Agenda and decisions

Executive Summary

This report presents the provisional outturn position for the 2024/25 financial year which shows a General Fund underspend of £0.622m.  It also provides an update in relation to the Council’s capital programme and use of reserves.

The position will be used to inform the production of the Statutory accounts which will then be subject to audit by the Council’s external auditors.

The report makes recommendations for contributions to reserves.

Options considered

None - This is a factual report of the financial year end position for 2024/25.

Consultation(s)

None – This is a factual report of the financial year end position for 2024/25.

Recommendations

Members are asked to consider the report and recommend the following to full Council:

a)  The provisional outturn position for the General Fund revenue account for 2024/25 (as shown in Appendix A);

b)  The transfers to and from reserves as detailed within the report (and Appendix C);

c) The surplus of £0.622m be transferred to the General reserve to mitigate future funding shortfalls.

d) The balance on the General Reserve of £2.825m following the transfer outlined above.

e) The surplus of £0.384m relating to retained business rates be transferred to the Business Rates reserve.

f) The financing of the 2024/25 capital programme as detailed within the report and at Appendix D.

g) The updated capital programme for 2025/26 to 2030/31 and scheme financing as outlined within the report and detailed at Appendix E;

h) Approval of additional funding to cover capital project overspends of £10,816 as detailed in paragraph 5.7.

i) The roll-forward of existing capital project funding from 2024/25 into 2025/26 as detailed in paragraph 5.9.

j). To note the addition of £55,000 towards the New Play Area (Sheringham, The Lees) to be funded from the Asset Management Reserve in 2025/26 for a total project budget of £120,000

k) The addition of £6,081 towards the Cromer Offices LED Lighting in the Capital Programme to be funded from Capital Receipts in 2025/26 for a total project budget of £178,796.

l) The addition of £20,000 towards the Public Conveniences (Sheringham & North Walsham) project in the Capital Programme to be funded from Capital Receipts in 2025/26 for a total project budget of £565,514.

m) The addition of the Holt Eco Learning Space scheme for £100,000 into the 2025/26 Capital Programme to be funded by an external contribution.

Reasons for recommendations

To provide a draft outturn position for the General Fund, Capital Accounts and Reserves which will form the basis to produce statutory accounts for 2024/25. Also to provide a draft opening position for the financial year 2025/26.

Background papers

Budget report, Budget Monitoring reports, NNDR3 return

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Daniel King

Director of Resources

daniel.king@north-norfolk.gov.uk

01263 516167

Executive Summary

This is an annual report detailing the council’s collection performance and debt management arrangements for 2024/25. It includes:

• A summary of debts written off in each debt area showing the reasons for write-off and values.
• Collection performance for Council Tax and Non- Domestic Rates.
• Level of arrears outstanding
• Level of provision for bad and doubtful debts

Options considered.

To leave the write-off limits as they currently are or to increase these to a higher figure.

Consultation(s)

We are pleased to reach this year’s collection performance targets for council tax & Non-Domestic (Business) Rates whilst also working hard to reduce avoidance and fraud which with the cost-of-living crisis is a difficult time to for enforcement.

Recommendations

That Cabinet recommend to full Council that it:

1. approves the annual report which details the Council’s write-offs, in accordance with the Council’s Debt Write-Off Policy and performance in relation to revenues collection.

2. approves the continued delegated authority as shown in appendix 2 for write offs.

Reasons for recommendations

The recommendations ensure the Council makes best use of its staff resources and manages its finances to ensure best value for money.

Background papers

Corporate Debt Management and Recovery Policy -Appendix 1; Debt Write Off Policy - Appendix 2 and Recovery Methods including Enforcement Agent Code of Practice and Enforcement Agent Instructions - Appendix 3.

Wards affected

All wards

Cabinet member(s)

Lucy Shires

Contact Officer

Sean Knight

Revenues Manger

Sean.Knight@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report provides an update on Housing Benefit debt recovery detailing the Councils’ collection performance and debt management arrangements for 2024 – 25.

The report includes a:

• A brief overview of Housing Benefit overpayments
• Housing Benefit Debt Recoveries performance
• Key trends and known risks to performance
• Recommendations of future recovery strategies

Options Considered

To continue with the write-off limits at their current levels.

To continue to recover outstanding debt within the current guidelines.

The implementation of additional recovery methods to maximise recovery options to the Council.

Consultation(s)

No consultation is required as this is a statutory requirement.

Recommendations

(i)             Note the performance of the debt management function carried out by the Benefits service.

(ii)            Note the debt write-offs for the year.

(iii)           Note the emerging impact of Universal Credit on collection levels.

(iv)           To support the implementation of future recovery strategies.

(v)            To approve the annual report giving details of Housing Benefit Overpayment debt recovery in accordance with the Council’s Debt Recovery Policy, Write-Off Policy, and Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy.

Reasons for recommendations

Recommendation is to approve the annual report in relation to Housing Benefit Overpayment recovery and to approve the continued use of legislated recovery methods to ensure revenue to the Council is maximised.

Background papers

Housing Benefit Overpayment Policy (Appendix 1)

Corporate Debt Management and Recovery Policy

Debt Write Off Policy

Wards Affected

All

Wendy Fredericks

Contact Officer

Trudi Grant, Benefits Manager (01263 516262)

trudi.grant@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Executive Summary

This report provides an outline of progress with the homelessness review, which is a key stage in the development of the Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy; together with an update on actions in response to the recommendations made by the Homelessness Task and Finish group to Overview & Scrutiny to reduce the impact of homelessness.

Options considered

A range of options will be considered as part of the development of Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.

Consultation(s)

A range of stakeholders have been and will be consulted in development of the strategy including partner agencies, residents, parish and town councils, district councillors, staff.  

Recommendations

That Overview & Scrutiny Committee note the report and provide feedback on the Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Review. 

Reasons for recommendations

To provide an opportunity for Overview & Scrutiny Committee pre-scrutiny of the Homelessness Review, ahead of the development of the full strategy.

Background papers

Homelessness Task & Finish Group – report to Overview & Scrutiny Committee 20^th September 2024

Officer Update to the Homelessness Task and Finish Group Recommendations – 12^th February 2025.

Wards affected

District-wide

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Fredericks, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Peoples’ Services

Contact Officers

Karen Hill, Assistant Director People Services,

karen.hill@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Nicky Debbage, Housing Strategy & Delivery Manager, nicky.debbage@north-norfolk.gov.uk