Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Cara Walker.

Councillors P Carpenter, Grant, Plant, Smith, Smith-Clare & C M Walker declared a personal interest in confidential item number 14, Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing Land Compensation, as they were also elected Members of Norfolk County Council.

However, in accordance with the Council's Constitution, were allowed to both speak and vote on the item.

His Worship, The Mayor, Councillor Jeal, wished those present a very Happy Christmas and a safe, peaceful New Year.

The Leader, Councillor Smith, gave an update to Council regarding the Covid19 pandemic and he thanked Councillor Wainwright, the Chief Executive and all her staff for all their hard work and support during the past 9 months on behalf of the residents and businesses of the Borough. He reported that an All-Member briefing would be held on Monday, 14 December 2020 at 6 pm on the Tiered System and further Government funding initiatives.

Councillor Wainwright endorsed the Leader's comments and thanked the Chief Executive and her staff for their incredible hard work to date. He made special mention of Karen Sly and her team for the speed of which they disseminated  grants to local businesses which was a lifeline to them and much appreciated across the Borough.

Councillor Myers congratulated the Chief Executive and her staff for the exemplary response to the pandemic across the Borough and it was disappointing that the council had been designated as Tier 2.

The Monitoring Officer reminded all County Councillors that they should declare an interest in item 14 of the agenda if they had not already done so in the interest of openness and transparency.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2020 were confirmed by assent.

It was noted that His Worship, The Mayor, Councillor Jeal had chaired the meeting and not The leader of the Council, Councillor Smith and it was agreed that the minutes would be amended as such.

CARRIED.

That the Service Committee Decision List for the period 29 July 2020 to 4 November 2020 be approved by assent.

CARRIED.

Council received and considered the report from the Licensing & Elections Manager.

Councillor G Carpenter, Chairman of the Licensing Committee reported that under the Licensing Act 2003, licensing authorities were required to review their licensing policy every five years. Great Yarmouth Borough Council's current policy came into effect on 7 January 2016 and would expire on 6 January 2021.

Councillor G Carpenter reported that the current policy had been reviewed and updated and amendments to the policy were minimal. The draft policy had been subject to an eight week formal consultation process between July and September 2020. Five comments had been received as a result of the consultation process and had been set out in the agenda report with officer comments and whether they had been incorporated into the policy.

Councillor G carpenter reported that Licensing Committee had agreed the draft policy at their meeting on 19 October 2020 and had recommended to Council for this to be the adopted new Statement of Licensing Policy which would be published on 9 December 2020 and would come into effect on 7 January 2021.

PROPOSER: Councillor G Carpenter

SECONDER: Councillor Wells

That Full Council adopt the draft policy as the new Statement of Licensing Policy.

CARRIED.

Council received and considered the report from the Head of Customer Services.

The Leader of the Council reported that Council on the 21 July 2020 had given permission to commence consultation in relation to the 2021/22 Local Council Tax Support Scheme. Following consultation, it was advised that a maximum award of 91.5% of the Council Tax Liability for the Working Age including:

• Automatic assessment of entitlement and award of Council tax Support based on receipt of a Universal Credit notification
• Council tax Support claims to remain open for a period of 26 weeks from the date that a claim becomes "nil qualifying"
• Exemption for customers who were entitled to the Disability Premium, Enhanced Disibility Premium or Severe Disability Premium, and Carers Allowance to the self-employed minimum income floor calculation. 

Councillor Martin reported that she wished to thank officers for the third listed exemption; the self-employed minimum income floor calculation which would be welcomed by many residents across the Borough.

PROPOSER: Councillor Smith

SECONDER: Councillor Plant

That Council approves the recommendation to continue with the exiting scheme for 2021/22 which includes a maximum award of 91.5% of the Council Tax Liability for Working Age including:-

(i) Automatic assessment of entitlement and award of Council tax Support based on receipt of a Universal Credit notification

(ii) Council tax Support claims to remain open for a period of 26 weeks from the date that a claim becomes "nil qualifying"

(iii) Exemption for customers who were entitled to the Disability Premium, Enhanced Disibility Premium or Severe Disability Premium, and Carers Allowance to the self-employed minimum income floor calculation. 

CARRIED.

Council received and considered the report from the Revenue Services Manager.

The Leader of the Council reported that for the financial year 2021/22, it was proposed that there was one change to the discounts following a change in legislation on Long-Term Empty Premiums in 2018. From 2021/22, regulations allowed for a further discretion, which meant that the Council could now increase the premium to 300% for properties which have been empty for more than ten years.

PROPOSER: Councillor Smith

SECONDER: Councillor Plant

That Council approves the Council Tax Discounts as shown in Section 3.1 of the report, which will apply for 2021/22/ and includes the discount change outlined in Section 2.2 of the report.

CARRIED.

Council received and considered the report from the Revenue Services Manager.

The Leader of the Council reported that the Council Tax base was a technical calculation which must be formally set each year. It was the first stage of the Council tax setting process that would be finalised once the budgets had been agreed.

PROPOSER: Councillor Smith

SECONDER: Councillor Plant

That Council approve the calculation of the 2021/22 tax base totaling 28,910 and the estimated tax bases for the Borough and for each parish, as shown in Appendix A of the report.

CARRIED.

Council received and considered the report from the Finance Director.

The Leader of the Council reported that the Medium-Term financial Strategy had been refreshed and updated to reflect the latest external pressures and challenges facing the Council that would impact on the financial position of the Authority moving forward, most significantly the impact of Covid19.

The Leader reported that the Working Party Members had been identified in consultation with Councillor Wainwright.

PROPOSER: Councillor Smith

SECONDER: Councillor Plant

That Council approve:-

(i) The updated Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and the key themes of the business strategy as outlined at section 8 of the MTFS,

(ii) The revised Reserves Statement as included at Appendix A of the MTFS,

(iii) To set up a small Working Group of five Members to develop and agree the Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme and criteria and delegate authority to the Section 151 officer and Head of Customer Services; and

(iv) The allocation of £1 million to the capital programme to support the Digital strategy as oulined in section 8 of the MTFS.

CARRIED.

His Worship, The Mayor, Councillor Jeal reported that there was no other business being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration.

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.

CARRIED.