Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Smith.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 14 September 2021 were confirmed.

The Committee received and considered the Forward Plan.

Committee received and considered the Civic and Events Manager's report which outlined the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant and the commitments Great Yarmouth Borough Council would undertake in supporting it.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee :

(1) Support the principles of this paper and the Armed Forces Covenant

(2) Agree to allow officer time to support the Armed Forces Covenant

(3) Agree to implement the Guaranteed interview Scheme for service leavers

(4) Sign the Armed Forced Covenant Declaration

(5) Recommend to Council that a Member be nominated to champion the council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Members received and considered the Strategic Planning Manager's report which asked Members to approve the draft Local Development Orders and associated Design Codes for consultation.

The Strategic Planning Manager reported on the content of the Local Development Orders, these orders are short documents which set out what development is permitted within them.  They are each accompanied by a Design Code setting out the design requirements which development proposals also must accord with.

Members were advised that the Local Development Orders are well established and the revised versions only include limited changes as detailed within the Strategic Planning Manager's report.  Given there have been no significant issues with the Local Development Orders the risks associated with the review are considered low.

The Committee were advised that the Council’s Local Plan Working Party had considered and endorsed the draft Local Development Orders together with the associated Design Codes.

Councillor Plant sought clarity that the review would see a natural carry on of old to new, this was confirmed and it was advised that the review would be brought back to the Committee in February.

Councillor Hammond raised some concern with regard to the new condition which would clarify that the Local Development Order for South Denes will not permit developments which involve the generation or transmission of energy. The Strategic Planner advised that the purpose of the Order was to permit industrial development which would support the energy sector and jobs.

Councillor Grant asked with regard to those buildings that were using solar powdered energy and whether these would still be permitted, this was confirmed.

Councillor T Wright asked with regard to the number of jobs and asked if a breakdown of those jobs created within the Enterprise Zone could be given, he advised that he had asked for this information previously but that this had not yet been received. It was agreed that this information be requested and sent via email.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee approve the draft Local Development Orders and Associated Design Codes for consultation.

The Committee received and considered the Financial Services Manager's report which asked Members to note the revised forecast for 2021/22 and approve the use of £26,000 from the Special Projects Reserve.

The Financial Services Manager reported that the original budget saw £112,000 being drawn from the General Fund Reserve and the current budget remains largely in line with this, as does the £117,000 deficit forecast position for 2122 as at month 6, being only £6000 different from the budget set.

It was reported that the £1m COVID funding carried forward from 2021 within earmarked reserves is forecast to be spent by the end of the financial year. The additional COVID funding, excluding any business grant funding, of £1m received in 2122 is also expected to be spent in the year.

£31m of business grants have been paid out in 2122, with approximately £0.5m now starting to be distributed for wider business support and grants.

For the capital works just over £8m has been spent on projects up to the end of September 2021. The capital budget in place now is £42m with £27m anticipated to be spent within this financial year.

Paragraph 4.4 highlighted that the Council are currently awaiting the outcome of a funding bid under the Sustainable Warmth competition. If successful the Council would act as Accountable Body for £3.4 million funding, with £3m being for capital works.

As per paragraph 4.5 of the report £214,000 it was advised that funding had been secured in relation to Safer Streets Round 3 projects which would deliver enhancements and works to the rows including £17,000 funding for revenue costs. This also included £34,000 towards the purchase of cleaning equipment. It was reported that a further £26,000 was required to purchase the equipment which would cost £60,000.

RESOLVED :

(1) That the Committee note the content of the Financial Services Manager's report and the revised forecast for 2021/22.

(2) Approve the use of the £26,000 from the Special Projects Reserve as detailed within the report.

The Committee received and considered the Financial Services Manager's report which asked Members to approve the Treasury Management half yearly report for 2021/22.

Members were advised that the report presented for the 2021/22 financial year the following:

• the mid-year position for treasury management;

• the borrowing requirement and debt for the current financial year;

• the mid-year borrowing position;

compared with the Treasury Management Strategy approved in February 2021.

As at the end of September the net borrowing stood at £89m. This was made up firstly of £116m of loans, which was a decrease of £18m from 31 March 2021. Secondly, investments stood at £27m down from £34m at the start of the financial year. The requirement to borrow had reduced due to increased internal resources because of the remaining funding balances of Government COVID business grants held, of approximately £14m due to be repaid by the end of 2021/22.

Members were advised that section 3 of the report provided an update on the rules around what Council’s can borrow for based on the public works loan board requirements. In summary borrowing can no longer be accessed if the Council has any projects that are deemed to be for purchasing or developing ‘investment assets primarily for yield’. Acceptable use of PWLB borrowing includes service delivery, housing, regeneration, preventative action, refinancing and treasury management.

The report confirmed that all treasury management activities undertaken to date complied fully with the CIPFA Code of Practice and the Councils approved Treasury Management Strategy. Compliance with specific investment limits was included within table 8 of the report. It was advised that Table 7 set out the authorised limit and operational boundary for external debt for the period this has been complied with to date.   

RESOLVED :

That the Committee approve the Treasury Management half yearly report for 2021/22.

There was no other business discussed at the meeting.

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."