Agenda

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 15th November, 2023 9.30 am

Venue: Council Chamber - Council Offices. View directions

Contact: Emma Denny  Email: emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

To Receive Apologies for Absence

2.

Substitutes

3.

Public Questions & Statements

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

4.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 221 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11th October 2023.

5.

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

6.

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.

7.

Petitions From Members of the Public

To consider any petitions received from members of the public.

8.

Consideration of Any Matter Referred to the Committee by a Member

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

9.

Responses of the Council or the Cabinet to the Committee's Reports or Recommendations

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

10.

Waste and Related Services Update pdf icon PDF 375 KB

Executive Summary

This report provides new members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with background information on the contract and a summary of the previous performance of the contract.

 

The recent performance of the contract is set out against the various collection streams and other service areas and shows an overall improvement in performance which is broadly being sustained.

 

Future developments associated with the contract are also outlined.

 

In general the position is greatly improved from previous reports to this committee. There is still work to be done but the level of concern in respect of performance is much reduced on the part of senior officers.

 

Options considered

 

This is an update report and therefore no options have been considered.

 

Consultation(s)

This is an update report and there is no decision making or financial consequences and therefore no consultation has been undertaken.

 

Recommendations

 

  1. That Overview and Scrutiny note the report contents of the report.
  2. That Overview and Scrutiny decide the frequency of further updates on the Waste and Related Services Contract.

Reasons for recommendations

 

  1. To ensure that members of Overview and Scrutiny have opportunity to consider how the contract is performing and to understand trends around key performance indicators.
  2. To allow further consideration of contract performance in the future.

Background papers

 

None

 

 

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Callum Ringer

Contact Officer

Steve Hems, Director for Communities, steve.hems@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Scott Martin, Environment and Safety Manager, scott.martin@north-nofolk.gov.uk

 

Links to key documents:

 

Corporate Plan:         

N/A 

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

N/A

Council Policies & Strategies

N/A

 

Corporate Governance:

 

Is this a key decision 

 No

Has the public interest test been applied

Not Exempt

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

Not Applicable

 

 

11.

Anglian Water - Sewage Outflows Briefing

To receive a briefing from Anglian Water on sewage outflows in the District. Members were requested to submit questions in advance for this session.

12.

Budget Monitoring P6 2023 - 2024 pdf icon PDF 742 KB

Executive Summary

This report provides an update on the Council’s financial performance and projected outturn for 2023/24 for the revenue account, capital programme and reserves statement as at the end of September 2023.

 

The overall position at the end of September 2023 shows a £1.685m underspend for the net operating expenditure on the revenue account, this is however an unadjusted position that does not include any known variations e.g. the inclusion of the pay award for 2023/24.

 

As at 30 September 2023, the General Fund projected a deficit of £0.515m for the full year 2023/24. This is after adjusting for all known variations and full year forecasting by service managers.

 

Options considered

 

This is an update report on the Council’s financial position and so no other options were considered.

Consultation(s)

Cabinet Member

Section 151 officer

Budget Managers

 

Recommendations

 

It is recommended that Overview & Scrutiny Committee supports the following recommendation to

 

1)    Note the contents of the report and the current budget monitoring position and note that officers will work together to take action to reduce the overall projected deficit on the General Fund at the year-end of 2023/24.

 

And supports the following recommendations made by Cabinet to Full Council to approve:

 

2)    An additional capital budget of £58k so that the work for the refurbishment of the Red Lion roof (Cromer), the Art Deco Block roof and handrails (Cromer) and the Chalet Block at Sheringham can be awarded as one contract. And that approval be given to fund the additional expenditure from the Asset Management Reserve.

 

3)    An increase to the DFG capital budget of £118k and approves that it is funded by the additional grant received for this purpose from the Government.

 

4)    The provision of a new play area at the Lees in Sheringham and approves a capital project budget for this of £65k and that funding for this should come from the Delivery Plan Reserve.

 

5)    The capital spending of £11k on the Morris Street Car Park Boundary Wall and that it be funded from the Asset Management Reserve.

 

6)    That the £85k of the Car Park refurbishment capital budget is reallocated to the Public Conveniences so that the outstanding works can be carried out and complete the scheme.

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

To update members on the current budget monitoring position for the Council.

 

Background papers

 

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Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

s151 Tina Stankley, Tina.stankley@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

Links to key documents:

 

Corporate Plan:          

Budgets set to support the Corporate Plan objectives.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)

Budget process in line with MTFS

Council Policies & Strategies

Service Budgets set in line with the council policies and strategies.

 

Corporate Governance:

 

Is this a key decision 

 no

Has the public interest test been applied

Not an exempt item

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

Additional documents:

13.

Treasury Management Mid-Year report 2023-2024 pdf icon PDF 128 KB

Executive Summary

This report sets out the Treasury Management activities undertaken during the first half of the 2023/24 Financial Year compared with the Treasury Management Strategy for the year.

 

 

Options considered

 

This report must be prepared to ensure the Council is compliant with the CIPFA Treasury Management and Prudential Codes.

 

Consultation(s)

Cabinet Member

Section 151 Officer

 

This report has been prepared with the assistance of Link Treasury Services, the Council’s Treasury advisors.

 

Recommendations

 

To support the Cabinet  recommendation to Full Council to approve the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2023/24 is approved.

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

Approval by Full Council demonstrates compliance with the Prudential Code to ensure adequate monitoring of the capital expenditure plans and treasury management activity.

 

 It is a requirement that any proposed changes to the 2023/24 prudential indicators are approved by Full Council.

 

Background papers

 

The Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24.

 

 

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

James Moore

 

Links to key documents:

 

Corporate Plan:          

This report is required to ensure the Council can demonstrate it is in a sound financial position and able to deliver the projects in the Capital Programme which support the Corporate Plan Objectives. 

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

This report supports the MTFS in confirming adequate financing is in place to deliver the Council’s Capital Programme.

Council Policies & Strategies

The Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24

 

Corporate Governance:

 

Is this a key decision 

 No

Has the public interest test been applied

Not an exempt item.

Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter

N/A

 

 

Additional documents:

14.

Council tax Discounts & Premiums Determination 2024-2025 pdf icon PDF 126 KB

Council Tax Discounts & Premiums Determination 2024-25

Executive Summary

This report sets out the proposed level of council tax discounts which shall apply to classes of dwelling for the financial year 2024-25.

 

Options considered.

 

The recommendations enable the Council to take action, as a result of the reforms included in the Local Government Finance Act 2012 (as amended), to encourage homeowners to bring their homes back into use and generate council tax income.

 

Consultation(s)

The legislation provides local authorities with the power to determine the level of council tax discount in relation to certain classes of property. The Council must approve its determinations for each financial year. The calculation of the tax base for 2024/25 will be made on the assumption that the determinations recommended below will apply. 

 

In accordance with the relevant legislation these determinations shall be published in at least one newspaper circulating in North Norfolk before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the determinations.

 

Recommendations

 

To support the Cabinet resolution to recommend to Full Council that under Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 and other enabling powers that:

 

1)    The discounts for the year 2024-25 and beyond are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 3.1.

 

2)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2024-25 for eligible cases of hardship under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended). See the associated policy in Appendix B.

 

3)    That an exception to the levy charges may continue to be made by the Revenues Manager in the circumstances laid out in section 3.2 of this report.

 

4)    The premiums for the year 2024-25 and beyond are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 4.2.

 

5)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2024-25 for eligible cases of care leavers under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended).

 

6)    Those dwellings that are specifically identified under regulation 6 of the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings) (England) Regulations 2003 will retain the 50% discount as set out in paragraph 2.1 of this report.

 

7)    Those dwellings described or geographically defined at Appendix A which in the reasonable opinion of the Revenues Manager are judged not to be structurally capable of occupation all year round and were built before the restrictions of seasonal usage were introduced by the Town and Country Planning Act 1947, will be entitled to a 35% discount.

 

8)    The long-term empty-property premium of 100% is brought forward to increase from 12 months rather than 24 months from 1 April 2024.

 

9)    A new second homes premium of 100% as detailed in paragraph 4.3 is applied from 1 April 2025.

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

To set appropriate council tax discounts and premiums which will apply in 2024-25 and to raise council tax revenue.

 

Background papers

 

Local  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Additional documents:

15.

Coastwise - the North Norfolk Coastal Accelerator Programme pdf icon PDF 474 KB

Executive Summary

The north Norfolk’ coast is vulnerable to climate accelerated coastal erosion.  For decades it has been recognised that it is not technically, economically or environmentally viable to build and maintain erosion risk management structures along the whole coast.  Over this period North Norfolk District Council and its communities have been at the forefront of coastal change management and have advocated the need to work together to seek to transition/adapt to the impacts of coastal change.

 

North Norfolk was specifically selected by DEFRA in 2022 to receive funds to explore, develop and demonstrate coastal transition actions which prepare communities, infrastructure and government for coastal erosion.  In August 2023 circa £15million was formally allocated by the Environment Agency through the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme to NNDC.  In North Norfolk this initiative is called ‘Coastwise’. This programme will seek to co-create Transition Plans and practical actions with communities and sectors from which learning can be transferred to other locations and shape future government approaches.

 

Coastwise is formed of a multidisciplinary team and will instigate conversations with communities and sectors from Winter 2023.

 

By March 2027, we will have delivered an integrated Strategic North Norfolk Transition Plan, and co-created community and sector Transition Plans from which there will be some practical actions identified and delivered; contributions to coastal transition research; capturing and sharing of transferable approaches and learning; identification of future funding and financing and sharing with government possible future options for consideration and adoption to enable coastal transition to become part of the Government’s national response to the climate/coastal erosion challenge.

 

Options considered

 

This report provides an overview of Coastwise, the North Norfolk Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme.

Consultation(s)

This report has undergone consultations with Portfolio Holder, Director, Section 151 Officer, Monitoring Officer and Communications.

 

Recommendations

 

That Overview and Scrutiny endorses the delivery of Coastwise.

 

Reasons for

recommendations

 

That Overview and Scrutiny consider Coastwise, progress to date, and an opportunity to feedback constructive comments/input that may strengthen programme benefits and delivery.

 

Background papers

              Cabinet Report 3rd January 2023

 

North Norfolk Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme Outline Business Case

 

 

Wards affected

Coastal, Sheringham South, Sheringham North, Beeston

Regis and the Runtons, Cromer Town, Suffield Park,

Poppyland, Roughton, Mundesley, Bacton, Happisburgh

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr. H. Blathwayt – Coastal Portfolio Holder.

Note that Coastwise is a cross authority project which will seek to integrate coastal transitioning into council wide operations.

Contact Officer

Rob Goodliffe, Coastal Transition Manager – Rob.Goodliffe@north-norfolk.gov.uk 

 

Links to key documents:

 

Corporate Plan:           

Our Greener Future We will continue our work to create a cleaner, greener and zero-carbon future for North Norfolk

·       Protect and Transition our Coastal Environments

o   Realising the opportunities of external funding to secure a sustainable future for our coastal communities through transition and adaptation responses.

·       Continue our journey to Net Zero

o   Continuing our own annual emissions reductions to reach Net Zero by 2030.

o   Introducing significant new projects which deliver on our Net Zero ambitions

Medium Term Financial

Strategy (MTFS)

                         

Not applicable

Council Policies  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Additional documents:

Work Programmes

16.

The Cabinet Work Programme pdf icon PDF 132 KB

To note the upcoming Cabinet Work Programme.

17.

Overview & Scrutiny Work Programme and Update pdf icon PDF 300 KB

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.

18.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

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.”