Agenda and decisions

Cabinet - Monday, 4th November, 2024 10.00 am

Venue: Council Chamber - Council Offices. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services Email: democraticservices@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Items

No.

Item

Minutes PDF 132 KB

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7^th October 2024.

Public Questions and Statements

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

Declarations of Interest PDF 721 KB

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)

Items of Urgent Business

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

Members' Questions

To receive oral questions from Members, if any

Recommendations from the Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party

To consider the following recommendations made by Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party at the meeting held on 10^th October:

I. the draft Action Plan is endorsed and taken forward to the timelines outlined;

II. the updated evidence and background papers are endorsed;

III. the consultation arrangements and communication Plan are endorsed;

IV. that delegated authority is given to the Acting Planning Policy Manager in consultation with the Planning Portfolio Holder to finalise the Action

Plan and consultation material and continue to respond to the Inspector’s questions during the Examination period and hearing(s)

Decision:

I. the draft Action Plan is endorsed and taken forward to the timelines outlined;

II. the updated evidence and background papers are endorsed;

III. the consultation arrangements and communication Plan are endorsed;

IV. that delegated authority is given to the Acting Planning Policy Manager in consultation with the Planning Portfolio Holder to finalise the Action

Plan and consultation material and continue to respond to the Inspector’s questions during the Examination period and hearing(s)

Recommendations from Overview & Scrutiny Committee

To consider the following recommendations made by the Overview and

Scrutiny Committee at the meeting held on 16th October 2024:

Car Park Fees & Charges

Recommended that Cabinet consider the following changes to fees and

charges to be implemented from 1 April 2025

(A) (1) that fees for the Council’s Standard Car Parks be increased by

10p per hour, for the Coastal and Resort Car Parks be increased by 30p

per hour, and

(2) the question of whether there could be no increase in fees at the

standard car parks and a charge of 40p at the Coastal and Resort car

parks be explored

(B) that seasonal charges are not introduced at this time

this time

(D) season ticket prices are increased by the inflationary increase since

2016 only this year and increases to season ticket prices should be

reviewed annually

(E) Coach Parking charges are increased to £12, £24 and £96

(F) that all the potential options for charging at Hornbeam Road Car

Park in North Walsham be explored

(G) car parking charges are reviewed every other year with the next

review taking place so that any changes are implemented from 1 April

2027 apart from season tickets which should be reviewed annually as

mentioned under recommendation D above.

Annual Review of Beach Huts and Chalets

Recommended that –

(A) the conversion of weekly lets to long term lets

be explored with 50% of the huts being converted this year and then

being reviewed on whether a further 50% increase was a good idea,

(B) the charges for lets of the long-leased huts be increased by 14% this

year,

one commercial operator or create 4 smaller location-based

opportunities be fully investigated, and

(D) Options D Lease all weekly lets commercially, allowing the tenant to

hire their unit and Option E be further explored for the future of the

Beach Huts and Chalets Service

Decision:

Noted.

Car Parking Fees and Charges PDF 853 KB

Executive Summary

The hourly Car Park charges were last increased in July 2022. The season tickets prices have not been increased since 2016 when there was only a small increase to the charges. Prior to that they had not been increased since 2009. It is now considered that it is an appropriate time to review the charges for all our car parks and ticket types.

The Council operates it car parks with 3 different rates which are dependent on where the car park is located. There is the standard rate for the inland car parks (mainly used by our residents), the resort rate for the car parks located in our resorts but not alongside the beaches and the coastal rate for the car parks that are the nearest the beaches and which are predominantly used by tourists and visitors.

The Council also provides the option to purchase season tickets.

This report provides details about the current car park fees and charges and surplus and then the options for increases.

It recommends an increase for Cabinet to recommend to Full Council.

Options considered

Option 1 – Increasing fees across all car park by 10p, 20p or 30p an hour with corresponding increases to 24-hour and 7-day charges
Option 2 – Seasonal charges at coastal car parks during March to October
Option 3 – Re-introducing a flat rate evening charge across all car parks
Option 4 & 5 – Increases to Season Ticket prices
Option 6 – Increases to Coach Parking charges

Consultation(s)

Cabinet Member

Section 151 officer

Recommendations

It is recommended that Cabinet recommend the following to Full Council:

That the following changes to fees and charges are implemented from 1 April 2025

Option 1 – that fees across all car parks are increased with the combination as decided at the meeting.
Option 2 – that seasonal charges are introduced for coastal car parks.
Option 3 – that a flat rate evening charge across all car parks is not re-introduced at this time.
Option 4 & 5 – that an increase is introduced to all Season Ticket prices as decided at the meeting.
Option 6 – that Coach Parking charges are increased as decided at the meeting.
Option 7 – that permit holder and ‘App’ only parking is introduced at Hornbeam Road car park in North Walsham.
That car parking charges are reviewed every other year with the next review taking place so that any changes are implemented from 1 April 2027.

Reasons for recommendations

Car parking income represents a significant income source to the Council and as such has a substantial contribution to make to the Council’s long term financial sustainability.

Background papers

MTFS

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Tina Stankley

Tina.stankley@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Decision:

a. Fees for the Council’s Standard Car Parks be increased by 10p per hour, 20p per hour for Resort Car Parks, and 30p for the Coastal Car Parks.

b. No Evening or Seasonal Charges be introduced at this time.

c. Season Ticket prices be increased in line with inflation.

d. Coach Car Parking Charges be increased £2.5 hr / £13 for 24hr. No weekly charge to be introduced at this time.

e. 3hrs Car Parking be offered for leisure users at Victory Leisure Centre. Hornbeam Road (North Walsham) to be as standard but charged via app only with permit holders also having usage.

f. Beach Road and Gold Park (Mundesley) be re classified as a Resort Car Park.

g. To proceed with consultation on the updated Off-Street Parking Places Order.

h. Car Parking fees and charges be reviewed again in 2025/2026.

10.

Annual Review of Beach Huts and Chalets PDF 815 KB

Executive Summary

This report provides an annual review of the Beach Huts and Chalets service, for a 12-month period between 2023/24 and 24024/25.

Leased sites, which continue to have high demand, have seen an increase in income due to the 350 lease renewals undertaken during the year.

It continues, to be a challenging period for weekly let

bookings during summer peak periods. In recent years

occupancy has increase, however this year has seen a small fall in occupancy. Whilst advertising has been undertaken, the lack of bookings may be due to current economic situation (cost of living crisis) impacting on discretionary spend across a wide range of sectors, poor weather conditions and coastal works.

A new customer feedback exercise, this year, has found a

high level of weekly let customers are repeat customers and

in the main, their feedback is very positive and helpful.

In order to optimise the service, 7 key options ranging from a change of marketing and administration alongside various

alternative management strategies have been considered

and presented in this report.

Options considered

The following options have been considered:

· Convert existing weekly lets to leased units

· Subscribing to a national beach hut letting website and booking system

· Subscribing to an international holiday accommodation booking system

· Converting weekly lets to leased sites

· Lease all weekly lets on a commercial basis

· Lease of both weekly lets and leased units commercially

· Sell beach huts and chalets on a long leasehold with annual ground rent.

· Operating through a trading company

Consultation(s)

None

Recommendations

It is recommended:

• To consider the annual review and,

• For the Asset Strategy Manager to be delegated authority to proceed with the alternative management Option E - Lease of both weekly lets and leased units to one commercial operator or create 4 smaller location-based opportunities, subject to viable bids being received.

Reasons for recommendations

Considered to be the most optimal of all options available, with less disruption to existing tenants, creates the most savings, generates a consistent rental income and improves capacity issues with existing resources.

Background papers

Beach Hut and Chalet Review 2018

Wards affected	Cromer, Mundesley, Overstrand, Sheringham
Cabinet member(s)	Cllr Lucy Shires. Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services
Contact Officer	Renata Garfoot, Asset Strategy Manager tel: 01263 516086. Email. Renata.Garfoot@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Decision:

The 33 existing weekly lets be converted into leased (5 year) units, with delegated authority given to the Asset Strategy Manager in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services, to consider market demands for weekly lets in future when voids arise and act accordingly.

11.

Annual Update - Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) PDF 111 KB

Executive Summary

The Council is required to have a Policy for the use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

Home Office guidance recommends that elected members should review the use of the RIPA powers and ensure the policy remains fit for purpose at least once per year.

Officers have reviewed the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy and Procedures document and made no changes.

Officers have reviewed the Internet & Social Media Research & Investigations Policy and identified that no changes are necessary at this time.

The Council has made no use of powers under RIPA in the last 12 months.

Options considered

The Policy is required to ensure proper application of the Act, so there is not an alternative option.

Consultation(s)

Consultation has been undertaken with the Monitoring

Officer, who also acts as the Gatekeeper for RIPA activity.

Recommendations

1. That Members note that there are no amendments required to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Policy and Procedures.

2. That Members note that there are no amendments required to the Internet & Social Media Research & Investigations Policy.

3. That Members note there has been no activity undertaken under RIPA within the period since the last report.

Reasons for recommendations

The Council is required to have an up to date policy/procedure in order to exercise its powers.

Members are required to be aware of the RIPA activity undertaken by the Council.

Background papers

None

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Calum Ringer

Contact Officer

Steve Hems, Director for Communities

01263 516192

Steve.hems@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Decision:

Members note that there are no amendments required to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Policy and Procedures.

Members note that there are no amendments required to the Internet & Social Media Research & Investigations Policy.

Members note there has been no activity undertaken under RIPA within the period since the last report.

12.

Corporate Plan 2023-27 Action Plan 2024- 25 – to end of Quarter 2 – 30 September 2024 PDF 438 KB

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-two of the actions are in progress and on track and four completed, although one action is identified as red and sixteen actions are identified as amber, including one that has not yet started. Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) will be reviewing progress on these actions.

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

Additional documents:

Action Plan Reporting - 2024-25 Quarter 2 , item 12. PDF 148 KB

Decision:

Noted - Action 31 to be amended as in progress rather than “not started”.

13.

Residential Solar Advise and Installations PDF 262 KB

Executive Summary

The Council’s Environmental Charter has pledged the authority to assisting the wider North Norfolk district in achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Furthermore, the Council has set out in its latest Corporate Plan and Annual Action Plan specific goals and objectives to help achieve this, including “Supporting homeowners upgrade the environmental performance of their homes”. This is in recognition of the 22% of UK emissions that are produced by domestic heating, lighting and appliances.

This paper sets out a proposal for the provision of advice and ‘signposting’ to householders considering the installation of solar panels.

Options considered

Option 1 – Residents bulk Purchasing Scheme

Option 2 – Promote trusted traders from Norfolk County Council website (not exclusive and could also be coupled with the recommended option)

Option 3 - The Council sets up its own bank of recommended designers and installers

Option 4 Continue to promote solar panels only to those eligible for financial assistance (Do Nothing)

Option 5 Partner with a solar advice and installation service

(Recommended option)

Consultation(s)

The proposals and the options have been considered by CLT.

Recommendations

To contract with the most suitable company to deliver a combination of solar modelling and impartial advice with optional managed installation for north Norfolk householders at no cost to the Council.

To delegate authority to the Director for Place and Climate Change to reach a suitable agreement with an appropriate contractor.

Reasons for recommendations

To help meet the corporate objective:
“Supporting homeowners upgrade the environmental performance of their homes.”

To encourage and support homeowners who can afford to pay for home improvements to upgrade the environmental performance of their homes in line with the Council’s corporate objective at minimum cost and risk to the Council.

Background papers

None

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Adam Varley

Contact Officer

Kate Rawlings, Climate and Environmental Policy Manager,

Kate.rawlings@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Decision:

To delegate authority to the Director for Place and Climate Change to reach a suitable agreement with an appropriate contractor.

14.

Exclusion of Press and Public

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.”

15.

Private Business