Agenda item

The Chairman introduced this item. He explained that the purpose of this report was to present an update on the progress being made in implementing the Corporate Plan 2023-27 Action Plan 2024-25 and to give Cabinet an opportunity to discuss and agree decisions that should be taken regarding any issues raised. He said that nineteen of the actions were in progress and on track and eighteen completed. No actions were identified as red and seven actions were identified as amber. He then, addressed the actions in turn, highlighting achievements and challenges.  He reminded members that two items had been cancelled due to the pressures placed on the Council by local government reorganisation (LGR).

The Chairman invited members to speak:

Cllr V Holliday welcomed the progress set out in the report. She said that residents in her ward had expressed some frustration regarding mobile phone and internet connectivity and she was concerned that time may be running out to address some of these issues. Cllr J Toye, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth said that it was not down to the District Council to deliver on this action but engagement with key stakeholders was important and the evidence base clearly showed that there was a difference in delivery across the district and this needed to be addressed. There was very little information provided by the installation companies as to why some areas had reduced provision and this made it hard to explain the disparity to residents. He said that officers were working hard to improve this and to address some of the misinformation that was currently being shared. He said that members could assist with this by providing feedback and evidence from their residents.

Cllr Holliday said that a timeframe would be helpful and although she acknowledged that emergency calls could still be made in ‘not spot’ areas, payment transactions could not and this had an impact on daily life. She said that she was supportive of engaging proactively with the telecom providers to ensure that any mast installations were beneficial to the community and reflected their needs. She was supportive of anything that could be done to improve a joined-up approach. Cllr Toye agreed, adding that any evidence he could present to providers to demonstrate where the most pressing needs lay, would be beneficial in supporting this. In conclusion, he said he hoped to contact key stakeholders within the next month.  

The Chief Executive said that the Council’s role in this matter was essentially one of lobbying and raising key questions. He said that members may want to consider whether this was one of the main issues that should be highlighted as the Combined Mayoral Authority took shape, as it would be an issue that would cover a much larger area. The Chairman agreed that this would be a matter of focus for the new Mayoral authority.

Cllr C Cushing referred to Action 27, which referred to ‘working with partners in Fakenham to retain banking and post office services in the town centre through establishing a banking hub facility by September 2024’. He acknowledged that delivery of this project was not the responsibility of NNDC but given that the last bank in the town was due to close in July 2025, and there was no sign of a banking hub or post office, he questioned the green RAG status, which implied everything was on track.

The Chairman replied said that the Council supported the provision of a banking hub and had even considered whether practical intervention was needed, this approach was not supported by Cash Access UK. They wanted an enhanced deposit solution to ensure that there were banking solutions and support for businesses in particular. He said that he felt this approach would change in the coming months as more pressure was felt by local communities, with the departure of high street banks. It wasn’t just about cash access and there were other banking products that residents needed. It was an ongoing piece of work but still in its infancy. The Council’s Data Officer would continue to work with providers in both Holt and Fakenham and North Walsham had also expressed an interest in progressing with a banking hub. In conclusion, he said that he was satisfied that there had been a lot of progress.

Cllr Cushing commented that he still felt that a green RAG rating was not reflective of the current position.

Cllr N Dixon commented on Action 43 ‘Further embed and develop our Youth Council work’. He said that it had been shown as red in the previous quarter and was now amber and he asked what justified this change in status. The Chairman replied that this item had been cancelled due to a lack of resources. He said that this had been done reluctantly as the Youth Council had been well received but it was not possible to retain support for it any longer. The focus was now on achieving a level of youth engagement and some of this would be funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), including activities at the country parks. The amber RAG rating reflected that the Council was achieving some of its objectives in this area but in a different way to that originally envisaged.

Cllr J Toye added that part of his portfolio included engagement in education and training and although this was not linked in directly via the Youth Council, it was still taking place.

Cllr Dixon said that he struggled with the wording of ‘exploring ways to engage with young people’ compared to hosting a Youth Council. He said that this seemed a big shift in approach and he wasn’t convinced that it justified a change in RAG status from green to amber.

RESOLVED to note the report

Reason for the decision: to monitor the Council’s performance.