Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Apologies were received from Cllrs D Birch, A Brown, G Bull, G Mancini-Boyle, R Sims and E Spagnola.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21^st February 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21^st February 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 (see attached guidance and flowchart)

Cllr L Shires declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 12. She was a member of the Victory Gym in North Walsham.

To receive the Chairman’s communications, if any.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman spoke about recent civic events that they had attended:

25^th February – Civic Service hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wisbech

17^th March – the High Sheriff of Norfolk, Service of Youth and Hope, Kings Lynn Minster

The Chairman thanked everyone for taking part in the bake sale and Easter raffle on 19^th March. £515 was raised for her charity, which was a huge amount.

To receive announcements from the Leader.

The Leader began by saying that in Cllr Brown’s absence, he wished to apologise on his behalf for the comments that had been made regarding a planning application in Happisburgh. He explained that Cllr Brown had previously supported a deferral of the application at Development Committee and it was certainly not his intention to upset anyone.

He then went onto speak about the RNLI Museum in Cromer. He said that the meeting scheduled for 11^th April had been brought forward to 28^th March and an extension to the existing lease would be discussed.

The Leader thanked staff and the contractor involved in the works at Black Swan Loke, North Walsham. It had recently been completed and looked really good.

Finally, he wished all members and officers a restful Easter break.

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

None received.

To receive any updates from the Group Leaders regarding changes to appointments.

The Leader, Cllr T Adams, announced the following changes to committee appointments:

·       Licensing Committee (Regulatory & Premises and Gambling) – Cllr D Birch to be appointed as Vice-Chairman

·       Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party – Cllr M Hankins to be appointed as Chairman

·       Standards Committee – Cllr J Boyle to be appointed as Chairman

·       Cabinet – Cllr J Toye to be appointed as Portfolio Holder  for Sustainable Growth

To receive reports from Cabinet Members on their portfolios:

Cllr T Adams - Executive Support & Legal Services

Cllr H Blathwayt – Coast

Cllr A Brown – Planning & Enforcement

Cllr W Fredericks – Housing and People Services

Cllr P Heinrich – Sustainable Growth

Cllr C Ringer – IT, Environmental & Waste Services

Cllr L Shires – Finance, Estates & Assets

Cllr A Varley – Climate Change & Net Zero

Cllr L Withington – Community, Leisure & Outreach (Including Health & Wellbeing)

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.

No member may ask more than one question plus a supplementary question, unless the time taken by members’ questions does not exceed 30 minutes in total, in which case, second questions will be taken in the order that they are received (Constitution, Chapter 2, part 2, section 12.2)

The Chairman advised members that the report for the Sustainable Growth portfolio was missing from the agenda pack due to an administrative error. It would be circulated after the meeting.

The Chairman invited questions from members:

Cllr C Cushing asked the Leader about the number of Cabinet members. Neighbouring councils had seven Cabinet members, compared to the nine appointed at NNDC. He asked why NNDC had so many, saying that a reduction to seven would be a substantial cost saving over the next three years. The Leader replied that he had no intention currently of reducing the number of Cabinet members, adding that NNDC had the addition of a Coastal Portfolio Holder unlike some councils. He said that other demands such as housing pressures and the Council’s Net Zero commitment, were reflected in the portfolio structure. He concluded by saying that all Cabinet members were extremely busy and he felt that it wouldn’t be helpful to spread the workload more thinly, adding that the situation may change in the future.

Cllr K Bayes commented on the Council’s Outlook magazine, which was produced in-house and circulated to all residents of the district. He said that there was no mention at all of his ward, Stalham, and asked if future issues could reflect all of the district’s market towns to ensure even and fair coverage. The Leader replied that Stalham would be covered in the next issue and that the magazine focussed on relevant topics. He welcomed Cllr Bayes comments that it was an important way of communicating with residents, particularly those who struggled to access the internet and digital services.

Cllr P Fisher asked the Leader about proposed changes to holiday let tax relief and whether he believed that they would have the desired impact. He also asked for an update on second homes council tax premiums. The Leader replied that the Council had no involvement with capital gains tax changes to holiday lets and he was concerned that holiday let owners had not been consulted. He said that NNDC continued to push for locally controlled taxation and registration. Ultimately, none of these changes would benefit the residents of North Norfolk. Regarding the second homes premium, discussions were ongoing with other Norfolk councils. There had been a change in Government guidance, regarding the use of second a home for the purposes of work. These would now be excluded, which was probably a positive outcome. A business plan would be produced setting out how the Council intended to use the revenue generated from second homes council tax and this would be shared in due course.

Cllr M Taylor asked Cllr L Shires, Portfolio Holder for Finance & Assets, about the Council’s decision to issue a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the former Shannock’s Hotel site in Sheringham. He asked whether the Council would consider looking at sites in Stalham that were considered to be an eyesore, such as the old Highways depot. He asked whether purchasing such sites was now a policy and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134.

Cabinet 11 March – Agenda Item 11: Local Economic Strategy & Action Plan

Resolved to recommend to Council:

To approve the Local Economic Strategy & Action Plan

Local Economic Strategy & Action Plan

Cllr J Toye, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth introduced this item. He said that it had been to Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet for consideration and the recommendations made by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee were being worked on. He thanked the previous Portfolio Holder, Cllr P Heinrich for his hard work  and support in producing the strategy. He reminded members that 40% of residents in the district lived in the rural countryside and he intended to focus on the benefits of the strategy for this demographic as well as the urban and coastal areas.

Cllr C Cushing said that he wanted to reiterate the key points highlighted by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. He began by mentioning the structure and length of the document and said that it should be short and focussed so that businesses could access it easily. He added that there was good information in the strategy but separate sections for each economic sector in the district would be beneficial.

Cllr N Dixon, Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, reiterated Cllr Cushing’s comments. He said that the inclusion of the case studies was very useful but that they didn’t need to be attached to the strategy – they were helpful and enlightening on their own. He went onto say that the document was disjointed it should be succinct and focussed. He added that merging the strategy and the action plan was confusing and could even act as a deterrent for business owners.

Cllr Toye thanked members for their comments.

Cllr L Shires said that the language in the strategy was accessible and the action plan was substantial and set out delivery dates and outcomes. She thanked the officers and Cllr Heinrich for their work.

Cllr L Withington said that the breadth of businesses involved in the case studies was to be welcomed and she felt it would encourage businesses to invest in the district.

Cllr J Boyle said that it was a well-rounded document and easy to understand.

Cllr V Holliday said that Overview & Scrutiny Committee had also requested an analysis of the visitor economy and she was concerned that this had been lost, with the wider focus on a summary strategy document, Cllr Toye replied that this information was being prepared.

It was proposed by Cllr J Toye, seconded by Cllr P Heinrich and

RESOLVED

To approve the Local Economic Strategy & Action Plan.

Ten members abstained.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee made the following recommendation to Full Council at the meeting held on 14^th February:

‘To request that Full Council agrees to write to the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) setting out the evidence associated with the shortfall in allocation and the anticipated annual capital costs that the Council will incur in relation to food waste collection’

** Please note that the agenda for Full Council was published before the March meeting of Overview & Scrutiny Committee took place. The Chairman will provide an oral update at the meeting**

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee made the following recommendation to Full Council at the meeting held on 14^th February:

‘To request that Full Council agrees to write to the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) setting out the evidence associated with the shortfall in allocation and the anticipated annual capital costs that the Council will incur in relation to food waste collection’

Members resolved to support the recommendation.

The Leader, Cllr Adams introduced this item. He explained that the report set out the Council’s preferences in terms of procurement for the project and addresses the inflationary impact. He added that there was a risk element until the relevant Government department confirmed the funding provision. The project was worth £11m of investment in the Fakenham locality and together with the roundabout project and the works to the Queen’s Road car park public conveniences, meant that this was the largest sum of capital funding spent on any location in the district, including sea defence works since 2003. He said that the Council was proud to secure the funding and looked forward to working with the Town Council and Everyone Active, the Council’s leisure provider.

Cllr L Withington, Portfolio Holder for Leisure Services, updated members on the outcome of recent meetings of the Fakenham Leisure & Sports Hub (FLASH) Steering Group.  Recent design changes had been well received and it was agreed that a 4-lane pool was sufficient to. In conclusion, she said that everything was proceeding well and as stated by Cllr Adams, the largest risk was a delay to the allocation of funding.

Cllr C Cushing commented on the FLASH steering group meetings and said that they had been very productive and collaborative. He added that there was overwhelming support from local residents for the project. He agreed that the award of the funding was key to the project progressing on time.

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr L Withington and

RESOLVED that

·       Progress on the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub Project to date is noted.

·       Members note the predicted inflationary costs of £450,000since the bid was submitted and agree to make budgetary provision to meet these additional costs not covered by the Levelling-up Funding.

·       That Members note that no formal confirmation of funding has been received from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

·       Members agree to the use of a Two Stage Design and Build procurement process for the delivery of the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub project via a direct award to Contractor A through a Framework.

·       Members agree to make additional budgetary provision in respect of the Framework fees to a maximum of £330,000

·       Members delegate to the to the Director of Communities, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Portfolio Holder for Finance, to make the award through the framework which it is felt delivers the best cost benefit, considering the cost of access and additional services provided.

To consider any questions received from members.

None Received.

None Received.

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) 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”

Information in this appendix involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3, Part 1 of schedule 12A (as amended) to the Local Government Act 1972.

This paragraph relates to:

Para 3.  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure for the following reasons:

The information is commercially sensitive, relating to commercial options being considered by the authority. Releasing this information would be likely to have a prejudicial impact upon third parties as well as the Council in obtaining best value.