Agenda and draft minutes

Led by Reverend Jeremy Sykes, Rector, Briston Benefice.

The Chairman invited Reverend Jeremy Sykes, Rector for Briston Benefice to lead prayers.

To receive the Chairman’s communications, if any.

The Chairman informed Members of his attendance and inclusion in recent civic events:

-       The Chairman’s Civic Reception had taken place at Cley Visitor Centre. An auction was held with unusual lots donated, and £2245 was raised for the Chairman’s charity.

-       Launch of the Sporting Centre of Excellence with Olympic Gold Medalist Gail Emms. The Chairman reported that the event was well attended, and that forty-five new sportspeople had been welcomed.

-       Trafalgar Day commemoration supper at Kings Lynn Town Hall, that was a very well attended event.

-       School visit to NNDC from St Mary’s School in Roughton, which was reported to be a very enjoyable occasion, with help from the Democratic Services Team.

-       Enthronement of the 72^nd Bishop of Norwich, which was reported to be an amazing service for the youngest senior bishop in the country.

-       Remembrance Sunday service and parade in Cromer, with great stories told by veterans.

-       Armistice and wreath laying ceremony with the Council Leader at NNDC.

-       Visit from the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk – Lady Pippa Dannatt MBE, who asked for help in finding roles for the 40 deputy lieutenants.

To receive announcement from the Leader of the Council, if any.

The Leader informed Members that Cllr M Millership had stood down as Chair of the Member Development Group, and that she had appointed Cllr J Toye as the new Chairman.

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.

None declared.

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Apologies were received from Councillors D Birch, Cllr S Penfold, Cllr A Fitch-Tillett, Cllr J Punchard, Cllr E Spagnola, Cllr M Millership, Cllr K Ward, and Cllr A Yiasimi.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25 September 2019.

Minutes of the meeting held on 25^th September were agreed 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.

To consider any questions or statements received from members of the public.

The Chairman invited Trish Moore, a volunteer visitor for the Motor Neurone Disease Association to speak in support of the motion to adopt the MND Charter. She thanked Councillors V Gay and A Brown for proposing the motion, and the Leader - Cllr S Butikofer for her support. Ms Moore stated that she had met many people with MND in her life, and that some attending the meeting likely had experience of the illness. Members were informed the fatal neurological condition had both physical and mental effects, with approximately 35% of sufferers also having cognitive issues. It was reported that one third of sufferers died within a year of diagnosis, which made it difficult to give any accurate prognosis on life expectancy.

Ms Moore implored Councillors to support the MND Association by passing the motion and adopting the MND Charter.

To receive reports from Cabinet Members on their portfolios.

Members are reminded that they may ask questions of the Cabinet Member on their reports and portfolio areas but should note that it is not a debate.

1.    Cllr A Brown – Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housingstated that the affordable homes pitch had been mitigated by sales through victory housing and the right to buy, hence the Council was set to pursue greater delivery of affordable homes through the Corporate Plan. Cllr J Rest asked what percentage of the value of right to buy properties was returned to NNDC from Victory Housing, to which Cllr A Brown replied that he would seek clarification and provide a written response. Cllr J Rest suggested that he understood that the approximate value was £60k per property, but would appreciate  clarification of the figure. Cllr A Brown noted that whilst this could be the approximate value, it was important to remember that once sold, the rental revenue was lost. Cllr J Rest noted that £1m had been outlined in the Corporate Plan for affordable homes, and asked whether this could be earmarked for development and not placed in the general fund. Cllr A Brown replied that he would look into whether this would be possible. The Head of Finance and Asset Management stated that the percentage received from sales of right to buy homes varied depending on the size and number of rooms in the property. He added that the receipts for these sales were capital, which meant they could be used for any project.

2.    Cllr S Butikofer – Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services informed Members that two schools had visited the Council in November, and that there were now plans being developed to create a Youth Council for North Norfolk. It was reported that a voter registration enquiry form had been added to the NNDC website, and Members were encouraged to help people register to vote. Members were informed that new software had been acquired for online consultations, which would be used for public consultations on the budget to help determine residents’ spending priorities.

3.    Cllr A Fitch-Tillett – Portfolio Holder for Coastal had given her apologies for the meeting, and Members were informed that a written answer could be given for any questions.

4.    Cllr V Gay – Portfolio Holder for Culture and Wellbeing stated that the key projects were outlined clearly in her report, and that work continued on the sports development strategy and community grants. It was reported that the Chairman of O&S had requested that the Portfolio Holder provide answers to a number of questions raised at the Committee regarding the Splash project. As a result, Cllr V Gay stated that the Splash project contingency consisted of two elements, the first being the construction contingency of £200k, and the second, a client contingency of £79k. She added that to date, £59k of the construction contingency had been spent. In response to concerns raised regarding an unexpected concrete slab and gas main, it was reported that the gas main had been relocated at no additional cost, and that the slab had been removed with the costs covered by the contingency. Neither issue was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Agenda item 7 – Determination of Council Tax Discounts 2020/21

To recommend that Council:

Shall resolve 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 one of the following applies:

Recommendation 1

(a)          The discounts for the year 2020/21 and beyond are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 2.1.

(b)          The premium for long term empty properties (those that have been empty for a consecutive period longer than 24 months) is set at 100% of the Council Tax charge for that dwelling, with the

(c)           The premium for long term empty properties (those that have been empty for a consecutive period longer than 60 months) is set at 200% of the Council Tax charge for that dwelling

(d)          To continue to award a local discount of 100% for eligible cases of care leavers under section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended).

(e)          That an exception to the levy charges may be made by the Section 151 Officer on advice of the Revenues Manager in the circumstances laid out in section 3.6 of this report.

Recommendation 2

(a)          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 and;

(b)          those dwellings described or geographically defined at Appendix A which in the reasonable opinion of the Head of Finance and Asset Management 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.

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.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee supported the recommendations at their meeting on 16 October 2019

Agenda Item 8 - North Walsham - High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme

To recommend to Council:

That up to £975,000 be allocated from capital receipts to match fund the programme delivery.

Agenda Item 7 – Determination of Council Tax Discounts 2020/21

Cllr E Seward introduced the Report, and informed Members that the first recommendation would allow for an increase in the penalty charges placed on empty properties. More specifically, this would allow the Council to charge a 100% premium for homes empty for two years or more, and a 200% premium on properties empty for five years or more. He added that both Cabinet and the Overview & Scrutiny Committee had supported the recommendations.

The recommendations were proposed by Cllr E Seward and seconded by Cllr J Rest.

RESOLVED

Recommendation 1

(a)    The discountsfor theyear 2020/21and beyondare setat the levelsindicated in the table atparagraph 2.1.

(b)    The premium for long term empty properties (those that have been empty for a consecutive period longer than 24 months) is set at 100% of the Council Tax charge for that dwelling, withthe

(c)    The premium for long term empty properties (those that have been empty for a consecutive period longer than 60 months) is set at 200% of the Council Tax charge for thatdwelling

(d)    To continueto awarda localdiscount of100% foreligible casesof careleavers undersection 13Aof theLocal Government Finance Act1992 (as amended).

(e)    That anexception tothe levycharges maybe madeby the Section151 Officeron adviceof theRevenues Managerin the circumstanceslaid out in section3.6 ofthis report.

Recommendation 2

(a)   Those dwellings that are specifically identified under regulation 6 of the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings)(England) Regulations 2003 will retain the 50% discountand;

(b)   Those dwellings described or geographically defined at Appendix A which in the reasonable opinion of the Head of Finance and Asset Management 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.

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.

Agenda Item 8 – North Walsham – High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme

Cllr E Seward presented the Report and informed Members that a requirement of securing funding for the project was to provide match funding, and this was the request for that funding. He then reported that MTI funded works on the St. Nicholas Court precinct was complete and what had been achieved was very impressive.

The recommendation was proposed by Cllr E Seward and seconded by Cllr R Kershaw.

RESOLVED

That up to £975,000 be allocated from capital receipts to match fund the programme delivery.

Agenda Item 7 - Budget Monitoring Report 2019/20 - Period 6

To recommend that Council:

Approves the increases to the capital programme budgets for the schemes identified within paragraph 6.2 of the report. The funding for the first five schemes is to be financed from capital receipts, the £4.5m for the waste vehicles is currently anticipated to come from borrowing, the estimated average annual impact of the borrowing is estimated to be in the region of £600k per annum and will be taken account of as part of the waste contract award and the 2020/21 budget process.

(The Overview & Scrutiny Committee will consider this recommendation at their meeting on 13 November (after publication of the Council agenda) The Chairman will therefore provide a verbal update to Council on 20^th November)

Agenda Item 9 - Corporate Plan 2019 - 2023

To recommend that Council:

Adopts the Corporate Plan 2019 – 2023

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee considered the Draft Framework of the Corporate Plan 2019 – 2023 at meetings on 9 October and 16 October. Several recommendations were made to Cabinet for consideration at their meeting on 04 November 2019)

Agenda Item 7 – Budget Monitoring Report 2019/20 – Period 6

Cllr E Seward introduced the Report and drew Members attention to a factual error on the Business Rates Pool. It was made clear that South Norfolk District Could was still a member of the BRP, and that despite the risks presented by the NHS business rates appeal that was making its way through the courts, the BRP continued unchanged for the time being. In relation to projects that NNDC had intended to use its BRP return to fund, it was confirmed that the A148 recommendations remained, but would not be actioned until the outcome of the NHS case was known.

It was clarified that the North Walsham High Streets and Heritage Action Zone funding had been agreed by Cabinet in October, rather than by Council as stated in the Report.

Cllr N Dixon – Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee stated that the Committee supported and understood the reasoning behind the request for £4.5m of funding for the purchase of waste contract vehicles outlined in the Report. On the NHS business rates appeal, he asked whether this could be added to the Corporate Risk Register. Cllr E Seward replied that the sooner the outcome of the case was known the better, and that he would be happy for the issue to be included on the Corporate Risk Register. He then Thanked Cllr N Dixon for his support on the funding required for the purchase of the waste contract vehicles.

The Recommendations were proposed by Cllr E Seward and seconded by Cllr S Bütikofer.

RESOLVED

That Council approves the increases to the capital programme budgets for the schemes identified within paragraph 6.2 of the report. The funding for the first five schemes is to be financed from capital receipts, the £4.5m for the waste vehicles is currently anticipated to come from borrowing, the estimated average annual impact of the borrowing is estimated to be in the region of £600k per annum and will be taken account of as part of the waste contract award and the 2020/21 budget process.

Agenda Item 9 – Corporate Plan 2019 – 2023

Cllr S Bütikofer – Leader of the Council introduced the item, and said that she was delighted to propose the plan, that would set out the aims and principles of NNDC for the next four years. She stated that the Plan captured the ambition and promises of the administration, and that the delivery plan would come to Council in February 2020.

Cllr N Dixon sought to provide input from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and stated that it was the first time in his experience that the Committee had ever been given the opportunity to review the Corporate Plan. He noted that all Members had been invited to submit written questions on the Plan, and the process had resulted in a very time efficient review. He suggested that the validation of key themes had been limited to the provided by the environmental consultation,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Committee supported Cabinet’s recommendations to Council regarding the ‘Determination of Council Tax Discounts 2020/21’ (see agenda item 10)

There were no further recommendations to Council from this meeting.

Cllr N Dixon noted that the item had already been resolved as part of item 10.

To consider any further recommendations from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 13 November 2019. (Please note this meeting took place after the Council agenda was published. The Chairman will update Members verbally at the meeting of Council on 20 November)

Cllr N Dixon stated that the Scrutiny Committee had supported the recommendations outlined in the Budget Monitoring Report, and that the clarifications on the Splash Project heard during the portfolio holder updates were made at the request of the Committee. He added that the Scrutiny had also reviewed the joint waste contract procurement process at the November meeting, where Members agreed to monitor the performance of the contractor from June 2020, and requested that a client briefing be arranged to take place during the mobilisation stage of contract implementation.

To recommend to Council that Members be reminded of their obligation to attend meetings, give apologies and arrange substitutes.

Cllr N Pearce – Chairman of the Standards Committee informed Members that the Committee sought to remind all Members that they were obligated to attend meetings, give their apologies when they were unable to attend, and arrange substitutes if necessary. He added that Democratic Services would share details of all committee substitutes in the next Members Bulletin.

The recommendation was proposed by Cllr N Pearce and seconded by Cllr L Shires.

RESOLVED

That Members be reminded of their obligation to attend meetings, give apologies and arrange substitutes.  

None Received.

None received.

None received.

None received.

The following Notices of Motion have been received:

1.  Mental Health Challenge for Local Authorities

Proposed by Cllr L Shires, seconded by Cllr W Fredericks.

Launched in 2013, the mental health challenge for local authorities is an initiative led by Centre for Mental Health in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Young Minds.

The wide variety of services offered and delivered by local authorities enables them to have a key role in promoting wellbeing and improving mental health in local communities and for people of all ages.

The aim of the challenge is to encourage and support local leadership for mental health and wellbeing through the appointment of member champion(s) for mental health supported by a lead officer.

NNDC has identified Quality of Life as a priority in the forthcoming Corporate Plan. Signing  the mental health challenge will publicly demonstrate our commitment and role through direct service provision, multi-agency working and in supporting, enabling and influencing partners and communities to achieve outcomes that improve the physical, mental, social and economic health and wellbeing of residents and creating an environment in which communities flourish.

Appointing member champions for mental health will acknowledgement the importance of and highlight the challenges faced by people with mental health needs in our communities.

It is proposed that Cllr. Lucy Shires will become the member champion for mental health supported by Cllr Wendy Fredericks and the Health and Communities Manager as lead officer.

To accept and sign up to the mental health challenge, councils have to register at www.mentalhealthchallenge.org.uk

Once registered councils are asked to formally sign up to the mental health challenge (attached separately) and identify how they will proactively support and delivery of the challenge.

2.   Motor Neurone Disease Charter

Proposed by Cllr V Gay, seconded by Cllr E Spagnola

We propose that this Council adopt the Charter of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (attached)

North Norfolk District Council has been requested to give its formal support to those who suffer from Motor Neurone Disease by adopting the Charter of the Association.  The Charter is simply a statement of the care, support and consideration which those who suffer from Motor Neurone Disease and those who care for them should be entitled to expect.  There is no cure for motor neurone disease.

We hope that all members will join us in adopting the Charter.

3.   Ambulance Response Times

Proposed by Cllr S Butikofer, seconded by Cllr A Brown

This Council is increasingly concerned about the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust’s (EEAST), continued failure to meet their targets in responding to 75% of its most urgent calls within 8 minutes. See attached map for the ratings of our ambulance service against the rest of the UK.

The latest available figures I have, show that even the best performing areas across the District receive a response to their most urgent calls in 8 minutes only 35% of the time, whilst in the worst performing  ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

The following notices of motion were received:

Mental Health Challenge for Local Authorities

The Motion was proposed by Cllr L Shires and seconded by Cllr W Fredericks.

Cllr L Shires stated that all Members had a collective and social responsibility to ensure that the Council strived for better mental throughout the communities of North Norfolk. Cllr W Fredericks added that she had been involved in developing the motion with officers, and felt that it would be a good step forward for the Council to approve the motion, to sign up to the mental health challenge and appoint Cllr L Shires as the Mental Health Champion.

RESOLVED

That Cllr L Shires becomes the Member Champion for Mental Health, and that the Council signs up to the Mental Health Challenge.

Motor Neurone Disease Charter

The motion was proposed by Cllr V Gay and seconded by Cllr A Brown.

Cllr V Gay reminded all Members of the public statement heard earlier in the meeting from the MND association representative. She stated that Motor Neurones Disease  was an exceptionally cruel illness, and that a former Member of the Council had lost their life to it some years ago. Cllr A Brown stated that he had no hesitation in supporting the motion, having had two family members suffer from the illness, and had witnessed his family support them with bravery. He noted the High Court appeal against sufferers’ rights to die, and suggested that approving the motion would provide the MND Association with greater backing and more support.

RESOLVED

That the Council adopt the Charter of the Motor Neurones Disease Association.

Ambulance Response Times

The motion was proposed by Cllr S Bütikofer and seconded by Cllr A Brown.

Cllr S Bütikofer stated that hearing the arrival of an ambulance was a very comforting sound for those in need, but at present waits of up to five hours could be expected in rural areas of the district. It was reported that North Norfolk also had one of the highest incidences of strokes in the UK, and that in order to effectively treat sufferers, action had to be taken within the ‘golden hour’. Cllr S Bütikofer then stated that to great frustration the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn was rated amongst the top six in the country for treating strokes, but this was of little use if ambulances were not available to get patients to the hospital in good time.

Cllr S Bütikofer stated for the record that she wanted to make clear that the motion was in no way aimed at, or intended to reflect upon the staff, who did their utmost to help people in North Norfolk. She then paid tribute to the staff, and stated that without their efforts, the situation would be far worse. 

Cllr N Dixon noted the request for the O&S Committee to establish a Working Group to track progress on the issue, and stated that the Committee had already raised the issue for its annual Work Programme, meaning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

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 item(s) of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) _ of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”