Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Apologies were received from Cllrs P Bailey, S Butikofer, N Housden, L Paterson, S Penfold, J Punchard and R Sims.

To confirm the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Council held on 15 May 2024.

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.

To receive the Chairman’s communications, if any.

The Chairman informed Members of recent civic events that they had attended:

6^th June – D Day commemoration and Beacon Lighting in Stalham

9^th June – Civic service and inauguration of the Mayor of Kings Lynn

16^th June – High Sheriff of Norfolk Summer Reception, East Winch Hall

29^th June – Armed Forces Day, Northrepps

29^th June – Cromer Pier Show

To receive announcements from the Leader.

The Leader, Cllr T Adams, began by welcoming Cllr K Leith to the Council following her recent election. He then thanked the Electoral Services team and supporting staff for their hard work at the General Election. The count had gone extremely well and there had been a lot of positive feedback.

The Leader said that he was pleased to inform members that the Council had retained its Green Flags at Holt Country Park, Pretty Corner and Sadlers Wood. He then spoke about the Pier of the Year award, which had been formally received on the opening night of the Cromer Pier Show. He thanked the Council’s Leisure partner, Openwide and the NNDC Property Services team for their hard work in maintaining the pier.

He then spoke about the recent Healthwatch meeting on the future of Benjamin Court in Cromer. The representations by the Council had been welcomed by care providers, former patients and campaigners. The Council had also written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, to highlight the opportunities that the Benjamin Court site presented regarding the provision of beds to relieve the impact of delayed discharging of patients from hospitals. The Council’s response to the Healthwatch consultation would be published on the NNDC website in due course.

The Leader said that the Council had been in contact with the new Government, making the case for opportunities in North Norfolk and would continue to do so in the coming weeks. In conclusion, the Leader encouraged all members to take a break over the summer and enjoy everything that the District had to offer.

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

None received.

The Council has been advised that, following a change to the terms of reference for the Norfolk Community Safety Scrutiny Sub Panel, the representatives must be the same as those appointed to the Norfolk Police & Crime Panel and they must both be drawn from the ruling group.

The Leader has therefore confirmed that the following appointments will be made to both bodies:

Cllr J Toye to be the main representative and Cllr S Butikofer to be the substitute.

Cllr T Adams advised Council of the following changes:

Cllr J Toye to be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Norfolk Community Safety Scrutiny Sub-panel, with Cllr S Butikofer as substitute.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – Cllr P Heinrich to replace Cllr R MacDonald, with Cllr MacDonald becoming a substitute.

Integrated Care Partnership – Cllr W Fredericks to replace Cllr J Boyle as the substitute.

The following appointment was a Full Council decision and Cllr Adams proposed the following appointment, seconded by Cllr L Shires. It was put to the vote and

RESOLVED that

Cllr L Withington would replace Cllr S Penfold on the Norfolk Records Committee

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 C Ringer – IT, Environmental & Waste Services

Cllr L Shires – Finance, Estates & Assets

Cllr J Toye – Sustainable Growth

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)

Cllr T FitzPatrick asked the Leader, Cllr T Adams, about the ongoing problem of the long-term scaffolding in Norwich Street, Fakenham. He said he was receiving complaints from residents on a continual basis. He said that it was dangerous as people had to step onto the road to get past and it also looked a mess. People on mobility scooters found it particularly dangerous. He concluded by asking why this listed building was still being left neglected after 5 years. He referenced the publication ‘Stopping the Rot’ by Historic England, which provided guidance for local authorities on managing buildings that were falling into disrepair and questioned whether there was an intention to compulsory purchase the property before it collapsed.

Cllr Adams replied that he appreciated the concerns that had been raised regarding this property but reminded members that it did not belong to the Council and options to address the issues were limited. However, there had been an agreement regarding the scaffolding and the access would be improved soon. Regarding a compulsory purchase, he said that he wished it was a straightforward process and despite a brief reference to it in the King’s Speech, it was not yet clear whether it would be simplified and made less costly for local authorities. As it currently stood, the process was lengthy and complex. He concluded by saying that discussions were ongoing with the owner of the property and all options would be considered in the future.  Cllr FitzPatrick asked whether a dangerous building notice had been served and whether the Leader could confirm that all the required processes had been followed to date. Cllr Adams replied that any immediate danger posed by the property had been addressed several years ago. Adding that dialogue continued with the owner of the property and local members were welcome to participate in this if they wished.

Cllr L Vickers said that she also wanted to comment on this issue. She said that there was no reason why the matter should proceed at a glacial pace. Several months ago she had requested that officers take independent advice regarding the rights and responsibilities of the owners and the options for the Council. However, when Cllr Vickers had asked to see this advice, none had been received. She asked if Cllr Adams would commit to officers receiving independent legal advice so they could proceed with addressing the issues as a matter of urgency. Cllr Adams said that the Council had pushed back firmly regarding the rights and obligations of the leaseholders and the Chamber wasn’t an appropriate setting to discuss this matter. There was no decision to be made immediately, however, where any resources were needed to deal with the issue, then Cabinet would consider them favourably. He said that the Council was doing everything it could to address the problems but it was not straightforward. Regarding legal advice, Cllr Adams said that when it was needed it would be sought. The Council had an in-house legal team and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Chairman asked the Leader, Cllr Adams, if he wanted to speak to this item. He said that it was a statutory report for information only following any changes to the political make-up of the Council.

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

RESOLVED

1. That Council approves the revised political balance calculation as per section 2.6 of this report
2. That Council approves the allocation of seats to political groups as shown at Appendix A, noting that there is no change to the previous allocation agreed at the AGM on 15^th May 2024.

The following recommendations to Full Council were made by Cabinet at the meeting held on 8^th July:

Please note that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting took place after the Full Council agenda was published. The Chairman will provide a verbal update at the meeting of any recommendations made in relation to any of the items listed below.

1.     Cabinet Agenda Item 10: Outturn Report 2023 – 2024

RESOLVED to recommend the following to Full Council:

a)  The provisional outturn position for the General Fund revenue account for 2023/24 (as shown in Appendix A);

b)  The transfers to and from reserves as detailed within the report (and Appendix C) along with the corresponding updates to the 2024/25 budget;

c) The deficit of £0.937m relating to service overspends be funded from the General Reserve (£0.737m) and the Treasury Management Reserve (£0.200m);

d) The balance on the General Reserve of £2.148m

e)  The surplus of £2.1m relating to retained business rates be transferred to the Business Rates Reserve;

f) The financing of the 2023/24 capital programme as detailed within the report and at Appendix D.

g) The updated capital programme for 2024/25 to 2026/27 and scheme financing as outlined within the report and detailed at Appendix E;

h) The roll-forward requests as shown in paragraph 5.5.

i)               Approval of additional funding to cover capital project overspends of £0.429k as detailed in paragraph 6.7.

2.     Cabinet Agenda Item 11: Treasury Outturn Report 2023 – 2024

RESOLVED to recommend the Treasury Outturn Position to Full Council, (subject to amendment following clarification of figures in Table 1 and Table 2 in Appendix A)

3.     Cabinet Agenda Item 12: Debt Recovery 2023 – 2024

RESOLVED to 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 suggested change to the delegated authority as shown in appendix 2 for write offs (increase team leaders’ authorisation levels from £4k to £5k which is line with other authorisations).

4.     Cabinet Agenda Item 13: Housing Benefit Debt Recovery Report – 1^st April 2023 to 31^st March 2024

RESOLVED to recommend that Full Council approves the annual report detailing Housing Benefit Overpayment debt recovery in accordance with the Council’s Debt Recovery Policy, Write-off Policy and Housing Benefit Overpayment Recovery Policy.

The Chairman asked members if they wished to take the recommendations en bloc or consider them separately. Cllr Adams said that he was supportive of the recommendations being taken en bloc. Cllr L Shires, Portfolio Holder for Finance, agreed and said she welcomed any comments from members.

Cllr C Cushing referred to page 82 of the report, it stated that the income for Serco performance failures was £572k. He asked Cllr Shires if this figure surprised her and said he hoped she would confirm that it was not being relied on to balance the budget going forward. He also asked about the Innovation Fund and what this would be used for. Cllr Ringer, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Waste, replied that the fund was there to hold income generated by performance failures relating to the waste contract and the money was ring-fenced for spending on innovations to improve the delivery of the contract.  He gave the example of introducing measures to improve carbon reduction or cleaning services.

Cllr Cushing asked if the income raised due to performance failures on the waste contract was likely to be lower in this financial year. Cllr Ringer replied that it was too early to say but he was hopeful that it would be lower, however it did depend on performance across the three councils involved in the shared contract.

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

RESOLVED

1. Cabinet Agenda Item 10: Outturn Report 2023 – 2024

RESOLVED to recommend the following to Full Council:

a)  The provisional outturn position for the General Fund revenue account for 2023/24 (as shown in Appendix A);

b)  The transfers to and from reserves as detailed within the report (and Appendix C) along with the corresponding updates to the 2024/25 budget;

c) The deficit of £0.937m relating to service overspends be funded from the General Reserve (£0.737m) and the Treasury Management Reserve (£0.200m);

d) The balance on the General Reserve of £2.148m

e)  The surplus of £2.1m relating to retained business rates be transferred to the Business Rates Reserve;

f) The financing of the 2023/24 capital programme as detailed within the report and at Appendix D.

g) The updated capital programme for 2024/25 to 2026/27 and scheme financing as outlined within the report and detailed at Appendix E;

h) The roll-forward requests as shown in paragraph 5.5.

i)               Approval of additional funding to cover capital project overspends of £0.429k as detailed in paragraph 6.7.

2. Cabinet Agenda Item 11: Treasury Outturn Report 2023 – 2024

RESOLVED to recommend the Treasury Outturn Position to Full Council, (subject to amendment following clarification of figures in Table 1 and Table 2 in Appendix A)

3. Cabinet Agenda Item 12: Debt Recovery 2023 – 2024

RESOLVED to 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 suggested change to the delegated authority as shown in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To consider any further recommendations from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17^th July.

The Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Cllr N Dixon, informed members that the recommendations from the last meeting of the Committee had not yet been finalised and he proposed that they came to the next Full Council meeting for consideration.

Following approval by Cabinet at the meeting held on 8^th July, Full Council is recommended to approve the following recommendations from the Governance, Risk & Audit Committee (meeting of 26^th March 2024):

1.     Anti Money Laundering Policy

That Full Council approves the anti-money laundering policy.

2.     Counter-fraud, Corruption and Bribery Policy

That Full Council approves the Counter Fraud, Corruption and Bribery policy, as amended.

The policies are included in the Governance, Risk & Audit Committee Agenda of 26^th March 2024: Home | Agenda for Governance, Risk and Audit Committee on Tuesday, 26th March, 2024, 2.00 pm (north-norfolk.gov.uk)

In the absence of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of GRAC, Cllr J Boyle, introduced this item. She said that the reports had been fully considered by the Committee and Cabinet and she proposed the recommendations.

It was proposed by Cllr J Toye, seconded by Cllr J Boye and

RESOLVED to approve

1.     The anti-money laundering policy.

2.     The Counter-fraud, Corruption and Bribery Policy, as amended.

None Received.

None received.

None Received.

None received.

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