Agenda item

To approve the following recommendations made by Cabinet at the meeting held on 9^th September 2024:

Cabinet Agenda Item 11: Budget Monitoring P4 2024 – 2025

RESOLVED to

1)    Seek approval of full Council to include a budget of £300k for borrowing costs in 2024/25 and that this be funded by using the Treasury Management Reserve (as explained in paragraph 4.8).

2)    Seek approval of full Council to include an addition to the capital programme in 2024/25 for the extension to the Meadow car park in Cromer and that this is funded from revenue (car park income) (as explained in paragraph 5.6).

Cabinet Agenda Item 12: Savings Public Conveniences

RESOLVED to recommend that Full Council approves:

Option 1 - Full and winter closures is progressed by officers, for the least well used and most aged sites in terms of management or maintenance, to include discussions with town and parish councils and other interested parties, regarding possible transfer of sites, where there is a particular context for doing so.

The Leader, Cllr Adams, advised members that there was an error in the first item Budget Monitoring P4, Recommendation 2. Cabinet had agreed the following amendment (in italics) and it was this that Full Council was being asked to approve:

Seek approval of Full Council to include an addition to the capital programme in 2024/25 to the extension and enhancement of the car parking offer in the District, at a location to be identified and that this is funded from revenue (car park income) (as explained in paragraph 5.6)

Cllr L Shires said that she wanted to thank the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for their work in monitoring the Council’s budget as agreed in February when the budget was set. She drew members attention to key points in the report, particularly the financial impact of temporary accommodation costs.  She referenced section 2.6 to 2.9 which explained the variations. Officers continued to work hard to reduce the deficit.

She then spoke about savings and drew members attention to the relevant section. Regarding the savings to yet be identified, Cllr Shires said that a list was provided on page 81. She was confident that the remaining savings would be found by the end of the year.

The fall in inflation would impact on the council’s investment and this was detailed on page 58, point 4.

In conclusion, regarding the proposals for the public conveniences, she reiterated Cllr Adams’ earlier comments that this was the start of the process, not a ‘done deal’.

Cllr M Taylor asked Cllr Adams for the other options that were being considered for an extension to the car parking offer. Cllr Adams replied that he couldn’t give specific details but assured Cllr Taylor that several sites were being looked at and members would be kept updated as matters progressed. Referring to the Meadows car park in Cromer, he said that some concerns had been raised regarding the use of an established open space. In addition, a private car park had opened up nearby recently. He added that concessions were also being reviewed where there was a high footfall. Car parking revenue was supporting the tourism infrastructure and it was important that it was maximised where possible.

Cllr C Cushing raised concerns about the second recommendation from Cabinet, ‘Savings – Public Conveniences’. He said that the proposals were causing great concern to residents and he asked whether an impact assessment would be undertaken on the proposed closures and transfers. Cllr Adams replied that the focus was on facilities that had seen the smallest levels of usage and in some of these they were barely used. In Weybourne there were high levels of abuse which was expensive and time-consuming to address. For Stalham, it was clear that it was in the wrong location as usage was low but he wanted to see a facility in the town. Transfer of facilities would be explored where there was a revenue monopoly by businesses or organisations. He added that it was very early in the process and was in advance of the setting of next year’s budget.

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

RESOLVED to approve

Cabinet Agenda Item 11: Budget Monitoring P4 2024 – 2025

1)    To include a budget of £300k for borrowing costs in 2024/25 and that this be funded by using the Treasury Management Reserve (as explained in paragraph 4.8).

2)    To include an addition to the capital programme in 2024/25 to the extension and enhancement of the car parking offer in the District, at a location to be identified and that this is funded from revenue (car park income) (as explained in paragraph 5.6)

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

RESOLVED  to approve

Cabinet Agenda Item 12: Savings Public Conveniences

Option 1 - Full and winter closures is progressed by officers, for the least well used and most aged sites in terms of management or maintenance, to include discussions with town and parish councils and other interested parties, regarding possible transfer of sites, where there is a particular context for doing so.

11 members voted against the recommendations.