Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Wells.

Councillor Candon declared a personal interest in the item of urgent business that was to be considered by the Cabinet in his capacity as Chairman of Equinox Enterprises Ltd & Equinox Property Holdings Ltd.

Cabinet considered an Item of Urgent Business in relation to Equinox Enterprises Ltd. 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 10 March 2026 were confirmed as a true record.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head or Property and Asset Management.

Councillor Plant, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Operational Property and Assets presented the report and advised that GYBC manages a large portfolio of 90 play areas, 15 of which are on Parish land, consisting of 645 items of equipment.

It was reported that this paper provided an overview of the locations of these Play Areas, their ownership and maintenance, including the ongoing costs of this. It also provided an overview of the capital investment required for the 26/27 financial year, as well as wider investment from Pride in Place funding and Section 106 allocations.

The Deputy Leader advised that the Council was committed to ensuring that children and young people have safe, accessible and high-quality places to play and take part in Physical Activity, and the improvements proposed in this paper ensure this.

He further advised that the paper provided a summary of the ongoing management of Play Areas for GYBC by the Property and Assets team. It also described the size of the portfolio and the compliance related obligations for play area equipment. And, that the play equipment requires significant investment to maintain a high standard as indicated with only the High categorised works being delivered each year.  With each year these costs look to increase as play areas continue to age.

It was reported that a prioritised fundable plan had been proposed for 2026/27 maximising the use of the Capital approved budget, Pride in Place funding and Section 106 funding available.

Councillor Candon reported that the playground improvements were as a result of Ward Councillors lobbying for improvements in their wards and that this funding could not be secured by other persons.

Councillor Plant reported that s106/CIL monies could only be spent in the wards where development had taken place as it was ring fenced and in this instance it had been utilised to upgrade play park facilities. It was important that residents had access to the report which was published 5 clear working days prior to the debate at Cabinet so they could see how taxpayers money was being spent to improve play parks across the whole borough.

Councillor Bensly reported that two residents of Martham had contacted him in regard to play park equipment in the Northern Parishes and that he had then spoken to the relevant officers to secure the necessary funding. This was the correct approach as opposed to posting on social media.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor echoed the views expressed by her fellow Cabinet members and highlighted the excellent works carried out at the Magdalen Play park which attracted local residents and visitors from outside of the borough.

The Leader reiterated that the total spend of £730k to improve green open spaces and play parks across the borough was money well spent.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:-

Approve the allocation of £323,129 Capital budget for 2026/27 to the projects listed in this paper, in addition to the allocated £308,000 Pride in Place funding, and Section 106 allocations.

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

Councillor Candon, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Growth presented the report and advised that the report set out recommendations for the spend of developer contributions (Section 106/Section 111 agreements) for open space.

He advised that to date, Cabinet had endorsed the spending from two previous rounds of open space funding bids, this being in July 2023 and in May 2024. It was further advised that Appendix 4 of the report set out progress to date on the award of open space funding in May 2024.

Councillor Candon reported that a third 12-week window for inviting projects/bids for off-site open space improvements was open between 8 April and 30 June 2025. Projects/bids were invited from Parish Councils, Ward Councillors, community groups, sport clubs and teams.

A wide number of projects had come forward for support and the planning and property teams had supported these applications, for those which were unsuccessful, officers would be providing further information and guidance as to what additional information may be required for future applications.

Councillor Candon advised, that the following project submission (that is in excess of £50,000) was recommended for funding, subject to the decision of Cabinet:

Hopton Playing Field Play Areas - New Play Equipment and improvements - £181,476

He reported that appendix 2 detailed those other project submissions (of less than £50,000) that were being recommended for full funding or part funding by the Executive Director (Place) under their delegated powers, in consultation with the portfolio holder for Economic Development & Growth.

It was advised that the other submitted projects not recommended for funding at this stage had been due to several factors including their ability to meet spending requirements for planning obligations, readiness for delivery, and lack of financial, lack of community value and wider details about the project outputs. Officers will be providing further assistance where possible to support the groups who submitted these bids to enable them to potentially progress their applications in future funding windows.

Councillor Candon reported that s106/CIL monies raised from developers had been prudently utilised to provided much needed community infrastructure improvements across the borough.

Councillor Plant reported that public consultation had been undertaken and that the Council was transparent in how these monies were being spent.

The Leader thanked the officers concerned for all their hard work.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:-

1. approve the use of section 106 funds to deliver the following project:

Hopton Playing Field Play Areas - New Play Equipment and improvements - £181,476,

2. note those projects that are recommended to be agreed to be fully funded, or part funded by s106 under the Executive Director’s delegated powers in consultation with the portfolio holder for Economic Development & Growth, set out in Appendix 2; and

3. note the progress to date on the previous (May 2024) round of funded projects in Appendix 4.

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

The Leader presented the report and advised that the Public Protection Order No.3 was introduced in 2017 to update legal requirements on dog owners/walkers around dog control and removing waste after their dog has fouled. The Order was extended in 2020 and then again in 2023. The Leader advised that this PSPO expired on 31st March 2026. He further advised that this report sought member approval to introduce a new PSPO for a period of three years, based on previous PSPO. Additionally, Norfolk Constabulary have requested that the schedule of locations covered by the PSPO is amended to include a dogs on lead requirement in the pedestrianised area around the town centre.

The Leader reported that when the PSPO was introduced in 2017 consideration was given to the needs of dog walkers against the health, safety and welfare of the other users.

It was advised that the existing requirements in PSPO NO.3 were introduced to prevent nuisance, for hygiene safety reasons and minimising risk between dogs and other users in certain areas. Dog bans and dogs on leash requirements were only implemented in areas where it was necessary to prevent unreasonable behaviour and/or where there are clear alternative areas for dogs to be exercised. With the majority of person’s responding to the Consultation identifying themselves as residents of the Borough and also as being dog owners those persons most affected by the PSPO would agree that the measures are appropriate and support the introduction of a PSPO in its current form.

Based on this it is recommended that a new PSPO is implemented of three years from 14th April 2026. Given the support shown from the consultation it is also recommended the schedule of the previous PSPO is amended to include a dogs on lead requirement for the market area of the Town Centre.

Councillor Candon reported that he was pleased to support this PSPO as it was an additional policy to help make our Town Centre safer.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that she supported the PSPO but that it must be enforced.

Councillor Plant asked for clarification on the enforcement of the PSPO. The Head of Environment & Sustainability  reported that officers must know who the identity of the individual in question and that a witness statement or a recording of the offence on a mobile phone was also helpful to secure a successful prosecution.

The Leader reported that the required PSPO signage would be erected in the Town Centre in the next day or two.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:-

1. consider the feedback and comments received from the Public Consultation held around PSPO No.3 (Appendix 3),

2. agree that the pedestrianised area around the Market in Great Yarmouth town centre is included in the schedule as a dogs on lead requirement,

3. introduce a new PSPO “Great Yarmouth Borough Council Public Spaces Protection Order No. 3” with the wording set out in Appendix 2 for a period of three years from 14th April 2026 (unless otherwise varied or revoked); and

4. note that Council be asked to endorse this action.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Income Service Manager.

Councillor Plant, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Operational Property and Assets presented the report and advised that this report sought Cabinet’s approval to agree an update to the Council’s HRA Income Policy following a scheduled review. The current HRA Income Policy was reviewed in March 2018 and provided a framework for the management of the Council’s social housing rent income only.

The Deputy Leader advised that this new policy, now a sub policy of the Tenancy and Leasehold Management Policies encompassed a wider HRA income collection from the Council’s wider stock leasehold, garages, Gapton Hall Gypsy and Traveller site and the obligations of both the Council as landlord and the tenant/resident.

It was advised that subject to Cabinet’s approval, the Income Policy 2026 would be published on the Council’s website and tenants, leaseholders and Gapton Hall residents notified through the usual communications channels including News and Views magazine.

The Leader welcomed the new Council Homes Director to her first Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

1. approve the adoption of the updated HRA Income Policy 2026.

2. delegate authority to the 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 caselaw it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or caselaw.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Housing Delivery Manager.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Communities presented the report and advised that in 2016, the Government launched a £60m Community Housing Fund, targeted predominantly at areas of second home ownership, to increase the supply of affordable housing for delivery by Community Groups.

It was advised that the report provided an update on the Council’s funding allocation and includes a refresh to the existing Community Housing Fund Policy. The policy sets out how the Council will utilise the fund to provide financial support Community Led Groups and how applications for grants will be assessed and awarded.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that this was an exciting funding stream and she hoped that community groups from across the borough would apply to it for funding support.

Cabinet RESOLVED to :

1. note the content of the report, including duties under the Public Sector Equality Act as set out in Section 7 and approves the updated Community Housing Fund Policy at Appendix A

2. note that in accordance with the Community Housing Fund Policy, the decision to issue grants to community groups is delegated to the Head of Strategic Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Communities.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Housing Delivery Manager.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Communities presented the report and advised that each financial year, Council approve an over-arching Affordable Housing Programme budget. A delivery programme of various projects and their associated spend, funded by this budget, is agreed by Cabinet.

It was advised that this important work-stream aimed to deliver much needed affordable and often specialist housing, utilising grant funding where possible, and supports objectives with the Housing Strategy 2024- 2029 and Homelessness Strategy 2024-2029.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor advised that this report requested Cabinet to acknowledge the contents of the Compliance Audit Report for 2025/26 attached at Appendix B.

Councillor Candon reported that this was a really good initiative but that more comms were required to get the message out to all residents across the borough. The Council took housing of its residents very seriously and had a pipeline of plans to assist.

Councillor Plant  reported that it was not the remit of the DM Committee to insist that doctor or dentist provision be in place prior to any planning permission being granted as Government policy did not require this and it was wrong that residents were being misinformed.

Councillor Bensly reported that Hemsby Primary School needed more pupils but it was not a case of posting this on social media and demanding the Government do X,Y & Z. A Councillor is not allowed to do this as it would be a case of pre-determination of a planning application and the Councillor in question would need to abstain on voting on this item at a DM Committee.

Councillor Bensly reported that he welcomed the development at Staithe Road, Martham which would provide much need affordable homes and help local residents to get a foot on the housing ladder and remain in the village of Hemsby where they grew up. Councillor Bensly thanked Crocus Homes and the planning officers concerned.

Councillor Candon reported that councillors understood the concerns of local residents in regard to large scale developments and that councillors were prepared to fight their concerns but were often left powerless as they came up against National Policy & Government guidelines with little support from our MP.

Cabinet RESOLVED to :

1. note the updates to the Affordable Housing Delivery Programme and the delivery of projects moving into 2026/27;

2. note the updated scheme costs as set out in the confidential Appendix A;

3. acknowledge the contents of the Compliance Audit Report for 2025/26 at Appendix B.

4. agree to the allocation of £1m from the agreed 2026/27 Affordable Housing Budget to support the acquisition of homes provided on new build schemes under a Section 106 agreement.

5. note that in accordance with the Property Acquisitions and Disposals Policy, the decision to acquire properties as set out in recommendation 4, is delegated to an Executive Director and the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Communities.

Cabinet 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.