Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bird, Cordiner-Achenbach, Freeman, Lawn & Mogford.

Councillor Wells declared a personal interest in item number 8 as he is a member of the GY Minster Preservation Trust and the proposed Independent Person, Mr Philip Scott, is also a member of the Trust.

However, in accordance with the Council's Constitution, he was allowed to both and speak on the item.

His Worship, The Mayor reported that there were no urgent items of business this evening.

His Worship, The Mayor, thanked all Members and staff, who had supported him at his recent Civic Carol Service at The Minster in December 2025. The collection raised £420.00 for the Mayor's charities.

(i) Coastal erosion at Hemsby.

The Leader gave some background information as to why the Motion to Council had been put on the Council agenda this evening due to the devastating effect coastal erosion was having on the residents of Hemsby and other coastal communities such as Happisburgh and Thorpeness. The Council would continue to support its residents and would arrange further drop-in sessions for residents to ensure that they were fully informed.

The Leader reported that there had been a lot of mis-information posted on social media which did not help the Council or its residents. 

The Leader reported that he welcomed the £18m funding towards the most-at-risk coastal areas. The funding announced in the government's Coastal Adaptation Pilots for Norfolk, Suffolk and the East Riding of Yorkshire is not intended to be used for immediate repairs to existing defences or demolition.

Fourteen homes in Hemsby were at threat of collapsing into the sea and Hemsby had lost 36 properties to the sea or demolition since 2013.

The Leader thanked all the officers concerned and Councillor Bensly who had graciously allowed his cafe to be used by officers as their base in the community.

Councillor Wainwright endorsed the sentiments of the Leader and reported that the Labour Group would support the Motion this evening to support the residents of Hemsby.

(ii) Devolution & Local Government Reorganisation.

The Leader reported that it was anticipated that the County Council elections would be postponed to 2027.

Councillor Wainwright reported the outcome of a recent Teams meeting he had attended with Steve Reed MP, Alison McGovern MP and other Shadow Leaders in regard to why Great Yarmouth had opted to become a 3 model under LGR.

Councillor Wainwright reported that his observations were taken on board and hopefully it is a step in the right direction and that a decision should be announced at the end of march 2026

(iii) Councillor Bird.

The Leader asked that Council send a card to Cllr Malcolm Bird expressing their best wishes in regard to his health.

Councillor Jeal reported that he had known Councillor Bird for at least 25 years and that he was an excellent example of what a good ward councillor should be.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Plant

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 9 December 2025 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.

CARRIED.

His Worship, The Mayor, reported that Council are asked to note a change in membership to the Great Yarmouth Town Centre and Town Deal Member Working Group as follows:-

Councillor Candon to be appointed in place of Councillor Bird.

Council received and considered the report from the Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Galer reported that at the Audit, Risk and Standards Committee of 3rd April 2025, following CIPFA guidance, Committee recommended Council to appoint one Independent Member to the Audit, Risk and Standards Committee and gave delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of Audit, Risk and Standards Committee to undertake recruitment arrangements. 

The recruitment process for the position has now been completed and the appointment of Mr Philip Scott was endorsed for recommendation through to Council by the Audit and Risk Committee at their meeting held on the 8 December 2025, therefore this report recommends to Council the appointment of Mr Philip Scott as an Independent Person to the Audit, Risk and Standards Committee.

Councillor Galer proposed that Council, as detailed on page 13 of the agenda report:-

• Agree the appointment of Mr Philip Scott as an Independent Person to the Audit, Risk and Standards Committee.

Councillor Wainwright reported that Mr Scott was an excellent candidate. 

Proposer: Councillor Galer

Seconder: Councillor G Carpenter

That Council appoint Mr Philip Scott as an Independent Person to the Audit, Risk and Standards Committee.

CARRIED.

Council received and considered the report from the Head of Customer Services, Health & Communities.

The Leader reported that this report seeks Cabinet endorsement and Council approval of the recommended 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. 

This report follows a public consultation with a proposal to retain the current scheme for 2026/27. 

The Leader advised that Section 4 of the report gives a summary of the consultation outcome which included a report to Scrutiny Committee on the proposals which was considered at the 21st October Committee.

By retaining the current scheme, provision of a council tax hardship scheme would also continue for 2026/27 with a fund of £200,000, funded by Norfolk County Council.


The Leader proposed that Council approve the recommendation as detailed on page 16 of the agenda report:-

1) To retain the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27 
2) To make provision for a hardship scheme of £200,000 funded by Norfolk County Council
3) To delegate the ability for the Head of Customer Services, Health & Communities & Revenue & Benefits Service Manager to make any smaller adjustments to the scheme that may be required to align to the wider welfare benefits system for 2026/27.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Wainwright 

That Council:-

(1) To retain the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27,

(2) To make provision for a hardship scheme of £200,000 funded by Norfolk County Council; and

(3) To delegate the ability for the Head of Customer Services, Health & Communities & Revenue & Benefits Service Manager to make any smaller adjustments to the scheme that may be required to align to the wider welfare benefits system for 2026/27.

Council received and considered the report from the Head of Customer Services, Health & Communities.

The Leader reported that this report recommends the council tax discount levels for 2026/27, proposing no changes to existing discounts and premium rates for unoccupied properties, empty properties, and second homes. 

In respect of Long-Term Empty Property Premiums, since 2013, councils have had the discretion to add a premium to properties empty for over two years, with increased powers since 2019.

Table 1 at section 2.2 of the report shows the current long term property premiums that apply:-

100% premium for homes empty between 1 and 5 years,

200% for homes empty between 5 and 10 years, and

300% for homes empty over 10 years.

.
The Leader reported that Appendix 1 of this report provides an analysis of the number of empty properties in the borough that are subject to the premium.

In respect of the Second home Premium, from April 2025, a 100% premium has been charged on unoccupied, furnished properties deemed as second homes, following new legislation. Section 3 of the report provides Members with a summary of the outcome of the Equality Impact Assessment which is attached at Appendix 4, and the principles the Council needs to consider in determining to charge the second homes premium. 

There are exceptions that apply, for example job-related dwellings, annexes, properties for sale/let, probate cases and seasonal homes, these are detailed in section 3.2 of the report. 
Appendix 2 of this report details the number of second homes in each council tax band, the estimated income for 2025/26 as a result of applying the premium and the current collection position in relation to the properties that are subject to the premium.

The Leader advised that Section 4 of the report provides the full table of recommended discounts and premiums that will apply for 2026/27.

The Leader proposed that Council, as detailed on page 20 of the agenda report:

Approve the Council Tax discounts as shown in the table at section 4 of the report which will apply for 2026/27.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Wainwright

That Council approve the Council Tax discounts as shown in the table at section 4 of the report which will apply for 2026/27.

CARRIED.

Council received and considered the report from the Revenues & Benefits Manager.

The Leader reported that this report sought approval from Council for the calculation of the 2026/27 tax base. 

The Council Tax base is a technical calculation that must be formally set each year. It is the first stage of the Council Tax setting process that will be finalised once the budgets have been agreed. 

The Leader reported that the tax bill for each band is calculated in proportion to band D, which is deemed to be the average for these purposes. Accordingly, a taxpayer whose home is in band A will pay two-thirds of what someone whose home is in band D will pay; a taxpayer whose home is in band H will pay twice what someone whose home is in band D will pay.


The Leader proposed that Council, as detailed on page 41 of the agenda report:-

Approve the calculation of the 2026/27 tax base totalling 32,033 which represent an increase of 466 in the tax base and the estimated tax bases for the Borough and for each parish, as shown in Appendix A.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Wainwright

That Council approve the calculation of the 2026/27 tax base totalling 32,033 which represent an increase of 466 in the tax base and the estimated tax bases for the Borough and for each parish, as shown in Appendix A.

CARRIED.

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

Councillor Wells reported that the Public Protection Order No.2 was introduced in 2017 to assist in addressing vehicle related anti –social behaviour along the seafront in Great Yarmouth. The Order was extended in 2020 and again in 2023 . The PSPO is due to expire as of 1st February 2026. 

This report seeks member approval to extend it by a further three years. Environmental Services and the Police would like a number of amendments the PSPO including that it has boroughwide coverage due to issues around vehicle related ASB now being experienced in other parts of the Borough.

For the implementation or renewal of a PSPO the Council are obliged to seek the views of the Police and relevant community representation. A formal public consultation was commenced 20th November 2025 and was appropriately advertised as is required. The Closing date for the consultation was 19th December 2025.

Councillor Wells reported that in tota,l 48 consultation responses were received. Full consultation feedback can be found in Appendix 5 which also provides individual responses. 
Comments within the consultation were in the main supportive of the PSPO and a lot
provided examples of unacceptable behaviour they had witnessed, many of which are
areas outside of the zone the current PSPO cover.

Councillor Wells explained that the Police and the feedback from the public consultation supported the PSPO and its renewal. Based on this it is recommended that the Order is renewed for a further three years from 1st February 2025.

Councillor Wells reported that, at the request of the Police and Officers from Environmental Services, it is recommended that the PSPO is amended to include the proposed changes which include:-

• The PSPO should now be Boroughwide,

• That Officers can require a person found to be breaching the PSPO to vacate the area they are in for up to a period of 12 hours,

• That the PSPO should be amended to cover any other nuisance behaviours not currently specified in the PSPO; and

• That it will be a breach of the PSPO for at least three persons to congregate in two or more vehicles and to, or likely to cause, nuisance to persons in the locality.

This proposed PSPO would give the Council and Police the ability to tackle this behaviour wherever it is happening across the Borough and send a clear message this behaviour is not acceptable.

Councillor Wells proposed that Council, as detailed on page 45 of the agenda report:-

• agree to the Order being extended by a further three years; and
• agree to the proposed amendments of the PSPO.

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor reported that she welcomed that the PSPO would be extended boroughwide and that she fully supported the PSPO.

Councillor Plant reported that the Police had asked for Council support for ASB in the South Quay area and the extension of the PSPO would be the right tool to support the police and the residents of the borough.

Councillor Jeal reported that he hoped that the extension of the PSPO to boroughwide would bed in quicker that it did along Marine Parade which had taken 30+ years to become an effective deterent.

Proposer: Councillor Wells

Seconder: Councillor Flaxman-Taylor.

That Council:-

(1) agree to the Order being extended by a further three years; and

(2) agree to the proposed amendments of the PSPO as detailed in the report.

CARRIED.

The Leader presented the following Motion to Council which had been submitted by himself, Cllr Bensly, Cllr  Plant,Cllr Flaxman-Taylor & Cllr Candon:-

This winter has seen an unprecedented loss of property up and down our coastline, with District and Borough Councils left to try and support residents as best they can with the loss of the homes and property as a result.

At Hemsby, high tides and high winds meant 10 metres of Cliff were lost overnight, not as result of a storm, but the normal tidal process. This loss has meant that 18 properties became critically close to the cliff edge, many of which would have been considered as being on the anticipated erosion line for 2055. These are people's homes, where they have often invested every penny, they have into a property which now faces imminent demolition.

The funding available for sea defences is woefully inadequate given the number of properties affected by coastal erosion and rising sea levels. The immediate number of properties affected is around 9000 with this figure being significantly higher by 2050 should the current shoreline plan not be implemented.

We therefore urgently call on the Government to provide a scheme of insurance, similar to that provided by Flood-Re, where properties at risk of coastal erosion could be insured for their loss and the real cost of demolition.

Finally, a national adaptation strategy for communities affected by Coastal Erosion that enables local councils to support their communities to adapt to coastal change in a managed way, not through pilot schemes but through a formal process that is clearly structured for residents to understand.

Without these changes, our residents will suffer immeasurably from the stress and emotional and financial burdens of coastal change.

Council therefore asks that the Leader writes to the Environment Secretary, the Environment Agency, and the Prime Minister, requesting that the above proposals are taken forward and implemented.

The Leader reported that the Government did operate an insurance scheme for people who lived adjacent to a river or in a flood plain whose properties were at risk of flooding. The leader reported that the EA needed to step up to the plate and offer practical, tangible help to coastal communities. Hemsby had lost 20 m of coastline in the last 10 months and it was vital that the motion received support across the chamber to fight for not only our residents in Hemsby but for other coastal villages across the UK.

Councillor Plant reported that the EA's stance for the last 20 years had been that of a managed retreat. Councillor Plant reported that the EA had spent £80 to £90m on river defences in the last 10 years but had not protected our coastline. Hemsby must be protected to preserve land, homes and livelihoods.

Councillor Candon reported that people who had lost their homes as a result of coastal erosion should be compensated for their loss by the government. Clarity and honesty must be given to the residents of Hemsby moving forward. Stopping coastal erosion must not be an election slogan moving forwards for some political parties as it gave residents false hope. This Council would fully support its residents moving forwards.

Councillor Bensly reported that he was grateful for the work of all councillors in this chamber who had supported, and would continue to support, the residents of Hemsby in their fight against coastal erosion which should not allow residents to loose everything they had to the sea. Councillor Bensly reported that he welcomed the new tranche of funding from the EA but a structural change was needed to allow a similar scheme such as Flood RE for those residents affected by coastal erosion. he did not want to see any more pilot schemes but something concrete to support our residents moving forwards.

Councillor A Wright reported that the sea level had risen in the past 40 to 50 years. The EA had protected the gas terminal at Bacton as it was of national importance. However, if you interfered in nature by installing sea defences, these would have a knock-on effect on other villages further down the coast. Two separate funds were required; one for coastal erosion and one for flood defences. He welcomed the £30m funding initiative from the EA but the priority would be the flood plains and not the coast. The issue of coastal erosion would not go away and urgently needed more government funding.

Councillor Wainwright reported that climate change was having a devastating effect on our coastal communities and their way of life. In our Borough, Hemsby was at the forefront of this, with the cliff face erosion increasing by an unprecedented amount, putting more and more houses at risk.



The funding boost announced by the Environment Agency (EA) yesterday was to be welcomed and we wait to see how much will be coming to Great Yarmouth.



EA had also said that the Council was a partner in the £8m Resilient Coasts project and part of the £200m Flood & Coastal Innovation Programme which aimed to enable people, economies and environment of those coastal frontages to live and work with a climate resilient coast, exploring alternatives to traditional hand engineered defences. it would be very interesting to know how this is progressing.



The EA states that this new money will be for pilot projects expected to begin in April 2026 and managed by the EA themselves.



Since 2012, we have had many pilot projects all of which have been unsuccessful, so we hope that this one proves to be successful and involves a formal process that is clearly structured for residents to understand, as the motion states.



Councillor Wainwright reported that we, as a Labour Group, support this motion and any course of action that helps find a resolution to this ongoing situation, which is causing so much worry and anxiety for our coastal communities.

Councillor Wells reported that he agreed with the sentiments of Councillor Wright that there were consequences of installing sea defences. Councillor Wells reported that there would never be enough funding to fight coastal erosion around our entire coastline but that the Council must support and help the residents of Hemsby who believed that the government would fund coastal defences. The government must be honest moving forwards and our residents should not be expected to leave their homes with only 24 to 48 hours notice.

Councillor Williamson reported that it was not only Hemsby that would be affected; Newport, Scratby & California were also in the firing line as they were only a few hundred yards down the coast. Councillor Williamson reported that when he was a child there was 150 feet of dunes at Hemsby. Councillor Williamson reported that he fully supported that motion.

The Leader summed up and asked that all Councillors present support the Motion. Hemsby was situated on one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe. 

The Leader reiterated that he welcomed the £18m funding towards the most-at-risk coastal areas. The funding announced in the government's Coastal Adaptation Pilots for Norfolk, Suffolk and the East Riding of Yorkshire is not intended to be used for immediate repairs to existing defences or demolition.



Fourteen homes in Hemsby were at threat of collapsing into the sea and Hemsby had lost 36 properties to the sea or demolition since 2013. The EA and the Government must give more financial support to give the residents of Hemsby peace of mind that they will be compensated if they loose their homes to the sea.

Proposer: Councillor Smith

Seconder: Councillor Plant

Following an unanimous vote, the Motion, as proposed, was carried.

CARRIED.