Agenda Item
8____
FULL COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of North Norfolk District Council held on 6 April 2011 at the Council
Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 6.00 pm.
Members Present:
Mrs S A Arnold
Mr M J M Baker
Mr G W Barran
Mrs P Bevan Jones
Mrs L Brettle
Mr B Cabbell Manners
Mr R Combe
Mr H C Cordeaux
Mr N D Dixon
Mrs H P Eales
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett
Mrs M Fleming
Miss P E Ford
Officers in
Attendance:
153.
Ms V R Gay
Mrs A R Green
Mr B J Hannah
Mr K E Johnson
Mr G R Jones
Mr H C Lanham
Mr J H A Lee
Mrs G Lisher
Mr J Lisher
Mr S Mears
Mrs A Moore
Mr P W Moore
Mrs J Moss
Mrs H T Nelson
Mr W J Northam
Mr J H Perry-Warnes
Mr R C Price
Mr N P Ripley
Mr J D Savory
Mr E Seward
Mrs M Seward
Mr B Smith
Mr C Stockton
Mrs A C Sweeney
Mrs L Walker
Mr J A Wyatt
The Chief Executive, the Strategic Director – Information, the Strategic
Director – Community, the Strategic Director – Environment, the Head of
Planning and Building Control and the Financial Services Manager.
PRAYERS
Led by Revd Paul Neale, Assistant Minister, Cromer Parish Church with St Martin’s.
154.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman observed that this was the last meeting of the present Council and expressed
her appreciation of the good will with which Members had worked together. She thanked all
Councillors who were not standing for re-election and paid tribute to Mr N P Ripley, Mr R
Combe, Mrs H T Nelson, Mr H C Cordeaux and Mr C Stockton, listing all the attributes for
which they had been valued.
At the invitation of the Chairman Councillor Robin Combe, on behalf of the Member Training
Development and Support Group, urged Members - whether standing for election or retiring to attend the Orientation Day on 12 May 2011 between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. Those
Members who were standing down would receive an invitation to attend an exit survey.
Councillor Combe thanked the Members and officers who had worked on the new Member
Induction Programme 2011.
Full Council
1
6 April 2011
155.
TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF INTERESTS FROM MEMBERS
The following Member declared interests in the matters listed below:
Member(s)
Mr C Stockton
Minute
No.
161
162
156.
Item
Interest
Recommendations from Cabinet
21 March 2011
Prejudicial – is the
owner of a business in
Happisburgh.
The North Norfolk Coastal
Pathfinder Revolving Loan Fund
and Small Business Grant Fund
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Mr P W High, Mrs B A McGoun and Mrs J Trett, Mr
S T Whalley and Mr P Willcox.
157.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 23 February 2011 were approved as a
correct record. Mr H C Lanham expressed concern that a presentation by the Citizen’s Advice
Bureau had been included in the minutes. It was explained that this was the custom at North
Norfolk District Council to include any Members’ questions on a presentation in the minutes.
However this was open to discussion if Members wished to change this procedure.
158.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
An item of urgent business had been received and was presented by the Strategic Director Information. It was urgent because it concerned a change which had come into effect on 1
April 2011. The County Council was now responsible for the issue of bus passes but would
only accept applications online or by post. To enable residents to have a greater choice NNDC
had negotiated with Norfolk County Council to retain a service at the Cromer and Fakenham
offices whereby applicants could have their application forms completed and submitted. It
would be necessary to make a small charge of £7 for this service and the schedule of fees
and charges would need to be amended accordingly. In reply to a Member’s question, the
Strategic Director – Information explained that the option of having the application completed
by NNDC would be cheaper for residents because Norfolk County Council would also charge
£7, but there would be extra costs for passport photographs and postage.
RESOLVED
To amend the Schedule of Fees and Charges to include £7 for processing applications for
concessionary bus passes.
Mr M J M Baker voted against the proposal.
159.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
None received.
Full Council
2
6 April 2011
160.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY 2 MARCH 2011
MINUTE 85 REVIEW OF SINGLE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE SYSTEM
RESOLVED
To retain the single Development Control Committee structure comprising approximately 14
members (depending on political balance) with effect from May 2011.
161.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CABINET 21 MARCH 2011
MINUTE 131: RENAMING OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE AND REVISED
ROLE, TITLE AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
WORKING PARTY
RESOLVED
That with effect from May 2011 the Development Control Committee be renamed the
Development Committee and that the former Local Development Framework Working Party be
renamed the Planning Policy and Built Heritage Working Party, that it should be politically
balanced but should include the Chair of the Development Committee and the appropriate
Planning and/or Planning Policy Portfolio Holder(s), with terms of reference as set out in the
report.
MINUTE 133: THE NORTH NORFOLK COASTAL PATHFINDER REVOLVING LOAN FUND
AND SMALL BUSINESS GRANT FUND
See Minute 162 below.
162.
THE NORTH NORFOLK COASTAL PATHFINDER REVOLVING LOAN FUND AND SMALL
BUSINESS GRANT FUND
The Leader read out a note she had previously circulated to Members:
“At its meeting on 21 March, the Cabinet resolved to recommend that Council support the
principle of the Revolving Loan Fund for coastal businesses, as part of the Coastal Pathfinder
programme, subject to further legal and financial advice, and that a supplementary report
embracing that advice be submitted to this meeting of Council for approval. Furthermore,
Cabinet resolved that the supplementary report should include a recommendation to establish
a pathfinder business grant fund to be coordinated by the North Norfolk Business Forum.
Officers have met since the Cabinet meeting to determine the most appropriate models
through which to introduce the loan and grant funds. Various options exist, including the
potential to procure a single provider to administer both schemes with the potential to simplify
arrangements, improve impact and reduce management fees. It was also agreed to explore
the feasibility of extending the funds in due course to target a wider geographical area still
within North Norfolk but extending beyond the coastal zone defined for the pathfinder project.
To ensure that we implement the best solution, work is ongoing and it is proposed that the
revised report based upon the supplementary information be submitted to the Council meeting
in 28 June 2011. In the meantime, the Economic Development Team will consider short-term
interventions to support any businesses in the coastal zone following completion of their
diagnostic assessments to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in any way pending Council
approval of the schemes.”
Full Council
3
6 April 2011
THE NORTH NORFOLK COASTAL PATHFINDER REVOLVING LOAN FUND AND SMALL
BUSINESS GRANT FUND
(Continued)
It was
RESOLVED
to defer the matter to the meeting of Full Council on 28 June 2011.
163.
THE REVISED CONSTITUTION
At Full Council on 14 December 2010, the Constitution Working Party was given delegated
responsibility to complete the Constitution. Apart from the changes agreed at Full Council,
and minor amendments and corrections, no further material changes were identified.
Therefore, the Constitution Working Party has discharged its obligations in accordance with
the decision of Full Council and the New Constitution will take effect from 7th April 2011. It will
be published on the Council website, and copies will be given to Members after the election on
5 May 2011. Members approved this and thanked Mrs A Moore and the Members of the
Constitution Working Party for all the work they had done on the project.
RESOLVED
to adopt the Revised Constitution.
164.
NEW GOVERNMENT POLICY UPDATE
There was nothing of significance to report.
165.
TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE UNDERMENTIONED COMMITTEES
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Audit Committee – 7 December 2010
Standards Committee – 8 February 2011
Cabinet – 14 February 2011
Development Control Committee – 17 February 2011
Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 18 February 2011
It was RESOLVED that the above-mentioned minutes be received.
166.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL AND PORTFOLIO HOLDERS
The Leader
The Leader read out a statement which was proposed to go forward from the Council in
support of the Eastern Daily Press campaign for better Broadband. It was
RESOLVED
to support the campaign.
The Deputy Leader
A successful Pathfinder Conference had been held in Cromer on 21 and 22 March 2011. Our
peers in other local authorities had been impressed by what was being done in North Norfolk.
Disappointment was expressed that no one had attended from DEFRA. The Chief Executive
was writing to the Minister to convey the Council’s disappointment and it was agreed that the
letter should be co-signed by the leaders of both political groups.
Full Council
4
6 April 2011
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL AND PORTFOLIO HOLDERS
(Continued)
Mr P W Moore
Benefits staff had run reports, now available, to identify cases that would be affected by the
Local Housing Allowances changes which would come into effect on 11 April 2011. These
were the claims which currently had an “excess” in the amount of the Housing Benefit
maximum entitlement over the amount of rent for which they were liable (with a weekly
restriction of £15).
This meant the excess could be as little as 50p per week up to £15 per week more Housing
Benefit.
493 cases were on full Housing Benefit and 225 on reduced Housing Benefit. The Benefits
Manager, who had previously sent a leaflet to all Local Housing Allowance cases, was
considering how to send separate notification to those identified. This would be difficult
because each case had different dates from which the change applied and, importantly, the
Council didn’t know the new rates in advance. Members who were approached by constituents
with Housing Benefit problems should contact the Benefits Manager.
Mr G R Jones
Mr G R Jones thanked the Chief Executive, Corporate Management Team and all the staff in
the services within his portfolio:
a) Organisational Development had dealt sensitively and well with the Car Allowances
Scheme and re-structuring.
b) Media and Communications had maintained standards after re-structuring, winning an
award for work done to bring the Government’s attention to the plight of those living in
coastal areas, and producing the acclaimed publication “Outlook”.
c) Customer Services maintained a high level of customer satisfaction and speed of
telephone response.
d) ICT continued to provide a high level of support to Members and staff.
Mrs P Bevan Jones
Mrs P Bevan Jones thanked Members and officers for making her 4 years as a Councillor
such a challenging but positive learning experience. She especially thanked the Strategic
Directors in her portfolio, Steve Blatch and Nick Baker and their teams for working together for
the benefit of the community with Affordable Housing, Disabled Facilities Grants and the
Health Strategy.
Mr E Seward
The Kier Street Services contract had started on 4 April and the transition was going smoothly.
New refuse vehicles had been purchased because the old ones were no longer fit for purpose.
Officers were thanked for all the work they had done on the contract procurement project.
NNDC had been awarded third prize in the Clean Britain Awards. This was a testimony to the
Council’s efforts to keep the District clean and tidy.
Full Council
5
6 April 2011
167.
TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ASKED PURSUANT TO STANDING ORDER No 23 AND OF
PORTFOLIO MEMBERS
A question had been received from Mr M J M Baker:
“Since the Labour government’s succession to power in 1997 there has been a proliferation of
middle managers at the council, for example climate change, equality and inclusivity officers,
although of course the employed rodent officers were dispensed with. Can Cllr Moore present
a list of job titles that are in current use which did not exist in 1996 and a list of job titles that
have been dispensed with during the last 12 months as part of the drive to keep the lid on
council expenditure? And finally how many staff does the council employ whose gross
salaries exceed £35,000 per annum and what proportion of these exceed £50,000 per
annum.”
Mr P W Moore replied that work was being done on the question but that it was not possible to
provide a full answer immediately. A full written reply would be provided to Mr Baker as soon
as possible. It would be copied to any Member who requested it.
168.
NOTICE(S) OF MOTION
None received.
169.
LIST OF SEALED DOCUMENTS
RESOLVED that
the list of sealed documents be received.
The meeting concluded at 6.45 pm.
_________________________________
Chairman
Full Council
6
6 April 2011