Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Apologies were received from Cllrs P Bailey, D Birch, P Fisher, N Housden, G Mancini-Boyle, E Vardy and A Varley.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 December 2024 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 29^th January 2025.

The minutes of the meeting of 18^th December and 29^th January were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

Cllr J Punchard requested that his attendance was recorded for the December meeting of Full Council.

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.

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 began by asking members to join her for a minutes’ silence in remembrance of former councillor Pierre Butikofer who had recently passed away. She spoke about Dr Butikofer’s love for life and throwing himself into whatever he was doing. He treated everyone the same, it didn’t matter if you were a close friend, an acquaintance or someone who crossed his path in his work as a councillor or magistrate. He always wanted the best for you and for you to be happy. In his professional career Pierre worked for both ICI and IBM. When Pierre eventually retired from IBM, he decided to retrain as a lawyer, completing the three-year degree course in 12 months. He then became a Magistrate and served for over 20 years on the Bench in Norfolk, right through until he died shortly before Christmas 2024. He stood as a district councillor in a by election in Astley ward in 2016 and worked really hard, doing what he enjoyed and then in the 2019 council elections, Pierre moved to represent the Gresham ward. He became Chair of the Licensing Committee and continued as a councillor until he stood down from North Norfolk at the elections in 2023. She concluded by saying that he would be warmly remembered by everyone who had met him and sent his family and friends condolences on their loss.

She then invited the Leader to speak about Dr Butikofer and share his memories of him with members.

The Chairman then spoke about recent civic events that she had attended:

31^st January NNDC Pantomime, Sheringham Little Theatre, £3107,55 raised for local charities!

14^th February – Ceremonial opening of the Annual Kings Lynn Mart

The Leader said that due to the anticipated length of the meeting, he would not provide an update this time.

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

Mr P Harris asked the following question:

The Parish Poll in Cromer on Thursday 13^th February 2024 put forward 4 questions. The first question posed on the parish poll was “With the financial pressures local residents are under, Cromer Town Council should limit the increase to its Council Tax Precept to no more than 10%”.  On a cold dark evening 78% of people taking part in the Parish Poll supported this proposition.

On behalf of residents  I therefore request that NNDC does not agree to a Council Tax Precept set by Cromer Town Council above 10%.

The response was:

The parish poll is a discretionary poll and there is no lawful obligation which allows the District Council to act upon the outcome so unfortunately in this matter the District Council is unable to do anything.

The leader, Cllr T Adams, introduced this item. He explained that it was a statutory annual report.

It was proposed by Cllr T Adams, seconded by Cllr W Fredericks and

RESOLVED

To adopt the Pay Policy Statement and to publish the statement for 2025/2026 on the NNDC Website.

Cllr L Shires, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services, introduced this item. She reminded members that car park fees had been debated at a previous meeting and the next stage was to go out to consultation on the proposed changes. This had now been completed and just one objection had been received.

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

RESOLVED

1. That the Council introduces the car parking order 2025 (as advertised) on Monday 07 April 2025.
2. That the Council considers it is appropriate to make the order without modification

The following recommendations were made by Cabinet to Full Council at the meeting held on 3^rd February:

1.     Recommendation 1

Cabinet Agenda Item 9 - Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025 - 2026

RESOLVED

To recommend that Full Council approves the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2024/25 to 2027/2028

2.     Recommendation 2:

Cabinet Agenda Item 10 - Treasury Management Strategy Report 2025/26

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council that the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 is approved.

3.     Recommendation 3:

Cabinet Agenda item 11 - Capital Strategy 2025 - 2026

RESOLVED

To recommend to Full Council that the Capital Strategy 2025/2026 is approved.

4.     Recommendation 4:

Cabinet Agenda Item 12 - Council Tax Discounts & Premiums Determination 2025-26

RESOLVED to

Recommend to Full Council 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 that:

1)    The discounts for the year 2025-26 and beyond are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 3.1.

2)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2025-26 for eligible cases of hardship under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended). See the associated policy in Appendix B.

3)    That an exception to the empty property levy charges may continue to be made by the Revenues Manager in the circumstances laid out in section 4.2 of this report.

4)    The long-term empty-property premiums for the year 2025-26 (subject to the empty premium exceptions shown in Appendix C) are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 4.2

5)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2025-26 for eligible cases of care leavers under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended).

6)    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 as set out in paragraph 2.1 of this report.

7)    Those dwellings described or geographically defined at Appendix A which in the reasonable opinion of the Revenues Manager 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.

8)    A new second homes premium of 100% as detailed in paragraph 4.3 (subject to the second home premium exceptions shown in Appendix C) is applied from 1 April 2025.

5.     Recommendation 5:

Cabinet Agenda Item 15 - Non-Domestic (Business) Rates Policy 2025-26

RESOLVED

1. It is agreed by Full Council that the Revenues Manager continues to have delegated authority to make decisions up to the NNDC cost value of £4k as indicated in Appendix A.

2. It is agreed by Full Council that the Revenues Manager continues to has delegated authority to make Hardship Relief decisions up to the NNDC cost value of £4k as indicated in Appendix  ...  view the full agenda text for item 105.

Cllr L Shires, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services, introduced this item. She explained that the Medium Term Financial Strategy would be reviewed and updated once the Budget for 2025/2026 had been agreed.

Cllr C Cushing proposed that recommendations 1 – 3 were taken en bloc and then recommendations 4 and 5 en bloc. Cllr T FitzPatrick seconded the proposal.

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

RESOLVED to

1. To approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2024/25 to 2027/2028
2. To approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/2026
3. the Capital Strategy 2025/2026o approve the Capital Strategy 2025/2026

Nine members abstained.

Recommendation 4:

Council Tax Discounts & Premiums Determination 2025-26

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

RESOLVED unanimously

That 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 that

1)    The discounts for the year 2025-26 and beyond are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 3.1.

2)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2025-26 for eligible cases of hardship under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended). See the associated policy in Appendix B.

3)    That an exception to the empty property levy charges may continue to be made by the Revenues Manager in the circumstances laid out in section 4.2 of this report.

4)    The long-term empty-property premiums for the year 2025-26 (subject to the empty premium exceptions shown in Appendix C) are set at the levels indicated in the table at paragraph 4.2

5)    To continue to award a local discount of 100% in 2025-26 for eligible cases of care leavers under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended).

6)    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 as set out in paragraph 2.1 of this report.

7)    Those dwellings described or geographically defined at Appendix A which in the reasonable opinion of the Revenues Manager 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.

8)    A new second homes premium of 100% as detailed in paragraph 4.3 (subject to the second home premium exceptions shown in Appendix C) is applied from 1 April 2025.

Recommendation 5:

Non-Domestic (Business) Rates Policy 2025-26

RESOLVED

1. That the Revenues Manager continues to have delegated authority to make decisions up to the NNDC cost value of £4k as indicated in Appendix A.

2. That the Revenues Manager continues to has delegated authority to make Hardship Relief decisions up to the NNDC cost value of £4k as indicated in Appendix C.

3. That the Rate Relief Policy is revised as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

To consider any recommendations from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 12^th February 2025.

Please note that the Full Council agenda was published before the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting took place. The Chairman will provide a verbal update at the meeting.

The Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Cllr N Dixon, informed members that there were no recommendations that were not already covered elsewhere in the agenda and he said that he would speak to these when they arose.

The Chairman reminded members that there would be a number of recorded votes. She then invited the S151 Officer and Chief Financial Officer to speak on the robustmess of the estimates.

She began by referring members to page 192, s5.7 of the agenda, which provided details of the process which had been carried out in preparing the Budget for presentation to Full Council. She explained that in formulating her opinion, she had considered the 2023/2024 Outturn position, the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and in-year budget monitoring reports for 2025/2026. She had also looked at the cashflow which had been monitored throughout the year.

She was pleased to report that sufficient savings had been found to move the forecast deficit from £995k to a break-even position at the end of the financial year. She thanked officers for their hard work in reducing expenditure.

Regarding the setting of the 2025.2026 Budget, all factors that had an impact were considered, including interest rates, global markets, rate of inflation, borrowing and investment income returns. Fees and Charges and income levels had been thoroughly reviewed and future funding levels were also considered. She said that the final local government settlement had been disappointing. In conclusion, the Chief Financial Officer said that she was satisfied with the assumptions that had been made regarding forecasts and that the level of general and earmarked reserves were adequate and the budget was produced within a robust framework.

The Chairman invited the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services, Cllr L Shires, to introduce the Budget for 2025/2026. Cllr Shires said that before starting her presentation, she would like to ask the Chief Financial Officer to explain the impact of the most recent change to the council tax precept for Cromer Town Council.  The Chief Financial Officer referred members to Appendix F and said that this included the initial precept proposed by Cromer Town Council. She said that there was an amended version of the document which included the updated, lower precept figure and this had impacted on the overall parish and town council precept amount. It did not impact on the District Council’s element of council tax for the year.

The Chairman invited the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services, Cllr Shires, to introduce the Budget for 2025/2026. Cllr Cushing sought clarification about the process and when an amendment would be considered. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Budget speeches would take place first and that an amendment could be put forward before the debate on the main budget.

Cllr Shires began by saying that the focus had been on maintaining the high quality of services that residents relied on whilst being fiscally responsible. She was pleased to announce that a balanced budget had been achieved and this was down to the hard work of officers and members. District Councils continued to face severe financial challenges, particularly in demand led services such as temporary accommodation. Many had sought emergency financial support from the Government or even declared bankruptcy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

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)

The Chairman advised members that there was 30 minutes allocated for this item.

Cllr J Boyle asked Cllr A Brown, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Enforcement, for a brief update on the Local Plan. Cllr Brown said that the next phase of the Local Plan would be a visit from the Planning Inspector from 8^th to 11^th April. He would visit the Council Offices and look at aspects of modifications to the plan. This would include issues such housing trajectory, deliverability of site allocations, the effect of nutrient neutrality and if the Council was compliant with habitat regulations. He concluded by saying that it was intended that the Local Plan would be agreed before local government reorganisation took effect.

Cllr A Fitch-Tillett asked Cllr L Withington, Portfolio Holder for Community Outreach, about call waiting times. She welcomed the fall in waiting time but asked if it was possible to have more detailed information and how the waiting times compared on a benchmarking basis. She referred to the service sector where calls would be answered within 3 rings and asked if a similar approach was taken at NNDC. Cllr Withington said that she would provide a written response.

Cllr J Punchard asked the Leader for an update on 9 Norwich Street, Fakenham. He said that the saga had gone on for a number of years. Concerns had been raised about economic viability in the town and the need for more residential places. Refurbishing this property would address both issues. Cllr Adams said that the property was not owned by the Council and that made it challenging. He said that a decision on this matter would be coming forward to Cabinet in the near future to determine legal routes of action.

Cllr T FitzPatrick said that he had always been supportive of Eastlaw, the Council’s legal arm and asked for an update on current workstreams and the opportunities to provide additional income for the Council. Cllr Adams replied that the Council was very proud of Eastlaw and the work that it did. A Coastal Transition Lawyer had recently been recruited and it was hoped that they would be able to provide support to other coastal authorities.

Cllr K Bayes said that he wanted to ask Cllr A Varley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, a question but in his absence he would put it to the Leader, Cllr Adams. He referred to a recent social media post on collaboration with ‘Make my House Green’ . He asked how the collaboration had come about. He understood that it was a national company based in London and he felt that a local company could provide the same service and offer discounts where possible. He asked whether it was unfair to local businesses by promoting a national company and its services. Cllr Adams said that he would ask Cllr Varley to provide a written response.

Cllr M Taylor spoke about the increasing number of housing developments proposed for Stalham and asked whether the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

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.”