Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P Hammond and B Walker.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 2 November 2021 were confirmed.

The Committee received and noted the contents of the Forward Plan.

The Committee received and considered the Senior Information and Data Protection Officer's report which presented an update on performance for the second quarter of 2021/22 (July to September) where progress is assessed against targets which are set at the start of the financial year.

Councillor Wainwright asked with regard to the public realm improvements and when this project was likely to be complete. It was advised that an update on this matter was to be taken to the next Town Centre and Town Deal Member Working Group and it was advised that work was ongoing with this matter.

Councillor T Wright made reference to the Marina Centre Project whereby the indicator had advised that there could be an issue with the completion date due to a shortage of materials, it was advised that the Marina Centre Members Working Group had recently met and been advised that the project was on track to complete as scheduled it was therefore advised that this risk would be updated on this particular indicator.

Councillor P Carpenter asked whether sift marketing test had been completed with regard to the North Quay project, it was advised that a contractor had been appointed to assist with this piece of work and that it was anticipated this work would be completed in the new year.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee approve

(1) That all measures be monitored during the next quarter.

(2) All key projects continue to be monitored over the next quarter with the aim of maintaining a green status and where possible attaining a green status for those key projects which are currently amber.

Members received and considered the Strategic Planning Manager's report which asked Members to consider recommending to Full Council the adoption of the Local Plan Part 2 following the conclusion of the examination in public and the publication of the Inspector’s Report.

The Chairman passed on his thanks to the Strategic Planning Manager and his team for their hard work and dedication in developing the Plan for the Council.

A number of Members also passed on their thanks to the Strategic Planning Manager and his team.

RESOLVED :

That the Policy and Resources Committee recommend  to Full Council :

(1)  That the Great Yarmouth Local Plan Part 2 (Appendix 1 to this report) is adopted.

(2) That the Policies Map is updated to reflect the Local Plan Part 2 as shown in
Appendix 2 to this report.

(3) That the Interim Housing Land Supply Policy (2014) is revoked.

The Committee received and considered the Head of Customer Services report which asked Members to consider recommending to Full Council approval of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23.

RESOLVED : 

That the Committee recommend to Full Council :-

(1) To continue with the existing scheme for 2022/23 which is subject to Council approval - a maximum award of 91.5% of the Council Tax Liability for Working Age.

The Committee received and considered the Revenue Services Manager's report which asked Members to recommend that Full Council endorse the levels of Council Tax discount that shall apply for 2022/23.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee recommend to Full Council :-

(1) That Council be asked to endorse the Council Tax discounts as detailed within the Revenue Services Manager's report which would apply for 2022/23.

Members received and considered the Revenue Benefits Manager;s report which asked the Committee to recommend Council to endorse the calculation of the 2022/23 tax base totalling 29,344.

RESOLVED :

That Committee recommend to Council :-

(1) The calculation of the 2022/23 tax base totalling 29,344 and the estimated tax bases for the Borough and for each parish, as shown in Appendix A.

The Committee received and considered the Finance Director's report which presented an update to the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) covering the period 2022/23 to 2024/25. 

RESOLVED : 

That the Committee recommend to council :-

1) The updated Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and the key themes of the business strategy as outlined at Section 7

2) The revised reserves statement as included at Appendix A to the MTFS

3) The updated capital programme as included at Appendix B to the MTFS

4) The allocation of £50,000 within the capital programme for the implementation of the Agile
Working Policy

5) The Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy 2021/22 as included at Appendix C and D.

Members received and considered the Major Projects and Development Director's report  which asked Members to consider the establishment of a Events Working Group which would be used to inform Members of forthcoming activities, events and fairs on land and property in the ownership of the Borough Council.

It was recommended that the Working Group consist of 5 Members and be arranged to meet on an Ad Hoc Basis.

Councillor T Wright raised some concern with the establishment of the Group as he felt that events should just be discussed with the relevant Ward Councillors as those Ward members would be aware of any issues.

The Leader commented that the report would not need to be taken to Full Council for a decision, he advised that there were a number of events that happened across the Borough and any issues or concerns could be fed through to Group Members who were appointed to sit on the Group, he also commented that the Council had an internal Officer Event Safety Group who discussed all events held.

Councillor Wainwright also commented that any issues could be fed through to the Councillor representing the Working Group and he felt that the Member representatives could feed back any relevant information to the Ward Councillors following the meetings.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor stated in her opinion this type of Member Working Group was needed and would provide Member interaction.

RESOLVED :

(1) That approval be given to the Events Working Group being established to :-

• Inform Members about forthcoming activities, events fairs on Great Yarmouth Borough Council land and property.
•  To act as a forum for consultation and awareness on decisions that might be regarded as operational/commercial.

(2) P&R Committee invite interested Members to join the Working Group, these to be sent to the Corporate Services Department once agreed by Group Leaders.

Members received and considered the Head of Organisational Development's report which presented the Council's draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for Members consideration.

The Chairman commented that he felt the strategy was really important for the Council and thanked the Officer for there work. Councillor P Carpenter also commented on the importance of the report.

Councillor Williamson advised of a correction required within the policy on page 6 of 12 of the Strategy, the first bullet point should see the removal of the word unlawful and should read Eliminating discrimination.

RESOLVED :

That committee:

(1) Review, comment, and approve the draft Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, and its Equality Action Plan for consultation

(2) Delegate authority to the Head of Organisational Development to make any amendments to the strategy following consultation.

The Committee received and considered the Housing Director's report which provided information on the Council's successful bid to the Sustainable Warmth Competition for funding to improve the energy efficiency of some of the worst performing homes across the Borough.

Councillor Wainwright asked if the funding covered public Social and Private Housing and it was advised that the funding stream focused on private housing but that Social Housing would be included within the Bid submitted. The Housing Director confirmed that information used had been based upon energy performance certificates and household income.

Councillor P Carpenter asked if there would be any air tightness testing within the homes, the Housing Director advised that this would not be included as the focus would be on improving energy efficiency.

Councillor Wells asked with regard to the financial return for the Council but he was advised that this information would be brought back to the Committee at a later date.

RESOLVED :

The the Committee :-

1. Approve the acceptance of the Local Authority Delivery (3) grant

2. Note the prior completion of the Memorandum of Understanding to secure the
grant award

3. Delegate all decisions on the use of and spend of the Local Authority Delivery (3) grant funding in accordance with the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding to the Head of Property and Asset Management.

There was no other business discussed at the meeting.

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."