There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The Chair reported that there were no items of urgent business for consideration.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2024 were confirmed.

Paul Padda, Urmila Rasan & Rachel Nudd, gave a joint presentation in regard to the proposed new East Coast College Campus and their vision for the future development of its students and the surrounding community.

Councillor Candon reported that he welcomed the return of the Hospitality & Catering department back to the college.

Councillor Wells asked for clarification as to the capacity at the Lound College Campus and whether the College had factored in the modelling of the economy over the next 10 to 15 years whereby huge shifts in the economy of the eastern region was forecast.

Councillor Plant reported that it was paramount that the College got into schools as early as possible to ensure that children were engaged from an early age and recognised the importance of qualifications and where they can get you in your future career path. Councillor Wainwright agreed with Councillor Plant and reported that a Careers Advisor should be in post in every school.

Paul Padda reported that in future, partnership working was essential. The College was a community space and its aim was to bring communities together. The new college would be a showcase, a totem for young people and adult learners alike.

The Chair thanked them for an enlightening presentation and wished the project every success.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Service.

Councillor Candon introduced the new Skills and Employability Strategy.

Councillor Candon reported that skills, qualifications, aspirations, ambitions and a reliance on certain forms of employment are all limiting the opportunities available to our residents. It is essential that people can access the kinds of skills and qualifications that employers actually need. These requirements are changing as the wider economy and the way we do business changes, opening up new skills gaps and new opportunities. 

Councillor Candon reported that as part of our wider programme of regeneration, the Council will deliver a Library and University centre in early 2025 at The Place. A Skills and Employment Strategy is a key element of driving a change in skills, aspirations and employability in the Borough, ensuring residents are able to access sustainable and rewarding employment opportunities, and that employers are able to access a skilled workforce.

 
Councillor Candon reported that a new Skills and Employability Strategy is presented for consideration by Cabinet. This sets out the evidence base, challenges and opportunities and provides a collaborative blueprint for the Council, the Great Yarmouth Skills Taskforce, partners, educators, trainers, communities and employers to design projects and activities that achieve its aims, supporting learning and progression throughout people’s working lives.

Councillor Candon reported that Cabinet ,as detailed on page 9 of the agenda, are recommended to :-

Review and adopt the annexed Skills and Employability Strategy and directs officers to maintain the Skills and Employability Delivery Plan as a ‘live’ document to track progress against it aims.

Councillor Candon thanked the Officers & the Skills Taskforce for all their hard work and dedication in producing this strategy.

Councillor Plant reported that he welcomed the strategy.

Councillor Williamson asked if there was any data/outcomes from the previous strategy available to Members and that he fully supported it. Councillor Candon reported that this was the first strategy of its kind and therefore no former data was available.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet review and adopt the annexed Skills and Employability Strategy and directs officers to maintain the Skills and Employability Delivery Plan as a ‘live’ document to track progress against it aims.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Service.

The Leader of the Council reported that the following report presents an update on the Council’s performance for the financial year 2023/24. The report also provides an update on the position of key projects that are linked to the corporate priorities from ‘The Plan 2020-2025’. The project highlight reports detailed in Appendix 1 provide a summary of the project, milestones and achievements, alongside open issues, mitigation and a financial summary.

The Leader reported that each report has a current status, which can be green, amber or red. Out of the 11 project reports, 10 have a current green status defined as no problems or minor issues and 1 has an amber status, defined as having problems which have been identified but with a contingency plan in place. 

The Leader reported that the performance measures, detailed in Appendix 2, gives a comprehensive overview of how the authority as a whole is performing and cover most Council functions.

The Leader informed Cabinet that, in total, there are 42 targeted measures reported in the performance report:-

Of the 42 targeted measures 24 are Green whereby performance had been met or exceeded target, 11 are Amber whereby performance is below target but within tolerance and 7 are red whereby performance is below target and tolerance. Each of the red measures has a commentary explaining the reasons behind the performance and the actions being taken to bring performance back on target.


The Leader reported that Cabinet are as detailed on page 34 are recommended to:-

(i) Review, comment and approve the Annual Performance report for 2023-24; and

(ii) Agree that all key projects will continue to be monitored over the forthcoming financial year with the aim of maintaining a green status (on target) and where possible attaining a green status for those key projects which are currently amber.

Councillor Wainwright referred to EN05, on page 74 of the agenda report, Street Cleansing. Councillor Wainwright asked where this data had come from as the figures are incorrect due to the state of the streets across the borough which were an absolute disgrace. The lack of grass cutting and weed spraying was the worst he had witnessed in the town for 50+ years and the Council must do something about it as a matter of urgency.

The Leader reported that he agreed with Councillor Wainwright and that he was also ashamed of how unkept the Borough looked at the present time. The Leader informed Cabinet that he had talked to the CEO this morning to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

Councillor Wells reported that he would have a catch-up meeting with Councillor Wainwright to keep him abreast of potential solutions as all Members were keen for the situation to be resolved as quickly as possible

Councillor Candon reported that the current state of the Borough was indefensible.

Councillor Williamson reported that the gutters were filled with grass, weeds and detritus across the Borough which had become evident to Councillors as they were out and about campaigning.

Councillor Plant reported that the situation was a total embarrassment and that children should be able to play on a field and not be prevented from doing so due to the height of the grass.

Councillor Wells highlighted that the Council had not changed the total budget for the number of grass cuts this financial year but was facing the results of  having to cut grass which had grown much earlier due to unseasonally high temperatures in the winter and spring months and associated heavy rainfall.

The Information Governance Lead reported that he would contact the Head of Environment & Sustainability to ascertain where he got his statistics from to calculate KPI EN05,  to clarify the figures given in the report and report back to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Review, comment and approve the Annual Performance report for 2023-24, 

(ii) Agree that all key projects will continue to be monitored over the forthcoming financial year with the aim of maintaining a green status (on target) and where possible attaining a green status for those key projects which are currently amber; and

(iii) Clarify the calculation of the figures for KPI EN05 as stated on page 76 of the agenda report.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Service.

The Leader of the Council reported that this report provides an end of year update on progress made on the Council’s 2023/24 Annual Action Plan, that was approved by Cabinet on 25th July 2023.

The Leader was pleased to report that 96% of the actions have been completed or progressed during the year. In number terms there were 74 individual projects or activities documented on the plan, 24 of these have been completely finished, 41 have had the planned 23/24 action completed but as these were multi-year projects there is further work scheduled in 2024/25. A further 6 activities have had some of the planned 23/24 work completed but some of this has had to be carried over into 2024/25, and 3 actions were not delivered.

The 3 actions not delivered were:-

(i) A Future High Street Fund Densification project to deliver 21 new residential units in the town centre – this was not delivered as the viability assessment proved the delivery of this project was not feasible within the funding available.

(ii) To complete business case viability assessment to extend the Selective Licensing scheme - data compilation has been completed for viability assessment and the business case will now be progressed during 2024/25.

(iii) To Introduce and promote a commercial waste recycling service via GYS Limited.

The Leader reported that Cabinet, as detailed on page 81 of the agenda, are recommended to review, comment and approve the report.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet review, comment and approve the report.

Cabinet received and considered the reports from the Head of Service.

The Leader of the Council reported that this report presents the new and/or reviewed suite of family friendly policies which have been updated to meet new legislative requirements. All policies have been fully consulted with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), UNISON and the Joint Consultative Working Group (JCWG). 

The Leader reported that as part of this report the Head of Organisational Development is seeking delegated authority to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the policies for the purpose of keeping them up to date, clarifying their content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, updating them in accordance with changes in legislation and/or case law, or with changes in the management structure. 

The suite of polices that have been presented to Cabinet today are as follows :-


• Paternity Leave Policy – this is a new policy due to a change in legislation as of 6 April 2024 

• Flexible Working Policy – this policy has been reviewed due to a change in legislation as of 6 April 2024 

• Carer’s Leave Policy – this is a new policy reflecting new legislation. 

• Maternity Policy – this policy has been reviewed. 

• Time off for Dependants Policy –  this is a new policy reflecting new legislation. 

• Unauthorised Absence Policy – this is a new policy and will be used as information for managers and employees. 

• Annual Leave Policy – this is a new policy and will be used as information for managers and employees.

The Leader reported that Cabinet are as detailed on page 94 are recommended to:-

(i) Approve the suite of policies; and

(ii) Give delegated authority to the Head of Organisational Development to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the Policy for the purpose of keeping it up to date, clarifying its content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, updating it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or caselaw, or with changes in the management structure. 

The Leader thanked the Head of Service & her team for all their hard work to produce the policies which were welcomed by Cabinet.

Councillor Candon reported that he was pleased to see policies relating to staff welfare being delivered and instilled as part of the Council's well-being programme.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Approve the suite of policies and; 



(ii) Give delegated authority to the Head of Organisational Development to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the Policy for the purpose of keeping it up to date, clarifying its content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, updating it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or caselaw, or with changes in the management structure. 

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Service.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that the Council’s current allocations policy and scheme was adopted in December 2019, since this time there has been increased demand for social housing, and reduced availability of housing stock. Therefore, a revised allocation policy and scheme has been produced to manage people’s expectations and to ensure the best use of stock. 

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that this report summarises the main proposed changes contained within the revised allocation policy and scheme which is attached at Appendix 1.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that, subject to Cabinet approval of this report and In line with the Housing Act 1996 and Housing Act 1985, it is proposed that the revised allocations policy and scheme be subject to public consultation, and for this to include it being sent to all Private Registered Providers operating in the borough, and seeking the views of Council tenants and applicants on the housing register. The period of public consultation will be eight weeks, following which a proposed final revised policy and scheme will be presented to Cabinet for approval and adoption. 



Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that Cabinet are therefore, as detailed on page 152 of the agenda, recommended to:-

Approve that the revised allocation policy and scheme be subject to public consultation.

Councillor Plant reported that he welcomed this policy which gave the public a clearer understanding of how the Council's housing allocation scheme operated.

Councillor Candon reported that he was pleased that the Council's threshold has risen from £10k to £16k to match the DWP threshold.

Councillor Wainwright reported that he welcomed and supported the policy and he thanked the Head of Service and her team for all their hard work in its production.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet approve that the revised allocation policy and scheme be subject to public consultation.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director.

The Leader of the Council reported that Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) secured grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to re-imagine the People’s Palace, the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens. Design and costing work has been completed up to RIBA Stage 3 and the Listed Building consent was granted planning in November 2023. The Grant Agreement was signed in March 2024 and Permission to Start issued by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) on 16th April 2024. RIBA 4 detailed design has commenced, and critical decisions need to be taken around the Winter Gardens and Beach House Café so as not to delay programme. Winter Gardens is scheduled for opening Easter 2027. 

The Leader reported that in September 2023, ELT approved the surrender of the protected lease of Beach House Café and approved funds for a RIBA Stage 2 feasibility study into the future use of the Beach house Café and integration with the Winter Gardens. By redeveloping the café, GYBC can take significant design and commercial advantage of expanding the food & beverage offering and enhance the public realm opportunities by improving access to the seafront from the Golden Mile, a key heritage objective. There is no Heritage Fund grant approval for integrating the café into the Winter Gardens project but this is a ‘windfall’ opportunity to add value to the wider Winter Gardens experience and better chances to secure a high quality operator to manage both facilities. 

The Leader reported that critical early RIBA 4 design decisions need to be taken around the Winter Gardens and Beach House Café, in particular the proposed takeaway in the north-west corner of the Winter Gardens, rainwater harvesting underneath the public realm, external public realm, and PV’s to improve the innovation credits for BREEAM and reaching low energy consumption and carbon embodiment targets for the Winter Gardens. 

The Leader reported that the current configuration of the takeaway facility inside the Winter Gardens has been compromised by the introduction of other essential facilities such as the Changing Places Facility. The scale of the takeaway has been reduced thus reduced revenue generating potential. Moving this takeaway to the Beach House Café enables good revenue generating opportunities for the whole project, plus reduces the energy costs for the Winter Gardens. Achieving low energy benchmarking is essential for a BREEAM accreditation and the Beach House Café can accommodate other sustainable innovations that the Winter Gardens cannot, e.g. more efficient rainwater harvesting system, PV’s.

The Leader reported that the clear benefits to the Winter Gardens project and operator procurement are set out within this report. Key decisions during early RIBA Stage 4 detailed design need to be taken impacting on design, environmental and sustainability objectives for the Winter Gardens e.g. relocating the smaller takeaway into the larger Beach House Café. Re-development of the Beach House Café provides the opportunity for GYBC to develop a viable commercial asset intrinsically linked to the Winter Gardens long term sustainable future.

The Leader reported that Cabinet are requested, as detailed on page 197 of the agenda report, are recommended to:-

(i) Approve proposals to redevelop the Beach House Café subject to securing external funding programme.

(ii) Approve the appointment of the professional team to commence RIBA Work Stage 3 design and secure a planning permission to include innovation infrastructure connected to the environmental and sustainability Winter Gardens objectives at an estimated cost of £94,670. Funding will be sourced from the Special Projects Reserve Fund; and

(iii) Approve the relocation of the Winter Gardens takeaway into the Beach House Café. 

Councillor Candon asked for clarification in regard to whether changes in the licencing requirements for the Café would be required.

Councillor Plant reported that due to the number of proposed covers by the Café, it was imperative that the catering kitchen offer was designed fit for purpose.

Councillor Wainwright asked if the decking on the beach area would be covered otherwise a great deal of expenditure would be spent for little gain if the outside seating area could only be utilised between Easter and end of September when the weather was at it kindest.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Approve proposals to redevelop the Beach House Café subject to securing external funding programme.



(ii) Approve the appointment of the professional team to commence RIBA Work Stage 3 design and secure a planning permission to include innovation infrastructure connected to the environmental and sustainability Winter Gardens objectives at an estimated cost of £94,670. Funding will be sourced from the Special Projects Reserve Fund; and



(iii) Approve the relocation of the Winter Gardens takeaway into the Beach House Café.