sea levels and ever more extreme weather events. I believe that this is why tackling climate change has become a strategic priority for central Government.

Councils like our own will be key to reducing emissions nationally. We have an important role in leading others and we want to take residents with us on this journey.

Addressing climate change at NNDC is a corporate activity that requires cooperation from all our departments. It can only be achieved by embedding a whole Council approach to tackling our carbon emissions.

In our Environmental Charter we pledged to reduce our carbon footprint to net zero by 2030. The Charter also pledged that we would measure and publish our carbon footprint and manage the carbon footprints of all our operational buildings. [AS1] 

This document sets out the pathway to de-carbonise our activities at NNDC by 2030 whilst also outlining the challenges that exist for North Norfolk as a whole with regard to tackling climate change.

It is an evidence-based document deliberately written in a way that our residents would understand. It sets out how much carbon we are emitting, where these emissions emanate, and it looks at how we might address those emissions.

Of course, we have already began tackling our carbon footprint which is evidenced in the document. It offers a glide path for this Council to reach net carbon zero by 2030.

It was important to me that the O&S committee were given early sight of this document before went to Cabinet. I would like to thank the Chair of O&S for including it in an already busy agenda. I welcomed the early O&S feedback and I thank the committee for their positive contribution to the strategy, their initial recommendations will be adopted. Staff workshops have been held and I was very grateful that so many Senior Managers and Directors attended. Member training is underway with sessions held and more scheduled.

There will further opportunities to offer comments or questions on the strategy before and after the strategy comes before you at Cabinet today and I ask  ...  view the full minutes text for item 198.

Decision

RESOLVED

a)    To agree now to the extension of the pier management contract at the end of its current ten-year term for five years to March 2033 (as allowed for under the contract) so that the additional costs / losses incurred by Openwide in supporting the contract over the past two years due to COVID might be recovered – i.e. Option 1 as detailed within Section 5 of the report.

b)    To agree, in principle, to explore further with Openwide a risk-sharing approach in underwriting the costs of investment in the 2022 Seaside Special production recognising the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic on audience figures during 2021 and the continueduncertainty for the 2022 summer season given that planning and investment in the 2022 production is already underway - i.e. Option 3 as detailed within Section 5 of the report.

c)     To make budgetary provision in the current financial year of up to £45,000 to upgrade the bar and food service area within the Pavilion Theatre

d)    To agree to working closely with Openwide to explore broadening the offer of the Pier as outlined in Options 4 and 5 of Section 5 of the report so as to attract new audiences, visitors and income to the Pier.

Reason for the decision:

For the Council to work with the company to manage future risks in the operation of the Pavilion Theatre.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr V Gay, introduced this item. She began by saying that the Council owned Cromer Pier a Grade II listed structure. The report looked at the management contract for the pier in the context of ongoing uncertainty around the pandemic. Cllr Gay explained that the contract had been awarded in 2019 and the onset of the pandemic and periods of lockdown had presented considerable challenges for the Pavilion Theatre. The 2022 season currently remained uncertain and the paper set out a series of recommendations intended to ameliorate the situation.

Cllr Gay said that extending the contract for a further five years would give Openwide an opportunity to recover the additional costs incurred during the last two years. This could be supported with the Council exploring a risk-sharing approach by underwriting the costs of investment in the 2022 Seaside Special production. Doing so would acknowledge the challenges presented by the pandemic on the 2021 season and the continued uncertainty for 2022. She then said that responsibility for facilities in the Pavilion Theatre sat with the Council and it was proposed that £45k was set aside to upgrade the bar and food service area. Finally, it was proposed that the Council worked with Openwide to explore broadening the offer of the Pier, with the aim of attracting new audiences and visitors.

The Chairman invited members to speak:

Cllr J Rest referred to the current catering facility on the Pier and asked that a high standard was maintained. He said that there was excellent local produce available and this should be preferred choice – rather than ‘dumbing down’. He said that it was a unique opportunity to provide something high quality. Cllr Gay replied that she understood that it was the recruitment of quality of staff that was causing the problem. It was a long standing issue that had been exacerbated by the pandemic.

Cllr C Cushing sought clarification on the expected cost if the Council opted for a risk-sharing approach and underwrote the cost of investment in the 2022 Seaside Special. Cllr Gay replied that the estimated cost was £300k – which indicated the amount for a 50% share. The Chief Executive confirmed this, saying that Openwide was looking for an investment on an ‘open book’ basis, if the show couldn’t run for another season (July to September 2022). The main issue would be around the size of the audiences and possible Covid related restrictions.

Cllr Cushing how the risk would be quantified and who would undertake the assessment. The Chief Executive replied that it would be on open book principles, so the Council would understand the investment made by Openwide, ticket sales and pricing. He added that there were regular contract meetings between the Council and Openwide and any information  provided would be assessed by the Council’s Finance team.

Cllr N Dixon said that he was mindful that the contract that was in operation had been running for a few years and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 199.

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

Decision

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council that:

The Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2022-23 are approved.

Reason for the decision:

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

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, Cllr E Seward, introduced this item. He explained that the report set out the Council’s Capital Strategy for year 2022-23, whilst providing the strategic framework for the effective management and monitoring of the capital programme.

It was proposed by Cllr E Seward, seconded by Cllr R Kershaw and

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council that:

The Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2022-23 are approved.

Reason for the decision:

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

Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Lucy Hume, 01263 516246

Decision

RESOLVED

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

Reason for the decision;

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

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, Cllr E Seward, introduced this item. He explained that the report set out details of the Council’s investment activities and presented a strategy for the prudent investment of the Council’s resources.

It was proposed by Cllr E Seward, seconded by Cllr R Kershaw and

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council that the Investment Strategy is approved.

Reason for the decision;

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

Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Lucy Hume, 01263 516246

Decision

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council that The Treasury Management Strategy is approved.

Reason for the decision:

The Strategy provides the Council with a flexible investment strategy enabling it to respond to changing market conditions, and ensures the Council complies with CIPFA guidance.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, Cllr E Seward, introduced this item. He explained that the report set out details of the Council’s treasury management activities and presented a strategy for the investment of the Council’s resources.

Cllr N Dixon said that it was hard to differentiate between the Investment and Treasury strategies and he wondered whether they could be combined in the future. The Chief Technical Accountant replied that each strategy complied with a separate piece of guidance and that was why they were issued on an individual basis. She said that she would make enquiries to see if it was possible to combine them in the future.

Cllr J Rest commented that the Council’s Treasury advisor, Arlingclose, had been in place for many years. He asked if there were alternative providers available. The Chief Technical Accountant replied that the Council did go out to tender periodically but that the market was very limited.

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council that The Treasury Management Strategy is approved.

Reason for the decision:

The Strategy provides the Council with a flexible investment strategy enabling it to respond to changing market conditions, and ensures the Council complies with CIPFA guidance.

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)

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

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

Decision

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agree and recommend to Full Council:

a) The fees and charges from 1 April 2022 as included in Appendix A.

b) That Delegated Authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Heads of Service, to agree those fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required as outlined within the report

Reason for the decision:

To approve the fees and charges as set out in the report that will have been used to support the 2022/23 budget process.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, Cllr E Seward, introduced this item. He said that officers would be asked to re-check the details of the proposed changes ahead of the recommendations going to Full Council.

It was proposed by Cllr E Seward, seconded by Cllr J Toye and

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agree and recommend to Full Council:

a) The fees and charges from 1 April 2022 as included in Appendix A.

b) That Delegated Authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Heads of Service, to agree those fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required as outlined within the report

Reason for the decision:

To approve the fees and charges as set out in the report that will have been used to support the 2022/23 budget process.

Decision

RESOLVED:

To recommend to Full Council that the Revenues Manager has delegated authority to make decisions up to the NNDC cost value of £2k as indicated in Appendix A.

To recommend to Full Council that the Revenues Manager has delegated authority to make Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) decisions as indicated in Appendix C.

To recommend to Full Council that the Rate Relief Policy is revised as indicated in Appendix A, B and C.

Reason for the recommendation:

The new policy will enable the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Discount, Supporting Small Business Relief, transitional relief scheme, COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund, the scheme for local newspaper discount and the Rural Rate Relief to be awarded discretionary reliefs in 2019-20 onwards.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, Cllr E Seward, introduced this item. He explained that the report set out changes and extensions to several government schemes that provided discretionary rate relief to businesses. Approval was sought to give delegated authority to the Revenues Manager for some matters and to adopt the revised Rate Relief Policy.

It was proposed by Cllr E Seward, seconded by Cllr J Toye and

RESOLVED:

To recommend to Full Council that the Revenues Manager has delegated authority to make decisions up to the NNDC cost value of £2k as indicated in Appendix A.

To recommend to Full Council that the Revenues Manager has delegated authority to make Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) decisions as indicated in Appendix C.

To recommend to Full Council that the Rate Relief Policy is revised as indicated in Appendix A, B and C.

Reason for the recommendation:

The new policy will enable the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Discount, Supporting Small Business Relief, transitional relief scheme, COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund, the scheme for local newspaper discount and the Rural Rate Relief to be awarded discretionary reliefs in 2019-20 onwards.

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)

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Lucy Hume, Chief Technical Accountant, 01263 516246

Decision

RESOLVED

To agree and recommend to Full Council:

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.     £6,512,488 for District purposes

b.    £2,579,591 (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 Members note the current financial projections for the period to 2024/25;

Reason for the decision:

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

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, Cllr E Seward, introduced this item. He clarified that the first recommendation referred to Appendix A not Appendix A1.

Cllr Seward began by saying that the Council had continued to maintain services and had seen some growth. Overall the finances were sound. He said that the Government had only given local authorities a provisional settlement and the final one was still awaited. There was a similar position regarding the level on non-domestic rates that the Council could retain for 2022-2023. A decision had not yet been announced. However, it was not anticipated that there would be a surplus on the level awarded last year.

Cllr Seward said that a rise in council tax of 1.99% (£5.00) was recommended. He added that NNDC was in the lower 25% quartile in the level of tax it raised. The bulk of council tax collected went to the County Council and the Police authority.

Cllr Seward said that there were uncertainties ahead. The Council needed to raise income £15.9m. Currently, income received from the Government was £1.9m.They also controlled the level of business rates that could be retained – currently £7.2m. In addition, local authorities were currently in the fourth year of a one year settlement agreement, which meant that there was no certainty about income streams in the future. He added that the worst case scenario was that up to 33% of the £9.1m of Government determined funding could be lost. If that happened, then the Council could not continue to maintain its services. So, even by adopting a prudent course, caution must be exercised. This was why options such as increasing some parking charges were being explored.

Cllr Seward concluded by saying that he did not believe that a one year settlement was an appropriate way for local government services to be run and it was a matter that should be aired and discussed more widely.

It was proposed by Cllr E Seward, seconded by Cllr L Shires and

RESOLVED

To agree and recommend to Full Council:

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.     £6,512,488 for District purposes

b.    £2,579,591 (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 Members note the current financial projections for the period to 2024/25;

Reason for the decision:

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

Decision

RESOLVED

To make the following recommendations to Full Council:

1.   That the following pricing structure should be introduced:

Standard tariff car parks - £1.20p for first two hours, 80 pence for each further hour and a day rate of £6.00. No change to 30 minute rate.

Resort tariff car parks - £1.50 for the first hour, £1.20p for each further hour, and a day rate of £8.5. No change to 30 minute charge.

Coastal tariff car parks - £1.80 per hour and a day rate of £8.50

Holt Country Park - £2.30 per day

Coaches – 24 hour stay £12, 4 hour stay - £6

2.   That the following changes to car park designations should be made:

Sheringham, Chequers car park moves to ‘Coastal’ from ‘Resort’ and that Sheringham, Station Approach car park moves to ‘Resort’ from ‘Coastal’

3.   The implementation of  any new pricing changes from July 2022 and instigating   the Car Park order (CPO) consultation process;

4.   Budgetary provision of £25k to cover implementation costs resulting from any changes.

5.   That a report is brought back to Cabinet setting out a promotional campaign to increase the take-up of car park season tickets

6.   That a report is brought back to Cabinet setting out how the car park management arrangements can be strengthened.

Reasons for the decision:

Car parking income represents a significant income source to the Council and as such has a substantial contribution to make to the Council’s longer term financial sustainability and helping to set and maintain a balanced budget.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, Cllr E Seward, introduced this item. He began by thanking the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for their input and the officers for their work in preparing the report. He said that the last review of car parking charges had taken place in 2016 and that any proposed changes would come into effect from July 2022. Cllr Seward said that the Council had a tourist economy which involved significant costs to run and maintain. This ranged from the provision of public conveniences and the maintenance and operation of Cromer Pier, foreshore activities, parks, open spaces and woodlands. Together this represented a combined revenue spend in excess of £2.2m. It was therefore appropriate to for the costs of these services to be met in part by various fees and charges as they formed an integral part of the visitor experience. He then spoke about the forecast deficit of £2.5m for 2024/25. All options for raising income must therefore be considered.

Cllr Seward said that Cabinet was mindful of the increase in the cost of living and the impact on local families and it was therefore proposed to support the recommendation of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee to limit any increase in car parking charges in line with the consumer price index (CPI) rate of inflation.

Cllr Seward outlined the following proposed changes to car parking charges:

For standard tariff car parks, a charge of£1.20p for first two hours and 80 pence for each further hour, with a day rate of £6.00. there would be no change to the 30 minute rate. For resort tariff car parks, a charge of £1.50 for the first hour, £1.20p for each further hour, and a day rate of £8.50. There would be no change to the 30 minute charge.

For coastal tariff car parks the charge would be £1.80 per hour and a day rate of £8.50. For Holt Country Park, the charge would be increased to £2.30 per day. For all car parks, coaches would pay £12 for a 24 hour stay and £6.00 for a 4 hour stay.

Cllr Seward then spoke about changes to car park designations. It was proposed that Sheringham, Chequers car park  would move to ‘Coastal’ from ‘Resort’ and that Sheringham, Station Road  would move to ‘Resort’ from ‘Coastal’.  As mentioned previously, any changes would come into effect from July 2022.

Cllr Seward said that there was no proposal to increase season tickets. He said that Cabinet believed that it was important to help residents during the current challenging economic times. He said that over 80% of season ticket permits were purchased by residents of North Norfolk. A 24 hour / 7 day annual permit worked out at 55 pence a day, with a 3 hour annual permit working out at 15 pence if used once a day. It should also be acknowledged that these charges had effectively remained the same since 2009. To encourage an uptake in season tickets, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 206.

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.”