Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Wells.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The Leader advised that there were no items of urgent business to be discussed.

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

Cabinet received and considered the Head of Inward Investment's report.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Growth, Councillor Candon, advised of two errors that had been identified within the report, these being at point 1.1 within the report December 2025 should have been reported instead of December 2024 and at point 5.1 31 March 2025 should be amended to 31 March 2026.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Growth, Councillor Candon, summarised the report and advised that this provided Members with an update on the award of new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding for 2025/26 and presented recommendations for consideration; allocations to a programme of eligible workstreams and activities that could be supported.

He advised that proposed workstreams/interventions and funding allocations were presented in the Annex to the report, alongside descriptions and breakdowns by UKSPF priorities, themes and subthemes – as well as their alignment with the Government’s five Missions. Councillor Candon summarised the Governments five missions.

It was reported that these proposals reflected, wherever possible, opportunities to bridge-fund – i.e. bring forward – a number of activities that were previously approved by both the Town Board and Cabinet within delayed the Long-Term Plan for Great Yarmouth, reflecting the findings of an extensive community consultation exercise that was undertaken between April and July 2024. The proposals also extended and provided a transition for supporting economically inactive residents into skills acquisition and employment.

Councillor Candon advised that subject to Cabinet review and approval, the investment plan would supersede the current UKSPF programme – which was now fully allocated – from the beginning of April 2025. He advised that it was recommended that Members delegate to the relevant officers – the Project Sponsors – responsibility for setting output and outcome targets for each workstream/intervention in line with the official guidance and definitions.

Councillor Candon passed on his congratulations to colleagues and those on the Town Deal Board for their work undertaken in allocating of the long term plan funding and further commented that he was pleased to hear that the Government have now confirmed continuation of this funding by way of a plan for Neighbourhoods, and how this would help residents across the Borough. The Leader also commented that he was pleased to see the continuation of funding had now been confirmed.

The Portfolio Holder for Operational Property and Assets, Councillor Plant, highlighted the workstreams that had been described within the report and the importance of these and how these would bring a sense of pride to the Borough. He further commented on the positives shown and how these streams had been drawn up positively through a collaborative approach.

RESOLVED :

That Cabinet :-

1. Note and consider the content and recommendations within this report and Annex;
2. Review and approve the proposed allocation of 2025/26 UKSPF award to workstreams, activities, UKSPF priorities, themes and subthemes as indicated;
3. Delegate to the relevant officers responsibility for setting output and outcome targets for each agreed workstream in line with the official guidance and definitions.

Cabinet received and considered the Information Management Technology Manager's report.

The Leader presented the report and advised Members that, the Council has since 2011 outsourced elements of the IMT service to Norfolk County Council under a Shared Service Agreement. This agreement is due to expire on 31 March 2025 having been initially approved by Cabinet for renewal in October 2019 for a period of four years (commencing 01/04/2021).

The Leader advised that the report considered the options available to the Council and makes a recommendation on the best way to proceed based upon evaluation of the costs, risks and Local Government Devolution to ensure the Council is in the best possible position to deliver digital services to the business now and in the future.

It was advised that based upon the information available, together with the timescales around the requirement for the contract to be renewed, the practical approach is one for renewal. It is recommended that this be on a term of three years with the option for a break upon six months written notice. This would safeguard the Council against any future decisions/changes which are made as part of the Local Government Review.

RESOLVED : 

That Cabinet :-

 Approve a new Shared Service Agreement with Norfolk County Council on the basis contained within this report. This would be for a three-year time period with the option to break upon 6 months written notice. This will ensure that this arrangement does not impede any decisions made relating to the Local Government Review proposals.

The Cabinet received and considered the Executive Director, Resource's report.

The leader advised that this report presented the budget monitoring forecast position for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account and their respective capital programmes for the financial year 2024/25 as at December 2024.

For Quarter 3 he advised that the Council were forecasting a deficit position of £824k which is a slightly improved position from that reported for quarter 2.

It was advised that the most significant changes from Q2 related to the loan interest payable forecast which had, had an adverse impact on the budget position as interest rates have not improved as predicted. Another increase in forecast spend is within Property Services with one main increase as a result of required repairs and maintenance works, however this could be funded from the Repairs & Maintenance Earmarked Reserve which would mitigate £73k of the impact of this aspect of the overspend. Release of other earmarked reserves balances have been confirmed to be taken to cover spend in the year having been updated for the current position and approvals made during the year.

The Leader reported that actual spend on capital up to the end of December 2024 was £19m as summarised under Appendix E. The revised General Fund Capital Programme for 2024/25 is £35m. Of this, £34m was currently forecast to be spent in 2024/25. It was advised that the remaining budget would be spent in future years as the budget includes approved projects that will span financial years.

It was reported that the HRA forecast deficit was now £2.5m an improvement from the expected deficit of £2.9m at month 6 and a £400k improvement on the budgeted position. 

The joint venture with Norse for the provision of the housing repairs service via GYN ended on 30 September with the service being transferred in house from 1st October. Budgets have been set for new in-house service and final reconciliation with GYN has been completed but is pending final agreement with GYN. 

It was advised that £8.1m has been spent to date of the HRA capital budget, with £13.7m forecast to be spent by the yearend. Leaving £3.9m of the original £17.6m capital budget unspent. Consideration of the balance to be carried forward from this will be confirmed at outturn.

RESOLVED :

That Cabinet : 

1) Note the content of the report and the revised forecast for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for 2024/25.

2) Note the current updated General Fund capital programme (Appendix E).

Cabinet received and considered the Head of Property and Assets report.

The Portfolio Holder for Operational Property and Assets, Councillor Plant presented the report and advised that the Ocean Room became vacant in Spring 2024 following Ocean Room Ltd entering administration. Since this time the Council has undertaken a range of preliminary surveys to understand the condition of the building.

Following the conclusion of these surveys in October 2024 it became evident that the building has been returned to the Council in a poor condition, and significant investment is needed to bring the building back to into use.

Councillor Plant advised that in response to this the Council commissioned an external report to consider the possible options for the site to inform next steps and decision making for the Ocean Room and outline an approach that provides best value for money at this time.

Following consideration of the development and delivery options for the Ocean Room and given that the commercial market has not been tested, Councillor Plant advised that Cabinet were recommended to consider that the freehold of the building is marketed for sale, for an initial period of 3 months. This approach would test whether a commercial operator exists in the market prior to the commitment of further funds. If after this 3-month period sufficient market interest is not secured, Officers would bring a further report to Cabinet outlining next steps.

Councillor Plant reminded Cabinet Members that an amended report was circulated and published with regard to this item on Friday 28^th February and as such Cabinet were asked to consider the amended recommendations

 RESOLVED :

That Cabinet :-

1. Note the contents of this report and attached confidential appendix
2. Agree to invite expressions of interest from the open market with a view for a future sale of the building.

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