Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Wells.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 23 July 2019 were confirmed.

The Committee received and considered the contents of the Forward Plan.

Members received and considered the Strategic Director’s report which provided an update on current performance for the first quarter of 2019/20 where progress is assessed against targets which are set at the start of the financial year.

Councillor Wainwright made reference to HN01 and advised that this matter had also been discussed at the Housing and Neighbourhoods Committee.

Councillor T Wright made reference to the Marina Centre Key Project. The Strategic Director reported that an expression of interest had been submitted to Sports England which would be considered at their Board meeting in October. It was advised that informal discussions had been held with the Local Enterprise Partnership with regard to a Bid proposal. The Chief executive Officer advised that it was important for the Council to continue to progress the works on the site to ensure the Council remained in a strong position for funding opportunities.

Councillor P Carpenter, asked with regard the housing development at Beacon Park and the Show home completion, and it was advised that the show home was due to be completed by the end of the week and that the site had received 9 potential interested parties looking to purchase properties on the site.

Councillor Myers asked whether the the Council identified trends or reasons for tenants getting into rent arrears and whether steps were put in place to prevent tenants falling into arrears. The Strategic Director advised that this question would be referred back to the Service Area for a response and that this would be fed back to Members.

RESOLVED :

(1) That all measures be monitored during the next quarter.

(2) That all Key Projects continue to be monitored over the next quarter with aim of maintaining a green status and where possible attaining a green status for those key projects which are currently amber.

The Committee received and considered the Capital Projects and Senior Accountant's report which asked Members to consider the 2019/20 budget monitoring position and recommended that a £15,000 contribution be made to the Scratby Steps scheme to be funded from the Coastal fund earmarked reserve.

Councillor Wainwright commented with regard to the funding required towards the Scratby steps, and sought clarification as to the ownership of the Beach.

Reference was made to Appendix A within the report which referred to EU Exit funding / income, the Strategic Director advised that she had contacted Norfolk County Council to acquire how these monies could be spent.

Councillor Wainwright commented on the lower occupancy of the 2 day markets and stated that in his opinion if the rates had been kept at the reduced cost the occupancy rate would have been higher. The Chairman advised that he had requested a report to be brought back to the Committee with regard to the fees and charges on the market place.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the budget monitoring position for 2019/20 be noted.

(2) That approval be given to a £15,000 contribution being made to the Scratby Steps scheme to be funded from the coastal fund earmarked reserve.

The Committee received and considered the Strategic Director’s report which sought approval of a number of recommendations following a resolution from Full Council asking the Council to look at ways to reduce its carbon footprint.

Officers responded to a number of queries and questions from Members with regard to the Strategic Director's report.

RESOLVED :

(1) That approval be given to the commissioning of specialist external support to map the Council’s carbon footprint and develop a carbon reduction plan.

(2) That approval be given to the allocation of a maximum of £12,000 from the Council's special projects reserve to support this work along with providing re-usable cups/glasses for staff, Members and visitors to the Council.

(3) That the Committee agrees that the Environment Committee become the Members Working Group, and will receive regular updates on the progress of this work and will approve the resultant carbon reduction plan and pass onto full Council for ratification.

The Committee received and considered the Strategic Directors report which presented progress of the Council's Enforcement Group, as part of it's business strategy.

Councillor T Wright asked with regard to Roman Place, the Strategic Director advised that aerial work had been undertaken and discussions had been held with Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Parking Partnership. Councillor T Wright then commented with regard to the A Frames on the seafront and asked if a report would be brought forward to the Committee with regard to this. Councillor Plant advised that the Council had been given permission to enforce A Boards on the Seafront and the Strategic Director advised that the seafront enforcement policy needed to be looked at to ensure that all enforcement activities were included.

Councillor Grant asked with regard to resource within the Environmental Services Team, the Chief Executive Officer advised that a piece of work would be undertaken with both the police and the Environmental Health team in the Council to understand the needs with regard to enforcement. But she advised that an improvement had been seen over the summer months on the seafront and that regular meetings have been held which included a number of agencies.

Councillor Myers made reference to the peddlars within the Borough and commented that in his opinion there was a need for this matter to be resolved.Councillor Plant asked where peddlars licence could be obtained and it was advised that these were issued by the police.

Councillor C M Walker made reference to the enforcement approach and hoped that residents who were in hardship would be treated with sensitivity and it was advised that a sensitive approach was undertaken and engagement with these residents was a priority.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee note the contents of the report.

There were no items of business to be discussed.

RESOLVED :

"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 paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12(A) of the said Act."

Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Lorne Green presented to the Committee and welcomed the newly appointed Superintendent, Nathan Clark to the Committee.

Members were given the opportunity to ask a number of questions and the Chairman thanked the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Superintendent for attending.

Superintendent Nathan Clark thanked the Council and its elected Members for their support over the years.

Members were asked to consider a report by the Head of Property and Asset Management which asked Members to approve an allocation of upto £100,000 from the Asset Management reserve to fund stabilisation works.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee note the contents of the report and approve the allocation of up to £100,000 from the Asset Management reserve to fund stabilisation works.