Meetings

Meeting Details

Meeting Summary
Cabinet
5 Nov 2024 - 14:00 to 15:05
Occurred
  • Documents
  • Attendance
  • Visitors
  • Declarations of Interests

Documents

Agenda

Standard Items
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
To receive any apologies for absence. 


01

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Wells (Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, Waste & Recycling).

 

 

 

2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

You have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in a matter to be discussed if it relates to something on your Register of Interests form. You must declare the interest and leave the room while the matter is dealt with.

You have a Personal Interest in a matter to be discussed if it affects
•    your well being or financial position
•    that of your family or close friends
•    that of a club or society in which you have a management role
•    that of another public body of which you are a member to a greater extent than others in your ward.
You must declare a personal interest but can speak and vote on the matter.

Whenever you declare an interest you must say why the interest arises, so that it can be included in the minutes. 

02

 

There were no declarations declared at the meeting.

 

 

 

3 ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS

 

To consider any items of Urgent Business.

 

 

03

 

The Leader confirmed that there were no items of urgent business which needed to be reported to Cabinet.

 

 

 

4 pdf MINUTES (175Kb)

 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 8 October 2024.

 

 

04

 

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 October 2024 were confirmed.

 

The Leader reported that Cabinet had received and noted Rupert Lowe MP comments on the minutes.

 

 

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

05

 

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Inward Investment.

 

Councillor Candon, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Growth, reported that Norfolk is required to adopt an economic strategy as part of the integration on of New Anglia LEP and proposes that the Strategy will act as the lead document for a number of related documents such as the Strategic Skills Plan and the Norfolk Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

 

The draft strategy seeks to set out how Norfolk will navigate short-term challenges and uncertainty, whilst adapting and investing in the major opportunities. It eschews economic growth for its own sake or a narrow focus on GVA in favour of prioritising actions and projects that will enable the economy improve the quality of life for everyone who lives and works here; helping businesses to innovate and grow, creating more and higher-value opportunities for local residents.

 

In conclusion, Norfolk County Council’s new Local Growth Plan; Norfolk Economic Strategy 2024-2029 has been drafted and has been reviewed by NCC Cabinet on 4 November 2024 prior to formal adoption by the Council on 10 December 2024. It is proposed that the strategic interests of Great Yarmouth are well-represented in the document, with most key challenges and opportunities covered. It is sympathetic to, and supportive of, the Council's work and its key collaborations. 

 

Councillor Candon reported that Cabinet, as detailed on page 14 of the agenda report, are asked to recommend that:-

 

(i) Note and considers the content and recommendations within this report; and

 

(ii) Note and endorses the Norfolk Economic Strategy 2024-2024 and its formal adoption by NCC.

 

Councillor Candon asked that his thanks be minuted to Roberta Willner and her team at Norfolk County Council for all their assistance with the strategy. Councillor Candon reported that the Council had achieved 55 mentions in the strategy which was a fantastic achievement.

 

Councillor Plant reported that he fully supported the strategy document which fully supported the energy sector and as there was no longer a LEP in place, that NCC would be carrying out this work moving forwards. Councillor Plant reported that he was disappointed that the Government would not be going ahead with the planned improvements to the Vauxhall roundabout as it had no connection to any housing developments. National Highways had stated that they would not start work on these improvements until the third river crossing had been completed. This decision would put back many years the Council's desire to see the A47 duelled from Great Yarmouth to Norwich.

 

Councillor Bensly thanked all the officers concerned in the production of the strategy especially the team at Great Yarmouth as being mentioned 55 times in the document was an outstanding achievement for the Council and helped it to achieve its ultimate goal of being a good place to live and work.

 

The Leader thanked Roberta Willner and her team for all their hard work and support.

 

Councillor Wainwright reported that it was a very good document and showcased a huge amount of work by all the officers concerned. Councillor Wainwright reported that the improvements to the Vauxhall roundabout was the only project that the Government would not go ahead with in the borough.

 

Councillor Wainwright asked what had happened to the assets of the LEP now that it was no longer in operation. Roberta Willner informed Cabinet that the assets had been novated over to County as per the legal agreements. Councillor Wainwright asked what the novation of assets to County would mean for Great Yarmouth. Roberta Willner reported that she would send over the relevant report which had been presented to Cabinet earlier this year which gave details of the dissolution of the LEP and its assets. The Chief Executive Officer reported that Pot C Enterprise Zone funding now came directly to us which used to go directly to the LEP and no assets owned by the Council were transferred from the LEP to County.

 

 

RESOLVED:-

 

That Cabinet:-

 

(i) Note and considers the content and recommendations within this report; and

 

(ii) Note and endorses the Norfolk Economic Strategy 2024-2024 and its formal adoption by Norfolk County Council.

 

 

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

06

 

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

 

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Communities, reported that this report presents Cabinet with the proposed final version of Great Yarmouth’s Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme for approval and adoption. 

 

The Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme aims to make best use of the flexibilities provided under the Housing Act 1996 to meet the housing need of local people, manage applicant’s expectations and to ensure the best use of stock. 

 

Members approved consultation on an earlier draft (11 June 2024) of the proposed Policy and Scheme. This has now been completed in line with both statutory and wider public consultation. Feedback received has been considered and incorporated in to the final version for consideration today. In light of Government proposed regulations relating to housing, officers have also sought to future proof the final Policy and Scheme. 

 

The proposed final version of Great Yarmouth’s Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme 2024 is attached at Appendix 1 for members’ consideration. Subject to Cabinet’s approval to adopt the Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme, it will be implemented in Quarter 1 2025/26. 

 

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that Cabinet are, as detailed on page 73 of the agenda report, recommended to:-

 
(i) Approve the adoption of the revised Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme for Great Yarmouth 2024; and

 

(ii) Approve delegated authority to the Executive Director - People, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing Health & Communities, to approve minor amendments to Great Yarmouth’s Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme in order to ensure it remains compliant with legislation and approval of future Local Lettings Plans and Policies. 

 

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor thanked Tanya Rayner & her team for all their hard work in the production of the policy and scheme.

 

Councillor Candon reported that he welcomed the policy and the change to consecutive years in regard to local connection. Councillor Candon reported that he was disappointed with the level of responses to the consultation had been received. The leader reported that unfortunately this was a common problem with public consultations.

 

Councillor Plant reported that this was a much needed policy and scheme and he thanked Tanya and her team for all their hard work. He referred to paragraph 2.2 which demonstrated that the policy would encompass those in greatest housing need which was important guidance.

 

RESOLVED:-

 

That Cabinet:-

 

(i) Approve the adoption of the revised Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme for Great Yarmouth 2024; and

 

(ii) Approve delegated authority to the Executive Director - People, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing Health & Communities, to approve minor amendments to Great Yarmouth’s Housing Allocations Policy and Scheme in order to ensure it remains compliant with legislation and approval of future Local Lettings Plans and Policies. 

 

 

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

07

 

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Financial Services Manager.

 

The Leader, Portfolio Holder for Governance, Finance and Major Projects reported that this report presents for the 2024/25 financial year, The mid-year position for treasury management; the borrowing requirement and debt for the current financial year; the mid-year borrowing position and reporting on quarter 2 2024/25 treasury and capital prudential indicators compared with the Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy.

 

The Council adopted the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice (the CIPFA Code) which requires the Council to approve treasury management semi-annual and annual reports.

 

This report includes the new requirement in the 2021 Code of quarterly reporting of the treasury management prudential indicators. The non-treasury prudential indicators are incorporated in the Council’s normal quarterly Capital report.

 

The Councils treasury management strategy for 2024/25 was approved by Council on 22nd February 2024. The Council has borrowed and invested substantial sums of money and is therefore exposed to financial risks including the loss of invested funds and the revenue effect of changing interest rates. 

 

The successful identification, monitoring and control of risk remains central to the Council's treasury management strategy.

 

Overall, the Council remains in line with the Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Strategy as approved in February 2024. The treasury activities continue to be monitored on a daily basis.

 

The Leader reported that Cabinet, as detailed on page 105 of the agenda report are asked to recommend to Full Council to approve the Treasury Management half-yearly report for 2024/25. 

 

RESOLVED:-

 

That Cabinet recommend to Full Council to approve the Treasury Management half-yearly report for 2024/25. 

 

 

 

Report attached.

 

 

08

 

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Financial Services Manager.

 

The Leader, Portfolio Holder for Governance, Finance and Major Projects reported that this report presents the budget monitoring forecast position for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account and their respective capital programmes for the financial year 2024/25 for quarter 2. 

 

The original base budgets for 2024/25 were approved by Council in February 2024 and assumed a transfer from the General Fund reserves of £688,885 and a transfer of £2,878,800 from the Housing Revenue Account. 

 

This was alongside setting the capital programmes for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account. This report compares the forecast expenditure and income position at the end of September 2024 to the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets for 2024/25. 

 

The report continues to flag highlighted financial pressures for both the Housing Revenue Account and the General Fund in the year and these have been considered when setting the budget for 2025/26. 

 

Work will be undertaken as part of the finalisation of the outturn for the financial year on the required call on earmarked reserves will be reconsidered. Implications of any changes will also be considered when looking forward into 2025/26. 


The Leader reported that Cabinet, as detailed on page 118 of the agenda report, are recommended to:-

 

(i) Note the content of the report and the revised forecast for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for 2024/25,

 

(ii) Note the current updated General Fund capital programme (Appendix E); and

 

(iii) Recommend £602,410 HRA revenue remedial fire door budget is moved to the HRA capital programme to cover capital fire door replacements in 2024/25 ( as detailed at paragraph 7.6 of the agenda report). 

 

Councillor Plant reported that he had recently attended a meeting in Westminster with the Director of Resources to listen to what the Government had to say in regard to the charges levied by the Internal Drainage Boards (IDB). The IDB had issued the Council with increased charges after the Council had set its budget last year which was unsustainable for the council tax payers of the borough to meet as they had risen from £47k to £250k+. Our residents are paying to dispose of water from other areas of the country which flow through to our rivers and ultimately out in to the North Sea. The RSG used to pay the IDB charges and the Government must find a fair solution for all LA's i.e. Central Government should pay.

 

Councillor Plant reported that the most the Council could increase CTax charges by was capped at 2.99% or £5, whichever was the greater amount.

 

Councillor Bensly reported that he had also attended the meeting and 37 Councils had been in attendance demonstrating cross-party support for a fairer payment system as the current arrangements were not fair to our ratepayers.

 

The Leader reported that Councillor Freeman had recently attended an IDB meeting as a representative on this outside body from the Council where it was muted that the IDB charges would rise by an additional 12%. Local Authorities had formed a special interest group and membership had increased from 12 to 73 LA's and the Director and Resources and himself were members to ensure the views of this council were heard.

 

Councillor Candon reported that he agreed with the sentiments expressed by Councillors Bensly & Plant.

 

RESOLVED:-

 

That Cabinet:-

 

(i) Note the content of the report and the revised forecast for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for 2024/25,


(ii) Note the current updated General Fund capital programme (Appendix E); and


(iii) Recommend £602,410 HRA revenue remedial fire door budget is moved to the HRA capital programme to cover capital fire door replacements in 2024/25 ( as detailed at paragraph 7.6 of the agenda report). 

 

 

 

9 EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC
In the event of the Committee wishing to exclude the public from the meeting, the following resolution will be moved:-

"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."

10

 

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.

 

 

 

10 24-142 - GAPTON HALL - DEVELOPMENT AGENT PROPOSAL - CONFIDENTIAL REPORT
11 24-151 - OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE CAMPUS PHASE 2 - CONFIDENTIAL REPORT
12 CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES

Attendance

Attended - Other Members
Name
No other member attendance information has been recorded for the meeting.
Apologies
NameReason for Sending Apology
Paul Wells 
Absent
NameReason for Absence
No absentee information has been recorded for the meeting.

Declarations of Interests

Member NameItem Ref.DetailsNature of DeclarationAction
No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.

Visitors

 

PRESENT:-

 

Councillor Smith (Leader & Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and Major Projects) (in the Chair), Councillor Bensly (Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture & Coastal), Councillor Candon (Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Growth), Councillor Flaxman-Taylor (Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health & Communities), Councillor Plant (Portfolio Holder for Operational Property & Assets).

 

Councillors Jeal, Williamson & Wainwright attended as observers only.

 

Also in attendance :- Ms S Oxtoby (Chief Executive Officer), Ms C Whatling (Monitoring Officer), Mrs P Boyce (Executive Director - People), Ms K Sly (Executive Director - Resources), Ms N Hayes (Executive Director - Place), Ms M Holland (Head of Strategic Housing), Mrs N Turner (Head of Housing Assets), Ms K Dinis (Project Director), Ms T Rayner (Housing Options Manager), Mr S Best (Head of Inward Investment), Mrs S Wintle (Corporate & Democratic Services Manager), Mr D Zimmerling (IT Support), Ms J Prosser (Social Media & Engagement Officer) & Ms C Webb (Democratic Services Officer).

 

Ms R Willner (Business Development Manager, Norfolk County Council).

 

 

 

 

Back to the top