Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Wells.

Councillor Candon declared a personal interest in item number 7, as he is the Chair of EEL & EPH and he did not vote on the item.

Councillor Plant declared a personal interest in item number 10, as he is the Chair of GYSLT, but was allowed to both speak and vote on the item.

Councillor Williamson declared a personal interest in item number 13, as he is the Chair of the GYPT, but was allowed to both speak and vote on the item.

Cabinet considered an Item of Urgent Business in relation to St Georges Theatre. This report was exempt from publication under section 100(A)(4) and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as it is “information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)”.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 February 2026 were confirmed as a true record.

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

The Leader explained that this report provides an update on performance for the third quarter of 2025/26 (Oct to December) 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 project highlight reports detailed in Appendix 1 provide a summary of the project, milestones and achievements, alongside open issues, mitigation and a financial summary. 

Each report has been given a current status, which can be green, amber or red. Out of the 8 projects, 4 have a current green status defined as no problems or minor issues and 4 have an amber status, defined as having problems which have been identified but with a contingency plan in place. 

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.

In total there are 39 targeted and 24 monitored measures reported in the third quarter performance report.

A breakdown of the 39 targeted measures is as follows; 21 are Green whereby performance had been met or exceeded target, 12 are Amber whereby performance is below target but within tolerance and 6 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 asked that Cabinet agree the recommendations as detailed on page 10 of the agenda report.

Councillor Candon asked in relation to improvements at Great Yarmouth Railway Station and whether there had been any slippage with the Masterplan feasibility study. The Information Governance Officer agreed to take this question away and make further enquiries as he did not have this information to hand.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet agree the following:-

(i) That all measures to be monitored during the next quarter; and

(ii) 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.

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

Councillor Candon informed Cabinet that this report summarises the full review and progress of the Great Yarmouth Transport Strategy that has been jointly prepared by Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council.


A review of the Great Yarmouth Transport Strategy, previously adopted in 2020, has been completed. The Strategy sets out the transport vision for Great Yarmouth and the surrounding area, highlighting the challenges and opportunities along with the transport infrastructure that needs to be delivered within the short and medium term to enable growth to come forward sustainably, as well supporting the existing local communities. 


An Implementation Plan is also included, which contains a list of possible transport projects which, if funding becomes available, could be progressed to support the vision and objectives. 


Adoption of the Great Yarmouth Transport Strategy will enable Norfolk County Council to have an ongoing dialogue with Government and other transport operators to work in partnership to deliver further investment in the local area to improve the transport network for all. An up to date, and agreed strategy, will improve the chances of securing funding to allow delivery of supported projects. 



Councillor Candon requested that Cabinet agree the recommendations as detailed on page 10 of the agenda report.

Councillor Plant referred to page 49 of the agenda report and the deletion of the improvements to the Vauxhall Roundabout by the Government as it did not have any housing support. This would have a knock-on effect on the dualling of the Acle Straight which also did not have any housing support. The Council would still campaign for improvements to the Vauxhall Roundabout and the dualling  of the Acle Staright and would await a new Government who might have different policies.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

1. Note that Great Yarmouth Transport Strategy in Appendix 1 and the Consultation Report in Appendix 2; and 

2. Approve and adopt the Great Yarmouth Transport Strategy. 

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

The Leader presented the month 9 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 original base budgets for 2025/26 were approved by Council in February 2025 and assumed a transfer from the General Fund reserves of £720,630 and a transfer of £110,469 into the Housing Revenue Account reserves. This was alongside setting the capital programmes for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account. 

Actual spend until the end of December 2025 totals £16.43m as summarised under Appendix E. The revised General Fund Capital Programme for 2025/26 is £30.37m. Of this, £26.66m is currently forecast to be spent in 2025/26. Remaining budgets are likely to be spent in future years as many approved projects span financial years. 

The Housing Revenue Accounts forecast for the full financial year at month 9 reflects a deficit of £72k, against a budget surplus of £110k, resulting in an adverse variance of £182k. 

This is the final budget monitoring report presented to members ahead of the outturn, where services have revenue underspends these will be reviewed to confirm whether they are to be carried forward into 2026/27 as part of the outturn process. 


The Leader requested that Cabinet agree the recommendations as detailed on page 188 of the agenda report:-

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

1) 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; 

2) Note the amendments to the Capital Programme, as set out in Section 4 of this report, that have been made during the quarter; and

3) Approve the cashflow facility for EEL as outlined at 2.9 within the limits of the Investment Strategy.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Adaptations and Independent Living Manager.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor outlined the proposed revisions to the existing Private Sector Housing Adaptation and Improvement Policy which form a draft Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy. The draft Housing Assistance Policy contained at Appendix 1 sets out a range of housing assistance to private sector households.

The Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 confers a statutory duty on the Council to provide Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) to eligible applicants. The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) Order 2002 requires Councils to publish a policy detailing the financial assistance available to privately owned dwellings, who is eligible to receive it and how the assistance will be delivered. 

The policy has been updated to reflect best practice and current thinking on delivery of DFG and discretionary assistance. Publishing this policy allows the Council to use the capital allocation to provide an even wider range of housing adaptation and improvement solutions in support of resident’s health and wellbeing, enabling residents to remain living in their own homes, preventing admissions to hospital and residential care. 

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor requested that Cabinet agree the recommendations as detailed as detailed on page 245 of the agenda report.

The Leader reported that he supported this policy which would allow residents to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

Councillor Candon reported that he was pleased to see that the policy made allowances for children and young people who were diagnosed with Autism as this would give them access to housing which was a positive step forward. 

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet approves the draft Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Housing Strategy & Development Manager.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that the Council is required by the Localism Act 2011 to produce a Tenancy Strategy which sets out its expectations to all Private Registered Providers (PRPs) operating in the borough of Great Yarmouth in relation to the type of tenancies offered. 

All PRPs are required to produce a Tenancy Policy and should regard the contents of the Tenancy Strategy. That policy should outline what types of tenancy are offered, how tenancies are managed, how tenancies are ended and criteria for tenancy succession.  Local Authority Registered Providers, which as a stock holding authority the Council is, who offer Flexible Tenancies are also required to produce a Tenancy Policy. 

This report summarises the main proposed changes contained within the revised Tenancy Strategy which is attached at Appendix 1.  The revised Tenancy Strategy seeks to ensure affordable housing is genuinely affordable to local people, prevent homelessness and promote sustainable communities. 

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor requested that Cabinet are requested to agree the recommendations as detailed on page 286 of the agenda report.

The Leader informed Cabinet that the East Anglian Landlords Association would not  progress with their judicial review of the council's Selective Licensing Policy. Councillor Candon reported that he welcomed this news.

Councillor Candon asked if the Council offered short term tenancies. The Head of Strategic Housing reported that the Council did not offer short term tenancies as we were bound by different legislation to that of a Private Registered Provider.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet approves that the revised Tenancy Strategy be subject to an eight-week public consultation period, and for this to include formal consultation with key stakeholders, including tenants, tenant representative groups, and all Private Registered Providers currently operating in the Borough of Great Yarmouth. 

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

Councillor Plant  reported thatGFC is a well-established community club with over 700 players and volunteers with an annual social value of £1.5 million. The club has worked closely with the Council and partners to identify a permanent home at Gorleston Recreation Ground. The proposal would deliver a modern football facility and community hub, significantly enhancing community use and participation while securing the future of the club. Without a permanent home ground, there is a significant risk that Gorleston Football Club will cease to operate. No alternative Council owned sites have been identified that could deliver the required outcomes.

The proposal secures the long term future of the club, delivers substantial community benefit, reduces Council liabilities, and places a valued public asset into sustainable community use. 

The proposed development would involve an estimated £4 million investment by GFC and funding partners and deliver approximately 99 hours of community use per week. To support a successful funding bid, the Football Foundation requires the club to hold a long-term lease of the site. 

Cabinet is therefore asked to approve the disposal of the Recreation Ground to GFC by way of a 75-year lease, subject to funding being secured, and to approve the use of insurance compensation funds to reimburse costs associated with replacing the former community centre.



Councillor Plant reported that Cabinet are asked to approve the recommendations as detailed on page 314 of the agenda report.

The Leader reported that this project would result in the development of a "Mini-Nest" which is modelled on the successful "Nest" based in Norwich which would be a welcome asset for the residents of Gorleston. GFC had already taken over the maintenance of the grass pitches from GYS which was a saving to the Council.

Councillor Candon reported that he supported the scheme as exercise was important for both physical and mental health. This project would meet one of the aspirations of the Town Deal Board as it would provide a safe place for young people in the borough. However, he would add a caveat that, although he supported the project, this would be subject to planning consent being granted.

Councillor Plant reiterated the needed for clear, concise comms that this project was subject to planning approval.

Councillor Williamson reported that he welcomed the project and that he used to play football on these pitches when he was a young man. He pointed out that there was not much green open space for residents to enjoy in the Gorleston & St. Andrews Ward and he suggested that a circular path around the edge of the site be included in the plans for the local residents to utilise.

Councillor Wainwright reported that he fully supported the project but that the Council must get its comms right that although this is a Cabinet decision, it is subject to the planning process.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-


1) Approve the disposal of Gorleston Recreation Ground to Gorleston Football Club Community Interest Company by way of a 75 year lease, subject to the site remaining open for public access; and GFC securing the full development funding required to deliver the project; and

2) Approve the use of £155,225 of insurance compensation funds received following the destruction of the former Church Lane Community Centre, to deliver community spaces as part of the development.

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 3 of Part I of Schedule 12(A) of the said Act.