Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Apologies were received from Cllr Bailey, Batey, Butikofer, Hankins, Heinrich, Puchard, Ringer and Varley

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25^th September 2024.

The minutes were approved as a true and accurate record, and these were signed by the Chair.

Proposed Cllr Withington, Seconded Cllr Neatherway

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 updated members on the following civic events she had attended:

·         Royal British Legion Branch Standard – Laying up Event - 28 September 2024 – St Nicholas Church – New standard bearer. Royal British Legion is going from strength to strength in Blakeney.

·         50 Years of NNDC Celebration – 02 October 2024 – NNDC

·         Thank you to all the staff who brought food and for all the people who put together the montage. It was lovely to see so many old friends.

·         High Sheriff of Norfolk’s Justice Service – 13 October 2024 – Norwich Cathedral – very interesting, High Sheriff was very grand. very solemn service

·         Trafalgar Day Supper – 21 October 2024 – Kings Lynn Town Hall - very interesting evening learnt a lot about Trafalgar Day

·         Mayor of Wisbech Cllr Sidney Imafidon – 22 October 2024 – Charity Indian Supper

·         Dedication of the Field of Remembrance – 24 October 2024 – Cromer Churchyard – a very nice service.

·         Songs that Won the War – 09 November 2024 – Hoveton Village Hall – Great fun. The Jeff Short Swing Band were brilliant had a wonderful time at Hoveton Village Hall.

·         Remembrance Parade and Service – 10 November 2024 – Cromer Parish Church – very solemn and memorable remembrance parade and service.

·         Remembrance at NNDC Office – 11 November 2024 – NNDC Office - Thought provoking moment of remembrance.

The Chairman then invited Alison Jackson to speak from the Memory Lane Café, Mundesley about their dementia group.

There had previously been a dementia cafe in Mundesley, and Alison and her fellow church warden, Bob White, could really see a need for this to return.

They talked to a number of different people, went to Cameo café at North Walsham and Poppy café in Holt to get ideas of what could be done.

The aim of the group is to help those that are suffering from dementia, those that are caring for those with dementia and those that have lost someone with dementia.

Various volunteers that come and help, from within the area.

The constitution states that the Memory Lane Café aims to hold friendly fortnightly sessions in Mundesley Community rooms, providing drinks, cakes, games and entertainment in a safe and relaxed atmosphere for those suffering with dementia, their support group, be it carers or family and the group comes under the umbrella of All Saints Community Church. The Memory Lane café is a non-religious group that is open to all.

Cllr Fredericks stated that she was very grateful to Alison and Bob for bringing back the much-needed Dementia café and urged people to attend if they thought it could be of help.

Cllr Withington responded that she understood how important the facility is to the residents in Mundesley. She explained that it is possible for people to live well with dementia but that they can’t live well with dementia without the support of these amazing groups.

Cllr Neatherway declared that he could not think of anyone who would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

The Leader, Cllr T Adams began by congratulating the Revenues Service for being declared by the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation Performance Awards the ‘Revenues Team of the Year! We are now recognised as the best Revenues Services out of all the District/Borough councils nationally!

He also commented that North Norfolk District Council has become the first non-stock holding Council in the East of England to be awarded the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation, the UK benchmark for how housing providers should respond to people experiencing domestic abuse.

The Leader was also able to confirm that NNDC have now received confirmation of funding from the Government for the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub (FLASH) project.

He said that it was lovely to be able to provide some good news stories at a fairly grim time, showing that the Council remains highly functional despite the numerous challenges currently being faced.

Both members and officers are currently trying to understand the ambiguity of the autumn budget. 62 households are currently in temporary accommodation, but this may increase in the coming days and weeks due to the severe weather protocol. So far, the Council has spent £1.3 million on temporary accommodation this year, without this expenditure the Council would not be considering the cost cutting measures currently under discussion.

Cllr Toye updated members on the Council’s Gold award for the Defence Employer recognition scheme. The Council has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, showing its commitment to veteran forces, reservist and cadet forces. A huge amount of work has gone into this. Cllr Toye thanked those officers that have been involved in the work which is important not only to North Norfolk but to the nation.

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

The Chairman invited Martin Booth to speak on behalf of the Save Benjamin Court Campaign.

Mr Booth started by providing a bit of background to his question.

Benjamin Court has been sitting empty since July last year, when the County Council decided to withdraw the reablement service from it without any consultation.

The Save Benjamin Court Group are campaigning for the centre to be reopened for reablement and rehabilitation for those discharged from hospital who are not yet ready or able to go home.

He stated that the group were very grateful to the Council and Parish Councils for the support it has shown for this aim.

The NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board conducted a public engagement exercise which included a HealthWatch survey. Of the 295 people who responded – 79% said they wanted Benjamin Court reopened for rehabilitation and reablement. The other 21% said they wanted it reopened for another health use. Despite this at the end of September the ICB said that it did not meet their model of care and have said it is not financially viable. They have therefore passed the building back to NHS Property Services who are now looking to dispose of the building.

This is in light of figures that have been obtained that show that £10 million a month is being wasted on people being in hospital when they are fit to go home but do not have the necessary care provision or support in place to allow this.

There is now a concern over what will happen to the building as there may be decisions in the future that we need the facility, but the building will be gone and no longer available for this purpose.

Question being asked is: Will the Council directly approach NHS Property Services to ensure the Benjamin Court site in Cromer will continue to be used for health purposes?

Cllr Adams responded to say that the Council has written to the Government again regarding this matter. The outcomes that have been reached are at odds with the “Health in an Ageing Society” report (Professor Chris Witty Annual Report 2023). The Council feels the ICB is moving with undue haste with respect to the disposal of this property. This is a relatively modern clinical setting that could be serving the needs of residents across the District and more specifically those patients at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital who are medically fit to leave hospital but may need time to regain their confidence, be assessed for a care package, need adjustments or adaptations to their homes or secure a place in a supported care setting. We welcome the continued efforts of the campaigners and the Overview & Scrutiny Committee members of this council.

The Council is committed to continuing to question relevant NHS departments including NHS estates over this issue.

Any information received will be fed back to Members and residents through the appropriate channels. 

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 Bayes asked Cllr Shires, following the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting where it was announced that the Collector’s Cabin in Cromer requires a new thatched roof with an estimated cost of £30,000, that given the Council’s current financial position a far cheaper option should be investigated. This would also help to reduce the insurance costs as thatched roofs are expensive to insure.

Cllr Shires responded that Officer Stankley is currently investigating this, and further information will be provided at the next Council meeting when this item will be discussed further.

Cllr Vickers asked Cllr Withington why the Council has removed the gates on the Lawn’s Children’s play area in Fakenham. Officers have said the gates have been removed as they no longer meet safety standards and replacing them would cost £700.00, however there is no money left in the budget for the replacement of these. How is it therefore possible that £65,000 has been set aside for new play area in Sheringham but the Council can’t provide £700.00 for a gate in Fakenham.

Cllr Withington passed this question to Cllr Shires.

Cllr Shires replied that she wasn’t aware of this matter and asked that Cllr Vickers provided information of her conversations in an email so that this could be addressed.

Cllr Leith requested that Cllr Brown provide an update on the Local Plan consultation progress.

Cllr Brown answered that the next round of the Local Plan journey is a public consultation, which was launched on 7 November and will run until 19 December. The consultation focuses on additional sites and provision for additional small growth sites in villages being included. Online submission system allows submissions via a form, email, letter and in person.

Initially there was a couple of issues with this system, but these have now been resolved. So far 23 submissions have been received online and 7 offline, all of which have been responded to in a timely manner. These will then be submitted to the inspector, and he will revisit in the spring. If the modifications can be agreed it is hoped the Plan can be adopted in May.

Planning training will be held on Friday morning at 9.30am in the Boardroom – every member is invited – this will enable you to be a member or substitute member of Development Committee 9.30am

Cllr Taylor enquired whether Cllr Fredricks felt that bigger ideas were needed in light of the £9 million black hole the Council is facing to address the pressure on temporary accommodation.

Cllr Fredericks thanked Cllr Taylor for highlighting the fact the Council have not been properly funded for the last 14 years. This situation is critical, and we are doing everything we can, we have bought 25 units of temporary accommodation, which is saving the Council a vast amount of money. Currently the Council is looking at a £1.3 million net cost of temporary accommodation in nightly paid accommodation and if we hadn’t bought these 25 properties this would have been double.

This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

To receive an update from the Group Leaders on any changes to appointments to committees, sub-committees, working parties and outside bodies, if any.

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

Cllr Fredericks to be appointed to the Planning Policy and Built Heritage Working Party.

Cllr Brown to be appointed to the Norfolk Rivers Internal Drainage Board replacing Cllr Ringer.

The following appointment was a Full Council decision and Cllr Adams proposed the following appointment, seconded by Cllr Toye

It was put to the vote and RESOLVED that Cllr Brown would be appointed to the Norfolk Rivers Internal Drainage Board.

Car Park Fees and Charges

1. Fees for the Council’s Standard Car Parks be increased by 10p per hour, 20p per hour for Resort Car Parks, and 30p for the Coastal Car Parks.
2. No Evening or Seasonal Charges be introduced at this time.
3. Season Ticket prices be increased in line with inflation.
4. Coach Car Parking Charges be increased £2.5 hr / £13 for 24hr. No weekly charge to be introduced at this time.
5. 3hrs Car Parking be offered for leisure users at Victory Leisure Centre. Hornbeam Road (North Walsham) to be as standard but charged via app only with permit holders also having usage.
6. Beach Road and Gold Park (Mundesley) be re classified as a Resort Car Park.
7. To proceed with consultation on the updated Off-Street Parking Places Order.
8. Car Parking fees and charges be reviewed again in 2025/2026

Car Park Fees and Charges

1. Fees for the Council’s Standard Car Parks be increased by 10p per hour, 20p per hour for Resort Car Parks, and 30p for the Coastal Car Parks.
2. No Evening or Seasonal Charges be introduced at this time.
3. Season Ticket prices be increased in line with inflation.
4. Coach Car Parking Charges be increased £2.5 hr / £13 for 24hr. No weekly charge to be introduced at this time.
5. 3hrs Car Parking be offered for leisure users at Victory Leisure Centre. Hornbeam Road (North Walsham) to be as standard but charged via app only with permit holders also having usage.
6. Beach Road and Gold Park (Mundesley) be re classified as a Resort Car Park.
7. To proceed with consultation on the updated Off-Street Parking Places Order.
8. Car Parking fees and charges be reviewed again in 2025/2026

Cllr Cushing asked if it would be possible to take recommendations B to H on block: but proposed that recommendation A should be changed so there was no increase in the fees on Standard car parks.

Cllr Cushing explained that the proposal initially was for a flat rate increase of 20p per hour across all car parks, which would have raised £410,000. At the time it was explained that the Council were looking to raise circa £400,000 from this proposal and it was then other permutations were discussed. At the time he had suggested no increase for the Standard car parks. Standard car parks only represent 9% of income and therefore the 10p increase would only raise £32,700. If we looked at the proposals currently put forward, he stated they will actually raise over £473,000 well above the £410,000 that was initially proposed.

Cllr Cushing therefore proposed that losing the £32,000 increase through the 10p per hour rise across the Standard car parks, the Council would still raise £440,000. This would provide a great deal of support to the shop owners in inland towns such as Fakenham, North Walsham and Stalham. So, while this proposal would have no impact on the Council, as it is such a small amount of money to the Council it would provide big support for businesses.

Cllr Shires responded that she was very grateful for the support across all parties with rising to the challenge of the financial deficit. She welcomed the seriousness to which everyone had taken the conversations.

She recognised that the Overview and Scrutiny committee had been very bold with their discussion on the proposed increases and was very grateful to them for this. Increases have been looked so that they are in line with inflation, as we need to cover the maintenance of our carparks. Tried to do this as fairly as possible. Residents in resorts and coastal areas need to visit shops and town centre businesses in their local towns as well.

Parking permits provide best value for money for those residents who want to use the car parks regularly.

We do need to raise in line with inflation across all car  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee - 16^th October 2024

Public Questions and Statements

Recommended that (A) the issue of Benjamin Court Cromer be referred to the November full council meeting for decision along with additional data to be provided in the report, where possible, on delayed discharges, the numbers of digitally excluded people and the availability of home-based care staff,

(B) it was noted, with the Committee’s support. that the Leader of the Council intended to write to the Secretary of State as a matter of urgency on the need to retain Benjamin Court, Cromer and to request that NHS Property Services doesn’t dispose of the building, and

(C) it was noted that the Chief Executive intended to make representations on the Health Watch suggestion that a team of community nurses could be stationed at the Council Offices rather than use the Benjamin Court building.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 13^th November 2024

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 13^th November was held after the publication of the Full Council agenda – any recommendations to Full Council from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be reported verbally at the meeting.

There were no recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the November Full Council. Recommendations for December will be brought to the December Full Council.

Report to follow

The Chief Executive recognised the decision and recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny committee meeting of 16 November 2025 with respect to the Benjamin Court facility at which there were three recommendations made. The first of these related to the availability of data detailing those people who were medically fit for discharge from acute hospitals in Norfolk but could not leave due to needing assessment for care packages, adaptations to their homes or other support. It has not been possible for this to be updated since the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of the 16October due to staff absence. The Council has made enquiries of the Norfolk virtual ward pilot scheme, which has only gone live relatively recently, and the Council are seeking responses from Norfolk Adult  Services and the Norfolk First Support Programme looking at the availability of carers, which was raised by local stakeholders as part of the engagement with Health Watch. Currently there has been no response to these enquiries.

Data in July suggested 20% of beds in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and slightly lower number in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at Kings Lynn and the James Paget at Gorleston are occupied by people medically fit for discharge but were waiting for a care package to be set up to allow them home, for adaptations to their property or for a place in a care home

This comes at a huge cost with the cost of a bed in an acute hospital being three times as much as a reablement, convalescent or recuperation facility, where care is provided but not medical intervention.

With regard to our representation to NHS England Property Services, the Council haven’t received any communication regarding the marketing or disposal of the facility. This however does not come as a surprise, given the ICB position was only determined at the end of September.

The Chief Executive stated that he was happy on the basis of Mr Booth’s question for the Council to instigate an approach to NHS Property Services directly to understand what their intentions for the Benjamin Court facility are as understanding their approach would be helpful to the campaigners, local stakeholders and residents so that as a Council we can consider our  position further.

In the HealthWatch engagement response there was also suggestion that there was a demand for a small office for the community nursing team to be based out of in the Cromer area, which currently operated out of the Benjamin Court facility. It is felt that this could be accommodated within the Council’s offices, and we have been in contact with the service provider to see if these requirements can be met.

Cllr Adams welcomed the endorsement that the Council do seek to make contact with the NHS Property Services team and report back to Overview and Scrutiny Committee as we learn more. It is important that we keep this issue in the public domain. The winter will be very challenging in terms of the pressures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

None Received.

None Received

None Received.

None Received

None Received.

None

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.”

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