Apologies for absence were received from Sheila Oxtoby (Chief Executive Officer).

Councillor Bensly declared a personal interest in item no 7 as he is heavily involved in tourism in Hemsby.

Councillor Candon declared a personal interest in item no's 11, 12 & 16 as he is the Chair of EEL & EPH.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor declared a personal interest in item no 13 as she had been the Chair of the GYN Board.

Councillor Plant declared a personal interest in item no 6 as he was the Chair of the NSPFW.

Councillor Wells declared a personal interest in item no 7 as he had been a member of the CPE Board.

However, in accordance with the Council's Constitution, they were allowed to both speak and vote on the items.

The Leader reported that there were no items of urgent business for consideration.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 3 June 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Strategic Planning Manager.

Councillor Candon reported that the Norfolk Coast Partnership is an ‘outside body’ partnership comprising officer and local councillor membership from the Norfolk coast local authorities to manage the Norfolk Coast area of National Landscape (formerly known as the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (or AONB).

The partnership is a longstanding commitment which meets the Borough Council’s legislative requirements to manage the National Landscape. It is noted that the proportion of the Council’s financial contribution to the Partnership, which is relatively modest, remains the same as it is based upon the extent of its National Landscape area.

A revised Memorandum of Agreement (which is appended to the report) has been prepared setting out the roles, responsibilities and increased contributions of the partnership. It has therefore been requested that each Norfolk coast local authority signs up to the agreement.

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

(1) Endorse the content of the Norfolk Coast Partnership Memorandum of Agreement and authorise the director as signatory.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet endorse the content of the Norfolk Coast Partnership Memorandum of Agreement and authorise the Director as signatory.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Strategic Planning Manager.

Councillor Candon reported that the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework is a Statement of Common Ground principally between the Norfolk Local Planning Authorities to address cross-boundary strategic planning matters and demonstrate compliance with the statutory “duty to cooperate”. This duty will be tested as part of the Local Plan examination.

This is the fourth iteration of the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework. The framework has been updated considering national changes to planning policy and circumstantial changes since the previous version which was adopted in 2021. Its preparation has been led by officers from the participating authorities, and it has been endorsed by the Norfolk-wide Member Forum. 

Other statutory bodies such as the Environment Agency and Natural England have also fed into the framework. Crucially, the framework acknowledges that the Council will meet its housing needs in the context of national planning policy’s transitional arrangements to align with the emerging Local Plan. It is therefore considered that the framework will greatly support the emerging Local Plan through the examination process.

Each local planning authority will adopt the framework (as appended to the report), therefore it could be subject to some necessary minor factual changes following consideration at this Cabinet.

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

(1) Endorse the updated Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework; and

(2) Agree delegated authority for officers to make necessary minor/factual amendments, following the progress of the framework through other local authorities, prior to signature & publication.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Endorse the updated Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework; and

(2) Agree delegated authority for officers to make necessary minor/factual amendments, following the progress of the framework through other local authorities, prior to signature & publication.

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

Councillor Bensly addressed Cabinet and reported that as both a local councillor and a Hemsby family business owner, he spoke today from a deeply personal place. His connection to the coastline was not theoretical, it was lived, generational and was under threat.

His family had lived and worked in Hemsby for decades and they had witnessed the coastline retreat year after year, storm after storm. However, the village did not just watch, they acted as individuals, as a community and worked with the Council. From the instigation of the "Save Hemsby Coastline" campaign with his father and Lydon Bevan, they have stood with their community, not just in protest, but in practical, determined action.

His family had opened their private land along The Marrams to the public, free of charge, so residents and emergency responders could access the cliff edge when storms hit, when homes were at risk and when time was critical. That access became a lifeline working with the Council to deliver vital services such as bin collections.

The hard work at the Council to secure planning permission for a permanent rock berm in the belief that a long term solution could be secured. When red tape delayed progress and the sea did not abate, the community delivered an emergency rock berm themselves, mobilising local resources to protect what they could before the next high tide took more coastline away.

Every time the weather turned against us, the villagers turned up. They coordinated emergency responses, supported evacuations and reinforced what beach was left. They did not wait to be told and they did not ask for accolades, they did it because Hemsby deserved to be defended and Council cross-party working had recognised this and supported Hemsby at every opportunity. 

Our story reflected a wider truth, the people of Hemsby were not passive victims of coastal erosion, they were active, committed and resourceful. However, we have reached a crossroads. Working with our MP, who had been very supportive, we are pressing Westminster to unlock the formula to support coastal communities like Hemsby in taking action. The action must now be matched by institutional support, funding and decisive long-term protection solutions for all residents of our borough and across the country.

This funding is hopefully a safety net for residents in The Marrams for when the time comes and it is needed, if and when, the sea takes their homes. We hope and pray that this will never happen again but it will be there if needed. This gives these residents peace of mind that there is help out there, and without this there would be next to nothing.

The community has done its part, the officers have done an amazing job in securing the funding and now is the time for partnership working, not platitudes. Hemsby is still here as a tourism resort and open for business.

Therefore, I would like to introduce item number 7, Resilient Coasts - Hemsby Adaptation.

Following the dissolution of Coastal Partnership East in January 2025, Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been working with the Environment Agency to re-apportion certain elements of funding, under Resilient Coasts, to deliver local priorities surrounding Coastal Adaptation.



This paper provides a summary of the funding that will be re-assigned to GYBC, the arrangements surrounding making GYBC the accountable body for this funding, as well as the required deliverables for the funding allocation. It also outline the next steps with regards to developing and creating an adaptation plan for Hemby, in consultation with residents and stakeholders.



Cabinet are therefore, as detailed on page 144 of the agenda report recommended to:-




(1) Note the content of this report,


(2) Agree that Great Yarmouth Borough Council become the accountable body for Work Package 9 (WP9) of the Resilient Coasts project,

(3) Agree the Capital allocation of £260,000 to fund 50% of the cost associated with the acquisition of planning rights; and


(4) Agree all proceeds generated in WP9 are ringfenced within GYBC Coastal Protection Reserves, to support further community coastal transition.

The Leader congratulated Officers who worked tirelessly to secure funding until 2027 and he reported that our coastline was the fastest changing coastline in Europe.

Councillor Candon reported that he had spoken to local business owners in Hemsby who were struggling with increased costs, rising NI contributions & the effects of coastal erosion and this would give them some piece of mind and ensure them that the Council has their backs.

Councillor Wells explained why the CPE was no longer fit for purpose and reported that he fully supported this funding as it was much more centric-focussed to the needs of the residents of Hemsby and would give them some dignity when facing the loss of their homes due to coastal erosion.

Councillor Plant asked whether the land the Council bought to relocate the residents of Hemsby who were at risk of loosing their homes to their sea had to be in the parish of Hemsby or whether it could be elsewhere in the borough.

The Head of Planning reported that the land was not required to be in Hemsby but the scheme detail still needed to be worked up and all land purchase opportunities would be looked at. 

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Note the content of this report,


(2) Agree that Great Yarmouth Borough Council become the accountable body for Work Package 9 (WP9) of the Resilient Coasts project,


(3) Agree the Capital allocation of £260,000 to fund 50% of the cost associated with the acquisition of planning rights; and


(4) Agree all proceeds generated in WP9 are ringfenced within GYBC Coastal Protection Reserves, to support further community coastal transition.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Customer Services.

The Leader reported that this is the annual debt report for 2024/2025 detailing the council’s collection performance and debt management arrangements for the past year.

The report provides information on the activities carried out by the Revenues and Recovery Teams over the last year and new initiatives, areas of focus and activities that will be carried out in this financial year.

Appendix 1 gives a summary of collection performance in relation to Council Tax and Business Rates and a summary of debts written off in each debt area with the reasons for write off and the write off amounts and a summary of the level of arrears outstanding.  

In terms of in year collection – Business Rates out-turned above target (97.6%) and council tax just 0.1% below target (95.9%) which is a significant achievement given the reduction in the council tax support scheme.

The performance exceeds the national average collection rates for business rates which is 97.3% and matches the average council tax collection at 95.9%.

A comparison of this performance with Norfolk districts is provided at Appendix 2 of the report. 

For Sundry Debt – Housing Benefit overpayments arrears have reduced by £249,000 with the remaining Sundry debt reduced by just over £130,000, however it should be noted that this is the position at 31st March this year and approximately £800,000 only raised in February and March 25 and expected to be paid.

The report gives the highlights of significant improvement in reducing arrears at section 2.3.3 of the report and is summarised as:-

• A reduction in arrears pre 2019 of £191,664 and as of to date there are no arrears prior to 2019
• A reduction in arrears of £579,499 for 22/23 and prior years as at 31st March 2025 compared to 31 March 2024
• A reduction in arrears of £950,088 for 23/24 as at 31st March 2025 compared to 31 March 2024.

In the past year the team focussed on Property debt which has resulted in a total reduction of arrears of £ 667,604.

Cabinet are therefore, as detailed on page 157 of the agenda report recommended to:-

(1) Approve the annual report giving details of the Council’s write-offs in accordance with the Council’s Recovery Guidelines and performance in relation to revenues collection.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet approve the annual report giving details of the Council’s write-offs in accordance with the Council’s Recovery Guidelines and Performance in relation to Revenues Collection.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Customer Services.

The Leader reported that this report requested Cabinet permission to undertake a public consultation on proposals for Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27.

The current scheme was introduced from April 2024 where the maximum award of Council Tax Support is 80% of the Council Tax Liability in relation to working age customers. It is proposed to consult on retaining this scheme for 2026/27.

Cabinet are therefore, as detailed on page 169 of the agenda report recommended to:-

(1) Grant permission to consult on retaining the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27 

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Grant permission to consult on retaining the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27.

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

The Leader reported that this report presents the provisional outturn for the 2024/25 financial year for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) including the respective capital programmes and financing. The report also presents an update to the 2025/26 capital programme following re-profiling between financial years along with the respective financing and presents a revised reserves statement. 

The budget for 2024/25 was set by Council in February 2024. During the year the budget has been updated for in-year virements and the budget monitoring position reported to members via Cabinet and Scrutiny. 

 
The in year budget monitoring reports highlighted the increased financial pressures on both the General Fund and the HRA from a number of factors in particular the increased demand for temporary accommodation and shortfall in income from a number of demand led services for example planning and crematorium. 

 

These factors were highlighted during the year and along with the impact of previous appeals in respect of business rates have impacted on the outturn position. The detail for the General Fund and HRA are outlined in more detail in the following sections and appendices. 

The outturn position for the General Fund is a deficit of £1.181 million compared to the budgeted deficit of £689k, as referred to at Appendix A. To flag the deficit referred to in the covering report of £1.236m was subject to a late amendment which was omitted to be updated, due to the receipt of a grant for 2024/25. Overall the position for the general fund has required an increased call on reserves of £492k for the year. 

The HRA outturn shows a deficit of £2.6m, against a budget deficit of £2.9m, resulting in a movement of £300k and a higher year-end balance than previously forecast. 

The commentary within the report and appendices details the variances against the budget for the various services.

Cabinet, as detailed on page 173 of the agenda report, are therefore recommended to :-


(1) Agree the provisional outturn for 2024/25 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account; 

(2) Agree the transfers to and from reserves as detailed in the report and appendices (Appendix A and F); 

(3) Approve a capital budget for of £60k for associated refurbishment works at the crematorium to complement the cremator replacement plant and associated building works be included with the 2025/26 general fund capital programme (as at Appendix E and paragraph 4.6). 

(4) To Recommend To Council that an Extension to Equinox Enterprises Limited loan facility until March 2028 is approved (paragraph 4.14). 

(5) Approve the appropriation of all temporary accommodation held by the General Fund into the Housing Revenue Account in 2025/26 and the required debt transfer to facilitate this (paragraph 4.15). 

(6) Agree the financing of the capital programmes (GF and HRA) as detailed within the report and appendices; 

(7) Acknowledge & accepts the grant funding of £2.639m from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for Warm Homes Local Grants to enable works to commence on the project (paragraph 4.10); and

(8) Approve and Recommend to Council the updated General Fund and HRA Capital programmes (paragraph 5.20) carried forward budgets for 2025/26 as included in the report and appendices.

Councillor Plant asked for confirmation as to what the £492k grant which had been applied for and had not been successful. The Leader reported that this was part of the £1.236m late amendment grant funding for 2024-2025 from the Government. The Executive Director - Resources reported that this was detailed in Appendix A of the report.

Councillor Plant referred to paragraph 4.7 on page 177, Waste  Food Collection Delivery and asked how much of a shortfall the Council was expecting and how this waste food collection be funded.

The Executive Director - Resources reported that the report had been updated to reflect the allocated funding for the set-up of food waste collection and associated vehicles. Members had been asked to approve additional funding to address the shortfall. All Council's were struggling to fund this roll out in October 2026.

The Leader advised that the Council was awaiting the Governments final settlement and that some of the recommendations approved today would go on to Full Council.

Councillor Wainwright referred to page 196 of the report - Events - Historic project no longer required. Councillor Wainwright asked what this referred to. The Executive Director - Resources agreed to come back to Cabinet with the information requested.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Agree the provisional outturn for 2024/25 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account; 



(2) Agree the transfers to and from reserves as detailed in the report and appendices (Appendix A and F); 



(3) Approve a capital budget for of £60k for associated refurbishment works at the crematorium to complement the cremator replacement plant and associated building works be included with the 2025/26 general fund capital programme (as at Appendix E and paragraph 4.6). 




(4) To Recommend To Council that an Extension to Equinox Enterprises Limited loan facility until March 2028 is approved (paragraph 4.14). 



(5) Approve the appropriation of all temporary accommodation held by the General Fund into the Housing Revenue Account in 2025/26 and the required debt transfer to facilitate this (paragraph 4.15). 



(6) Agree the financing of the capital programmes (GF and HRA) as detailed within the report and appendices; 



(7) Acknowledge & accepts the grant funding of £2.639m from Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for Warm Homes Local Grants to enable works to commence on the project (paragraph 4.10); and



(8) Approve and Recommend to Council the updated General Fund and HRA Capital programmes (paragraph 5.20) carried forward budgets for 2025/26 as included in the report and appendices.

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

The Leader of the Council reported that the Council’s treasury management strategy for 2024/25 was approved in February 2024 and this report provides the outturn against the strategy following outturn. It includes the overall treasury position for 24/25, our borrowing requirement and debt for 2024/25.

Main points to note are firstly that total borrowing rose in 2024/25 from £126m to £143m from the previous financial year. The increase includes £10m borrowing made in year for the Housing Revenue Account, utilising the lower interest rate available from the PWLB for the HRA. There was a large movement in investments held by the Council with a rise to £23.2m from £13.7m the previous year. This was due to a significant capital receipt being received on the 31st March 2025.

As required by the 2021 CIPFA Treasury Management Code, the Council monitors and measures the treasury management prudential indicators. The report provides the treasury management prudential indicators at the end of Q4 of the financial year. There are no issues to report from the indicators. The report also provides the capital indicators for Q4 and again there is nothing to flag from these.

Appendix A provides a national and economic overview from the Council’s Treasury advisors, Arlingclose. 

Overall, the Council remains in line with the Treasury Management Strategy as approved in February 2024. The treasury activities continue to be monitored daily. 

Cabinet are therefore as detailed on page 212 of the agenda report recommended to approve the Treasury Management outturn report and indicators for 2024/25.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet approve the Treasury Management outturn report and indicators for 2024/25.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Housing Assets.

Councillor Flatman-Taylor reported that each financial year, Council approve an over-arching Affordable Housing Programme budget. A delivery programme of housing schemes and their associated spend, funded by this budget, is agreed by Cabinet. 

This important work-stream aims to deliver much needed social housing and specialist accommodation, utilising grant funding and other subsidy, to support the objectives in the Housing Strategy 2024-2029 and Homelessness Strategy 2024-2029.

This report provides an update on current council housing development activity. The various projects highlight the ongoing efforts of the Council to deliver new social housing and provide bespoke solutions to meet housing need. 

Cabinet are therefore, as detailed on page 229 of the agenda report, recommended to:-


(1) Note the scheme updates to the Affordable Housing Delivery Programme;

(2) Note the Affordable Housing Delivery Programme budget update as set out in the confidential appendix; 

(3) Agree to acquire seven affordable housing units, secured through a Section 106 agreement, at East Wood, Bradwell at the amount set out within the confidential appendix; 

(4) Agree that the amount as set out within the confidential appendix be used for feasibility works for the proposed development of the infill sites; and

(5) Note and endorses the submission of a grant bid to Homes England to fund the regeneration works at the Gapton Hall Travellers Site, with a further report to be presented to Cabinet in due course. 

Councillor Plant reported that the Council had a statutory duty to ensure that the services provided on their Gypsy & Traveller Sites was up to standard and he fully supported the report.

Councillor Plant reported that the Council was focussed on providing homes to the residents of the borough who qualified to meet specific housing needs.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Note the scheme updates to the Affordable Housing Delivery Programme;



(2) Note the Affordable Housing Delivery Programme budget update as set out in the confidential appendix; 


(3) Agree to acquire seven affordable housing units, secured through a Section 106 agreement, at East Wood, Bradwell at the amount set out within the confidential appendix; 



(4) Agree that the amount as set out within the confidential appendix be used for feasibility works for the proposed development of the infill sites; and



(5) Note and endorses the submission of a grant bid to Homes England to fund the regeneration works at the Gapton Hall Travellers Site, with a further report to be presented to Cabinet in due course. 

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Monitoring Officer.

The Leader reported that the Joint Venture company (JV) Great Yarmouth Norse Ltd (GYN) continues to exist following the transfer of the business of the company to a GYBC in house service. 

GYN will continue to exist whilst final administrative and accounting matters are settled, and an over-arching transfer agreement is signed. GYBC will then relinquish its shareholding in GYN to Norse Commercial Services (NCS), its JV partner. 

GYBC appointed Directors will then resign their positions on the Board. At this point, it will fall to NCS to wind up the company. The accounts for 2024-25 need to be audited, by the Norse Group’s external auditors Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP. The agreement for the auditor to act contains an agreement for the limitation of the auditor’s liability. Legally, the shareholders in a company to which audit services are provided, including its subsidiary companies, are required either to consent to the terms of the Liability Limitation Agreement, or to waive the need for such consent. 

This report applies to Norse Environmental Waste Services (in which GYBC hold shares) as well as for GYN.  And, would be applied to the accounts years 2024-25 and 2025-26.

In order to consent to the terms, a shareholders meeting would be required. However consent can be waived by a written resolution of shareholders, which does not require a meeting to take place. 

With Cabinet acting in its capacity as shareholder, approval of the paper by Cabinet as detailed on page 236 of the agenda report, and amended at the meeting, is as follows:-

That Cabinet, acting on the Council's behalf as Shareholder in Great Yarmouth Norse Limited, and Norse Environmental Waster Services, agree a Shareholder's written resolution to waive the requirement for Shareholder consent to the Terms of the Liability Limitation Agreement with PwC as set out in paragraph 2 of this report.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet, acting on the Council's behalf as Shareholder in Great Yarmouth Norse Limited, and Norse Environmental Waster Services, agree a Shareholder's written resolution to waive the requirement for Shareholder consent to the Terms of the Liability Limitation Agreement with PwC as set out in paragraph 2 of this report.

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.

CARRIED.