Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P Carpenter.

Councillor Hammond declared a personal interest in item 6 as she is a Landlord in the borough.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

Councillor Jeal reported that he was still awaiting a response as to whether a Ward Councillor could sit on a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting to hear an application relating to their ward, and if not, why not. The Head of Environment & Sustainability reported that he was awaiting advice from nplaw.

The Committee received a presentation from Active Norfolk.

The Chair asked if Active Norfolk concentrated its work in the most deprived areas of the borough where it was most needed.

The Chair asked if Active Norfolk engaged with GP surgeries. Andy Oakley reported that he worked in partnership with GP surgeries & the Primary Care Network. The Chair asked if Health Walks were supported by Active Norfolk. Andy Oakley reported that new Walkie-Talkie Groups would be supported. The Chair asked if the Integrated Care Board provided funding as this would fall under the remit of preventative work.

Councillor Waters-Bunn asked if Active Norfolk mostly engaged with pupil premium pupils as they courted the maximum government funding. Councillor Waters-Bunn reported that the number of schools identified in the report was very low which was disappointing. Andy Oakley reported that it was hoped to increase the number of schools engaged with across the borough. Councillor Waters-Bunn highlighted that Northgate Primary School had over 450 pupils, a large number of whom were living in poverty, and was never included in any sports initiatives. Andy Oakley reported that this was difficult as only schools with on-site caretakers were able to host sporting events over the holiday periods.

Councillor McMullen reported that it would be useful to have a more in-depth report on what events were held with testimonials to provide feedback as this would really help to inform Councillors.  A user handbook including maps of where clubs operated in the borough would also be a useful tool. She queried whether there were enough qualified football referees in the borough to support youth football and asked whether Active Norfolk could fund this type of training need.

Andy Oakley reported that training and engagement could be arranged but that the barrier was always cost and assistance would need to be club specific. For example, Gorleston Tennis Club was struggling with membership numbers, however, Active Norfolk had linked them up with the Lawn Tennis Association and this engagement had resulted in a recruitment drive.

Councillor Waters-Bunn asked why the Wellesley Recreation Ground was not utilised more. Andy Oakley reported that this was mainly an athletics venue and that GY Athletics Club were a well-managed, affiliated organisation which required very little assistance.

Councillor Waters-Bunn informed the committee that her son had attended a 6 week cricket taster session in GY but after the sessions had finished, the nearest cricket club for her son to continue playing was in Martham which would involve a 20 mile round trip which was not feasible and therefore, her child had been disadvantaged. Active Norfolk had not thought about the next steps. Andy Oakley reported that cricket in the borough was being promoted to juniors and girls/woman.

The Chair asked if all the clubs involved were limited to just GY or did they include some in Waveney, for example, Golf,  as there were 3 golf clubs, in GY, Gorleston & Carlton Colville. Andy Oakley reported that he would provide a response to this question after the meeting.

The Chair asked if Active Norfolk had provided any activities in local Care Homes. Andy Oakley reported that 4 Care Homes had worked with them and data would be available in February/March 2026 which would be passed on to the committee.

Andy Oakley reported that mental health & safeguarding training could be provided in-house at no charge to the organisation.

Andy Oakley asked that if members could identify gaps in their wards that Active Norfolk could help to fill that they contact him after the meeting.

Councillor McMullen asked in which area the Right2Succeed initiative had taken place. Andy Oakley reported that this was in the NR30 postcode Nelson Ward & Central & Northgate. Councillor Robinson-Payne reported that this had been a successful project in the Nelson Ward and that it would be helpful if ward councillors could be advised of future dates so that they were able to signpost their residents.

Councillor Waters-Bunn reported that she would welcome more information in regard to the MI Pathway. Andy Oakley reported that a GP referral was required and that this was condition specific to bipolar/schizophrenia.

The Chair thanked Active Norfolk for the informative presentation.

RESOLVED:-

That Scrutiny propose the following:-

(1). That Active Norfolk to disseminate information to all Councillors; Councillors have Ward Budgets to assist with funding for local clubs,

(2). That Active Norfolk circulate an Annual Report to all Councillors (not just to the Member Working Group & Cabinet),

(3).  That Active Norfolk survey all the Assets/Activities/Clubs in the borough & produce a digital handbook for the Council to upload to GYBS website,

(4). That Active Norfolk concentrate its efforts on areas of greatest deprivation in the borough,

(5).  That Active Norfolk to assist with gateways to clubs which attract less funding in the borough e.g. basketball,

(6).  Active Norfolk to produce a GY Action Plan - to include measurable KPI’s for actions & outcomes; and

(7). To report to Scrutiny Committee in November 2026.

CARRIED.

Scrutiny Committee received a presentation from the Head of Environment & Sustainability on the Selective Licensing Scheme.

Councillor Jeal reported that he was concerned that the Council kept targeting landlords in the Nelson Ward. Councillor Jeal thought that the scheme would be fairer to all if it covered the whole of the borough.

The Head of Environment & Sustainability reported that the scheme was evidence based and had been widened to include other areas of the borough with the greatest need and concentration of rented properties.

Councillor Jeal reported that a number of landlords who operated in his ward were concerned that they were being targeted whilst the Council's own housing stock was often in disrepair and suffering with damp and mould issues.

The Head of Environment & Sustainability reported that the Council was held to account by the Regulator of Socail Housing and the Decent Homes Standard which were not applicable to private landlords, hence the need for the selective licensing scheme.

Councillor Robinson-Payne reported that she agree with Councillor Jeal and that mistakes had been made in the Nelson Ward by the firm the Council had employed to undertake the necessary inspections on their behalf which had hit our good landlords. Councillor Robinson-Payne reported that the Council must get its own house in order and that she welcomed the introduction of the new, improved scheme which would encompass a wider area of the borough.

Councillor Wells reported that salient areas of the new scheme and that this was not directly aimed at the landlords of the Nelson Ward. The new scheme would involve targeted interventions and the scheme could not operate on a boroughwide basis but must operate in a clear delineated area.

Councillor Jeal left the meeting at 19:46.

Councillor Hammond reported that landlords who rented out a new build were being penalised as the property was covered by a 10 year NHBC certificate and any defects would be rectified under this.

The Head of Environment & Sustainability reported that new build properties still required a licence and would need to be inspected but this would probably be a light touch if all was in order. The focus was to identify Category 1 Hazards and not on small issues such as not having a 300 mm gap either side of a cooker. Enforcement would be carried out as a response to any identified Category 1 Hazards. Some tweaks had been made to the proposal following the public consultation process.

Councillor Waters-Bunn asked who would carry out the inspections. The Head of Environment & Sustainability reported that this would need to be carried out by a qualified HHSRS Inspector. This was a two-day qualification. This negated the need for qualified EHO's, which was a plus, as qualified EHO''s were in demand across the country as there was a national shortage.

In the meantime, HRA officers who were HHSRS accredited could help us whilst the recruitment process was undertake, if agreed by Cabinet. The scheme would be closely monitored and an update report would be brought back to Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Wells reported that the Council could not offer a direct debit payment for scheme fees as non-payment would result in the cancellation of the licence, therefore, upfront payment was required. Cabinet was unanimous that the end goal of the scheme must be effective consistent enforcement and that the decision rested with Cabinet.

The Chair reported that the driver for this scheme was to provide good housing for its residents and to improve health and deprivation across the borough.

The Chair thanked the Head of Environment & Sustainability and his team for all their hard work.

RESOLVED:-

That the Committee note the report.

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

The Chair reported that he was unavailable to chair the meeting on 16 December 2025. The Vice-Chair reported that he would be either in hospital or recovering from knee surgery and would also be unavailable to chair the meeting. The Democratic Services Officer was asked to see if it would be possible to rearrange the item to a later date.