Agenda and draft minutes

To receive announcements from the outgoing Chairman.

The Chairman began by saying she was delighted to inform members that £2,482.02 had been raised at the Civic Reception on 11 April at the Thursford Collection. She thanked the Corporate PA Team for organising the event.

She then spoke about the recent civic events attended:

26 April – Chairman of Norfolk County Council Civic Reception.

27 April - 1st Cromer Sea Scouts, St George’s Celebration Cromer Church.

28 April – Anzac Day Civil Service, St Peter Mancroft Church, Norwich.

08 May – Buckingham Palace Garden Party

09 May – Chairman of South Norfolk District Council 50^th Year Civic Reception

The Chairman then said that she was delighted to have raised £4618,95 and thanked everyone who had donated and raised funds. In addition, £280 was donated privately and again, the Chairman was very appreciative.

The Chairman then invited Julie Alford of the Holt Youth Project to come and accept the cheque on behalf of the Sir Norman Lamb Coalition for Young People. She spoke about the work of the Holt Youth Project, particularly its focus on providing support to young people suffering with anxiety and mental health and welcomed financial support to continue with this vital work.

To elect a Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Chairman invited nominations for a Councillor to hold office as Chairman of North Norfolk District Council, for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

C Cushing proposed Cllr Dr V Holliday. Cllr E Vardy, seconded the proposal.

There being no other nominations, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

That Cllr V Holliday be elected as Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

Before handing the chain of office to the new Chairman, Cllr Butikofer presented a gift to the PA to the Corporate Leadership Team (KS) and thanked her for her support and hard work during the year.

To receive the incoming Chairman’s communications.

The Chairman elect, Cllr Holliday, then presented Cllr Butikofer with her gift and Chairman’s medal.

Cllr Holliday thanked members for electing her as Chairman, saying she would represent the District to the best of her capability. She said that she wanted to spend her year in office focussing on dementia patients and their carers. She hoped to visit as many groups as possible to find out about their work and how they could be supported. She asked members to let her know of any dementia focussed groups in their areas. Regarding her charity for the year, she said that she would like to raise money for small groups across the district, possibly one in each major settlement. She said she would refine her ideas in the next few weeks.

To elect a Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Chairman invited nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Council.

Cllr S Butikofer proposed Cllr P Fisher, Cllr T Adams seconded the nomination.

There being no other nominations it was unanimously

RESOLVED

That Cllr P Fisher be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Chairman presented the Vice-Chairman with their chain of office. The Vice-Chairman then signed the declaration of office.

The Leader began by saying that Cllr Butikofer had covered a number of key roles across the Council and she had really called on her knowledge and experience during her time as Chairman. In addition, Cllr Butikofer had been continuing to provide advice and guidance to other councils across the country. He also extended thanks on behalf of the Council to her consort, former member, Dr Pierre Butikofer. His ongoing support was greatly appreciated.

In conclusion, the Leader said that members were delighted with Cllr Butikofer’s outstanding fundraising achievements during her year in office.

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Bailey, Batey, Bayes, Bull, Heinink, Housden, Neatherway, Paterson, Sims, Spagnola and Withington.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27^th March 2024.

The minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 27^th March were approved as a correct record and signed by the 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 (see attached guidance and flowchart)

None received.

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.

The Leader began by congratulating the Chairman and Vice-Chairman on their election. He also said he wanted to congratulate all the newer members of the council who had now completed their first year in office. He highlighted the challenges that the Council faced and said that the new corporate plan sought to address these. He then spoke about the recent Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review and highlighted the key findings which were very positive.

The Leader spoke about the Local Plan which had now been submitted for examination ahead of its adoption later this year, adding that the Planning Service as a whole continued to excel in line with the Planning Service Improvement Plan.

The Leader then outlined other key achievements from the previous year including the completion of work on the North Walsham Heritage Action Zone, the installation of a solar car port at the Reef Leisure Centre in Sheringham, new public toilet facilities in North Walsham and Fakenham and a major investment to maintain Cromer Pier.

The Economic Growth Strategy had recently been completed and work continued with the High Street Task Force at Stalham. The Council had continued to invest in temporary accommodation and this was proving to be very successful in supporting homeless families across the district. Discussions were ongoing regarding bringing more affordable housing to North Norfolk. However, severe pressures continued on housing provision.

The Leader congratulated the Social Prescribing Service for winning the Norfolk & Waveney award for social prescribing. He welcomed the retention of the Community Connector team, who continued their work engaging across local communities. He then highlighted the continued success in collecting council tax and business rates.

He welcomed the work of Coastwise, which continued to be very successful. Many projects were underway.

As the General Election approached, the Leader said that there would be opportunities for the Council in the coming years and months. He thanked all members for their hard work and support but particularly the new members elected in 2023. Their contributions were acknowledged and valued.

The Chairman introduced this item and invited the Group Leaders to comment. The Leader said that the calculations had been shared in advance of the meeting and he had no comments to make. Cllr Cushing, Leader of the Opposition and Cllr J Punchard, Leader of the Independent Group had nothing to add.

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr J Toye and

RESOLVED to approve

1. The revised political balance calculation as per section 2.3 of this report
2. The allocation of seats to political groups as shown at Appendix A, taking into consideration any arrangements agreed by the Group Leaders
3. That delegation is given to the Group Leaders to make any appointments to committees, sub-committees, working parties & panels.

The Leader will inform Council of any changes to appointments to Cabinet.

The Chairman invited the Leader to provide an update on appointment of Members to Cabinet. He confirmed that there were no changes.

AGENDA NOTE:

If the Council is to approve alternative arrangements for appointments to a committee other than those required by law on political balance, it must be without any member voting against them.

Members are reminded of the requirement for committee members and substitutes on Development Committee and the Licensing Committees to have undertaken the necessary training. The same requirement applies to the Employment & Appeals Committee.

Cabinet members and the Chairman of Governance, Risk & Audit Committee cannot sit or substitute on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Recommendation:

That Council appoints members and substitutes to committees, sub-committees, working parties and panels for 2024/2025, in line with the allocation of seats as set out at agenda item 12.

Please note that the attached appointments are draft and subject to change following discussions between the Group Leaders regarding the review of the Political Balance of the Council (Agenda item 12). Any changes will be announced at the meeting.

The Chairman introduced this item and invited the Group Leaders to speak. The Leader, Cllr Adams, informed members of the following changes:

Cllr S Butikofer to be appointed to Governance, Risk & Audit Committee, with Cllrs P Heinrich and E Spagnola being appointed as substitutes.

Cllr P Bailey to be appointed to Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Cllr P Heinrich to be appointed to both Licensing Committees (Regulatory and Premises & Gambling)

Cllr H Blathwayt to be appointed to Planning Policy & Built Heritage Working Party.

Cllr C Cushing, Leader of the Opposition informed members of the following changes:

Cllr A Fitch-Tillett to be appointed to the Development Committee

Cllr V Holliday to be appointed to the Council Tax Support Working Party.

Cllr J Punchard, Leader of the Independent Group had no changes to make.

It was proposed by Cllr J Toye, seconded by Cllr A Varley and

RESOLVED

That Council appoints members and substitutes to committees, sub-committees, working parties and panels for 2024/2025, in line with the allocation of seats as set out at agenda item 12, including any changes advised by the Group Leaders.

AGENDA NOTE:

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be drawn from the main opposition group and the Vice-Chairman from the ruling group, as set out in the Council’s Constitution (Chapter 4)

Recommendations:

1.     To appoint Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to Committees for 2024/2025

2.     To note the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Executive sub-committees and working parties for 2024/2025

Please note that Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Executive sub-committees and working parties are not Council appointments and are therefore provided for noting only.

The Chairman introduced this item. She invited the Group Leaders to speak. Cllr T Adams proposed that Cllr S Butikofer be appointed as Chairman to the Governance, Risk & Audit Committee. He then asked that a separate vote be taken regarding the Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Monitoring Officer clarified that vote for all the Committee chairmen and vice-chairmen would be taken en bloc, with the exception of the Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, which would be taken separately.

Cllr C Cushing said that he nominated Cllr N Dixon as Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

It was RESOLVED that, with the exception of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

1.     To appoint Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to Committees for 2024/2025

2.     To note the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Executive sub-committees and working parties for 2024/2025

The Chairman then moved to the vote on the Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. She confirmed that Cllr N Dixon was proposed as Chairman with Cllr S Penfold as Vice-Chairman.

11 members voted in favour, none against and 18 members abstained. The appointments were therefore carried and it was RESOLVED

That Cllr N Dixon be appointed as Chairman to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Cllr S Penfold be appointed as Vice-Chairman.

Recommendation:

1.     To approve Council appointments to Outside Bodies and Joint Committees (Appendix A)

2.     To approve the Overview & Scrutiny Committee’s appointment to the Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Appendix B)

3.     To note Executive appointments to Outside Bodies and Joint Committees (Appendix C)

Please note that some appointments to Outside Bodies are made by the Executive (Cabinet) not Full Council and are therefore provided for noting only.

The Chaormn introduced this item and invited the Group Leaders to speak.

Cllr T Adams proposed that Cllr K Toye be appointed as a substitute on the Area Museums Committee and that Cllr W Fredericks be appointed as substitute to the Health & Wellbeing Board, in place of Cllr J Boyle. Cllr T FitzPatrick to be appointed as representative to the A47 Alliance, with Cllr J Toye as a substitute.

Cllr J Toye to be appointed as the representative to North Norfolk Community Transport.

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr A Brown and

RESOLVED

1.     To approve Council appointments to Outside Bodies and Joint Committees (Appendix A)

2.     To approve the Overview & Scrutiny Committee’s appointment to the Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Appendix B)

3.     To note Executive appointments to Outside Bodies and Joint Committees (Appendix C)

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.”