Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Cllr R Macdonald, Cllr G Mancini-Boyle, Cllr L Paterson, Cllr J Punchard, Cllr C Ringer, Cllr E Tooke and Cllr S Bütikofer

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19 November 2025.

The minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 19th November 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

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)

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.

To receive the Chairman’s communications, if any.

The Chair and Vice-Chair had attended the following civic events:

20^th November- Commemoration of Hampden X3023, Templewood, Northrepps.

11^th December- Priscilla Bacon Reflect and Remember Carol Service, Norwich Cathedral

The Chair spoke about the Chairman’s Charity, The Norfolk Wheely boat (Poppy) and thanked Members for donations so far. He reminded them of the annual Christmas charity collection and urged them to give generously.

The Leader, Cllr T Adams, announced the appointment of Cllr L Shires as Deputy Leader of the Council and thanked Cllr W Fredericks for her service in the role previously, recognising the support and energy she had brought to the position and her portfolio during a period of challenge and change.

He noted the delays in the Mayoral elections and expressed personal disappointment at the announcement believing that it undermined LGR and impacted local funding and influence. It remained unclear whether Devolution arrangements would be subject to any further review, but he believed that economic investment spending would be reduced by at least 2/3^rd in the interim.

Cllr Adams welcomed the progress that had been made towards achieving a 7 day a week, hourly train service at West Runton and thanked both Members and the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership for their efforts in this regard.

Cllr Adams thanked Members and staff for their service to the Council and local communities over the last year and took the opportunity to wish everyone an enjoyable and restful Christmas period.

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

None received.

The following petition was submitted to the Council on 2^nd December 2025:

‘Save Sheringham’s Historic Bus Shelter’.

Signatures have not been validated as it is a ‘live’ issue and the petition remains open. At time of publication, the number of signatories stood at 3,780. The threshold for reporting to Full Council is 1500.

The Council’s Petition Scheme can be found here: Microsoft Word - Petitions_ Model_ Scheme.doc - updated.doc

The Chair invited Cllr Adams to speak regarding the petition received in connection with the Sheringham bus shelter.  Cllr Adams noted that this matter was not the responsibility of NNDC with the issues being within the remit of Norfolk County Council and Sheringham Town Council, however, he confirmed NNDC’s willingness to engage in discussions with the relevant parties and the community to resolve the issues and noted the importance of Sheringham obtaining the funding originally allocated to it.  He stated that any proposals needed to ensure the preservation of the bus shelter.

To approve the recommendation from the Overview & Scrutiny Committee to appoint a representative to the Norfolk Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

To receive any other nominations for appointments from the Group Leaders.

Cllr Adams informed members that Cllr W Fredericks would replace Cllr J Boyle on the Governance Risk and Audit Committee.

The Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Cllr V Holliday, confirmed that the Committee had nominated her to be the representative on the Norfolk Health Overview Select Committee.

Resolved unanimously

To appoint Cllr V Holliday as the Council’s representative on the Norfolk Health Overview Select Committee.

To receive reports from Cabinet Members on their portfolios:

Cllr T Adams – Strategy, Countrywide Working and External Partnerships, Performance, Communications, HR & Legal Services.

Cllr H Blathwayt – Coast

Cllr J Boyle – Housing & People Services

Cllr A Brown – Planning & Enforcement

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 Chair invited members to ask questions. He reminded them that it was not a debate and that the session was limited to 30 minutes.

Cllr P Porter asked Cllr A Varley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change & Net Zero for details of the total sum spent to date on projects aimed at net zero objectives and details of how much NNDC had saved in revenue costs to date and how many years it would take to recoup the investment. Cllr Varley confirmed he would provide the information in a written response, he noted that NNDC had invested its own funds but had also been able to leverage third party funding, most notably in connection with retro fitting at Fakenham leisure centre, solar panels at North Walsham and works at the Reef in Sheringham.

Cllr C Cushing asked the leader, Cllr Adams, whether NNDC media coverage  (including information on the NNDC website and an event at the Norfolk show) of Local Government Reform was within the government guidelines, noting that the Publicity Code of Practice required content to be objective, balanced, factual and not to be used to unfairly influence opinion. Cllr Adams noted that some authorities had paid for material to be distributed by post which NNDC had not done.  He stated he was entirely satisfied NNDC was within the guidelines and noted that Councils across Norfolk had broadly engaged with similar activities perhaps with the exception of the content of the NCC produced ‘Your Norfolk’ magazine which had focussed on promoting one option. Cllr Cushing expressed surprise with this position.

Cllr K Leith asked Cllr Varley if there was anything Members could do to assist in promoting the Norfolk Warm Home Scheme. Cllr Varley thanked Officers for their work and suggested Members could be community champions sharing key information on this initiative. The scheme provided access to households who otherwise couldn’t afford it, for insulation, solar panels and heat pumps, saving them money on future heating bills.

Cllr Holliday asked Cllr Boyle, Portfolio Holder for Housing & People Services to confirm that no one would be disadvantaged by the introduction of the new housing allocations scheme.  She noted that to date, close to 1000 individuals who had been invited to reapply under the new scheme, had not done so. Cllr Boyle confirmed that individuals who had not reapplied were being contacted to confirm that they were not being missed off.  She was comfortable that everything was being done to ensure no-one was disadvantaged.  Cllr Holliday asked a supplementary question, asking for clarification as to why, when NNDC has 29 units for temporary accommodation (page 29 of report), 19 households were stated as housed in the report.  Cllr Boyle confirmed she would clarify and provide a written response.

Cllr S Penfold asked Cllr Adams whether he agreed the  announcement that the UK was to rejoin the ERASMUS programme was good news as it would open opportunities for students across North Norfolk. Cllr Adams welcomed the announcement and hoped that young  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

The following recommendations have been made by Cabinet to Full Council:

Cabinet 01 December:

1.    Agenda item 9: Car Park Fees & Charges

Recommendation to Council:

To consider the various options discussed within the report and approve the 

Officer recommendations below:

·         Option 1 & Option 6: increase car parking fees and season ticket fees in line with CPI inflation of 3.8%.

·         For the Asset Management Officer in consultation with the s151 Officer to proceed with the Consultation in relation to the Off Street Parking Places Order.

2.    Agenda Item 10: Fees & Charges 2026-2027

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee supported the recommendations at the meeting held on 12^th November – but requested that in future, ‘Cabinet should be mindful of the inconvenience for cash users caused by using small change such as 5 pence coins’

.

Recommendation to Council:

To approve:

• The fees and charges from 1^st April 2026 as included in Appendix A.
• That delegated authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Directors/Assistant Director to agree the fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required (outlined within the report).

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee supported the recommendations at the meeting held on 12^th November

3.    Agenda Item 11: Council Tax Discounts & Premiums Determinations 2026 -2-27

Recommendations to 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 2026-27 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 2026-27 for eligible cases of hardship under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and that the Revenues Manager has delegated authority to make Discretionary Reductions under the Hardship Policy up to the value of £4k as indicated in 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 2026-27 (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 2026-27 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  ...  view the full agenda text for item 87.

1. Agenda item 9: Car Park Fees & Charges

The Chair invited Cllr Shires, Portfolio Holder for Finances, Estates & Assets, to introduce this item.

Cllr Shires began by thanking the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for their dedication in supporting the discussions.

Cllr Shires identified that Options 1 and 6 remained as the substantive proposal, however she wished to put forward a 3^rd recommendation and apologised for the late inclusion.  She reminded members that last year car parking charges had been introduced at the Hornbeam Rd car park in North Walsham and she suggested a new £3 per day flat rate fee, reviewing it at 6 and 12 months. She noted this was comparable to local NCP charges and may identify demand from local bus travellers.

It was proposed by Cllr Shires, seconded by Cllr P Heinrich and 

Resolved unanimously

To reduce the Hornbeam Rd car parking charges to £3 a day on a trial basis to be reviewed after 6 and 12 months.

Members then voted on the substantive proposal, as amended and

Resolved unanimously

To approve:

a)    No increase to standard car parking up to and including 24 hour tariffs but increase car parking fees for resort and coastal car in line with CPI inflation of 3.8%.

b)    Increase season ticket fees by 3.8%

c)     To reduce the Hornbeam Rd car parking charges to £3 a day on a trial to be reviewed at 6 and 12 months

d)    For the Asset Management Officer, in consultation with the s151 Officer to proceed with the consultation in relation to the Off Street Parking Places Order.

The Chair proposed that the next two recommendations from Cabinet were taken en bloc:

It was therefore RESOLVED

Agenda Item 10: Fees & Charges 2026-2027

To approve:

a)    The fees and charges from 1st April 2026 as included in Appendix A.

b)    That delegated authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Directors/Assistant Director to agree the fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required (outlined within the report).

Agenda Item 11: Council Tax Discounts & Premiums Determinations 2026 -2-27

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 2026-27 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 2026-27 for eligible cases of hardship under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and that the Revenues Manager has delegated authority to make Discretionary Reductions under the Hardship Policy up to the value of £4k as indicated in 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting took place after the Full Council agenda was published. The Chair will provide a verbal update at the meeting outlining any recommendations to Full Council.

Cllr V Holliday, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, provided an update. She confirmed that the Committee had supported the Cabinet recommendations before the Council at this meeting, except the Local Plan which the Committee didn’t see. On those recommendations she raised 2 issues discussed by the Committee, specifically the importance of consistent hourly parking fees in local market towns and the need to ensure that the use of cash was not made too inconvenient for those who continued to use cash.

Cllr Adams proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr J Toye

Resolved unanimously

That Full Council approved the Programme of Meetings for 2026-2027

Cllr L Shires, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services introduced this item. She noted that discussions surrounding the Pier were often contentious and reminded Members that the Pier was a Grade 2 listed structure which would be 125 years old next year. The report highlighted that, whilst the Pier remained safe, it needed some remedial works which were identified after the budget had been set and therefore weren’t included in the capital programme and pushing the work into the capital programme for next year would be costly. Therefore, bringing this matter to the Council before the next budget ensured that those additional costs would not be incurred.

Cllr FitzPatrick noted that regular costs for maintenance were identified and suggested it would be appropriate to undertake a full structural survey and put in place a programme of maintenance that would preserve the structure in a better way than ad hoc repairs. Cllr Adams confirmed that a full structural survey had highlighted the need for this work and these were undertaken as a matter of course and then informed the work planned, together with the regular staff inspections of the structure.

Cllr Bayes asked whether the work had undertaken procurement. The Chief Executive confirmed the Officers advice regarding procurement at paragraph 7.1 of the report.

Cllr Penfold referred to page 219 noting the works would be undertaken in January 2025, and clarified that this should, of course, refer to 2026.

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

RESOLVED unanimously

To approve a budget of £250k to be added to the 2025/26 capital programme, funded by borrowing, to allow the commencement of urgent high-priority substructure works to Cromer Pier.

That delegated authority is granted to the Assets and Property Programme Manager, in consultation with the S151 Officer, to award a contract for the delivery of the works up to the approved budget.

None Received.

None Received.

None Received.

To pass the following resolution:

“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 information relating to Appendix A 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 itemised pricing and lease negotiations. Releasing this information would be likely to prejudice the Council in obtaining best value, in the interests of council tax payers, and would reveal commercially sensitive pricing information of a third party.