There were no apologies for absence. 

Councillors B Coleman and B Williamson declared interests in the items relating to the South East Tower in their capacities as Members of the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, Councillor Jeal declared an interest in the item relating to the Budget report in his capacity as a Trustee of the First Move Furnishaid but all Councillors were allowed to speak and vote on the items. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 January were confirmed.

The Committee received and noted the items contained within the Forward Plan for the Policy and Resources Committee. 

The Committee considered the Finance Director's report on the Treasury Management Strategy 2019/20.

The Finance Director reported that the Council was required to determine annually the Treasury Management Strategy ,Annual Investment Strategy and Operational Boundary and Authorised Limits.

RESOLVED :

That Council be recommended to agree :-

(a) The Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20

(b) The Annual Investment Strategy

(c) Operational Boundary and Authorised Limits 

The Committee considered the Finance Director's report in respect of the 2019/20 Budget along with the latest financial projections for the following 3 years to 2021-22. The report included details of the provisional financial settlement along with the Key Assumptions that had been made within the budget. Circulated at the meeting were revised Appendices A and F.

The Finance Director reported that the overall position shows a balanced position for 2019/20 after allowing a transfer from general reserves of £87,135.

The budget has been produced based on a number of assumptions as detailed within the Finance Director's report and also reflects the provisional finance settlement announced on the 13 December 2018. The final settlement is due to be announced early February and any amendments to the figures included in the report will be updated at the meeting as applicable and reflected in the Council Tax setting report to Council in February 2019.

The report also recommends an updated capital programme for the current and future years after allowing for slippage of schemes between financial years and approval for new capital bids and projects. The report outlines the risks facing the Council in setting the budget and forecasting future spending plans and resources. 

RESOLVED :- That the Policy and Resources Committee recommend to Full Council the following :-

(1) The 2019/20 general fund revenue budget as outlined at Appendix A of the Finance Director's report

(2) The fees and charges as detailed at Appendix D in the Finance Director's report (in addition to those previously agreed in December 2018)

(3) The Council Tax for 2019/20 for the Borough Council tax be £161.48 (for an average Band D)

(4) That the demand on the Collection Fund for 2019/20 be:-

(a) £4,611,869 for the Borough Council purposes

(b) £429,723 for Parish Precepts

(5) The statement of and movement on the reserves as detailed at Appendix F of the Finance Director's report.

(6) The Policy Framework for reserves as detailed at Appendix G of the Finance Director's report.

(7) The updated Capital Programme and financing for 2018/19 to 2019/20 as detailed at Appendix H of the Finance Director's report.

(8) The additional capital budget of £75,000 for the Venetian Waterways project as detailed in the Finance Director's report.

(9) The Capital Strategy for 2019/20 as set out in Appendix J in the Finance Director's report.

(10) The Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy as detailed at Appendix K of the Finance Director's report.

(11) That members note the current financial projections for the period 2020/21 to 2021/22. 

The Committee considered the Head of Planning and Growth's report on the draft Hall Quay Planning brief which provides further detailed policy and guidance to unlock the future potential of Hall Quay as a new restaurant/cafe based area within Great Yarmouth Town Centre, as promoted by the Council's adopted Great Yarmouth Town Centre Masterplan (2017).

The Senior Strategic Planner (Policy) gave a presentation at the meeting outlining the planning brief purpose, policy context, planning considerations and preparation timeline.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the Draft Hall Quay Planning Brief as attached to the report (together with supporting documentation) be endorsed for consultation.

(2) That the Director of Development be delegated authority to make minor amendments ie formatting, completion of appendices to the Draft Hall Quay Planning brief prior to consultation.

(3) That the consultation approach as set out in the report be endorsed.

The Committee considered the Head of Planning and Growth's report on the Habitats Monitoring and Mitigation Strategy.

The Strategic Planning Manager reported that when the previous version of the Strategy had been adopted in 2018 it had beeen envisaged that a further review would be undertaken following consultation. This revised strategy was the result of that rerview. Two objections had been received to a policy in the draft Local Plan which related to the Strategy, but both were based on misunderstandings of the legal basis of the Strategy.

RESOLVED :

That the revised Habitats Monitoring and Mitigation Strategy as attached to the report be adopted.

The Committee considered the Head of Property and asset Management's report on the future management and repair of the South East Tower as holiday accommodation.

Confidential information was contained in the appendix included in the confidential part of the agenda. There were no questions from Members regarding the confidential appendix.

RESOLVED :

That the ownership of the South East Tower be transferred, with appropriate covenants, to the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust for continued operation as holiday accommodation.

There were no items of any other business.