Meetings

Meeting Details

Council
11 Jul 2019 - 19:00 to 21:40
Scheduled
  • Documents
  • Attendance
  • Visitors
  • Declarations of Interests

Documents

Agenda

Standard Items
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

To receive any apologies for absence. 


1

 

There were no apologies for absence.

 

2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

You have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter to be discussed if it relates to something on your Register of Interests form. You must declare the interest and leave the room while the matter is dealt with.

You have a Personal Interest in a matter to be discussed if it affects
•    your well being or financial position
•    that of your family or close friends
•    that of a club or society in which you have a management role
•    that of another public body of which you are a member to a greater extent than others in your ward.
You must declare a personal interest but can speak and vote on the matter.

Whenever you declare an interest you must say why the interest arises, so that it can be included in the minutes. 

2

 

Councillor Wells declared an interest in the item relating to the Notice of Motion (d) by virtue of him being employed as the Parliamentary Assistant to the MP but indicated that his interest was such that he could speak and vote on the matter.

 

Councillor Mogford declared an interest in the item relating to the Notice of Motion (a) by virtue of him being over 75 years of age but indicated that his interest was such that he could speak and vote on the matter.

 

3 MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

To consider any announcements from His Worship the Mayor.

 

3

 

His Worship the Mayor advised that he had attended the Wheels Festival on Sunday 7 July which had been a fantastic event and thanked everyone who participated in or been involved in the organisation of it.

 

4 ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS

 

To consider any items of urgent business.

 

 

4

 

There were no items of urgent business.

 

5 pdf MINUTES (299Kb)

 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 15 and 16 May 2019.

 

 

5

 

Council considered the minutes of the meetings held on 15 and 16 May 2019.

 

Proposer : Councillor Smith

 

Seconder : Councillor Plant

 

That the minutes of the meetings held on the 15 and 16 May 2019 be approved.

 

CARRIED

 

6 NOTICE OF MOTION

 

To note that the following notices of motion have been submitted :

 

(a) Motion submitted by Councillors Wainwright, C Walker, C M Walker, Waters-Bunn, B Walker, Borg and Smith-Clare 

 

Council resolves to

 

Call on the Leader of the Council to make representations to Jeremy Wright MP Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and urge him to re-instate and provide funding for free TV Licenses for all the over 75s, including the 7850 households in the Borough of Great Yarmouth who are in receipt of a free TV Licence, and to honour the commitment made in the 2017 Conservative Party Manifesto to " Maintain all Pensioner benefits, including Free Bus Passes, Eye Tests, Prescriptions and TV LICENCES"

 

(b) Motion submitted by Councillors Smith-Clare, Wainwright, Borg, C M Walker, T Wright, B Williamson, C Walker and Waters-Bunn  

 

This Council recognises the importance of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in maintaining the lives of many of our Borough's most vulnerable residents.

 

The Council:

 

  • acknowledges the many issues associated with the undertaking of assessments and reassessments and the related stress they can have on individuals

     

  • recognises concerns at the fall in figures of those receiving the benefit and the impact this is having on their lives

     

  • accepts the negative impact on those affected by the '20m rule'

 

In the interests of vulnerable local residents the Council will therefore write to the Minister for Work and Pensions to urgently review the 20m rule.

 

(c) Motion submitted by Councillors Flaxman-Taylor, Bensly, Wells, P Carpenter, Smith and Grant 

 

This council recognises the scientific consensus on man-made climate change, which clearly highlights the risks, and shares the increasing concern of society on this issue. It also appreciates the necessity to ensure that our natural environment is protected for future generations.

 

The council also believes that Great Yarmouth can take a leading role in the fight against climate change, thanks to our ever-growing renewable energy industry and key infrastructure centred around the outer harbour.

This Council also welcomes the announcement that the Government plans to ensure that Britain will be carbon neutral by 2050 and notes that emissions have already fallen by 25% since 2010. It also notes and welcomes that last year more than half of the UK's electricity was generated by low-carbon sources.

 

The council resolves

 

  1. to instruct the Chief Executive to explore measures aimed to prevent the unnecessary and wasteful use of single use plastics within GYBC owned buildings, and to encourage GYBC contractors to take similar steps.

     

  2. that the Policy and Resources Committee will establish a working group to explore ways of lowering the council's carbon footprint. This working group should report to the Policy and Resources Committee, with a final report being presented to Full Council.

     

  3. To instruct the leader to write to The Secretary of State, for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to reiterate our support for the renewable energy industry, and to encourage them to continue the Government's positive work supporting this important growth industry for Great Yarmouth.

 

(d) Motion submitted by Councillors T Wright, B Wright, Wainwright, Robinson-Payne and Borg.

 

In light of the recent decision by East Coast College to re locate some skills courses from Gt Yarmouth to Lowestoft due to Government draconian cuts to the college funding, Gt Yarmouth Borough Council urgently writes to request that the Minister of state for Apprenticeships and Skills, re instates adequate funding to allow East Coast College to provide the necessary courses at the Gt Yarmouth campus to ensure all our residents have access to develop skills commensurate with the needs of all our industries.

 

In particular we are disappointed that the cuts have led to the closure of Ambitions restaurant which not only was a place for residents to experience first-hand the skills of students, but played a significant part in providing our tourism service industry with staff that have attained fill       the necessary skills required to maintain a high quality offering to tourists and local residents.

 

We recognise that students will still have catering and hospitality courses on the Gt Yarmouth campus, however the fact remains that the ability to have practical experience in a restaurant environment is vital to the students development and the requirement for them now to travel to Lowestoft will undoubtedly create difficulties, especially for students from our northern villages and North Norfolk.

 

This council also resolves to offer our full support to East Coast College and write to our MP asking him to support, influence and secure immediate funding to: -

 

  1. Implement the post 18 education and funding review.
  2. Address the significant underfunding of 16 to 18 education.
  3. Implement a capital injection of funding to renew, refresh and upgrade facilities in line with technological advances and needs of business.

 

6

Council considered the following motion:


(a) Motion submitted by Councillors Wainwright, C Walker, C M Walker, Waters-Bunn, B Walker, Borg and Smith-Clare 

 

Councillor Wainwright referred to the notice of motion calling upon the Council to make representations  to re-instate and provide funding for free TV Licenses for all the over 75's. This was seconded by Councillor C M Walker.

 

Councillor Smith then proposed the following amendment (seconded by Councillor P Carpenter)

 

That the Leader of the Council make representations to the Director General of the BBC, and urge him to re-instate and provide funding for free TV Licenses for all the over 75's, including the 7850 households in the Borough of Great Yarmouth who are currently in receipt of a free TV Licence, and to contact the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ask him to make similar representations on this issue.

 

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried. The substantive motion was subsequently


CARRIED 

 

(B) Motion submitted by Councillors Smith-Clare, Wainwright, Borg, C M Walker,  T Wright, B Williamson, C Walker and  Waters-Bunn

 

Councillor Smith-Clare referred to the notice of motion calling upon the Council to make representations to the Minister for Work and Pensions to urgently review the 20 metre rule for Personal Independent Payments (PIP)This was seconded by Councillor Waters - Bunn.

 

That a recorded vote be taken on this issue as follows :


For the motion : Councillors , Bensly, , Borg, G Carpenter, P Carpenter, Cordiner- Achenbach, Fairhead, Flaxman-Taylor, , D Hammond, P Hammond, Jeal Lawn, Martin, Mogford, Myers, Plant, Robinson-Payne, Scott-Greenard, Smith, Smith-Clare, Stenhouse, Talbot, Thompson, Wainwright, B Walker, C Walker, C M Walker, Waters-Bunn, Williamson, B Wright, T Wright.

 

Against the motion : Councillors Annison, Bird, Cameron, Candon, Freeman, Galer, Grant and Wells

 

Abstentions : Councillor P Carpenter  

 

CARRIED 

 

(c) Motion submitted by Councillors Flaxman-Taylor, Bensly, Wells, P Carpenter, Smith and Grant 

 

Councillor P Carpenter referred to the notice of motion to make representations on climate change and supporting the renewable energy industry. This was seconded by Councillor Flaxman - Taylor.

 

Councillor Williamson then proposed the following amendment to number 3 (seconded by Councillor Wainwright)

 

Number 3 to have two parts (a) and (b), Part (a) as on the agenda and Part (b) to read :

 

In order for part (a) of this resolution to be effective and put into Government policy this Council asks that the Government adopts the following policy actions to fulfill their target and boost employment and innovation in the green energy sector :  


1. Reverse the VAT increase from 5% to 20% on solar panels and to reinstate the 5% VAT rate 


2.The Government reinstates the subsidy for electric cars to its original level


3.The Government introduces a viable Feed-in tariff rate to encourage home and business generation of electricity


4.Promotes the development of onshore wind power

 

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was lost. 

 

The Council resolves:-

 

  1. To instruct the Chief Executive to explore measures aimed to prevent the unnecessary and wasteful use of single use plastics within GYBC owned buildings, and to encourage GYBC contractors to take similar steps.

     

  2. That the Policy and Resources Committee will establish a Working Group to explore ways of lowering the Council's carbon footprint. This Working Group should report to the Policy and Resources Committee, with a final report being presented to Full Council.

     

  3. To instruct the Leader to write to The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to reiterate our support for the renewable energy industry, and to encourage them to continue the Government's positive work supporting this important growth industry for Great Yarmouth.
  4.  
  5.  
  6.  
  7. CARRIED
  8.  
  9.  

(D) Motion submitted by Councillors T Wright, B Wright, Wainwright, Robinson-Payne and Borg.


Councillor A Wright referred to the notice of motion calling upon the Council to offer support to the East Coast College and write to our MP asking him to support, influence and secure immediate funding. This was seconded by Councillor Robinson- Payne.

 

Councillor Smith then proposed the following amendment (seconded by Councillor Plant)

 

Considering the recent decision by East Coast College to re-locate some skills courses from Gt Yarmouth to Lowestoft. Gt Yarmouth Borough Council resolves to urgently write to request that the Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills, reviews the situation to help ensure that the necessary courses at the Gt Yarmouth campus are provided. Thus, ensuring that our residents have access to develop skills commensurate with the needs of all our industries.

 

The Council also resolves to express its disappointment that East Coast College continues to fail to properly prioritise Great Yarmouth, instead preferring to invest in Lowestoft. 

 

We are disappointed that the College has decided to close the Ambitions Restaurant, whilst retaining the provision in Lowestoft, which is home to a significantly smaller hospitality industry. This restaurant was a place for residents to experience first-hand, the skills of students, but also played a significant part in providing our tourism service industry with staff that have attained the necessary skills required to maintain a high-quality offering to tourists and residents.

 

We recognise that students will still have catering and hospitality courses on the Gt Yarmouth campus, however the fact remains that the ability to have practical experience in a restaurant environment is vital to the student’s development and the requirement for them now to travel to Lowestoft will undoubtedly create difficulties, especially for students from our northern villages and North Norfolk. 

 

This Council also resolves to offer our full support to East Coast College and write to our MP supporting his efforts to support the College.

 

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried. The substantive motion was subsequently


CARRIED 


 

Report attached.

 

 

7

 

On reference from the Policy and Resources Committee of 11 June 2019 Council considered the report which presented the treasury management activity for the 2018/19 financial year.

 

Proposer : Councillor Smith

 

Seconder : Councillor Wainwright 

 

That the Treasury Management outturn report and indicators for 2018/19 be approved.

 

CARRIED

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

8

 

On reference from the Policy and Resources Committee of 11 June 2019 Council  considered the draft outturn position for the General fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme for the 2018/19 financial year. 

 

Proposer :Councillor Smith

 

Seconder : Councillor Plant 

 

1) That the outturn position for the general fund revenue account for 2018/19 as included in the report and appendices be noted.

 

2) That the transfers to and from reserves (general and earmarked) as detailed within the report and Appendix along with an updated reserves statement (Appendix C) be approved.

 

3) That the surplus of £307,262 be transferred to the general reserve.

 

4) That the financing of the 2018/19 capital programme as detailed within the report and at Appendix D be approved.

 

5) That the updated capital programme 2019/20 to 2021/22 and the associated financing of the schemes as outlined within the report and detailed at Appendix E be approved.

 

6) That the allocation of £30,000 from year end surplus to underwrite the commitments for the 2019-20 events, pending the outcome of the BID ballot be approved.

 

CARRIED

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

9

 

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

10

 

Council  considered the report on the fees and charges for the Town Hall and the Waterways Memorials for 2019/20.

 

Proposer :Councillor Smith

 

Seconder : Councillor Wainwright 

 

That the fees and charges for the Town Hall and the Waterways Memorials for 2019/20 as contained in the report be approved.

 

CARRIED

 

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

11

 

Council  considered the report on the proposal to establish a Property Rental company to enable the Council to hold rental properties draft outturn position for the General fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme for the 2018/19 financial year. 

 

Proposer : Councillor Smith

 

Seconder : Councillor Grant

 

1) That the scope and strategic objectives of the Property Rental company as contained in this report be approved and that these be incorporated within the Equinox Enterprises business plan.

 

2) That a ‘sister’ company to Equinox Enterprises be established to hold rental properties and that the appointment of the existing Directors of Equinox Enterprises as the Directors of the new Property Rental Company be approved.

 

3) That authority be delegated to the Council’s Strategic Director who, in conjunction with the Monitoring Officer, will establish the new company and engage a letting partner to undertake tenancy management for the rental properties.

 

CARRIED

 

 

12 REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

 

Council is asked to consider the following appointments to Outside Bodies for the remainder of 2019/20 :-

 

(a) Community Economic Development Panel

 

To appoint one member

 

(b) Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Board

 

To appoint a Substitute member (C Walker is the representative)

 

 

12

 

RESOLVED 

 

(a) that consideration to the appointment of a Member to serve on the Community Economic Development Panel be deferred

 

(b) The names of Councillors D Hammond and C M Walker were submitted to serve as the substitute Member to on the Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

Voting was by show of hands and Councillor D Hammond was appointed to serve as the substitute Member on the Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

13

 

Council considered the service committee decision list for the period 3 to 11 June 2019.

 

Proposer : Councillor Smith 

 

Seconder : Councillor Plant

 

That the service committee decision list for the period 3 to 11 June 2019 be received.

 

CARRIED

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

14

 

Council considered the report of the Director of Development of a strategy to deliver the land assembly and redevelopment of North Quay in Great Yarmouth, a strategic allocation in the adopted Great Yarmouth Local Plan Core Strategy.

 

Confidential appendices to the report were contained in Agenda Item 17 but Members did not have any questions on these. 

 

Proposer : Councillor Smith

 

Seconder : Councillor Wainwright 

 

1) That the ongoing engagement with North Quay property owners to facilitate redevelopment, as set out in the North Quay property acquisition strategy be endorsed. 

 

2) That a capital budget of £2.5 million to be financed by borrowing for the acquisition of the properties identified in this report be committed. 

 

3) That the commissioning of technical studies in relation to: ground conditions and land quality; archaeology; utilities; flood risk and drainage; transport; topographical; air quality; ecology; and noise assessments be noted.

 

4) That the the development of a Supplementary Planning Document/Planning Brief to further guide the redevelopment of the North Quay area be noted.

 

CARRIED

 

 

15 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

To consider any other business as may be determined by the Chairman of the meeting as being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration.


15

 

There were no items of any other business.

 

 

16 EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC
In the event of the Committee wishing to exclude the public from the meeting, the following resolution will be moved:-

"That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12(A) of the said Act."

17 CONFIDENTIAL APPENDICES - STRATEGIC SITE ALLOCATION, NORTH QUAY, GREAT YARMOUTH

Attendance

Name
No attendance information has been recorded for the meeting.
Name
No other member attendance information has been recorded for the meeting.
NameReason for Sending Apology
No apology information has been recorded for the meeting.
NameReason for Absence
No absentee information has been recorded for the meeting.

Declarations of Interests

Member NameItem Ref.DetailsNature of DeclarationAction
No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.

Visitors

 

The Mayor Councillor Jeal (in the Chair); Councillors Annison, Bensly, Bird, Borg, Cameron, Candon, G Carpenter, P Carpenter, Cordiner- Achenbach, Fairhead, Flaxman-Taylor, Freeman, Galer, Grant, Hacon, D Hammond, P Hammond, Lawn, Martin, Mogford, Myers, Plant, Robinson-Payne, Scott-Greenard, Smith, Smith-Clare, Stenhouse, Talbot, Thompson, Wainwright, B Walker, C Walker, C M Walker, Waters-Bunn, Wells, Williamson, B Wright, T Wright.

 

 

Also in attendance at the above meeting were: Mrs S Oxtoby (Chief Executive), Ms C Whatling (Monitoring Officer), Ms K Watts (Strategic Director) Ms K Sly (Finance Director), Mr D Glason (Development Director) and Mr S Elllwood (Interim Democratic Services Manager)

 

Back to the top