Agenda Item 2__
CABINET
Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on Monday 16 April 2012 at the Council
Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 10.00am.
Members Present:
Mrs H Eales (Chairman)
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett
Mr T FitzPatrick
Mr T Ivory
Mr K Johnson
Mr John Lee
Mr W Northam
Also attending:
Mrs L Brettle
Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds
Mr P High
Mr N Lloyd
Mr R Reynolds
Mr E Seward
Mr R Shepherd
Mr B Smith
Mrs P Terrington
Mrs H Thompson
Mr G Williams
Officers in
Attendance:
Also in
Attendance:
108.
The Chief Executive, Corporate Director (S. Blatch),
Corporate Director (N. Baker), the Policy and Performance
Management Officer (for item 117), and the Community Projects
Manager (for item 119)
The press for minutes 108 – 119
The public for minutes 108 -116
MOTION WITHOUT NOTICE
Mr T FitzPatrick, Portfolio Holder for ICT and Democratic Services proposed the
following resolution: ‘that under Procedure Rule 14.1(n) of the Constitution, Rule 20.3
regarding the switching off of mobile telephones and electronic equipment is
suspended for the duration of the meeting to allow Members to continue to use their
tablets’.
RESOLVED
To accept the Motion
109.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
110.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 12 March 2012 were confirmed as a
correct record and signed by the Chairman.
111.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Questions had been received from Mr Harrison-Robertshaw, Mrs C Candish and Mr J
Morgan. The questions concerned Agenda item 10, North Lodge Park Development
Proposal.
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The Chairman advised that the item would be taken earlier than scheduled. There
would be a one minute right of reply, following the Portfolio Holder’s response to the
questions and any discussion by Members.
112.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
None
113.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Member(s)
114.
Item
Interest
Mr K Johnson
Minute
No.
116
North Lodge Park
Development Proposal
Personal and non
prejudicial as a
Member of Cromer
Town Council
Mr T FitzPatrick
118
Development of the Offshore
Wind Energy Sector of the
North Norfolk Coast
Personal and non
prejudicial - rents
facilities at Egmere
Business Park
MEMBERS TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT GROUP
Mr K Johnson, Chairman of the Members Training Development and Support Group,
proposed that the recommendations be adopted. He informed Members that the
Council had made a written commitment to achieve the Members’ Charter in 2008. It
was hoped that all members would sign up to the Skills Portal and fully support the
commitment to the Charter.
Mr E Seward asked whether use of the Members’ Skills Portal would be monitored.
Mr K Johnson replied that several members of the Members Training Development
and Support Group had been trialling the Skills Portal and they were keen to provide
feedback. All Members were encouraged to join the scheme and report on the
outcome.
RESOLVED that
The minutes of the meeting of the Members’ Training, Development and Support
Working Group held on 28th February 2012 be received and the recommendations
contained therein be adopted as follows:
MINUTE 4: TRIAL OF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
RESOLVED
To agree:
1.
2.
Cabinet
That Cabinet re-affirms the Council’s commitment to achieving the Members
Development Charter and recommends the adoption of the action plan
To the payment of 1 year’s subscription at a cost of £997 for the Members
Skills Portal to be provided by the South East Employers
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3.
4.
5.
115.
To confirm that all members are to be encouraged to use the Skills Portal,
including the 360 feedback process.
That the Member Training Development and Support Group will provide
regular reports to Cabinet relating to progress being made in achieving the
Charter and installing the skills
That Cabinet makes a long-term commitment to the Members Development
Charter.
JOINT STAFF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Mr K Johnson, Chairman of the Joint Staff Consultative Committee informed
Members that a report on the Pay and Grading Review would be presented to Full
Council on 18th April 2012.
RESOLVED that
The minutes of the meeting of the Joint Staff Consultative Committee held on 21
November 2011 be received.
116.
NORTH LODGE PARK DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
Three questions had been received for this item:
1. Mr A Harrison-Robertshaw spoke in favour of a site for a skate park at North
Lodge Park. He said that he was concerned that local residents had not been
consulted on the development proposals and that a recent poll conducted by
campaigners for the skate park showed 614 residents were in favour of a skate
park compared to 32 for an outdoor gym. He handed the results of the poll to the
Legal and Democratic Services Manager.
2. Mrs C Candish spoke on behalf of Cromer Preservation Society (CPS). She said
that they supported investment into the regeneration of North Lodge Park but that
there should be a full public consultation. The CPS was concerned that the report
implied that they had been consulted on the proposals and they felt this was
misleading as no agreement had been reached. She added that they felt there
was no cohesive design for the park as a whole and that the proposals were
causing tension within the town.
3. Mr J Morgan told Members that he had previously been employed by Kier to
maintain the putting greens at North Lodge Park. He had kept a tally during 2011
of the number of people using the greens and submitted a report to Kier on how
to increase usage. He pointed out that the Cabinet report indicated that there
were 4 putting greens in Cromer. The green at the Meadows was a pitch and putt
not a putting green. He felt that the amount attributed to the cost of grounds
maintenance for the putting area was too high and sought clarification on this
figure. He added that there was very little maintenance during the winter months.
Mr J Lee, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Cultural Services said that he
welcomed input from members of the public. He believed that the development
proposal would revitalise a tired-looking asset and leave a legacy for the town. The
plans were a product of consultation with Cromer Town Council and although a
significant sum was involved it would be recovered.
He responded to the points raised by members of the public:
a) The new children’s play area would include an outdoor gym which would enable
adults to exercise whilst their children played. It would be open to everyone and
free of charge. The Council was hoping to work with Fit Together to provide a
programme of supervised sessions to encourage uptake of the facilities. New
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toilets would be provided closer to the play area and it had been agreed in
principle that a contribution to the cost of maintaining the toilets and the Park
would be undertaken by Cromer Town Council.
b) Cromer was well provided for putting greens. The intention was to grass over
them to encourage people to picnic there. The Town Council’s proposal for a
communal garden in place of the bowling green should be welcomed as a chance
to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.
c) Cabinet were meeting with campaigners for the Skate Park on Thursday 19th
April. They would discuss the possibility of incorporating a facility into North
Lodge Park or the Meadow. He added that any scheme would require planning
permission and funding.
The Portfolio Holder concluded by saying that there would be ongoing discussions
with Cromer Preservation Society regarding the upgrading of the park.
Members discussed the report:
a) Mrs H Thompson, Local Member for Suffield Park said that there had been
previous public consultations on North Lodge Park and they had always caused
agitation within the town. She had always supported the campaign for a skate
park but it should be acknowledged that members of the public had objected to
previous proposals with regards to the location and noise levels.
b) Mr T Ivory said that the proposal to provide an outdoor gym did not preclude a
skate park being constructed at North Lodge Park. He asked for more information
regarding the extent of the consultation. Mr N Baker, Corporate Director, said that
the report made clear that the provision of an outdoor gym would not preclude a
skate park. He said that there had not been a public consultation regarding these
specific proposals but there had been a local referendum on the provision of a car
park at North Lodge Park in recent years. He added that the Town Council had
been consulted and they represented local residents.
c) The Leader proposed that the first recommendation was amended to include
‘further consultation including representatives for the skate park’
d) Mr N Lloyd was concerned about possible inaccuracies regarding the cost of
maintaining the putting greens and other provision within the town. Mr N Baker
replied that the figure for maintenance of the putting greens had been provided by
the leisure contractor. Any savings would accrue from the Town Council’s offer
towards the upkeep of the park and toilets. He acknowledged that the Meadows
site offered a ‘pitch and putt’ rather than a putting green.
e) Mr G Williams said that it was important that the Council continued to invest in
parks and open spaces and that the focus should be on getting it right.
f) Mr K Johnson, Local Member for Cromer Town said there had been several
public consultations on North Lodge Park over the last 30 years and it had always
been impossible to keep everyone happy. He added that Cromer Town Council
had considerable input into the current proposals and he felt that real progress
was being made. He supported the Leader’s amendment to the first
recommendation.
g) Mr T Ivory added that the involvement of Cromer Town Council indicated that
there was support for the proposals. He agreed that individuals should also have
the opportunity to comment.
h) Mr W Northam proposed that any consultation should have a timescale to ensure
that it did not last indefinitely.
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The Leader asked Members of the Public that had raised questions whether they
wished to respond further:
1. Mr A Harrison-Robertshaw reiterated that a large number of residents supported
the provision of a skate park in North Lodge Park.
2. Mrs C Candish said that she was very pleased with the proposal to take the views
of the public into consideration and the implementation of a timescale for this.
3. Mr J Morgan stressed that the putting greens at North Lodge Park were Cromer’s
3rd most popular attraction and that they encouraged people of all ages to
exercise.
.
The Portfolio Holder thanked everyone for their input. He reiterated that it was not a
question of an outdoor gym versus a skate park and it was possible that both could
be accommodated. It was hoped that the play area and the outdoor gym would be
ready in time for the arrival of the Olympic torch in Cromer. The Jubilee garden was
intended to be a legacy and would not be completed for June 2012.
He proposed that the first recommendation was amended to include ‘ongoing
dialogue with key stakeholders’.
RESOLVED to
a)
Authorise Officers to progress with a development scheme for North Lodge Park
as described in the report, to include ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders.
b)
Agree to a capital expenditure of £197,000 for the scheme, to be financed from
capital receipts.
c)
Authorise Officers to enter into negotiations and complete legal contracts and,
where necessary, planning applications in respect of:
1)
2)
3)
117.
The financial offer from Cromer Town Council to fund the toilets and the
Park
The transfer of the existing toilet buildings to the Sea View Pre-school
The transfer of the existing bowls green to the Town Council at no
future cost to North Norfolk District Council.
FIRST ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
The Leader, Mrs H Eales, introduced this item. She explained that the Annual Action
Plan underpinned the Corporate Plan and provided the detail on how the Council’s
priorities would be realised over the forthcoming 12 months. The Plan was drawn up
in consultation with Parish and Town Councils and other local bodies.
The Annual Action Plan would be delivered through the application of the
Performance Management .Framework. As this was the first year of the process, it
was intended that lessons would be learnt at the end of the year and the Action Plan
adjusted accordingly to take forward into the following year.
Members discussed the report:
1. Mr G Williams said that he was concerned that the responses to the consultation
had been produced in an electronic format only. He had obtained a printed
version from the Members’ library. It was agreed that additional printed copies
would be provided prior to the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
and Full Council.
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2. Mr E Seward, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee asked whether
the Performance Management Framework would be presented to the Overview
and Scrutiny Committee. The Chief Executive replied that as it was the
mechanism for monitoring the Annual Action Plan, the Performance Management
Framework would be going to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as part of
the Council’s performance ‘measure’ process. The Leader added that
performance management framework consisted of three parts:
i) Operational – the setting of targets
ii) Performance measures
iii) Review of the measures to ensure they were effective
3. Mr T Ivory said that he supported that Annual Action Plan. He felt that the
responses indicated that there was a lack of understanding that it only focused on
the delivery of the Corporate Plan and that the Council would still be carrying out
their statutory duties.
4. Mr G Williams asked whether the Cabinet was satisfied with 17 responses to the
consultation and whether they would engage with local residents differently in the
future. The Leader said that the majority of responses came from Parish and
Town Councils and other local bodies that represented a large number of people.
RECOMMENDED to Full Council
the adoption of the Annual Action Plan 2012-13.
118.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE OFFSHIRE WIND ENERGY SECTOR OFF THE NORTH
NORFOLK COAST – A STRATEGIC POSITIONING PAPER AND PROPOSAL
FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIP WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
Mr T FitzPatrick, Portfolio Holder for Business Enterprise and Economic
Development presented this item. He explained that the report provided a strategic
overview of the development of offshore wind energy schemes off the North Norfolk
Coast and proposed a number of actions to allow the District to realise the economic
and employment benefits associated with such developments. It was also proposed
that the Council became a member of the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance and
worked with local partners through a new North Norfolk Renewables Partnership to
respond positively to enquiries from businesses connected with renewable
technologies wanting to establish facilities in the district.
Mr W Northam seconded the motion and proposed that Mr T FitzPatrick represented
the Council on the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance.
Members discussed the report:
1. Mr P Terrington, Local Member for Priory Ward said that he was concerned about
the impact of wind farms on the area around Wells-Next-the-Sea. The
development of a support facility at Egmere for SCIRA depended on the capacity
at Wells harbour and this was now bigger than the figure consulted on and
consequently could have a negative impact on tourism and local residents.
He requested the following:
i) Greater representation of local interest groups within the North Norfolk
Renewables Partnership.
ii) An action plan to minimise the impact of the increase in traffic along the B1104
corridor from Fakenham to Wells.
iii) A report on the possibility of raising s106 contributions from offshore wind
farms
iv) Regular reports from the North Norfolk Renewables Partnership to the Council
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2. Mr R Reynolds., Local Member for Fakenham said that he fully supported the
proposals and the employment opportunities it would bring to the area.
3. Mr N Lloyd was concerned that the focus was shifting to renewable energy and
that the Gas Terminal at Bacton would not benefit. The Portfolio Holder
responded that the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Alliance covered the whole energy
sector not just renewables.
4. Mr G Williams felt that the Council could be a junior partner within the Alliance.
The Portfolio Holder replied that this would not be the case. They would be a full
member and joining the Alliance was the only way to ensure they were fully
involved in the decision making process.
The Portfolio Holder advised Members that Walsingham Parish Council fully
supported the development at Egmere. He had also spoken to Mr J Savory, Local
Member for Priory Ward who was broadly in favour of the proposals but wanted to
ensure that tourism interests were protected. He added that Wells Town Council and
Walsingham Parish Council would continue to be consulted.
RESOLVED to
1. Note the contents of the report, particularly as it relates to the proposed
development of offshore wind energy schemes off the North Norfolk coast and to
acknowledge the economic and employment opportunities presented by such
developments to the district over the next fifty years.
2. Endorse the proposal for the Council to become a member of the Norfolk and
Suffolk Energy Alliance for a one-off contribution of £20,000 and to appoint the
Portfolio Holder for Business Enterprise and Economic Development, Councillor
T FitzPatrick to represent the authority on the Alliance Board.
3. Endorse the proposal for the Council to work with local partners through a North
Norfolk Renewables Partnership to promote the district to businesses operating in
the renewable energy sector and respond positively to inward investment and
new business enquiries from businesses operating in this expanding economic
sector.
119.
HOLT VISION
Mr T Ivory, Portfolio Holder for Localism and the Big Society introduced this item. He
said that the initiative for the Holt Vision Study had come from the residents of Holt.
The purpose of the report was to emphasise that the Council supported the Vision
and fully endorsed it.
Mr P High, Local Member for Holt said that he had been involved with the project
from the beginning. He was concerned that there did not appear to have been any
discussion with Holt Town Council regarding the Neighbourhood Plan. At this stage
he wanted to reserve judgment on the merits of the Vision Study.
Mrs L Brettle, Local Member for Glaven Valley said that a thriving town was in
everyone’s interest. She was concerned that some car parking would be lost if some
of the proposals were implemented and this would need to be addressed. The
Portfolio Holder agreed that car parking was a fundamental issue and needed to be
worked on in conjunction with the Holt Vision project.
Mr G Williams asked how the Council would mesh local plans with the Annual Action
Plan. The Portfolio Holder said that he believed there was a link and it was important
that town and parish councils worked with the Council. He acknowledged that there
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was a resource issue and this had been factored into the proposed Senior
Management Restructure that would be considered at Full Council on 18th April 2012.
There would also be additional support via the Service Level Agreements which
supported the Council’s Big Society Fund.
RESOLVED to
1. Endorse the Vision for Holt and acknowledge the value of the study in identifying
various urban design, traffic management and economic and community
schemes that can be taken forward by named lead and partner organisations.
2. Agree that where NNDC can support actions based on the assessment of the
merits of the proposals put forward, that officers will seek approval from Cabinet,
on an individual basis for support in the development of those proposals.
The Meeting closed at 11.27 am
_______________
Chairman
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