The Corporate Services Manager reported that there were no apologies for absence.

The Chairman and Councillor Plant declared a personal interest in item 5 as they were members of the GYTCP Board.

Councillors Wells and Williamson declared a personal interest in item 11 as they were members of the GYPT Board.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2020 were confirmed by assent.

The Committee received and considered the Forward Plan.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee note the Forward Plan.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Strategic Director.

Councillor Plant reported that the BID renewal would come at a really difficult time for retail which was struggling more than ever, due to the pandemic. However, the BID renewal was vital to help secure the future of the Town Centre and he therefore, fully supported the report.

Councillor P Hammond asked whether the Landlords of empty premises had to pay the BID levy. The Town Centre Manager reported that Landlords of empty premises were not exempt from the BID levy and that this encouraged them to find tenants for empty premises in the longer term.

RESOLVED:-

(i) That the Committee notes that the information had been supplied by the Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership Business Improvement District (TCP/gyBID) to the Council as Billing Authority in respect to the information listed under Regulation 4, Schedule 1 of the Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004,

(ii) That the Committee approves the draft Business Plan proposed by TCP/gyBID as described in the Annual Report and gyBID Renewal Prospectus at Appendix 1; and 

(iii) That the Committee approves the Council's support for the TCP/gyBID in relation to its ballot for a fourth BID term.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Finance Director.

The Finance Director reported the salient areas of the report including

• the mid-year position for treasury management,
• the borrowing requirement and debt for the current financial year; and
• the mid-year borrowing position compared with the Treasury Management Strategy.

The Chairman thanked the Finance Director for her comprehensive report.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee approve the Treasury Management half-yearly report for 2020/21.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Tenancy Team Manager.

The Tenancy Services Manager reported the work required to upgrade the Council's Sheltered Housing offer to promote independence through providing key safes and suited locks for all residents at a cost of £168,577.

Councillor Plant reported that he welcomed this report as it would help to keep our vulnerable, sheltered housing residents safe and secure in their own homes.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee agree and approve the cost of the works to install Key Safes to all sheltered hosing properties and complete the installation of suited locks in sheltered housing schemes at a cost of £168,577.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Senior Performance & Data Protection Officer.

The Senior Performance & Data Protection Officer gave an update on current performance for the second quarter of 2020/21 which covered July to September 2020, whereby progress was assessed against targets which were set at the start of the financial year. The report also provided an update on the position of key projects which were linked to the corporate priorities from "The Plan 2020-2025". A summary of progress for the key projects and individual highlight reports for each key project are contained in Appendix 1 of the report. The performance measures, contained in Appendix 2, gave a comprehensive overview of how the Authority, as a whole, was performing and covered most Council functions.

Councillor Williamson informed the Committee that the Wintergardens Member Working Group had met, at his request,on 3 November 2020 and had received an update on the project. He requested that the report be amended to reflect this.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor asked whether the vacant post of Housing Growth Manager had been filled. The Strategic Director reported that the post was out to advert.

The Chief Executive Officer requested that the status of the North Quay project be amended from green to amber, as the project had been put on hold due to the pandemic and green was not a true reflection of the project status.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee agree that all measures to be monitored during the next quarter and all key projects would continue to be monitored during the next quarter, with the aim of maintaining a green status, and where possible, attain a green status for those key projects which were currently amber.

The Chairman reported that there was no other business being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration at the meeting.

The Chairman thanked the Corporate Services Manager and the IT Department for their hard work to ensure essential Council business could be conducted safely and effectively during the pandemic.

The Chairman wished the Committee a very Happy Christmas and a safe, healthy New Year.

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 3, of Part I of Schedule 12(A) of the said Act.