Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr P Heinrich.

None.

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

None received.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11^th April 2022.

Minutes from the meeting held on 11^th May 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 requires that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Cllr A Brown declared a pecuniary interest for agenda item 12 and stated that he would abstain from voting and excuse himself from the meeting if any matters relating to the specific property concerned were discussed.

To consider any petitions received from members of the public.

None received.

To consider any requests made by non-executive Members of the Council, and notified to the Monitoring Officer with seven clear working days’ notice, to include an item on the agenda of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

None received.

To consider any responses of the Council or the Cabinet to the Committee’s reports or recommendations:

The DSM noted that Cabinet had accepted the recommendations from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee’s May meeting.

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: Steve Blatch, Chief Executive

Email:- steve.blatch@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Tel:- 01263 516232

Cllr T Adams – Council Leader introduced the report and informed Members and began by stating that the 163 homes delivered was a good achievement against a target of 100, though he accepted that more were needed to address the numbers still on the housing waiting list. He added that continuing to meet targets would be challenging, given the circumstances presented by issues such as nutrient neutrality. Cllr T Adams reported that an Energy Officer had now been appointed, which was timely given the recent increase in energy costs. On building business growth and sustainability, Cllr T Adams stated that positive investment was being seen in areas such as North Walsham and in hospitality venues across the District. He added that additional investment was being targeted to encourage investment in the west of the District, whilst the NWHAZ project continued in the east. On customer focus priorities, Cllr T Adams stated that the Planning complaints process had been improved to accelerate outcomes, whilst significant progress had also been made on the climate coast and environment priorities, with a substantial number of trees planted toward the Council’s target. He added that on quality of life, the Reef was continuing to exceed expectations, whilst good progress had been made on delivering changing places facilities in North Walsham, Sheringham, Stalham and Holt. It was noted that the Council had also recently hosted the Mammoth Marathon and maintained its blue flag beaches. Finally on financial sustainability, Cllr T Adams stated that 90% of energy rebate payments had now been made, with remaining residents being contacted to register for payments.

Questions and Discussion

      i.        The CE noted that the report focused on performance against corporate priorities, whilst the Benchmarking report would consider national measures against similar and neighbouring authorities.

     ii.        Cllr V Holliday noted that cross-referencing of the Performance and Bench-Marking reports appeared to show interesting differences in performance. She added that affordable housing targets appeared to have been reduced from 183 to 100, and asked whether housing with care dwellings had been counted as part of overall affordable housing numbers. The CE replied that the housing waiting list could be discussed further under item 11, and noted that the Strategic Housing Team would need to provide information on the types of affordable housing delivered. He added that completion of care scheme projects such as Meadow Court in Fakenham would have been captured in performance reports, and that he would seek to determine whether these were included in affordable housing delivery data. Cllr W Fredericks stated that she would seek to provide a breakdown of the type of dwellings included in the affording housing delivery data at the next meeting. Cllr A Brown suggested that there were 63 units at the Fakenham site counted as affordable homes, which may have been removed from the target figure. The CE stated that the reduction from 183 to 165 affordable homes may be a result of a delay in delivery of the exceptions scheme in Southrepps, caused by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

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:

Helen Thomas, Policy & Performance Management Officer

Tel: 01263 516214 Helen.Thomas@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Cllr T Adams – Council Leader introduced the report and informed Members that it provided data on a range of measures with performance shown alongside other Councils. He added that Council Tax collection rates were a positive example, whilst more challenging measures included the number of residents on the housing waiting list. It was noted that measures such as this should be understood in the right context, with North Norfolk being a very desirable place to live with higher numbers of second homes and inward migration, which significantly increased housing demand. 

Questions and Discussion

      i.        The PPMO reminded Members that a benchmarking briefing session had taken place, with a range of measures agreed for consideration. She added that focus should be placed on areas where improvement was required, so that suggestions and recommendations could be made to address these areas.

     ii.        Cllr V Holliday noted that the Council appeared to be fourth worst on the household waiting list, second worst on time taken to process housing benefit claims, third worst on household waste recycling and almost at the bottom for new enterprises created. She added that she did not see any decisions relating to actions, and felt that further benchmarking should be considered for matters relating to expenditure on central services, environmental and regulatory services, and public health. It was noted that actions taken in response to benchmarking data would be determined by Cabinet, though the Committee were free to make recommendations. Cllr V Holliday suggested that the Committee should make recommendations where benchmarked performance was poor, and add further measures as suggested. The CE stated that any recommendations would need to be carefully considered to account for the level of resource available, and noted for context that the high number on the housing waiting list was an issue shared with other regions with a high number of second homes. He added that this suggested that the policy tools may not be available to fully address the contributing factors. On recycling rates, it was noted that rural authorities often struggled to achieve rates comparable to urban areas, as a result of not collecting food waste. The CE stated that his concerns related to benefits performance, though an improvement plan was being developed to address the issue.

    iii.        The Chairman noted that all benchmarking indicators required contextual background, and the aim of the report should be to identify areas where the Council was not performing as well as expected, why this was the case, and what could be done to address the issues.

   iv.        Cllr W Fredericks stated that the speed of new housing benefits claims had been affected by legacy benefits that were changing to Universal Credit, which had caused complexities in working with the DWP, that had subsequently slowed down the process, though software was being considered to mitigate this.

     v.        Cllr L Withington asked whether it would be appropriate to ask Cabinet where they could provide further contextual information to explain performance, taking into account that several issues  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Cllr J Toye – Planning and Enforcement Portfolio Holder introduced the report and informed Members that the enforcement matrix had been removed as it was available elsewhere and updated on a regular basis, whilst the report had been condensed to focus on exceptions.

Questions and Discussion

      i.        The Chairman noted that on several occasions reference had been made to a ‘number’ of actions, and suggested it would be more helpful if the specific metrics could be identified. He added that this could have been addressed at pre-agenda stage, but suggested that these figures could likely be clarified after the meeting. Cllr J Toye accepted the comments and suggested that he would seek to provide the information in the coming weeks.

     ii.        The ADP informed Members that the DFPCC was now the senior reporting officer for matters of enforcement, though he was unable to attending the meeting on this occasion. He added that in terms of progress, the closure of a nine year case at Little Harbord House in Cromer, had resulted in a successful outcome of granting planning permission that would regularise issues on the site and deliver housing. It was noted that other cases were moving forward, with prosecutions being pursued where necessary.

    iii.        The ADP noted that the overall figure for long-term empty homes remained at no more than 1% of the District, and was expected to soon fall below 400. He added that joint working with the Housing Strategy Team was being pursued to deliver a long-term empty homes Policy, with an expectation to complete in autumn 2022, which would enable enforcement action to be pursued on longstanding empty properties. It was noted that the combined enforcement caseload remained high, with 245 cases down from 305 in the previous reporting period, 144 of which were new cases, meaning that 164 cases had been closed.

   iv.        The ADP reported that a revised webpage for combined enforcement had gone live in December 2021, with an interactive e-complaint form that provided officers with greater clarity. He added that this was supported with an expediency matrix, alongside a revised enforcement plan that provided officers guidance in their decision making. It was reported that recruitment would soon begin for a Conditions Monitoring Officer and an Enforcement Apprentice, which would provide significant additional resource to the Team.

     v.        The Chairman referred comments on the Waterfront Rooms in Hoveton, and suggested ‘closure expected on receipt of application’ appeared an ambitious statement, given the years that had passed waiting for an application, which would then require approval and implementation. The ADP stated that the Council was engaged with the Waterfront Rooms as a potential compulsory purchase option, however if a planning application was received it would still be seen as significant progress for the site. He added that if the application was refused or undelivered, then the site could return to the enforcement process for further action. The Chairman replied that public perception had to be considered to manage expectations, as closure from the public’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Matthew Stembrowicz

Democratic Services & Governance Officer (Scrutiny)

Email: Matthew.Stembrowicz@north-norfolk.gov.uk Tel: 01263 516047

The DSM introduced the report and informed Members it provided a summary of the work undertaken by the Committee in the 2021-22 municipal year. She added that it was a statutory requirement for the Committee to report its annual work to Full Council, and that it followed a regular format that would have been seen in previous years. It was noted that the Committee were using a range of tools to make effective recommendations such as pre-scrutiny, CCfAs, and sub-Committees in the form of the Scrutiny Panel. The DSM stated that the Executive-Scrutiny Protocol was working well, with regular meetings now taking place and increased engagement with Cabinet Members regularly attending meetings. She added that if approved the report would go to Council for consideration in June.

Questions and Discussion

      i.        The Chairman noted that there had been no Call-ins during the 2021-22 year, which should be taken as a positive indicator that matters could be resolved without the need for escalation. He added that the recommendations highlighted concerns that issues remained from previous years such as ongoing issues with substitutes, or the addition of late reports which limited the Committee’s efficacy.

     ii.        Cllr S Penfold thanked the Scrutiny Officer for his support of the Committee and in his role as Vice Chair and the Chairman seconded the comments.

    iii.        The recommendations were proposed by Cllr S Penfold and seconded by Cllr H Blathwayt.

RESOLVED

1.    To recommended that Council notes the report, affirms the work of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, and considers the following concerns raised within the report:

·         Additional Committee substitutes required to adequately address the number of apologies given.

·         Late submission of reports continues to cause volatility in the Work Programme.

·         Too many ‘last minute’ requests to include items under Urgent Business which degrades both the quality of scrutiny and the opportunity to add maximum value to the process.

To note the upcoming Cabinet Work Programme.

The DSM noted that whilst several financial reports were expected in July, these were more likely to be considered in September, due to ongoing resourcing issues in the Finance Team. She added that the Engagement Strategy was similarly expected in July, with a workshop planned to discuss the Strategy on 24^th June.

RESOLVED

To note the Cabinet Work Programme.

To receive an update from the Scrutiny Officer on progress made with topics on its agreed work programme, training updates and to receive any further information which Members may have requested at a previous meeting.

      i.        The DSM noted that financial reports could be expected in September, whilst the Reef project had also been delayed as a result of officers awaiting closedown of the contractor’s accounts. She added that representatives from EEAST and the CCG had confirmed their attendance for the July meeting to discuss ambulance response times, with remote attendance expected. It was noted that that the Second Homes and Holiday data report and the Public Convenience Recommendations were also expected in July.

     ii.        The Chairman noted that he had agreed to delays in the Reef Project report, though he was concerned of delays with the financial reports and hoped that the Outturn report would be prioritised.

    iii.        Cllr W Fredericks referred to comments on the number housing units delivered during discussion of the Performance report and noted that the number delivered included 64 affordable, 96 shared ownership, and 66 housing extra care flats in Fakenham which were included in the total. Of these 66, 30 were  affordable rent and 36 shared ownership. It was noted that officers had also offered to provide a briefing on the impact of nutrient neutrality on housing deliveries in September.

RESOLVED

To note the Committee Work Programme.

To pass the following resolution, if necessary:

“That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph _ of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”