There were no apologies for absence given at the meeting.

Councillor Jeal declared a personal interest in item number 5 as he is the Chair of GYTABIA. However, in accordance with the Council's Constitution, was allowed to both speak and vote on the item.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

Councillor Jeal highlighted that the Committee was still awaiting information to be supplied by the Executive Director - Place in regard to the criteria in relation to Fees & Charges for Events held on Council Owned Land.

The Chair reported that there were no matters arising from the above minutes which were nor covered elsewhere on the agenda.

The Committee received a presentation from Jonathan Newman, Town Centre Manager, which gave an update on the work of the Town Centre Partnership over the last 12 months and the plans for Christmas 2025.

Councillor Jeal asked if the Town Centre Partnership (TCP) had considered joining forces with GYTABIA. Jonathan Newman reported that he had never had a conversation as the two entities had a different offering.

The Chair asked what the Town Centre Manager was most proud of. Jonathan Newman reported that this was the Safe & Secure Scheme which had been set up to protect the town centre retailers from shop lifting and ASB which was delivered with the help of the Street Wardens. This scheme had received recognition in the form of a national recommendation.

Jonathan Newman reported that the main goal was to increase footfall into the Town Centre, Market and The Place and to make people feel safe.

The Chair asked if there were any measured outcomes in place for the main objectives. Jonathan Newman explained that he had 30 objectives and that an annual report was published which outlined achievements and targets met.

The Chair asked how the Street Wardens would work in partnership with Council officers and Norfolk Police. Jonathan Newman explained that all parties shared a radio link and were a presence in the Town Centre on a daily basis. The Council was issuing positive comms on a regular basis to encourage people to come into the Town Centre and to feel safe. Any problems were sorted quickly and quietly.

The Chair asked for an update in regard to CCTV coverage in the Market Place. Jonathan Newman reported that although he was not hands on he did manage the CCTV. The control room was staffed 24/7 and had a direct radio link to Norfolk Police HQ at Wymondham.

The Chair asked how the CCTV funding was split. Jonathan Newman reported that 2/3 was funded by the Borough Council with the remaining third funded privately.

The Chair asked if any funding was received from Norfolk Police. Jonathan Newman reported that the Police did fund the CCTV for the first 3 years.

Councillor Jeal asked if the CCTV coverage of the Town Centre was value for money for the number of criminal prosecutions resulting from it being used as evidence in court proceedings. Jonathan Newman explained that data was only available on the number of arrests not prosecutions and this data was published as part of the monthly report statistics and that he would forward this data to the Committee following the meeting.

Councillor McMullen reported the positive experience of the recent Heart Health Check at Market Gates which 400 people had taken advantage of.

The Chair asked what improvements the residents would like to see for the Town Centre. Jonathan Newman reported that this would be Primark, Free Parking and more Toilets. The TCP was working hard to get residents to love the Town Centre and to make it the place it deserved to be.

The Chair asked if footfall from The Place had had an effect on the Market Place. Jonathan Newman explained that footfall would hopefully increase when university and college courses started from October.

The Chair reported that if more people were able to live in the Town Centre, the area would become more vibrant resulting in both a day and nighttime economy.

The Chair thanked Jonathan for attending Committee this evening. Jonathan Newman invited the Committee to visit the CCTV Control Room at their convenience. 

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee note the update in the regard to the Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Head of Customer Services.

The Head of Customer Services, Health & Communities reported that Members will be aware that each year the Council needs to determine the Council Tax Support Scheme for the following financial year. 

Ahead of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27 report and recommendations being considered by Cabinet, as part of the formal consultation process, this is an opportunity for Members of Scrutiny Committee to offer comments and feedback in relation to the proposals under consideration.

The Council was now in the second year of a revised council tax support scheme where the maximum award for working age recipients is 80%. Pensioners and care leavers remain unaffected. Last year when this scheme came into effect, it was accompanied by a £200,000 council tax hardship fund, funded in full by Norfolk County Council. This fund was well used and fully spent by 31st March 2025 funded in full by Norfolk County Council. 

This hardship fund is again available for this year’s scheme and the Member Working Group will be asked to reconvene to monitor the impact of the scheme and demand on the hardship fund.

This report proposes that the current scheme is retained for 2026/27 with the provision of a council tax hardship fund would be provided at the same level and funded by Norfolk County Council. Appendix A provides Members an overview of the impact of introducing this revised scheme in 24/25.

The Chair asked if the hardship fund had helped to reduce the number of summons issued by the Courts. The Revenues & Benefits Service Manager reported that the number of summons had decreased. The hardship fund message was now out there and affected residents were coming forward earlier.

Councillor P Carpenter thanked the Head of Customer Services, Health & Communities and her team for all their hard work and that she was pleased that the hardship fund was having such a positive impact.

Councillor Wainwright reported that he endorsed the sentiments of Councillor Carpenter and that the Member Working Group were kept well informed and that the proposed scheme was an extension of the scheme which had proved to be very successful in alleviating council tax hardship and debt.

Councillor Waters-Bunn asked if there was enough funding remaining in the pot to address any hardship now faced by seasonal workers whose contracts had now come to an end. The Head of Customer Services, Health & Communities reiterated that the hardship fund was capped at £200k and that its use had evened up across the 12 months and there was £62k remaining to carry us over the winter period. However, if the fund was used up, assistance could be given via other avenues such as the Household Support Fund, energy vouchers or debt advice. Each case was looked at on a case by case basis.

Councillor Waters-Bunn asked for an explanation of the process up until a bailiff knocked on a residents door for non-payment of council tax. The Revenues & Benefits Service Manager detailed each step carried out by the Council. As well as written correspondence, emails and phone calls, Voicescape was used to issue pre-notice reminders, which resulted in double the number of reminders to a resident.

Councillor Waters- Bunn reported that she agreed with the use of Voicescape which was a non-threatening automated service. Councillor Waters-Bunn requested that Ward Councillors be informed of the quarterly resident drop-in sessions so they could advice their residents who were in council tax arrears. The Head of Service agreed to this request and it was hoped that these sessions would be expanded resulting in multi-agency drop-in sessions for residents at The Place.

Councillor McMullen commended the outreach work and asked if sessions could be held in Gorleston and other locations in the north and south of the borough. Councillor McMullen was also impressed with the use of Voicescape. The Head of Service agreed to explore other venues in different areas.

The Chair thanked the Head of Service and her team for their continued hard work.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee receive, comment & note on the options outlined within the report for the 2026-2027 Local Council Tax Scheme.

The Committee received and considered the Work Programme for 2025-2026.

(i) Councillor Wainwright asked if CCTV could be added to the Work Programme as the Council funded 2/3 of the initiative.

(ii) Councillor Jeal asked if the overspend on the Market Place could be added to the Work Programme. The Monitoring Officer explained that an investigation was ongoing which was being led by Cat Hewlett, Director of nplaw. A forensic architect & a forensic structural engineer had been appointed and the investigation had now reached stage 2 and their reports would be submitted to the Dispute Resolution Team. A briefing would be given to all members in December 2025. The Chair suggested that this item come to Scrutiny in the New Year and that he would liaise with the Monitoring Officer.

(iii) Councillor Hammond reported that the Market Place looked dirty and unkempt and that a coat of stain was urgently required on the wooden structure. Councillor Wainwright reported that he thought that the Market Place was quite clean and there was no need to place this on the Work Programme but any concerns should be reported directly to GYS or the Executive Director - Place.

(iv) Councillor Waters-Bunn asked that the operation of council owned assets be added to the Work Programme i.e. community centres and communal rooms and the committees who run them on behalf of the council and who is responsible for auditing them.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee note the report and agree to add the items listed as (i), (ii) & (iv) above to the Work Programme for 2025-2026.

The Chair reported that there was no other business being of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration at the meeting.