Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bensly & Wells.

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The Leader of the Council informed Cabinet that there were no urgent items of business to report.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 April 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Inward Investment.

Councillor Candon, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth  reported that this report introduces the Plan for Neighbourhoods and its relationship to the earlier Long-Term Plan for Great Yarmouth, setting out the value and duration of the award, governance requirements and next steps.

Councillor Candon reported that in March 2025, the Long-Term Plan for Towns scheme was formally replaced by the new Plan for Neighbourhoods.

Councillor Candon reported that the 3 new strategic objectives (thriving places, stronger communities, taking back control) align well with the priority projects already set out in the approved Long-Term Plan for Great Yarmouth. There is, however, greater emphasis on 'social capital'.

Councillor Candon reported that the maximum funding available to Great Yarmouth is £19,537,000 (including capacity funding), split as 75% capital and 25% revenue on a specific funding profile through to 2033/34 with delivery funding being released from the beginning of 2026/27, subject to the establishment of a new Neighbourhood Board. The Neighbourhood Board will be responsible for developing a Regeneration Plan, setting out its vision for the next decade alongside a more detailed Investment Plan for the first 4 years of the Programme. GYBC will be Accountable Body for the funding. 

Councillor Candon informed Cabinet that a first formal submission to the Government was made on 22 April; providing contact information and other background documentation, confirming the boundary as Great Yarmouth, Noting the potential to use the established Town Board to fulfil the role of a Neighbourhood Board, summarising community engagement activity undertaken to date and how ongoing engagement could be integrated into a new Regeneration Plan.

Councillor Candon advised that no specific deadline has been provided for submission of the Regeneration Plan for Government assessment. MHCLG has, however, indicated an expectation that these materials will need to be provided in Winter 2025 in order to ensure the release of delivery funds from the start of 2025/26.

Cabinet are therefore as detailed on page 11 of the agenda report recommended to:-



(1) Note and considers the content of this report; 

(2) Agrees to the Council’s assumption of the Accountable Body role; 

(3) Delegates to the relevant senior officers responsibility for allocating the associated capacity funding award in line with Government guidance; and
 
(4) Delegates to the relevant officers and the Town Board responsibility for preparing a Regeneration Plan for review and submission to the Government in Winter 2025.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor asked for clarification in regard to paragraph 2.3 of the report, is Catherine Richards the representative for the GY Health & Wellbeing Partnership. The Leader reported that Catherine Richards is the representative for the GY Youth Board.

The CEO reported that government guidance is explicit  that no elected members may sit on the Neighbourhood Board. However, the Council is awaiting feedback from the government in regard to the participation of elected members on the Neighbourhood Board as this had worked well in regard to the delivery of projects via the Town Deal Board and why would the Council have to change this when it is working so well.

Councillor Plant referred to the risk implications on page 14 of the agenda report and reminded Cabinet that the main risk was an reputational risk to the Council as the Neighbourhood Board was Council led and not Member led.

The CEO explained that the Council was the accountable body for the Neighbourhood Board and that all risks are mitigated.

Councillor Candon asked if it would be possible for members to sit on the Board to have a voice but not a vote.

Councillor Plant asked if Rupert Lowe MP would be invited to the Neighbourhood Board. Councillor Wainwright reported that he thought that it was inappropriate that Jon Wedon, the MP's Office Manager, be allowed to deputise for the MP at Board meetings. Councillor Candon reported that this was a decision for the Neighbourhood Board and not Cabinet.

Councillor Wainwright reported that he had sat on the Town Deal Board and was unaware that he would be unable to sit on the Neighbourhood Board. Councillor Wainwright reported that Councillor Williamson sat on the Town Deal Board, not as a Councillor, but as the Chair of GYPT.

The CEO reiterated that the Council was awaiting feedback from government on these issues.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Note and considers the content of this report; 

(2) Agrees to the Council’s assumption of the Accountable Body role; 

(3) Delegates to the relevant senior officers responsibility for allocating the associated capacity funding award in line with Government guidance; and
 
(4) Delegates to the relevant officers and the Town Board responsibility for preparing a Regeneration Plan for review and submission to the Government in Winter 2025.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Information Governance Lead.

The Leader of the Council reported that the  report presents an update on the Council’s annual performance for the financial year 2024/25. The project highlight reports detailed in Appendix 1 provides a summary of the project, milestones and achievements, alongside open issues, mitigation and a financial summary. 

The Leader explained that each report has a current status, which can be green, amber or red. Out of the 10 reports, 8 have a current green status defined as no problems or minor issues and 2 have a current amber status where problems have been identified and a contingency plan is in place. The performance measures, detailed in Appendix 2, gives a comprehensive overview of how the authority as a whole is performing and cover most Council functions

The Leader reported that there are 77 measures reported in the annual performance report. A performance rating has not been assigned to 37 of the 77 measures as there is insufficient control over the outcome to set a target. Of the 40 targeted measures 27 are Green whereby performance had been met or exceeded target, 6 are Amber whereby performance is below target but within tolerance and 7 are red whereby performance is below target and tolerance. Each of the red measures has a commentary explaining the reasons behind the performance and the actions being taken to bring performance back on target.


Cabinet are therefore as detailed on page 15 of the agenda report recommended to:-

(1) Review, comment and approve the Annual Performance report for 2024-25.

(2) Agree that all key projects will continue to be monitored over the forthcoming financial year with the aim of maintaining a green status (on target) and where possible attaining a green status for those key projects which are currently amber.

Councillor Plant reported that a number of issues which had been flagged red at The Conge project were out of the Council's control, for example, the lack of available funding streams. Councillor Wainwright referred to paragraph 3.5 of the report which highlighted 7 red issues which were in the Council's control. 

Councillor Wainwright referred to page 45 of the agenda report, PR04, Empty Homes, and asked for the data in regard to the split of council owned and private properties. He highlighted an empty 3 bedroom property in Bradwell which had been vacant for 3 years.

The Information Governance Lead agreed to collate this data, as a split, Council & Private properties and to email this information to Members.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

1) Review, comment and approve the Annual Performance report for 2024-25; and

(2) Agree that all key projects will continue to be monitored over the forthcoming financial year with the aim of maintaining a green status (on target) and where possible attaining a green status for those key projects which are currently amber.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Information Governance Lead.

The Leader of the Council reported that this report provides an end of year update on the projects and activities detailed within the Council’s 2024/25 Annual Action Plan, that was approved by Cabinet on 8th April 2024.

The Leader was pleased to report that throughout the year members and staff have worked relentlessly to deliver the council’s corporate priorities enabling 97% of the planned actions to either be completed or have had significant progress made, demonstrating once again the council’s ability to achieve positive outcomes at both local and national levels. The report highlights the achievements and progress made in the year.

The 2 actions not delivered and the reasons for this were:-

• Develop and adopt a new Great Yarmouth Economic Growth Strategy – Our Existing Economic Growth Strategy remains valid however, with the advent of LGR and Devolution the landscape is changing, therefore a new 5-year Great Yarmouth Economic Strategy will be developed during 2025/26; and

• Expand the functionality of Concerto system to encompass the compliance elements of the system - A combination of data quality issues and resource availability has led to delays. The data cleansing process is expected to be completed during Q1 2025/26, following which data will be input into the Concerto system.

Cabinet, as detailed on page 58 of the agenda report are recommended to :-

1)  Review, comment and approve the report.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet have reviewed and commented and approve the report.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Information Governance Lead.

The Leader reported that this report introduces the Council’s Annual Action Plan for 2025-26.

The Leader reported that following approval by Council of the new Corporate Plan 2025 – 2030 an Annual Action Plan for 2025-26 has been developed. 

The Annual Action Plan 2025-26 documents the 96 individual projects and activities that will be taken forward by the Council during 2025-26, this builds on the previous year’s action plans and leads to the delivery of Corporate Plan 2025 - 2030.

The Annual Action Plan also identifies key milestones / dates for the activity and links to the relevant Cabinet Member Portfolio Holder that progress toward completing the project or activity will be reported, this ensures accountability is maintained whilst supporting Members in their decision-making for the Council.

The Leader explained that progress on the Council’s Key Projects and Performance Indicators will be reported to Cabinet Member Portfolio Holders on a quarterly basis.

Cabinet are therefore, as detailed on page 74 of the agenda report, recommended to:-

1)  Approve the Annual Action Plan 2025-26.

Councillor Candon reported that the Annual Action Plan 2025-2026 made the ambitions of the Council very clear to its residents.

RESOLVED:-

That Council approve the Annual Action Plan 2025-26.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director - Place.

The Leader reported that the Animal (Penalty Notices) Act 2022 introduced the option to issue fixed penalty notices (FPN) when they are satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that a person has committed a relevant offence. The Council is required to set the amounts of the FPN and delegate the power to Authorised Officers to issue FPNs.  

This report seeks Cabinet’s approval to adopt the use of Penalty Notices by the Authority as part of the enforcement options available, to set the amounts payable and to delegate the power to Authorised Officers to issue Fixed Penalty Notice’s.

Cabinet are therefore, as detailed on page 91 of the agenda report, recommended to:-

(1) Note the new power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices as part of the enforcement options available for animal welfare cases;

(2) Agree the amounts payable as detailed in paragraph 2 of the report; and

(3) Delegate authority to the Head of Environment and Sustainability to issue FPN’s inline with the corporate enforcement policy.

Councillor Plant reported that he would like to see higher fines imposed but was aware that these were set by government.

RESOLVED:-

That Council:-

(1) Note the new power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices as part of the enforcement options available for animal welfare cases;

(2) Agree the amounts payable as detailed in paragraph 2 of the report; and

(3) Delegate authority to the Head of Environment and Sustainability to issue FPN’s inline with the corporate enforcement policy.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director - Place.

The Leader explained that this report presents the outcome of the Selective Licensing feasibility study and seeks approval to undertake a public consultation with Great Yarmouth residents and stakeholders on proposals to introduce a Selective Licensing scheme. 

Following public consultation, a further report will be made to Cabinet for a decision on whether to approve a new scheme.

Cabinet, as part of this report ,are now also asked to consider an additional area to be included in the proposed selective licensing scheme designation which is part of Great Yarmouth North. The additional area would comprise of the following roads:-

West of North Denes Road 
Walpole Road 
Churchill Road 
Arundel Road 
Garfield Road 
East of Harley Road 
South of Hamilton Road 
North of Salisbury Road 

This would equate to approximately an additional 90 privately rented properties and there would be no requirement to increase the fee. 

Cabinet, are therefore as detailed on page 94 of the agenda report, including the amendment made at the meeting, recommended to:-

(1) Note the content of the feasibility study; 

(2) That an additional area to be included in the proposed selective licensing scheme designation which is part of Great Yarmouth North. The additional area would comprise of the following roads; West of North Denes Road, Walpole Road, Churchill Road, Arundel Road, Garfield Road, East of Harley Road, South of Hamilton Road & North of Salisbury Road; and

(3) Approves officers to carry out to a 11-week statutory consultation of residents and stakeholders commencing on the 16th June 2025.

Councillor Candon reported that he was happy to accept the additional areas which had been proposed in Yarmouth North but the Council must enforce the scheme.

Councillor Plant echoed the need for consistent enforcement. Councillor Plant reported that we had excellent landlords in the borough but unfortunately had a number of absent landlords who did not upkeep their properties which led to poor living standards for their tenants.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor asked that all Ward Councillors be informed of any pop-up consultation. The Head of Service assured Cabinet that all members would be communicated in writing.

The Leader highlighted that the IT system must work. The Head of Service agreed that there was a risk in regard to the IT system but he had been assured by officers from Liverpool Council that it had worked well in respect of their 50,000 properties, and as we only had 5,000 properties, Cabinet could take some comfort from this.

Councillor Plant asked if tenants could report failings anonymously so their landlord was not aware. The Head of Service informed Cabinet that some methodology had been built in to the system to accommodate this.

The Leader reported that it was imperative that landlords engaged in the consultation process.

Councillor Candon asked that a balanced approach in communications be taken to create a level playing field for all landlords.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Note the content of the feasibility study;  

(2) That an additional area to be included in the proposed selective licensing scheme designation which is part of Great Yarmouth North. The additional area would comprise of the following roads; West of North Denes Road, Walpole Road, Churchill Road, Arundel Road, Garfield Road, East of Harley Road, South of Hamilton Road & North of Salisbury Road; and

(3) Approves officers to carry out to a 11-week statutory consultation of residents and stakeholders commencing on the 16th June 2025.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Chief Executive Officer.

The Leader reported that in May 2025 Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) was approached by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), requesting support in the form of the interim services of a s151 officer/Chief Finance Officer, pending NNDC’s recruitment of an Executive Director of Resources whose role will incorporate these statutory titles. After consideration of the work involved and with a view to working closely with neighbouring authorities, GYBC’s Executive Director - Resources, Karen Sly, has confirmed that she would be prepared to provide this temporary support on a one day per week basis. 

This report requests approval from Cabinet to proceed with an agreement under section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972 for the services of a GYBC officer to be placed at the disposal of another authority (NNDC). Such arrangements are listed within the Constitution (Article 19) as decisions for the Executive.

Cabinet, are therefore as detailed on page 15 of the agenda report, recommended to:-

(1)  Agree to enter into a s113 agreement with NNDC to allow GYBC’s Executive Director – Resources to fulfil the interim role of s151 Officer/Chief Finance Officer for NNDC on a one day (7.5 hours) per week basis for an initial term of 6 months;

(2) Give delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to finalise the terms of the s113 agreement.; and

(3) Give delegated authority to the Chief Executive to agree any extension of the s113 agreement, subject to consultation with the Leader.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1)  Agree to enter into a s113 agreement with NNDC to allow GYBC’s Executive Director – Resources to fulfil the interim role of s151 Officer/Chief Finance Officer for NNDC on a one day (7.5 hours) per week basis for an initial term of 6 months;

(2) Give delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to finalise the terms of the s113 agreement.; and

(3) Give delegated authority to the Chief Executive to agree any extension of the s113 agreement, subject to consultation with the Leader.