Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Carpenter, Freeman & Galer.

Councillor Stenhouse attended as a substitute for Councillor Freeeman.

There were no declarations of interest given at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

In regard to Minute 8 GYBC Footway Street Lighting Repairs, Replacement and Communication the Committee agreed to receive details on the policy on street lights in rural areas with no footpaths.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Revenues and Benefits Service Manager which provided an overview of the Council’s Council Tax recovery and enforcement processes and practices.

Councillor Capewell asked a question in regard to the use of Voicescape for pre-recovery notice prompts, it was noted that this had improved collection ratios. The voice messages are also backed up with text messages. These messages give an early prompt or nudge to the council taxpayer to make a payment or contact the GYBC to discuss the arrears before the issue of a formal notice.  The Text Message Service also gives those people in arrears options and links to pay online or use the GYBC automated phone line. If they wish to, they can also contact GYBC to discuss their arrears. The messages are designed using behavioural science to maximise the engagement from the customer, either in terms of payment or speaking to the GYBC about the arrears, this has seen a reduction in statutory notices being sent. It was also noted the system will be expanded shortly to include email as well as text messages. 

A further point was raised by Councillor Capewell on debt collection and it was noted that if the debtor is employed, up to two Attachment of Earnings can be placed on your account at the same time and deductions are made separately for each attachment. Once an attachment of earnings has been set up, it will not be cancelled until payment is received in full. The Attachment of Earnings Order is a legal document, and the employer has a legal obligation to make deductions from their employee’s earnings and submit the amounts deducted to the GYBC.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Newcombe, it was noted that interest cannot be charged on the arrear’s debt; and the sooner the Council engaged with the debtors, the easier it is to address the situation. 

Councillor Wainwright commented that GYBC goes beyond what is required or expected when compared to other councils in helping to address debt in such a proactive fashion.

Following a comment made by Councillor Murray Smith, the Committee noted that if a debtor took the opportunity to use bankruptcy where if the debt exceeded £5000, the Council would consider taking bankruptcy action against that debtor.

In these circumstances, the Council will serve a statutory demand upon the debtor, and if full payment is not received, the Council can then petition for bankruptcy. However, in most cases, the court will expect the Council to have exhausted all other methods of recovery, including the use of enforcement agents in deciding if bankruptcy is an appropriate course of action.

Therefore, the Council must weigh up the costs of taking such action, together with legal advice on how likely the Council will be in recovering the debt. The Council will also have to consider the impact on the debtor and what action they have taken to improve their financial situation. Bankruptcy is very often the last resort where the debtor is willingly refusing to pay their council tax and all other recovery actions have been exhausted, any fees incurred in taking bankruptcy action will be paid by the debtor.

Councillor Murray-Smith referred to page 18 of the agenda report and reported that he disliked the term "customer" being used in the report and that the persons concerned should, in his view, be referred to as ratepayers or taxpayers.



Councillor Newcombe reported that in her former employment the term "customer" was always used in cases of debt collection and that this term was the norm to use in these circumstances.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, placed on record his thanks to Stuart Brabben and the Revenues and Benefits Team.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee noted the contents of the Council Tax Recovery Process and the comments made in regard to the contents of the report.

The Committee received and considered the report by James Holder, GYS Acting Managing Director and James Wilson – GYS Director/GYBC Client Lead.

The Committee noted this report had been requested from GYS in regard to the improvements, changes and progress in grass cutting, street cleansing, bulk waste collection, and public bins.

Councillor Wainwright placed on record his thanks to the GYS Team for the very positive progress that had been made in improving service delivery.  In addition, following a question raised by Councillor Wainwright, it was noted that GYS are only mowing those areas that the  Council owns or has responsibility for.

Following further discussion on the report, the Committee noted the updates and the comments made to Great Yarmouth Services Ltd regarding the improvements, changes and progress in service provision.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee note the update report from Great Yarmouth Services Ltd.

The Committee was asked to consider and endorse the Chairman's Annual Report for the Scrutiny Committee for 2024-25 and to agree that the report be recommended to Full Council for approval.

It was noted that the Beach Hut report from the Head of Property and Assets, requested by Councillor Jeal and the Communications and Social Media Strategy Report will be presented to the Committee at their next meeting on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, placed on record his thanks to Sammy Wintle (Corporate and Democratic Services Manager) and Christina Webb (Democratic Services Officer) for their continued hard work and support throughout the year, which has been undertaken in addition to their normal democratic services work.

The Chair stressed that normally, this is a dedicated role as recommended in government guidance. However, financial pressures on GYBC have resulted in this becoming a shared role under the guidance of the Monitoring Officer. The Chair thanked all of the Committee Members for their contributions to the work programme and scrutiny of all the reports which had been received at the Committee’s request. This is not a ‘whipped’ Committee and its value depends on the independence of Members to fully scrutinise the decisions and work across all Council areas of activity without fear or favour.

Councillor Williamson indicated that the Scrutiny Committee will continue to evolve by regularly reviewing its work programme and looking for areas of development so that it can continue to focus on issues/areas where a positive impact could be delivered for the Council and its residents.

The Committee would continue to monitor and maintain a work programme throughout the 2025/26 municipal year to ensure that it reflected local needs and priorities, including issues of community concern, as well as prioritising those topics for scrutiny that have most impact or benefit, and to be flexible enough to respond to any new or urgent issues.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee note the Chairman’s Annual Report for the Scrutiny Committee for 2024-2025 and agree that the report be recommended to Full Council for approval.

Scrutiny Committee received and considered the Work Programme and requested that the following be included:-

1. GYTABIA (Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area)
2. Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership
3. Council Tax Support Scheme 2026-2027 Consultation (to include appendix reporting the impact of introducing the 80% maximum award scheme for working age – to be included on agenda for meeting on 23 October 2025).

In addition, it was noted that the Beach Hut report from the Head of Property & Assets requested by Councillor Jeal and the Communications and Social Media Strategy report will be presented to the Committee at their next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee endorse the Work Programme 2024-2025.

The Chair reported that there was no other business being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration at the meeting.