Agenda

Executive Summary

This report is being presented to seek approval from full Council for the capital expenditure to be added to the Capital Programme for 2025/26 for the purchase of vehicles and caddies required for the introduction of food waste collection services within the area of North Norfolk District Council. This service is to be delivered by Serco on behalf of the Council.

Options considered

1. Allocating capital budget for this project at this time would allow the Council to make arrangements for purchase of vehicles, equipment, and caddies, so as to be in a position to comply with the legislation, and to avoid delays in the supply chain in making these purchases.
2. Not to allocate capital budget to this project at this time would hinder progress to procure vehicles or equipment associated with the delivery of a food waste service. This option is not recommended as it is in breach of the legislation and could result in legal action being taken against the Council.

Consultation(s)

Not applicable

Recommendations

It is recommended that Council approves a budget of £1.956m be added to the capital programme for 2025/26 which will be funded by the new burdens funding provided by Government of £1.456m and the use of the Environmental Health reserve (to fund the balance) to allow the procurement of vehicles and equipment to commence.

Reasons for recommendations

To ensure compliance with the introduction of a new legislation

Background papers

None

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr C Ringer

Contact Officer

Emily Capps – Assistant Director Environmental and Leisure Services – 01263 516274

Executive Summary

MHCLG confirmed on 27 March 2025, the award to North Norfolk District Council of £437,259 capital funding for the period 2025-26; the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

 Full Council approval is being sought to add the capital expenditure (£437,259) to the capital programme for 2025/26 so that the funding can be defrayed.

It will be defrayed in accordance with the Government’s programme rules and is considered a rural top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for which a programme was agreed by Cabinet in February 2025. It is, in effect, a continuation of the REPF grant that was administered over the past two years (the outcomes of which were reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9^th April 2025).

Options considered

Not applicable. This grant will be received and needs to be allocated in the budget. Rejecting the grant is the only alternative option, which is clearly not worthy of consideration.

Consultation(s)

Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth

Director of Resources/S151 Officer

Monitoring Officer

Recommendations

That full Council approve that  £437,259 be added to the capital programme for the Rural England Prosperity Fund and that will be funded by a specific grant allocation from Central Government that has to be fully spent during the financial year 2025-26.

Reasons for recommendations

The Council has received a REPF grant allocation from Central Government and in accordance with its Constitution full Council must approve that the capital expenditure it will incur in defraying this grant is added to the capital programme.

NNDC received the funding allocation announcement on 27 March 2025 and it was therefore not possible to bring this report to Full Council earlier. The period within which this funding must be defrayed is 1^st April 2025 to March 31^st 2026, so it is essential to minimise any delays.