FULL COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of North Norfolk District Council held on 24 April 2013 at the Council
Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 6.00 pm.
Members Present:
Mr P W Moore
(Chairman)
Mrs S A Arnold
Mrs L Brettle
Mr B Cabbell Manners
Mrs A ClaussenReynolds
Mr N D Dixon
Mrs H Eales
Mrs A M Fitch-Tillett
Mr T FitzPatrick
Mrs A Green
Mrs P Grove-Jones
Mr T Ivory
Mr J Lee
Mr N Lloyd
Mrs B McGoun
Mrs A Moore
Mr W J Northam
Mr R Oliver
Miss B Palmer
Mr J Perry-Warnes
Mr R Price
Mr R Reynolds
Mr J Savory
Mr R Shepherd
Mr B Smith
Mr R Smith
Mr R Stevens
Mrs A Sweeney
Mr P Terrington
Mrs V Uprichard
Mrs L Walker
Mr G Williams
Mr P Williams
Mr R Wright
Mr J A Wyatt
Mr A Yiasimi
Mr D Young
Officers in
Attendance:
The Chief Executive, Corporate Director (Nick Baker), Corporate Director
(Steve Blatch), the Monitoring Officer, the Communications Manager and
the Democratic Services Team Leader.
Also in
Attendance:
Reverend Christian Heycocks.
137.
PRAYERS
The Chairman introduced the Reverend Christian Heycocks, Vicar, St Peter’s Parish Church,
Sheringham, who led the meeting in prayer.
138.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported on the following recent engagements; the Justice service at Lynn
Minster, the County Hall Community Covenant, Broadland Council’s civic reception at
Hellesdon High School, the opening of C.T Bakers in Aylsham and a visit by Cromer Junior
School to the Council offices.
He thanked Members for attending his recent Chairman’s reception at the Atrium in North
Walsham. Mr W Northam commented on the success of the event and commended the
children for their excellent behaviour.
The Chairman said that the Chairman’s reception had been the first event where the new
consort’s jewel had been worn and several people had commented on it. He then reminded
Members that the civic service would take place on 15th May at St Nicholas’ Parish Church,
North Walsham.
Members were informed that Item 15 of the Agenda, a Notice of Motion had been withdrawn.
The Leader explained that the decision had been taken as he wished to avoid a debate on the
subject. He informed Members that he had sent a letter on behalf of the Council to Baroness
Thatcher’s family sending condolences and praising her strong leadership of the country.
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24 April 2013
139.
TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS FROM MEMBERS
No declarations of interest were made.
140.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Ms V Gay, Mr B Hannah, Mr B Jarvis, Mr J
Punchard, Mr E Seward and Mr S Ward.
141.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meetings of Full Council held on 27 February 2013 were approved as a
correct record.
142.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
None.
143.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
No public questions had been received
144.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CABINET 15 APRIL 2013
a)
CABINET AGENDA ITEM 10: DISCRETIONARY HOUSING PAYMENTS POLICY
Mr W Northam presented the report. He explained that the Discretionary Housing Payments
Policy (DHP) was being reviewed due to Government changes to benefits that reduced
entitlement and thus increased demand for additional discretionary help through the scheme.
The Government had allocated additional funding to the scheme in recognition of this.
Mr Northam informed members that the Government provided funding for the scheme up to a
certain limit but local authorities were able to spend more than this from their own resources.
The Council’s expenditure had never gone above the set limit. He advised that the Council
would not be able to use Discretionary Housing Payments to help with council tax liabilities.
Mrs B McGoun sought clarification on whether a decision had been made regarding the makeup of the Panel responsible for DHP decisions and whether a member would be included. Mr
Northam said that he would check with the Revenues and Benefits Services Manager and
respond as soon as possible.
Mr G Jones queried whether the County Council would be contributing any additional funds to
the scheme as he felt that the money set aside was not sufficient. Mr Northam responded that
the Government had increased the funding available to the Council for the scheme. The Chief
Executive added that North Norfolk District Council administered the DHP Fund and Norfolk
County Council administered the Social Fund. There was a lot of cross-over between the two
funds and there was a possibility that they could be combined in the future and administered
locally by the district council. Mr Jones replied that there were a lot of people affected by
recent council tax changes and it was important that the Council continued to lobby the County
Council for additional support.
It was proposed by Mr W Northam, seconded by Mr J Perry-Warnes and
RESOLVED
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24 April 2013
That the Discretionary Housing Payments Policy be adopted..
b) ITEM 11: BIG SOCIETY FUND REVIEW AND PROPOSALS
Mr T Ivory introduced this item. He said that following discussions with the Vice-Chairman of
the Big Society Board, Mr P High, it was proposed that two additional members should be
appointed to the Big Society Fund Grants Panel, bringing the total membership to seven plus
two substitutes.
RECOMMENDATION TO FULL COUNCIL:
1. That the SLA with NCF be delivered for the remaining period (i.e. administration of
outstanding (conditional) grant awards, monitoring of projects awarded funded in the first
year and providing reports as appropriate).
2. To set up a Big Society Fund for 2013/14 of £225,000 for applications for grant aid of not
more than £15,000 per project, in accordance with the draft prospectus included as
Appendix A.
3. To set up an ‘Enabling Fund’ of £225,000 in order to support initiatives developed in
partnership with local communities (to help realise opportunities arising from the provisions
of the Localism Act and to respond to local needs) or for community projects above
£15,000 in value which otherwise meet the provisions set out in the Big Society Fund
Prospectus.
4. To establish a ‘Localism Board’ to provide a steer for officers on the development of
initiatives supported by the enabling fund noting that decisions on funding for them would
be brought back to Cabinet or Council for decision as appropriate (with appropriate local
member involvement).
5. That the Big Society Fund should be administered ‘in-house’ by NNDC officers.
6. To approve the terms-of-reference for the ‘Big Society Fund Grants Panel’ set out in
Appendix B and delegate any subsequent minor amendments of those to that Panel.
7. To appoint seven members (plus two substitutes), in accordance with the proposed terms
of reference, to the new Big Society Fund Grants Panel.
8. To note that minutes of the Big Society Fund Grants Panel will be reported to Cabinet and
that an annual report will be produced summarising how resources have been applied and
the outcomes achieved.
The revised recommendation was moved by Mr Ivory and seconded by Mrs Fitch-Tillett. On
being put to the vote, the recommendation was carried. This was then put as the substantive
motion (proposed by Mr Ivory and seconded by Mrs Fitch-Tillett) and was again carried.
145. REPORT ON APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
The Leader informed members that Mr B Cabbell-Manners had been appointed to the
Cabinet. He would be Portfolio Holder for Planning and Planning Policy. The Deputy Leader,
Mr R Oliver would retain Corporate Assets within his portfolio.
Mrs L Walker asked whether an additional cost would be incurred by appointing another
Cabinet member. The Chief Executive said that the budget would not be increased as there
had traditionally been an underspend. In response to a further question from Mr G Jones as
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to whether the appointment was justified, the Leader said that it would enable Cabinet to
oversee their portfolios more effectively.
146. APPOINTMENTS
It was proposed by Mr T FitzPatrick and seconded by Mr J Perry-Warnes that the suggested
appointments be approved en bloc.
RESOLVED
a) To appoint Mrs P Grove-Jones, Mr P High, Mr T Ivory, Mr B Jarvis, Mr R Reynolds, Mr S
Ward and Mr J Wyatt to the Big Society Fund Grants Panel
b) To appoint Mr J Lee and Mrs V Uprichard as substitutes to the Big Society Grants Fund
Panel
c) To appoint Ms B Palmer to replace Mr B Cabbell-Manners on the Development Committee
d) To appoint Mr R Reynolds as Vice-Chairman of the Development Committee
e) To appoint Mr R Stevens as a substitute to the Development Committee
147. TO RECEIVE MINUTES OF COMMITTEES
The Chairman reminded members that it had been proposed at the meeting of Full Council
on 27 February 2013 to discontinue the inclusion of approved committee minutes within the
Full Council agenda. The Monitoring Officer had provided advice on the matter and members
were now asked to agree to the permanent removal of such minutes from future agendas.
RESOLVED
1.
2.
To remove copies of approved committee minutes from the Full Council agenda
To note that the minutes of the undermentioned committees had been approved.
148. REPORTS FROM CABINET OR MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
Mr T FitzPatrick informed members that he had attended the official opening of Scira’s
Operation and Maintenance base at Egmere on Friday 19th April 2013. He said that the
creation of 45 long-term jobs should be celebrated.
On 18th April, together with the Chief Executive, he had ridden through Holkham park to show
the Council’s support for the Pedal Norfolk Festival to be held on 4th to 6th May.
Mr Jones asked the Leader to comment on the number of shop closures in North Walsham
and the impact of car parking charges on the number of visitors to the town. The Chairman
said that as the question did not relate to the item being discussed it would not be allowed. He
advised all members that if they wished to raise a general question at Council then they should
be submitted 10 working days prior to the meeting so that they could be included on the
agenda.
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett reported on the following items: the launch event for Equal Lives, formerly
the Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People, the first meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board,
the inaugural meeting of the North Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group (NNCCG) in
Aylsham which several members of the public had attended and an event in Hickling
organised by Voluntary Norfolk on delivering the health agenda.
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24 April 2013
Mr J Lee informed Council that the energy switching scheme had been very successful. On
average householders joining the scheme would save £111 a year. He thanked the
Communications team and the Sustainability Assistant for all their hard work in promoting it
and said that he was particularly pleased that householders on pre-paid meters were also
eligible to join. He was pleased to inform members that Sheringham Little Theatre had
received £66,000 from the County Council’s Community Construction Fund to remodel the
café-bar, foyer and box office areas. He concluded by reminding members that a new
orchestral series, Orchestras Live would start in Ludham on 12th May.
Mr R Wright updated members on Enterprise North Norfolk. He said that by 31 March 2013,
55 enquiries had been received and that several events had been held. The Council were
hoping to work with the County Council on the joint delivery of some apprenticeships, it was
anticipated that an outline programme would be available by the end of May. Mr Wright then
highlighted the recent work done to raise the profile of the renewables sector in the District. In
early March the Council had a stand at the East of England Energy Group conference and
they had also sponsored a table at the gala dinner. He concluded by informing members that
the North Norfolk renewables website was now up and running.
149.
QUESTIONS RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS
Mr N Lloyd had submitted the following question:
‘What steps are the Council taking to ensure that its annual grant funding to what was formerly
known as the North Norfolk Citizen Advice Bureau based in North Walsham and what has now
become the Norfolk CAB is ring-fenced to work in North Norfolk?’
Mr T Ivory, Portfolio Holder for Localism thanked Mr Lloyd for his question. He said that the
Council’s annual contribution of £66,715 towards the provision of CAB services in North
Norfolk had been allocated in the budget this year. To clarify the purpose of the grant and
identify outputs, outcomes and monitoring procedures, a grant agreement had been drawn up
for each CAB. This was currently in draft form and would be reviewed by the Council’s
Solicitor prior to being circulated to the CABs for consideration. The agreements clearly stated
that the grant to each CAB must be specifically allocated and used for the provision of
services in the North Norfolk District Council area only. Each agreement identified the specific
geographic locations in North Norfolk that each CAB currently operated from and stated that
any changes to the delivery of the service was subject to the written agreement of the Council.
Mr Lloyd thanked him for his answer. He said that he had raised the question because he had
been approached by several volunteers who were disappointed by the recent merger. Mrs S
Arnold said that it might be beneficial if the Council publicised the proposed grant agreements
so that people could be reassured about the situation.
150.
OPPOSITION BUSINESS
None received.
151.
NOTICE(S) OF MOTION
None received.
The meeting concluded at 6.45 pm.
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___________________________
Chairman
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