Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrews, Connell, Davis, Jones, Rodwell, Smith and Stenhouse.

In respect of the item relating to Item 5 Venetian Waterways, Councillor Waters-Bunn declared a Personal Interest in her capacity as Chairman of PONY, and Councillors B Coleman, M Coleman and Williamson declared their Personal Interest in respect of their positions as Trustees of the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust.

Council considered the Licensing and Election Manager's report which asked Members if they wished to consider the change in the Electoral Cycle for Great Yarmouth and to authorise consultation with interested Parties on a proposal to change the Council's Electoral Cycle from elections by thirds to whole Council Elections.

Councillor Walker suggested that as the Norfolk County Council Elections were being held in May this year it would seem appropriate to hold a Referendum coinciding with the date of the County Council Elections in order to gage the public's views on the proposal to change the Electoral Cycle. The point was made that the Borough Council could still undertake the consultation process on this issue prior to any Referendum being held in May 2017.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer reported that it was open to any Local Authority to hold a non binding Referendum / Local Poll.

PROPOSER : Councillor Walker

SECONDER : Councillor Jeal

That approval be given to the holding of a non binding Referendum with regard to the Electoral Cycle to be held on the same date as the Norfolk County Council Elections in May 2017.

CARRIED

Council considered the Deputy Monitoring Officer's report with regard to the establishment of a Employment Committee. In respect of appointments the Deputy Monitoring Officer reported that the Constitution requires a political balance, however Council may consider it more appropriate for such Committee to include all Group Leaders for cross party representation. This would require a unanimous decision by the Council.

PROPOSER : Councillor Plant

SECONDER : Councillor Wainwright 

That the political balance rule be waived and that the Group Leaders be appointed as the members of the Employment Committee.

LOST

PROPOSER : Councillor Plant

SECONDER : Councillor Wainwright 

(1) That the political balance rules should apply to the Membership of the Employment Committee and that the Members of this Committee will be Councillors Carpenter, K Grey, Hacon, Plant and Wainwright.

(2) That the Terms of Reference for the Employment Committee as detailed in the Deputy Monitoring Officer's report be approved.

CARRIED 

Council considered the Group Manager Neighbourhoods and Communities report with regard to the Venetian Waterways and Boating Lake Restoration Scheme. Members were advised that the Heritage Lottery Fund had recently announced that they had approved the Council's application for funding for the restoration of the Waterways and Boating Lake in the sum of 1.77 Million Pounds. The report outlined the scheme which will bring about the restoration the plan  for making the attraction sustainable and the implications for the Council if the Heritage Lottery Fund was approved. The report recommended that the Council makes an allowance in the Capital Programme to fund the difference between the Heritage Lottery funds award and the full cost of the scheme.

In discussing the report, the following issues were discussed :-

• The Offers of Help that had been received from organisations to assist with the Project
• Details with regard to potential running costs
• The details of the deduction of a Business Plan for this Project.

PROPOSER : Councillor B Coleman

SECONDER : Councillor Plant

(1) That approval be given to the creation of budget provision within the Capital Programme for expenditure on the Waterways Project.

(2) The creation of a Member Working Party to consult and advise on the Waterways Project, such Working Party to comprise Councillors Bensly, B Coleman, Hammond, Walch and Williamson.

(3) To delegate to the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Member Working Party the power to take all steps required to progress the Waterways project including the commitment of expenditure.

CARRIED

In accordance with Paragraph 26.11 (Motions on Notice) Council were asked to consider the following motions :-

(a) Motion on Notice from Councillors Jeal, Pratt, Wainwright, Walker and Wright :-

" In view of the current Universal Credit crisis, we call upon this Council to write to Brandon Lewis MP and request that he attends a public meeting (to be arranged) where agencies and those affected are encouraged to voice their own experience of this new benefit."

PROPOSER : Councillor Wainwright

SECONDER : Councillor Jeal

That the following Motion on Notice be agreed :-

" In view of the current Universal Credit crisis, we call upon this Council to write to Brandon Lewis MP and request that he attends a public meeting (to be arranged) where agencies and those affected are encouraged to voice their own experience of this new benefit."

CARRIED

In discussing this Motion a Member asked whether it would be possible to hold a Members briefing on the details of the Tax Credit System. The Chief Executive Officer confirmed that she would arrange for this briefing to be held for Members.

(b) Councillor Jeal reported that the proposed Motion on Notice from Councillors Fairhead, Jeal, Pratt, Wainwright and Walker regarding Voluntary Sector Grants had been withdrawn.