Council
Please Contact: Emma Denny
Please email: emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Please Direct Dial on: 01263 516010
18 November 2013
A meeting of the North Norfolk District Council will be held in the Council Chamber at the
Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer on Tuesday 26 November 2013 at 6.00 p.m.
↑
Please note change of day
Sheila Oxtoby
Chief Executive
To: All Members of the Council
Members of the Management Team, appropriate Officers, Press and Public.
If you have any special requirements in order
to attend this meeting, please let us know in advance
If you would like any document in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format or in a
different language please contact us
Chief Executive: Sheila Oxtoby
Corporate Directors: Nick Baker and Steve Blatch
Tel 01263 513811 Fax 01263 515042 Minicom 01263 516005
Email districtcouncil@north-norfolk.gov.uk Web site northnorfolk.org
AGENDA
1.
PRAYER
Led by Councillor Barbara McGoun.
2.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
To receive the Chairman’s communications, if any.
3.
TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS FROM MEMBERS
Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests that they may have in any
of the following items on the agenda. The Code of Conduct for Members requires
that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a disclosable
pecuniary interest.
4.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
To receive apologies for absence, if any.
5.
MINUTES
(page 1)
To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 September 2013.
6.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
To determine any other items of business which the Chairman decides should be
considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B (4)(b) of the Local
Government Act 1972.
7.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
To consider any questions received from members of the public.
8.
APPOINTMENTS
To appoint Mr P W Moore to replace Mr E Seward as Chairman of the Overview
and Scrutiny Committee
9.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CABINET 07 NOVEMBER 2013
a) AGENDA ITEM 9: BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 2013/14 – PERIOD 6
(Cabinet Agenda 07 November 2013 – p.10)
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL:
a) The updated budget as set out in section 5.1, Table 3 of the Cabinet Report
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorsed the Cabinet recommendation at
their meeting on 13 November 2013.
b) AGENDA ITEM 10: TREASURY MANAGEMENT HALF YEARLY REPORT
(Cabinet Agenda 07 November 2013 – p.33)
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL:
That Council approve the Half Yearly Treasury Management Report for 2013/14
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorsed the Cabinet recommendation at
their meeting on 13 November 2013.
10.
TO RECEIVE THE APPROVED MINUTES OF THE UNDERMENTIONED
COMMITTEES
Members are requested to note that the minutes of the undermentioned committees
have been approved. Copies of all the minutes are available on the Council’s website
or from Democratic Services.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
11.
Audit Committee – 18 June 2013
Cabinet – 09 September 2013
Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 11 September 2013
Development Committee – 26 September 2013
Cabinet – 07 October 2013
Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 16 October 2013
Development Committee – 24 October 2013
REPORTS FROM THE CABINET OR MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
To receive reports from the Cabinet or Members of the Cabinet.
12.
QUESTIONS RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS
None
13.
OPPOSITION BUSINESS
To receive any opposition business.
14.
NOTICE(S) OF MOTION
None received
15.
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
To pass the following resolution – if necessary:
“That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public
be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds
that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in
paragraph(s) _ of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”
16.
PRIVATE BUSINESS
Circulation:
All Members of the Council.
Members of the Management Team and other appropriate officers.
Press and Public
COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of North Norfolk District Council held on 18 September 2013 at the
Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 6.00 pm.
Members Present:
Mrs S A Arnold
Mr M Baker
Mrs L Brettle
Mrs A ClaussenReynolds
Mrs H Cox
Mr N D Dixon
Mrs H Eales
Mrs A M Fitch-Tillett
Mr T FitzPatrick
Ms V Gay
Mrs A Green
Mrs P Grove-Jones
Officers in
Attendance:
56.
Mr B Hannah
Mr P High
Mr T Ivory
Mr B Jarvis
Mr J H A Lee
Mrs A Moore
Mr P W 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 E Seward
Mr R Shepherd
Mr B Smith
Mr N Smith
Mr R Smith
Mrs A Sweeney
Mr P Terrington
Mrs V Uprichard
Mr P Williams
Mr R Wright
Mr J A Wyatt
Mr A Yiasimi
The Chief Executive, The Corporate Directors, the Monitoring Officer, the
Head of Finance and the Democratic Services Team Leader
PRAYERS
The Chairman introduced the Reverend Paul Neale, Assistant Minister, Cromer Parish Church
with St Martins, who led the meeting in prayer.
57.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman spoke of the sad death of Bernard Crowe OBE. He had been an elected
member of the Council from 1999 – 2007 and was highly regarded by his former colleagues.
She asked members to observe a minutes silence in his memory.
The Chairman then went on to speak about recent events that she attended. She praised the
recent Greenbuild event at Felbrigg Hall and thanked all the staff for their hard work in making
it such a success. She also highlighted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which had
been awarded to two recipients in North Norfolk – the Holt Youth Project and the Heritage
House Day Centre in Wells.
Mr B Smith, Vice-Chairman congratulated the Chairman on her recent Civic Reception which
had been enjoyed by everyone who had attended.
58.
TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS
None
59.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Full Council
1
18 September 2013
Apologies for absence were received from Mr B Cabbell Manners, Mr G Jones, Mr N Lloyd,
Mrs B McGoun, Mr J Punchard, Mr R Stevens, Mrs L Walker, Mr S Ward, Mr G Williams and
Mr D Young.
60.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 24 July 2013 were approved as a correct
record, subject to some amendments to the list of attendance.
61.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
None
62.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
None
63.
APPOINTMENTS
It was proposed by Mr T FitzPatrick and seconded by Mrs A Moore that the following
appointments be approved:
RESOLVED
a) To appoint Miss B Palmer as Vice-Chairman of the Audit Committee
b) To appoint Mr P W Moore to replace Mrs L Walker on the Licensing and Appeals
Committee
64.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CABINET 09 SEPTEMBER 2013
AGENDA ITEM 11: BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 2013/14 – PERIOD 4
Mr W Northam presented this item. He said that it was encouraging to note a forecast
underspend of £14,000 but warned that the situation would change to an overspend by the
next monitoring report.
Mr Northam highlighted some specific sections within the report. He explained that the delay
regarding the Dual Use Sports Centres (DUSCs) was caused by the lease having to go to the
County Council solicitor and a response was still awaited. Regarding work on Briggate Mill, Mr
Northam said that the owner had been traced and an invoice for payment had been sent. He
concluded by commenting on the Treasury Management report which indicated that the
interest received was below budget. The Technical Accountant remained confident that by the
end of the financial year, Council investments would have exceeded budget predictions.
Mr E Seward, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the
Committee endorsed the Cabinet recommendations.
It was proposed by Mr W J Northam, seconded by Mr R Reynolds and
RESOLVED
a. To note the updated budget as set out in section 5.1, Table 3
b. To agree a budget of £65,000 for PC and upgraded mobile devices as outlined in
paragraph 6.4 of the report.
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18 September 2013
Two members abstained.
AGENDA ITEM 12: FINANCIAL STRATEGY 2014/15 TO 2016/17
Mr W Northam introduced this item. He explained that the report presented the current
financial forecast for the period 2014/15 to 2016/17 and provided a summary of the key issues
facing the Council in relation to Local Government Finance. It also provided the background
and context for the financial strategy and outlined the strategy for the next 2-3 years. Mr
Northam said that the current financial forecast presented a funding gap for the next 3 years of
just over £1m by 2016/17. He highlighted the impact of changes to the New Homes Bonus
(NHB) from 2015/16 onwards which would see the top slicing of an element potentially
between 18.9% and 35.09% of the allocation to fund the National Growth Fund.
Mr Northam then went on to explain that the report made a recommendation for the
continuation of the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15. He said that a new
scheme would be considered in 2014 when the current scheme had run for a full year.
He concluded by thanking the Head of Finance and her team for their hard work and thanked
the Chief Executive for conducting the two workshops on the Financial Strategy.
Mr E Seward, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the
Committee endorsed the Cabinet recommendations
Members were invited to ask questions:
Mr P W Moore commented on the high level of the General Fund Balance (outlined at
Recommendation 2d) and said that he could not accept the recommendations as a whole
whilst the reserves remained at this level as it could jeopardise future funding from the
Government. The Head of Finance replied that the reasons for maintaining the reserves at
this level was due to increased uncertainty over funding and changes to the New Homes
Bonus in the future. She added that many local authorities had taken this approach.
It was proposed by Mr W Northam, seconded by Mr N Smith and
RESOLVED
a) To approve continuation of the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15;
b) That the Local Council Tax Support Scheme grant for parishes be offered to those parishes
that accepted the grant in 2013/14 and the total amount available is reduced in line with the
Council’s relative funding reductions as outlined at section 2.9.15;
c) To approve the reallocation of £400,000 from the general reserve to the
Restructuring/Invest to Save Reserve;
d) To approve the updated minimum level of General Fund balance to be £1.75 million for the
reasons outlined in the report at section 5;
e) That delegated authority is given to the Chief Executive to release funds from the
restructuring/invest to save reserve up to £100,000, as outlined within section 5 of the
financial strategy;
f) To approve the revised reserves statement as included at Appendix F to the financial
strategy (with the revisions of recommendations 2 c) above;
g) Pending further review of the financial limits within the constitution, to approve an
amendment to the virement limits for Heads of Service and Corporate Leadership team as
outlined at reference 5.16.
12 members abstained.
Full Council
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18 September 2013
AGENDA ITEM 13: LOCAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY - PROVISION OF LOANS TO
REGISTERED PROVIDERS
The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Mr T Ivory, introduced this item. He explained that approval
was sought to issue loans to Registered Providers to support the delivery of new housing
across the District as part of a Local Investment Strategy. The loans would be on a
commercial basis generating a rate of return which would be greater than the return currently
being achieved on the Council’s short term treasury investments.
Mr E Seward, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the
Committee supported the Cabinet recommendations by a majority.
Members were invited to ask questions:
Mrs A Moore said that she strongly opposed the proposals. She said that Right to Buy money
stemmed from the loss of the social housing budget to the District, and that this income was
now given back to the Housing Associations as a grant. She felt that this should continue and
proposed an amendment to recommendation 3:
‘£3.5m be included in the 2013/14 capital programme for loans to Registered providers to be
funded from internal borrowing or external borrowing as required, and that the Housing
Association capital budget continues to be provided as a grant to registered providers for use
in North Norfolk’
Ms V Gay seconded the amendment.
The Chief Executive responded that although the sums proposed would be classed as loans
they would be capital expenditure and therefore the Council would be putting more into the
scheme than had previously been made available through Right to Buy or VAT shelter
receipts. Mr T Ivory agreed with the Chief Executive. He said by making more money available
to Registered Providers it showed the importance of housing to the Council. In response to
Mrs A Moore’s comment that Victory Housing could build a house for £15,000, he said even
with grant funding, additional money was required via match funding. He added that Victory
Housing Trust had confirmed that they would not deliver any more housing if grant funding
continued. Mr Ivory concluded that he was confident that housing would be delivered quickly
under the proposed scheme and because the funding was recyclable it was sustainable long
term and for this reason he could not support the amendment.
Mr P W Moore responded that Victory Housing Trust had made it clear that £15,000 of Council
grant funding was a pump primer that enabled them to get the additional funding needed. Mr R
Oliver replied that no houses had been delivered for £15,000 and it should be acknowledged
that Housing Associations were short of medium-term finance and this would fill the gap. He
added that the Council needed to find £1m of savings by 2015/16.
Mr P Williams queried what had happened to the funds for houses that were sold under Right
to Buy and whether the income had generated the same number of new houses. The Chief
Executive replied that the Council had received £4.1m from Right to Buy receipts and had
spent £4.93m on social housing grants. Mr T Ivory added that this scheme was about looking
forward and generating a return.
A vote was then taken on the amendment and it was not supported. Mr B Hannah abstained.
65.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 11 SEPTEMBER
2013
The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Mr E Seward, introduced this item.
He said that the recommendation, which came out of a presentation to the Committee by the
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18 September 2013
North Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group (NNCCG) had been unanimously supported by
the Committee. He urged members to support it:
“The Committee notes with concern the information provided by the North Norfolk Clinical
Commissioning Group (NNCCG) regarding ambulance response times across the District and
the length of time taken to respond to patients suffering from a stroke. Both areas fell well
below the expected national standards. The Committee asks Officers and the Portfolio holder
to support to the NNCCG in lobbying for a better service. The Committee also resolves to write
to the District’s two Members of Parliament expressing their concern and urging action.’
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett, Portfolio Holder for Health, said that she had welcomed the NNCCG’s
attendance at the overview and Scrutiny Committee and she supported their work. She added
that she had recently been made aware that that additional ambulances would be made
available.
Mr M Baker said that he had been shocked to hear the figures for North Norfolk that had been
quoted during the NNCCG’s presentation, he reminded members that the MP for North Norfolk
was a health Minister and pressure should be put on him to make sure that he was tackling
the concerns of local residents.
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett informed the Committee that the Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny
Committee would be looking at stroke care over the coming months.
It was proposed by Mr E Seward, seconded by Mr P W Moore and
RESOLVED to support the recommendation.
66.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE AUDIT COMMITTEE 17 SEPTEMBER 2013
The Chairman invited Mr N Dixon, Chairman of the Audit Committee to introduce the following
two agenda items.
67.
2012/13 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
Mr Dixon informed Council that the Audit Committee had undertaken a training session prior to
the September meeting to ensure that Members fully understood the movement and trends on
the balance sheet. He said that the Committee had agreed that the decision were prudent and
sound. He concluded by saying that an unqualified Audit opinion on the 2012/13 Statement of
Accounts would be issued by 31 December 2013.
It was proposed by Mr N Dixon, seconded by Mr R Reynolds and
RESOLVED
To approve the 2012/13 Statement of Accounts.
68.
ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2012/13
Mr N Dixon explained that the Annual Governance Statement was closely linked to the
Statement of Accounts. He said that the Audit Committee had received assurance that the
Council’s business had been conducted in accordance with the law.
It was proposed by Mr N Dixon, seconded by Mr T FitzPatrick and
Full Council
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18 September 2013
RESOLVED
To receive the Annual Governance Statement 2012/13
69.
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REVIEW 2012-13
Mr E Seward, Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee introduced the Committee’s
Annual Review for 2012-13. He said that it had been approved by the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee at their meeting on 17 July 2013.
RESOLVED
To receive the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Review 2012-13.
70.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCRAP METAL DEALERS ACT 2013
Mr J Lee, Portfolio Holder for Licensing, introduced this item. He explained that the report
related to the implementation of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 which aimed to tackle the
ongoing metal thefts. The Council had to comply with the legislation and therefore
authorisation was sought for the setting of fees and delegated authority for the determination
of licence applications.
Mr Lee thanked the Licensing team for working to a tight timescale. He concluded by saying
the proposed fees were broadly in line with other local authorities across Norfolk.
Mr M Baker said that he hoped the Council would implement the fees promptly, adding that it
was particularly important that the travelling community were included.
71.
TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE UNDERMENTIONED COMMITTEES
RESOLVED
to receive the approved minutes of the undermentioned committees:
a)
b)
72.
Cabinet – 15 July 2013
Development Committee – 01 August 2013
REPORTS FROM THE CABINET OR MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
Mr T FitzPatrick informed Members of the following:
a) On 29 August himself, the Chief Executive and the Economics Development and Tourism
Manager had attended the Queen’s Award for Enterprise which was awarded to Structureflex at Melton Constable.
b) Congratulations should be conveyed to C T Baker’s for their continued expansion across
the District.
c) He had recently been appointed to the LGA Culture Tourism and Sport Board.
Mr FitzPatrick concluded by thanking Mrs H Cox for bring the Battle of Britain commemoration
to North Norfolk.
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett informed Members that work was about to commence on the coastal
defence works at Cromer. She asked members to contact Andrew McCloud if they had any
queries about the project.
She then told members of her recent appointment to a task and finish group within the Health
and Wellbeing Board. The Group would be working towards better integration of service
Full Council
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18 September 2013
providers and the sharing of data. She would ensure that Members were kept informed of
progress.
73.
QUESTIONS RECEIVED FROM MEMBERS
Mr D Young had submitted the following question:
Norfolk Credit Union
There has been much in the press of late regarding pay-day loan companies and I am sure
that you share my views on their exploitation of some of the most vulnerable in our society.
One of the functions of some of the old Local Area Partnerships was to act as an outreach for
the Norfolk Credit Union. No money was involved; the organisations were able to explain how
the credit union worked and help people fill in forms.
With the redesign of the reception area, there is an opportunity for the council to promote the
activities of the Norfolk Credit Union, which would involve some of the customer services staff
undergoing some training from the NCU.
Will the council please consider this?
Mr R Wright, Portfolio Holder for Customer Services gave the following response:
‘As a Council we are obviously supportive of the objectives of the Credit Union, along with a
number of other agencies who provide financial help and advice of which literature is available
in the reception area.
This is information we already provide and will continue to do so as well as promoting other
support organisations, such as the Citizens Advice Service.
If there is a need to review our approach to customer service, this will be done when we
consider our debt management strategy’.
74.
OPPOSITION BUSINESS
None received.
75.
NOTICE(S) OF MOTION
None received.
76.
RURAL FAIR SHARE CAMPAIGN PETITION
The Leader, Mr T FitzPatrick, explained to Members that the Rural Fair Share campaign
comprised over 100 cross-party MP’s and was aimed at ensuring public services in rural areas
received a fair share of Government funding. Following a meeting with DCLG Minister
Brandon Lewis on 5th June 2013, it was agreed to petition MPs to pursue the issue of a fairer
funding deal for rural areas.
Mr FitzPatrick urged Members to sign the petition and to get as many of their constituents as
possible to sign it too. Copies would be provided for each councillor.
Full Council
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18 September 2013
The meeting concluded at 7.10 pm.
_________________________
Chairman
Full Council
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18 September 2013