There were no apologies for absence received at the meeting.

Councillor Plant declared a personal interest in Item 19 in his capacity as Cabinet Member at Norfolk County Council.

Councillor Bensly declared a personal interest in items 12 and 13 due to his involvement in tourism at Hemsby.

Councillor Wells declared a personal interest in items 11 and 12 in his capacity as a Board Member of Coastal Partnership East and item 20 as a Board Member on the GYS Board.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 11 June 2024 were confirmed as a true and accurate record.

The Chairman advised that he had no items of urgent business for the meeting to discuss.

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

The Leader presented and advised that this was the annual debt report for 2023/2024 detailing the council’s collection performance and debt management arrangements for the past year.

The Leader advised that the report provides information on the activities carried out by the Revenues and Recovery Teams over the last year and new initiatives, areas of focus and activities that will be carried out in this financial year.

The Leader advised that appendix 1 gave a summary of collection performance in relation to Council Tax and Business Rates and a summary of debts written off in each debt area with the reasons for write off and the write off amounts and a summary of the level of arrears outstanding.

The Leader advised that Appendix 1 showed that the in year collection of business rates out turned above target at 98.2%.

The Leader reported that Council Tax collection achieved 95.7% which was slightly below target, however since April, a further £618,000 has been collected increasing the current collection rate for 23/24 to 96.7%

The Leader advised that Sundry Debt overall has reduced by over £101,000 on the prior year.

The Leader reported that table 12 and 13 in the Appendix were new additions to the report. They demonstrate the national increases in business rates and council tax debt since 2019/20 when Covid impacted. Compared with the national average you will see Great Yarmouth Borough Council is well below the national trend.  

The Leader advised that appendix 2 provided the 23/24 in year collection outturns for all Norfolk authorities and the average national collection rates for comparison.

The Leader reported that appendix 3 provided the aged debt position as at the end of March 2024. Following the impact of Covid and inability to undertake recovery and enforcement actions on debts at various periods throughout the pandemic the Revenues and Recovery Team re-commenced normal recovery and enforcement actions through the last year. The team are focussed and on track for this year to make significant headway in reducing the historic debt.

The Leader reported that Cabinet is asked to approve the annual report giving details of the Council’s write-offs in accordance with the Council’s Recovery Guidelines and performance in relation to revenues collection.

The Leader thanked the Head of Customer Services and her team for all their hard work and congratulated them for achieving above average collection rates.

Councillor Wainwright referred to page 14 of the agenda report and asked for confirmation that the property debt figure of £106k included the Ocean Rooms. The Leader confirmed that the Ocean Rooms was included.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet that approve the annual report giving details of the Council’s write-offs in accordance with the Council’s Recovery Guidelines and performance in relation to revenues collection.

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

The Leader reported that this report asks for Cabinet Members permission to undertake a public consultation on proposals for Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26.

The Leader advised that the current scheme was introduced from April 2024 where the maximum award of Council Tax Support is 80% of the Council Tax Liability in relation to working age customers. 

The Leader informed Cabinet that it is proposed to consult on retaining this scheme for 2025/26 with a minor addition to implement income tolerance thresholds for Universal Credit award changes as outlined in the report. 

The Leader reported that Cabinet is asked to grant permission to consult on retaining the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 with the inclusions of the minor amendments as outlined in section 4 of this report.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet grant permission to consult on retaining the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26 with the inclusions of the minor amendments as outlined in section 4 of this report.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Housing Options Service Manager.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that the Homelessness Act 2002 requires every local housing authority to have in place a homelessness strategy which is based on a review of all forms of homelessness in their district. In 2023 the Council appointed external consultants to undertake a homeless review and produce a revised homeless strategy. 

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor advised that further to this review, a revised homelessness strategy has been prepared and this is attached at appendix 1.

The vision of the draft Homeless Strategy 2024-29 is to:-

“Prevent homelessness and where households become homeless ensure that there are
a range of suitable housing solutions.”

This vision is to be delivered through three key objectives:-

Objective 1: Preventing homelessness,

Objective 2: Creating housing solutions; and

Objective 3: Working in partnership with local stakeholders and statutory bodies

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that each of these objectives have priorities for action which together form an action plan.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor advised that Cabinet is asked to approve and adopt the draft Homelessness Strategy 2024-29.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet is asked to approve and adopt the draft Homelessness Strategy 2024-29.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Housing Assets.

Councillor Plant reported that on 8 February 2024, the Housing Ombudsman launched their new Complaint Handling Code which came into effect as a statutory code from 1 April 2024.  The code requires social landlords to complete and publish a Self-Assessment against the code as well as undertaking and publishing an Annual Complaint Handling and Service Improvement report in relation to complaints received in 2023/4.   

Councillor Plant reported that the appendices to the report being considered are the completed documents which have, in accordance with the requirements of the Complaint Handling Code, been published on the Council’s website.

Councillor Plant advised that the documents are also required to be considered by the Council’s Cabinet in its role as Governing Body for the Council’s landlord function and the response of the Cabinet published alongside the two documents.

Councillor Plant advised that this report therefore seeks Cabinet feedback on the Self-Assessment and the Annual Complaint and Service Improvement Report.

Cabinet as detailed on page 75 of the agenda are recommended to :-

1) Note the contents of the Self-Assessment and Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report; and

2) Provide a formal response to the Self-Assessment and Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report.

Councillor Plant & the Leader congratulated the Head of Housing Assets and her team for producing the report in a very short timeframe.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Note the contents of the Self-Assessment and Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report; and

(ii) Provide a formal response to the Self-Assessment and Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report.

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

Councillor Wells reported that Pavement Licences are currently issued under temporary legislation brought in as a response to Covid, under the Business and Planning Act 2020. This temporary legislation was due to expire at the end of September 2024, however the government has made the scheme permanent, with some amendments, through the Levelling Up & Regeneration Act 2023. 

Councillor Wells reported that currently the fee for a pavement licence is set at £100, which was the maximum under the temporary legislation. These licences are due to expire in September 2024 and any existing licences will remain valid until the expiry date.

Councillor Wells advised that new licences will need to be issued under the new provisions and fees have been calculated to ensure that they are set at an appropriate level to support the recovery of the cost associated with providing the service.

Councillor Wells informed Cabinet that the Licensing Committee discussed this proposal at their meeting of 10 June 2024, and recommended that cabinet approve an amendment to the fees and charges for pavement licences of £250 for a new licence and £200 for a renewal. 


Cabinet as detailed on page 119 of the agenda are therefore recommended to :-

(i) Note the contents of the Self-Assessment and Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report; and

(ii) Provide a formal response to the Self-Assessment and Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report.

Councillor Jeal asked if Members could have a map/plan of the pavement licences issued along Great Yarmouth Seafront. Councillor Wells agreed that this information would be useful for all members nut especially for those members with outside seating areas in their wards.

Councillor Plant asked for an assurance that these seating areas would be correctly policed to ensure that they did not take over Marine Parade.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Note the contents of the Self-Assessment and Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report; and

(ii) Provide a formal response to the Self-Assessment and Annual Complaint Performance and Service Improvement Report.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Environment & Sustainability.

Councillor Wells reported that the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Strategy for Great Yarmouth was due to be reviewed in 2023 and the proposed strategy which members have been asked to read through has been produced to reflect the Council’s approach to tacking ASB in a fair and proportionate manner working in collaboration with its’ partner agencies to produce a robust approach to ASB.

Councillor Wells reported that the proposed strategy sets out the Council’s priorities for preventing and tackling Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) for the next five years, with the aim of ensuring that residents throughout the borough of Great Yarmouth reside and feel safe in their local communities.

Councillor Wells advised that, as a borough, we face increasingly complex challenges when tackling ASB. Prioritising the needs of those at harm, whilst working with perpetrators who are often some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Partnership working is at the heart of our town’s approach to preventing and tackling ASB. This is supported through a wide range of agencies who are engaged in the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Group and connected to the Council’s Community Hub. 

Councillor Wells reported that this strategy advocates an approach to ASB based on prevention ideally delivered through effective community engagement, with support for all parties when incidents occur. 

The strategy provides a framework that incorporates four strategic themes:-

• Prevention 

• Intervention 

• Support 

• Enforcement 

Councillor Wells reported that work to prevent and tackle ASB should be visible; accountable and have strong governance. This strategy informs the Council’s approach, promoting a partnership delivery model with everyone including local residents playing a key role.

Cabinet as detailed on page 121 of the agenda are therefore recommended to :-

(i) note the information contained within this report; and

(ii) agree to adopt the Anti- Social Behaviour Strategy for the next 5 years. 

Councillor Candon reported that he welcomed this strategy and thanked Councillor Wells for all his hard work and support in the formation of the strategy which was a tool to inform the residents of the borough that the Council took ASB seriously. The strategy was also an exemplar of partnership working.

Councillor Plant referred to page 121 of the agenda report and highlighted that he did not think that giving a resident who had committed ASB a letter was the right answer. An immediate response was called for and the Council needed a mechanism in place to support vulnerable residents who were often the perpetrators of ASB.

The Head of Environment & Sustainability reported that early intervention and help was offered and sanctions could be introduced at any level. ASB often resulted from homelessness, alcohol related issues and ASB in a public area. Councillor Wells confirmed that different solutions were available for different types of ASB. Council officers worked closely with the PSPO's and he assured Cabinet that the Council had always taken ASB seriously and cared about its residents and would take action wherever we could.

The  Housing Options Services Manager informed Cabinet that the Council had a dedicated team including nurses and mental health team,  to help people such as those who congregated in the shop doorways of Sports Direct to drink.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Note the information contained within this report; and

(ii) Agree to adopt the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy for the next 5 years. 

Cabinet received and considered the report from the head of Environment & Sustainability.

Councillor Wells reported that recycling rates and contamination of recycling bins is an issue across the Borough with the Council currently recycling approximately 36% of all waste, however 24% of this recycling is contaminated. 

Councillor Wells  advised that the Borough performs similarly to Norwich and Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, who experience many of the same factors that impact the quality of recycling, and which are detailed in this report. 

Councillor Wells reported that despite this being a continuing issue for a number of years, the situation is gradually becoming worse and this is not something that the Council can continue to allow to take place.

 
Councillor Wells advised that the Council has undertaken several local campaigns and working with the Norfolk Waste Partnership on numerous initiatives to try and reduce this contamination level, but this continues to be a problem at various levels across the Borough.

 
Councillor Wells advised that as a result of this continuing issue, a recycling improvement plan has now been developed for the endorsement of Cabinet. Without these proposed interventions we will not make meaningful difference to the recycling contamination level, and it is likely to get worse without both education and challenge.

Cabinet as detailed on page 139 of the agenda are therefore recommended to :-

(i) Endorse the proposed work as part of the recycling improvement plan, as detailed in the agenda report,

(ii) Support the funding bid through the town deal board around recycling education and behaviour change; and

(iii) Agree the funding to enable this work to take place through the invest to save reserve. 

Councillor Wells highlighted that recycling contamination was not just a town centre issue but a boroughwide issue.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor asked that officers inform Ward Councillors when the Waste Education Officers were operating in their wards.

Councillor Bensly reported that he felt that recycling was a generational issue. He highlighted that NCC were working with schools in the hope that the school children would educate their parents and grandparents.

The Head of Service reiterated that recycling was a constant battle. He had recently hosted a workshop at a staff conference whereby education of the public on recycling had been recognised as a focal point.

Councillor Wells reiterated that there were two sides to the recycling issue and constant reinforcement was required on behalf of the Council.

Councillor Plant highlighted that recycling contamination was a cost to the ratepayers of the borough and that these costs should be posted on the Council's website for public consumption. He asked that refresher stickers for the waste bins be issued to the residents of the borough.

Councillor Wainwright made the observation that the recycling pilot scheme in Bradwell and Belton was the longest pilot he had come across. The Head of Service confirmed that the rate of contamination in Bradwell was 26% and that the pilot had been extended due to significant staff turnover at GYS. Councillor Wells reported that bin contamination was largely prevalent in the Mill Lane area.

RESOLVED:-

That Council:-

(i) Endorse the proposed work as part of the recycling improvement plan, as detailed in the agenda report,


(ii) Support the funding bid through the town deal board around recycling education and behaviour change; and


(iii) Agree the funding to enable this work to take place through the invest to save reserve.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director - Place.

Councillor Bensly reported that those who live in the Borough and those who watch the workings of this Council will be aware how much time and efforts over the years Members and Officers have devoted to making sure we secure the best possible Government support for communities along our coastline.

Councillor Bensly reported that ours was a coastline, in an era of climate change, that is located on one of the most dynamic and rapidly eroding coastlines in Northern Europe and the pace of Coastal erosion is increasing more over time. 

Councillor Bensly advised that whilst everyone is aware we cannot halt the march of nature, we work tirelessly to support our Borough and our proposed new Coastal Adaptation Policy is the latest vital step to mitigate the impact of that erosion on our residents and businesses who are on the front line of our coast.

Councillor Bensly reported that there was limited national funding available for sea defences and there is no central government policy that supports adaptation in response to coastal erosion. We want to fill that gap to give those impacted by erosion the ability to look to the future with confidence.

Councillor Bensly reported that by continuing to work closely with our communities and stakeholders, we hope this policy will offer achievable options and support for our coastal communities from Winterton to Hopton.

Councillor Bensly advised that if there is a change of policy and funding by the Government then we are, of course, in an excellent position to move on sea defences. Several years ago, after years of work with the MMO, EA, the PC and other agencies, we were able to successfully secure planning permission for a scheme at Hemsby that would slow down – but not halt – erosion. Under current legislation it does not qualify for sufficient Government funding to allow this to progress. 

Councillor Bensly reported that a one size fits all approach is not appropriate to the diverse communities we represent and as such this policy outlines a suite of approaches that the council can chose to implement to support our Coastal Communities to adapt and thrive. 

Councillor Bensly reported that, upon adoption, this policy will enable the Council to have meaningful conversations with it’s Coastal Communities, to develop adaptation plans that meet their current and future needs. 

Cabinet as detailed on page 144 of the agenda are therefore recommended to :-

1) Adopt the Coastal Adaptation Policy; and

2) Delegate responsibility to the Executive Leadership Team to implement coastal adaptation plans in line with this policy and as required.

Councillor Candon thanked Councillor Bensly for all his hard work and support given to the residents at Hemsby, and from Winterton-on-Sea through to Hopton. He highlighted the business community at Hemsby and stressed that it was business as usual for them and reminded Cabinet that they significantly contributed to the local economy.

Councillor Plant reported that it saddened him that our coastline was to be a managed retreat, this to him, felt like surrendering and he was not comfortable with this as he would prefer a more proactive approach to protect our coastline, our residents, our property and assets. Councillor Plant wanted CPE to put forward a policy to defend the coast at Great Yarmouth and the surrounding area. The Council needed to make a statement of support to its residents.

Councillor Wells reported that he felt like the policy was a declaration of reality rather than a focus on sea defences. The Council should carry on fighting to get our residents the defences they need.

At 15:58, in accordance with paragraph 26.113 of the Council's Constitution, Cabinet voted to extend the meeting by 30 minutes. 

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i)  Adopt the Coastal Adaptation Policy; and

(ii)  Delegate responsibility to the Executive Leadership Team to implement coastal adaptation plans in line with this policy and as required.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director - Place & Karen Thomas - Coastal Protection East.

Karen Thomas gave a presentation to Cabinet.

Karen Thomas reported that this report recommends the formation of the Resilient Coasts Project Board as the governing board for the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme (FCRIP). Funding for this programme was approved in June 2022.

The initial governing group Joint Coastal Project Board (Suffolk) is recommended for amendment to become Resilient Coasts Project Board with the Elected Members representing the Coastal Partnership East Board to attend on behalf of Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor asked for clarification as to what was the spread of the 90 affected properties across East Suffolk and Great Yarmouth. Karen Thomas reported that it was almost a 50%/50% spread and that this was currently being mapped.

Councillor Wells reported that it was planned to set up a new Government Task Force to tackle coastal erosion which would tie in with policy reviews of the new Government and he asked if this was on CPE's radar.

Councillor Bensly highlighted the good work of the special interest groups.

Councillor Bensly asked for clarification as to how old the Risk Mapping being used was. Karen Thomas reported that the information was from 2008 in some parts with coastal frontage data from 2012 & 2018. The EA were aware of this. The CPE was using drone footage for data for areas most at risk.

Councillor Bensly asked if the EA gave weight to the value of wildlife in Winterton. Karen Thomas reported that this was not valued and did not add weight to a case to attract funding.

Karen Thomas informed Cabinet that a paper was in progress for Cabinet to consider at its September meeting which would give data of the number of homes at risk from coastal erosion in the borough.

Councillor Plant reiterated the terrific harm to the borough which would result if any of our coastal communities were lost to the sea and that a managed retreat was not good enough for our residents. The Council must defend our coast and defend our inland Broads communities. The Dutch dealt with coastal and inland defences in a holistic manner and raised extensive revenue for the protection works via taxes.

The Chair reported that CPE and the Council had spent hours and significant amounts of money just talking and now the Council needed action and our share of the allotted £8m funding would be better spent on providing some short term defences.

Karen Thomas assured Cabinet that some short term solutions were in place, £10m had been spent at Happisburgh, but there was no additional funding available now. Coastal erosion would have a cumulative impact on the East Coast and it must not be allowed to fall into the sea and therefore, the current policy does not work for us.

The Chair asked if our new MP Rupert Lowe had been in contact with the CPE. Karen Thomas reported that not as yet but he would be invited to attend a future briefing.

Councillor Wells reported that the Council's frustration was that it had water on both sides, the Broads and the North Sea.

The CEO asked how much influence GYBC, as a named partner, had in these policy/funding initiatives over what spending is left and how to spend it in the best interests of our residents. The Council would struggle to explain any successes to its residents, especially those who live at The Marrams.

Karen Thomas advised that CPE, ESC & GYBC could have a conversation at any time. The CEO assured CPE that if we had control of £4m of this funding, we would not be delivering the suggested package WP3 and spending £1.1m on the use of consultants. The Chair asked Karen to take Cabinet's concerns in regard to WP3, i.e. the use of consultants at a cost of £1.1m away and to respond.

Karen Thomas agreed to take this information away in regard to WP3 and to respond.

Councillor Plant was disappointed that this funding could not be spent on hard defences and struggled to understand why. Karen Thomas reiterated that the funding was for an academic exercise as the CPE needed to gather more hard evidence. 

Councillor Plant asked that the CPE be open and transparent and give predicted timescales to the Council.

Councillor Candon asked for clarification as to whether the non funding of hard sae defences included the flood defence barrier in Lowestoft. Karen Thomas reported that this was a different funding scheme.

Councillor Wainwright reported that the Government needed to change the funding formula to protect Hemsby and that GYBC Members needed to be kept up to date.

Karen Thomas reported that the Resilient Coast Board had met 3 times and there had been 2 Steering Group meetings but officer availability had proven to be problematic.

The CEO referred to page 148 of the agenda report. The policy stated that, in the short term, there was no funding for sea defences at Hemsby, however, there was £8m funding for viability studies, of which 50% of the funding was earmarked for GYBC. However, we could not use this funding to protect more homes at Hemsby, for example, by a sand scaping scheme. If we could use this funding, the Council could manage The Marrams community in a better way as every time there was a storm, the Council used up precious resources and staffing capacity.

The CEO asked for an assurance to strengthen the governance of the Board over its influence of the £8m funding so that the Council is able to control and oversee its share of the funding for the benefit of our residents, especially in Hemsby.

Councillors Wells and Wainwright reported that they were only aware that 1 Board meeting had taken place and not 3.

The Chair thanked Karen & Russell for attending Cabinet.

Cabinet agreed that they would note that they had received the report on the work to date but requested further information on the questions that had been raised at the meeting.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Receive the report on work to date; and

(ii) Request further information on the questions that had been raised at the meeting.

Cabinet reconvened at 16:08.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director - Resources.

The Leader reported that this report presents the productivity plan for approval ahead of submission and publication as requested to be produced for all Local Authorities.  

The Leader reported that as part of the announcement of the final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 in February 2024, it was announced by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that Local Authorities would be asked to develop and share productivity plans. A letter was subsequently sent to all LA Chief Executives in April 2024 (attached at Appendix A). 

The Leader advised that the plan needs to include the following and where appropriate reference the work the council undertakes alongside other public services such as NHS and police:-

• How the Council has transformed the way it designs and delivers services to make better use of resources; 

• How the Council plans to take advantage of technology and make better use of data to improve decision making, service design, and use of resources; 

• The Councils plans to reduce wasteful spend within the organisation and systems; and

• The barriers preventing progress that the government can help to reduce or remove. 


The Leader reported that the letter outlines that the plan should have member endorsement and be published on the council’s website. Once it has received the approval from Cabinet it will be published accordingly. 

The Leader advised that the productivity plan has been pulled together to address each of the questions including examples where applicable. 


Cabinet as detailed on page 163 of the agenda are therefore recommended to:-

Endorse the contents of the productivity plan ahead of its submission and publication.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet endorse the contents of the productivity plan ahead of its submission and publication. 

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director - Resources.

The Leader reported that this report presents the provisional outturn for the 2023/24 financial year for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) including the respective capital programmes and financing. The report also presents an update to the 2024/24 capital programme following re-profiling between financial years along with the respective financing and presents a revised reserves statement. 

The Leader reported that the budget for 2023/24 was set by Council in February 2023. During the year the budget has been updated for in year virements and the budget monitoring position reported to members via Cabinet and Scrutiny. 

The Leader reported that the in year budget monitoring reports highlighted the increased financial pressures on both the General Fund and the HRA from a number of factors in particular the increased demand for temporary accommodation and shortfall in income from a number of demand led services for example planning and crematorium. 

The Leader advised that these factors were highlighted during the year and have impacted on the outturn position. The detail for the General Fund and HRA are outlined in more detail in the following sections and appendices. 

The Leader reported that the outturn position for the General Fund is a deficit of £336,158 compared to the budgeted deficit of £753,469 and will require a lower call on reserves by £417,311 than budgeted. The HRA outturn shows a deficit of £4.587m, against a budget deficit of £4.716m, resulting in a movement of £0.129m and a higher year-end balance than previously forecast. 

The Leader reported that these are both improved positions for the general fund and the housing revenue account compared to those previously anticipated and allows the reserves to be maintained in the short term as we commence the work on the budget for the next financial year. 

The Leader advised that the commentary within the report and appendices details the variances against the budget for the various services.

Cabinet as detailed on page 173 of the agenda are therefore recommended to :-


1. Agree the provisional outturn for 2023/24 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account; 

2. Agree the transfers to and from reserves as detailed in the report and appendices; 

3. Agree the financing of the capital programmes (GF and HRA) as detailed within the report and appendices; 

4. Agree the updated capital programme for 2024/25 as included in the report and appendices; and

5. Agree the updated use of the £50k S106 funding for both Southtown Common Playground and MUGA along with the £23k GYBC contribution to the MUGA, provisionally included in the Capital Programme.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Agree the provisional outturn for 2023/24 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account; 



(ii) Agree the transfers to and from reserves as detailed in the report and appendices; 



(iii) Agree the financing of the capital programmes (GF and HRA) as detailed within the report and appendices; 



(iv) Agree the updated capital programme for 2024/25 as included in the report and appendices; and



(v) Agree the updated use of the £50k S106 funding for both Southtown Common Playground and MUGA along with the £23k GYBC contribution to the MUGA, provisionally included in the Capital Programme.

The Leader informed Cabinet that this item had been withdrawn.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director - Place.

The Leader reported that Great Yarmouth was nominated by the previous Government as one of 55 towns across the county to receive funding of £20 million in a 10 year endowment style funding allocation names “Long Term Plan for Towns”. To commence draw down of this funding the Council must submit a Long-Term Plan by 1 August 2024.

The Leader advised that Long-Term Plans must comprise of a 10-Year Vision, which clearly identifies the longer-term priorities for the town, and a 3-Year Investment Plan. Investments must align with the three new investment themes:-

• Safety and security 

• High streets, heritage and regeneration 

• Transport and connectivity 

The Leader advised that the long term plan must be submitted to government for consideration, and must be approved by the Town Deal Board.

The Leader reported that as part of the development of the plan the Council is required to undertake broad community and stakeholder engagement and analysis of key data and insight relating to the Town. Following the community and stakeholder engagement exercise and analysis of data and insight relating to the Town, a pipeline of projects has been developed that responds to the governments three investment priorities for Long Term Plan funding. 

The Leader reported that this paper provides an overview of the outcomes of the community engagement and a summary of the possible activity that aligns with the governments three investment priorities and the five emerging themes from the community and stakeholder engagement exercise that has recently been conducted.

The Leader reported that the proposed investment activities detailed in appendix 1 reflect both the governments investment priorities and the emerging priorities from the community and stakeholder engagement exercise. 

The Leader reported that it is important to note that the investment activity detailed in appendix 1 is over the initial 3 year investment period and does not reflect the full usage of the £20 million funding allocated, it is likely that as the plan progresses new projects will emerge that require funding, and therefore a proportion of funding remains unallocated at this stage to provide flexibility to respond to future need. 

The Leader advised that funding cannot be rolled forward into the earlier years to front-end delivery, unless it is funded by Council borrowing. The investment priorities have therefore been staggered across the spending profile so as not to add budgetary pressures for the Council. 

Cabinet as detailed on page 218 of the agenda are therefore recommended to:-

1) Note the content of this report,

2) Note and approve the potential investment activity detailed in Appendix 1; and 

3) Delegate the finalisation and submission of the 3-Year Investment Plan and high-level 10-Year Vision to the Chief Executive, Group Leaders and Section 151 Officer representing the Council as Accountable Body for the funding. 

Councillor Plant highlighted paragraph 2.22 on page 219 of the agenda pack. Five priorities were highlighted but the Council did not have complete control over the provision of Doctors and Dentists in the borough or bringing shops and empty buildings back into use. The funding which had been awarded was not a lot of money and would be spread out over several years.

The CEO reported that a dentistry training hub might form part of The Place redevelopment and copy the model which had been introduced in Ipswich. We could fit out the building and carry out a lot of the preparation work ready for a university to take over and provide the dentistry courses.

The CEO reported that the key to bringing empty shops back into use was to shrink the Town Centre retail area and we could act as facilitators for our partners to occupy them. The Town Board were supportive.

Councillor Candon agreed that the Council should set its ambition level and work with agencies and partners to achieve a positive long term outcome for the town.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(i) Note the content of this report,



(ii) Note and approve the potential investment activity detailed in Appendix 1; and 



(iii) Delegate the finalisation and submission of the 3-Year Investment Plan and high-level 10-Year Vision to the Chief Executive, Group Leaders and Section 151 Officer representing the Council as Accountable Body for the funding. 

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.