Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Wells (Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, Licensing & Waste).

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The Leader reported that there were no items of urgent business to be considered at the meeting.

RESOLVED:-

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 July 2025 be confirmed as a true record.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Information Governance Lead & Data Protection Officer.

The Leader reported that the following report presents an update on performance for the first quarter of 2025/26 (April to June) where progress is assessed against Targets which are set at the start of the financial year. The report also provides an update on the position of key projects that are linked to the corporate priorities from ‘The Plan 2025-2030’. 

The Leader reported that the project highlight reports detailed in Appendix 1 provide a summary of the project, milestones and achievements, alongside open issues, mitigation and a financial summary. 

The Leader explained that each project report has a current status, which can be green, amber or red. Out of the 8 projects, 6 have a current green status defined as no problems or minor issues and 2 have an amber status, defined as having problems which have been identified but with a contingency plan in place. 

The Leader reported that the performance measures, detailed in Appendix 2, give a comprehensive overview of how the authority as a whole is performing and cover most Council functions.

The Leader further reported that in total there are 39 targeted and 24 monitored measures reported in the first quarter performance report. The monitored measures are reported for contextual information, this data is important information for the Council as the actions of the Council may make improvements however there is not sufficient control over the outcome to set a target.

The Leader reported that information is not available for 2 of the targeted measures due to required information still being collated. Of the remaining 37 targeted measures 22 are Green whereby performance had been met or exceeded target, 7 are Amber whereby performance is below target but within tolerance and 8 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.

The Leader reported that Cabinet are, as detailed on page 22 of the agenda report, are asked to :-

1. Agree that all measures to be monitored during the next quarter. 

2. Agree that all key projects will 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.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1)    Agree that all measures to be monitored during the next quarter; and

(2) Agree that all key projects will 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.

CARRIED

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Tenancy Services Manager.

Councillor Plant reported that this report sought Cabinet’s approval to agree an update to the Council’s Tenancy Policy following a scheduled review. The current Tenancy Policy was introduced in 2013 and provides a framework for the management of the Council’s social housing homes including how tenancies are allocated and managed and the obligations of both the Council as landlord and the tenant.

Councillor Plant explained that the main updates to the Tenancy Policy were as follows:-

1. Whilst priority will continue to be given to people over the age of 60 years of age for the Council’s sheltered housing schemes, applicants agreed between 55-60 years will now be considered for a home in a sheltered scheme where there is either a low demand i.e. void property or if there is a significant well-being need which can only be better met in sheltered housing. 

2. The approach to managing pest infestations has been set out in the update to explain the expectation on tenants to maintain their property and the landlord’s support for tenants making the best use of Council’s resources. 

3. The approach to investigating tenancy fraud has been introduced to ensure the Council’s social housing homes are suitably occupied and homes are available to meet the borough’s housing need; and

4. A section has been added to detail current sub-policies of the Tenancy Policy. 

Councillor Plant further reported that the tenant representatives were consulted on the key amendments proposed and their feedback provided a positive outcome. Feedback comments received have been considered and where appropriate have been introduced to the Tenancy Policy with procedures put in place to manage the work associated with implementing the updated Policy.

Councillor Plant advised Cabinet that subject to Cabinet’s approval, the Tenancy Policy 2025 will be published on the Council’s website and tenants notified through the usual communications channels including News and Views magazine.

Councillor Plant reported that Cabinet, as detailed on page 52 of the agenda report are asked to :-

1. Approve the adoption of the updated Tenancy Policy 2025; and

2. Delegate authority to the Executive Director – People and Council Homes Director to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the Policy in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the purpose of keeping the Policy up to date, clarifying its content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, and updating it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or case law. 

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Approve the adoption of the updated Tenancy Policy 2025; and



(2) Delegate authority to the Executive Director – People and Council Homes Director to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the Policy in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the purpose of keeping the Policy up to date, clarifying its content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, and updating it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or case law. 

CARRIED.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Executive Director - Resources & the Financial Services Manager.

The Leader reported that this report presents the month 3 budget monitoring position for financial year 2025/26 for both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) including the respective capital programmes and financing. It includes explanations for significant variances to the budgets currently forecast for the full year.

The Leader reported that the General Fund Summary detailed at Appendix A within the report shows the high-level forecast budget monitoring position at 30 June 2025 of a deficit position of £462k, Appendix A and B provide commentary on the more significant variances identified from the budget monitoring process. This is a slightly improved position compared to that when the budget was set in February and relates to additional funding received for the extended produced responsibility and Internal drainage board levies. 

The Leader advised that the General Fund Capital Programme 2025/26 budget stands at £57.040m as at month 3 and delivery of the programme spend continues to be monitored. 

The Leader further reported that the Housing Revenue Account Summary at Appendix G shows the high-level forecast budget monitoring position on 30 June 2025 of a deficit position of £241k resulting in an adverse movement of £352k in the first quarter. The Income and expenditure position will continue to be monitored going forward. 

The Leader reported that this report highlights financial pressures for both the Housing Revenue Account and the General Fund in the year. Work to monitor and mitigate these continues as part of the financial monitoring between finance and the services. The updated financial position will be reported as part of the medium term financial strategy which will be reported on later in the year. 



The Leader reported that Cabinet, as detailed on page 74 of the agenda, are asked to:-

Note the content of the report and the revised forecast for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for 2025/26, use of earmarked reserves and the prudential indicators under Appendix F. 

Councillor Plant thanked the Executive Director- Resources and her finance team for producing a balanced budget under the present harsh economic climate.

The Leader reported that he welcomed the additional funding from central government to help to offset the increase in the Internal Drainage Board Levy and that the Council would continue to lobby the government for additional financial assistance in this matter.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet note the content of the report and the revised forecast for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account for 2025/26, use of earmarked reserves and the prudential indicators under Appendix F. 

CARRIED.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Environment & Sustainability.

The Leader reported that this report outlines the current position and future options for the processing of mixed dry recyclables collected by Norfolk’s Waste Collection Authorities (WCAs), as the existing contract between the Norfolk authorities and Norse Environmental Waste Services Ltd (NEWS) approaches expiry in September 2027. 

The Leader explained that the contract currently covers all WCAs, with the County Council involved as Waste Disposal Authority (WDA), and is delivered via a Joint Venture Company (NEWS) in which the WCAs hold a 49% share with the remaining 51% held by Norse Commercial Services Ltd.

The  Leader reported that the current MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) contract with NEWS, a Joint Venture Company with Norse, expires in September 2027; all Norfolk councils are party to the arrangement, with WCAs as shareholders in NEWS. 

The Leader reported that National waste reforms (Simpler Recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Deposit Return Scheme DRS) create significant uncertainty around future materials that will require collection, infrastructure needs and funding mechanisms. 

The Leader further reported that the NWP Board recommended a short-to-medium-term extension on current terms with no new investment at this stage, to provide service continuity and financial stability, but suggested that officers assess options for the inclusion of plastic film as required by Simpler Recycling from 2027. 

The Leader confirmed the NEWS confirmed flexibility on extension length; options proposed included aligning with the County Council’s SLA to March 2030, or a five-year extension to September 2032 for greater commercial certainty. Norfolk Chief Executives recommended that the contract be extended to 2030. 

The Leader reported that the evolving national policy landscape, combined with increasing financial pressures and local government reform, presents a highly uncertain and volatile environment in which to make long-term infrastructure or contractual decisions. In this context, extending the current MRF contract on existing terms via the NEWS joint venture with Norse provides a low-risk, value-for-money solution that maintains service continuity and operational stability, while allowing time for greater clarity to emerge.

The Leader reported that Cabinet, as detailed on page 105 of the agenda report, are asked to :-

Agree to extend the Comingled Dry Recyclable Waste Contract via the NEWS JV with
Norse to March 2030, utilising the Teckal procurement exemption, noting the
strategic risks and opportunities outlined in this paper.

Councillor Candon asked if the Council had received a response to the joint letter from the Council which had been sent in partnership with Rupert Lowe MP to the Secretary of State. The Leader asked that this matter be chased.

Councillor Bensly reported that more information in regard to the collection of plastic film would put in to the public domain via the Council's social media channel.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet agree to extend the Comingled Dry Recyclable Waste Contract via the NEWS JV with Norse to March 2030, utilising the Teckal procurement exemption, noting the
strategic risks and opportunities outlined in this paper.

CARRIED.

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.