Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bensly, Borg, G Carpenter, Cordiner-Achenbach & Pilkington.

Councillor Grant declared a personal interest in item number 7 as he was purchasing land in the Lothingland Ward for tourism purposes and that he would therefore abstain from voting on the item.

Her Worship, The Mayor, Councillor Waters-Bunn reported that she did not have any items of urgent business for consideration by Council.

Her Worship, The Mayor, Councillor Waters-Bunn, reminded Council of her up-coming "Who Dunnit" event and encouraged Councillors to purchase tickets to attend the event and support her Mayor's Charities. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Smith, thanked the Chief Executive for her All-Member Briefing to Councillors on Devolution which was held on Tuesday, 21 January 2025.

The Leader informed Council that he was awaiting a letter to ascertain if the Council had been accepted on to the Government's Priority Programme and that he would keep Members fully informed and bring any information back to Council.

Councillor Wainwright highlighted that this special Council had been called to consider the PSPO report which he had been assured at Cabinet would be presented this evening and he was disappointed that this important legislative report had not been forthcoming.

The Leader assured Councillor Wainwright that this was the information which he had received and asked the Monitoring Officer to explain why the PSPO had not been reported to Council this evening as promised at Cabinet.

The Monitoring Officer explained that she had told Cabinet that the PSPO report would be finalised and reported to Council but unfortunately flaws had been identified in the report which need to be addressed before the legislative document could be presented to Council for adoption.

Councillor Wells, Cabinet Portfolio Holder, Environment & Sustainability, Licensing & Waste, reported that he shared Councillor Wainwright's frustration and he apologised to Councillor Wainwright. Councillor Wells was disappointed and embarrassed that the PSPO report would not be considered by Council this evening.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Plant.

That Council confirm that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 12 December 2024 were a true and accurate record.

CARRIED.

Councillor Candon, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Growth reported that the Council already has in place the Green Infrastructure and Recreational Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (known as “GIRAMS”). This levies a small financial contribution per net new dwelling (or tourist accommodation) to address recreational impacts on the most important habitat sites around Norfolk, with the same charge applied across the other Norfolk authorities. This is essential to ensure that the Borough’s development satisfies the requirements of the Habitat Regulations.

The Strategic Planning Member Forum required the GIRAMS to be reviewed which has led to the production of the “Norfolk Recreational Impact Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy Action Plan”.

 

To oversee the governance for spending and implementation of mitigation projects, a board made up of elected members and supported by ecologists and planning officers from all 8 Norfolk LPAs will be established, which will be called the Norfolk Recreation Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) Board. The Action Plan and Governance Arrangements were considered for adoption by Cabinet on 14 January 2025. The subject of this report is to appoint a councillor to the RAMS Board.

I therefore propose that Council appoints a member to the Norfolk Recreational Impact Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy Board.

Councillor Grant declared a personal interest in the item as he was purchasing land in the Lothingland Ward for tourism purposes and would therefore abstain from voting on the item.

Her Worship the Mayor asked if there were any nominations, The Leader nominated Councillor Candon. The nomination was seconded by Councillor Plant.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Plant

RESOLVED:-

That Council appoint Councillor Candon to the Norfolk Recreation Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) Board.

CARRIED

Councillor Candon, Cabinet Portfolio Holder, Economic Development & Growth reported that the Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared jointly by the respective Parish Council’s within the Lothingland Ward. The plan contains proposed planning policies to be used in determining planning applications within the area. Once adopted it will become part of the Borough Council’s Development Plan.  



The plan has been subject to two rounds of public consultation and an examination held by an independent Examiner. The Examiner has concluded that subject to recommended modifications, the plan meets the ‘basic conditions’, and can proceed to referendum. The report and the appendices detail all the modifications. 



The Local Plan Working Party have been notified of the examiner’s recommendations and have been informed during the preparation of the plan. If approved, the referendum will take place within eight weeks of the decision. 

I therefore propose that Council:-

(i) Approves the recommended modifications to the Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan as set out in the Examiner’s Report, 

(ii) Approves the referendum area as the designated, as recommended in the Examiner’s Report,

(ii) Agree the Neighbourhood Plan (as modified) proceeds to referendum; and

(iv) Approves the publication of a Decision Statement setting out the Council’s and the Broads Authority’s response to the Examiner’s recommendations and announcing the intention for the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to a referendum. 



Proposer: Councillor Candon

Seconder: Councillor Plant



RESOLVED:-



That Council:-



(i) Approves the recommended modifications to the Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan as set out in the Examiner’s Report, 


(ii) Approves the referendum area as the designated, as recommended in the Examiner’s Report,


(ii) Agree the Neighbourhood Plan (as modified) proceeds to referendum; and


(iv) Approves the publication of a Decision Statement setting out the Council’s and the Broads Authority’s response to the Examiner’s recommendations and announcing the intention for the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to a referendum. 



CARRIED.

The Leader reported that this report is seeking a recommendation from Council for the levels of Council Tax discount that shall apply for 2025/26 as set out in this report.

 At the time of the 2024/25 Council Tax Discounts Report, Members made a determination to charge a second home premium of 100% on unoccupied and furnished properties following the Royal Assent of the Regeneration and Levelling Up Act 2023. This determination was to charge the Second Home Premium from 1 April 2025. It therefore gave second homeowners a year’s notice of the change. 

The ability to charge a second home premium has been introduced to recognise the impact that high levels of second home ownership can have in some areas. For example, the impact that these have on the number of affordable homes in an area.

At the time of the report, it was anticipated that there would be exceptions to the Second Home Premium and draft regulations were laid before parliament on 8 October 2024 detailing these. These exceptions are detailed within the report.

These exceptions will now reduce the original anticipated revenue from the second home premium stated in the 2024/25 report by an estimated 35%.

Table 1 within the report shows the number of second homes in each council tax band and the anticipated additional revenue that would be raised, allowing for the 35% reduction. It also shows the proportion that would be kept by Great Yarmouth Borough Council being £106,170.

In keeping with the reasons for the implementation of the levy,  The Borough Council held discussions with Norfolk County Council on how the additional income could be used to mitigate the impact of administering the change and to help mitigate the limited funds available to support the increased homeless provision needs across the borough.

I can update Members that a revenue share has now been agreed for 2025/26 which would mean Norfolk County Council will pass back 25% of the additional revenue to the Borough Council as a result of implementing the second homes premium.

The Leader reported that North Norfolk District Council, Kings Lynn & West Norfolk District Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council would issue a joint press release once the Council Tax Discount for 2025/26 had been approved by each respective Council.

Council are asked to approve the following:-

(i) Approve the Council Tax discounts as shown in Table 2 of the report which will apply for 2025/26; and

(ii) With an agreement now in place with Norfolk County Council, on the share of the additional revenue, approve a Second Homes Premium of 100% in addition to the 100% in the paper, for Class B properties from 1 April 2025. 

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Plant

RESOLVED:-

That Council:-

(i) Approve the Council Tax discounts as shown in Table 2 of the agenda report which will apply for 2025/26; and



(ii) With an agreement now in place with Norfolk County Council, on the share of the additional revenue, approve a Second Homes Premium of 100% in addition to the 100% in the paper, for Class B properties from 1 April 2025. 

CARRIED.

The Leader of the Council reported that this report is seeking a recommendation from Council in regard to the calculation of the 2025/26 Council Tax base. 

The Council Tax base is a technical calculation that must be formally set each year. It is the first stage of the Council Tax setting process that will be finalised once the Council's budgets have been agreed. 

The tax bill for each band is calculated in proportion to band D, which is deemed to be the average for these purposes. Accordingly, a taxpayer whose home is in band A will pay two-thirds of what someone whose home is in band D will pay; a taxpayer whose home is in band H will pay twice what someone whose home is in band D will pay.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Plant

RESOLVED:-

That Council approve Option 1, that in recognition that the Council has approved to implement the Second Homes Premium of 100% for Class B properties from 1 April 2025, that Council approve the calculation of the 2025/26 tax base totals as £31,567 which represents an increase of £986 in the tax base, and the estimated tax bases for the Borough and for each parish, as shown in Appendix A, of the agenda report. 

CARRIED.

The Leader advised that this report provides a short introduction to the new Procurement Act 2023 and advises Members on the Procurement Act 2023 which is now due to come into force on 24 February 2025. 

The introduction of this new legislation (including regulations and statutory guidance) has required a review of the Council’s internal rules on procurement, as set out in the contract standing orders. It is recommended that the new contract standing orders at Appendix 1 are approved in order to achieve alignment between the Council’s internal rules and the new legislation. 

The Procurement Act 2023 is underpinned by regulations and statutory guidance, much of which have only been published relatively recently. This has compressed the time available for preparation. Furthermore, it may be that some late adjustments are required to the new contract standing orders before 24 February 2025, in the event that further guidance on advertising opportunities and the Central Digital Platform is published. 

Accordingly, delegated authority is sought for the Monitoring Officer to make changes to the new contract standing orders prior to that date to reflect any final statutory guidance documents.

I therefore propose that Council:-

(i)  note the contents of the report;

(ii) subject to recommendation (3) adopt the new contract standing orders at Appendix 1 with effect from24 February 2025 and agree that the Constitution be amended accordingly; and

(iii) give the Monitoring Officer delegated authority to make any changes to the new contract standing orders to reflect any additional or revised statutory guidance published prior to 24 February 2025 and to make any other technical or administrative amendments.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Plant

RESOLVED:-

That Council:-

(i)  note the contents of the report;


(ii) subject to recommendation (3) adopt the new contract standing orders at Appendix 1 with effect from24 February 2025 and agree that the Constitution be amended accordingly; and



(iii) give the Monitoring Officer delegated authority to make any changes to the new contract standing orders to reflect any additional or revised statutory guidance published prior to 24 February 2025 and to make any other technical or administrative amendments

CARRIED.

Her Worship, The Mayor, Councillor Waters-Bunn reported that there was no other business being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration at the meeting.