Committee Administrator: Alison Argent: alison.argent@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Direct Dial on: 01263 516058
7 December 2012
A meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of North Norfolk District Council will be held
in the Council Chamber at the Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer on Tuesday 18 December
2012 at 9.30a.m.
At the discretion of the Chairman, a short break will be taken after the meeting has been running
for approximately one and a half hours. Coffee will be available in the staff restaurant at 9.30 a.m.
and at the break.
Members of the public who wish to ask a question or speak on an agenda item are requested to
arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the meeting. It will not always be possible to
accommodate requests after that time. This is to allow time for the Committee Chair to rearrange
the order of items on the agenda for the convenience of members of the public. Further information
on the procedure for public speaking can be obtained from Democratic Services, Tel: 01263
516047, Email: democraticservices@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Sheila Oxtoby
Chief Executive
To: Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds, Ms V R Gay, Mrs A Green, Mr B Jarvis, Mr P Moore, Mr J H PerryWarnes, Mr R Reynolds, Mr E Seward, Mr B Smith, Mr N Smith, Mr R Smith and Mr P Terrington.
All other Members of the Council for information.
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 & Steve Blatch
Tel 01263 513811 Fax 01263 515042 Minicom 01263 516005
Email districtcouncil@north-norfolk.gov.uk Web site northnorfolk.org
AGENDA
1.
TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2.
SUBSTITUTES
3.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
To receive questions from the public, if any
4.
MINUTES
(Page 1)
(9.30 – 9.40)
To approve as correct records, the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee held on 21 November 2012.
5.
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.
6.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
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.
7.
PETITIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
To consider any petitions received from members of the public.
8.
CONSIDERATION OF ANY MATTER REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE BY A MEMBER
To consider any requests made by non-executive Members of the Council, and notified to
the Monitoring Officer with seven clear working days notice, to include an item on the
agenda of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
9.
RESPONSES OF THE COUNCIL OR THE CABINET TO THE COMMITTEE’S REPORTS
OR RECOMMENDATIONS
To consider any responses of the Council or the Cabinet to the Committee’s reports or
recommendations.
10.
THE FORWARD PLAN AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES WORK PROGRAMME
(Page 9)
To discuss the Forward Plan and to consider the programme of business for Cabinet,
Overview and Scrutiny, Audit and Full Council.
11.
PRESENTATION - NORTH NORFOLK CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP –
COMMISSIONING STRATEGY – 2012-2016
(Commissioning Strategy attached - Page 14)
(9.40 – 10.30)
Mark Burgis, Head of Clinical Programme Design for North Norfolk Clinical Commissioning
Group and Rebecca Champion, Engagement Manager, North Norfolk Commissioning
Group will give a 10 -15 minute presentation on the Commissioning Strategy and then take
questions.
12.
2012/13 REVISED BUDGET
(Cabinet agenda – 13 December 2012)
(Page 35)
(Appendix A – p.48) (Appendix B– p.49) (Appendix C – p.75) (Appendix D – p.89)
(Appendix E – p.91)
(10.30 – 10.55)
Summary:
The base budget for 2012/13 was approved by Full Council on 22
February 2012. The budget was updated as part of the 2011/12
final accounts report for the carry forward of funding from the year
end process. The budget has continued to be monitored
throughout the year to date and reported to Members accordingly.
This report now presents for approval the 2012/13 revised budgets
for revenue and capital.
Options considered:
Not reporting the revised budget – recommending a revised budget
during the year provides an opportunity to critically review all
budgets and to ensure spend and income budgets reflect current
service plans and objectives. Due to the significant budget
movements in the year in particular the service restructurings
following the management restructure and the outcome of the pay
and grading review, this thorough review during the year provides a
mechanism to ensure the reported budget is accurate and enables
meaningful budget monitoring for the remainder of the year.
Conclusions:
The revised budget shows a small underspend of £1,398 for the
current financial year and will be transferred to the general reserve
in the year.
Recommendations: That Members agree and recommend to Full Council:
1) The revised revenue budget for 2012/13;
2) The revised transfers to and from reserves as detailed within
Appendix D;
3) A transfer of £1,398 to the general reserve;
4) The revised capital programme and associated financing as
included at Appendix E including the additional sum of
£37,084 be made available to fund refurbishment works to the
Rocket House, to include the full renewal and upgrade of the
lift system and £21,000 for the replacement scanner and
printer for the Planning service, both to be funded from capital
receipts.
5) The scale of fees and charges from 1 April 2013 included at
Appendix C.
6) That delegated authority for setting the fees and charges for
waste be given to Corporate Director, Head of Environmental
Health, Head of Finance and relevant Cabinet Portfolio
Members.
13.
Reasons for
Recommendations:
To agree a revised budget for the current financial year.
Cabinet Member
Wards affected
Contact Officer
telephone number
and email:
Wyndham Northam
All
Karen Sly
01263 516243
Karen.sly@north-norfolk.gov.uk
BIG SOCIETY FUND UPDATE REPORT
(Page 56)
(Appendix A – p. 63) (Appendix B – p.65) (Appendix C – p.71) (Appendix D – p.77)
(11.10 – 11.30)
Summary:
This report examines the operation of Big Society Fund
in the first six months since its launch. It outlines the
nature and outcome of applications to the Fund to-date
and evaluates the effectiveness of the scheme in
achieving its objectives so far
Options
considered:
This is an update report with no substantive
recommendations. Whilst many options exist in relation
to the future operation of the fund, it is suggested that
this review take place later in the financial year when
the Service level Agreement is to be reconsidered.
Conclusions:
The Big Society Fund has provided financial support to
a wide range of community oriented projects which will
undoubtedly help in achieving the purpose of the Fund:
to help build strong communities in North Norfolk. In
general the fund has been a success and minor
procedural or administrative issues have been
satisfactorily addressed throughout this initial
operational period. The future operation of the Fund
should be determined towards the end of its first year of
operation, alongside an evaluation of the effectiveness
of Norfolk Community Foundation in fulfilling the
requirements of the Service Level Agreement.
Recommendations: It is recommended that:
1. A politically balanced working group comprising
of two Cabinet and two Scrutiny Members is
established to work with officers to review the North
Norfolk Big Society Fund.
2. A report is presented to Cabinet in March,
identifying whether or not the Big Society Fund
should be continued in the next financial year and if
so, the most appropriate way for this to be
implemented.
Reasons for
This will enable consideration of the first three quarters
Recommendations: of the Fund’s first year of operation to be evaluated,
alongside the review of the SLA.
LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW
(Papers relied on the write the report and which do not contain exempt information)
Service Level Agreement between NNDC and Norfolk Community Foundation
BSF Prospectus
Big Society Board Terms of Reference
Report/ minutes of Cabinet (31/1/12); O& S Committee (6/2/12); and Full
Council (22/2/12)
Cabinet Member(s) Ward(s) affected
Cllr Trevor Ivory
All
Contact Officer, telephone number and email:
Rob Young/ Sonia Shuter, 01263 516162, robert.young@north-norfolk.gov.uk
14.
HOUSING ALLOCATIONS SCHEME
(Cabinet agenda – 13 December 2012)
(Page 100)
(Appendix F – p. 106) (Appendix G – p.125)
(11.30 – 12.15)
Summary:
Options considered:
Conclusions:
The Council has reviewed its Allocations Scheme to reflect the
changes in legislation introduced by the Localism Act and
statutory instruments. The changes ensure that the Council’s
Allocation Scheme complies with all statutory requirements whilst
also ensuring that it maximises the number of affordable dwellings
which will be occupied by households with connections to towns
and villages in North Norfolk. The new Allocations Scheme will be
delivered through the Your Choice Your Home scheme which is a
partnership between the Council and 8 Housing Associations.
Once adopted, the new Allocation Scheme will be used to allocate
properties from April 2013.
1. Do nothing. This option was discounted as this would
mean the Council’s Allocations Scheme was not in
accordance with legislation and did not meet members’
aspirations for how affordable housing is allocated.
2. Review the allocation policy. This option was adopted as it
ensures the Council’s new Allocations Scheme reflects
changes in legislation on the operation of housing
registers. It also ensures that member’s aspirations that
the number of affordable dwellings which are allocated to
households with connections to towns and villages in
North Norfolk is maximised.
The Localism Act has introduced changes to the operation
of housing registers. The Council’s Allocations Scheme
has therefore been amended to reflect the changes and
also to meet member aspirations. The proposed new
Allocations Scheme has created 3 housing registers and
includes both qualifying and non-qualifying criteria and
introduces a new 2 Stage Approach to allocations which
will seek to maximise the number of properties allocated to
households who have connections to towns and villages in
North Norfolk. The proposed new allocation scheme has
been subject to wide consultation and now requires
adoption by the Council.
Once adopted the new
Allocations Scheme is expected to go live in April 2013
following an implementation period.
Recommendations: Cabinet recommend the adoption of the Housing Allocations
Scheme to Full Council.
15.
Reasons for
Recommendations:
To ensure that the Council’s Allocations Scheme reflects the
legislative and regulatory requirements for housing registers
following a change in these requirements.
Cabinet Member:
Wards affected
Contact Officer
telephone number
and email:
Trevor Ivory
All
Nicola Turner
01263 516222
Nicola.turner@north-norfolk.gov.uk
EMPTY HOMES PILOT
(Cabinet agenda – 13 December 2012)
(Page 128)
(*Exempt Appendix 1- p.171)
(12.15 – 12.35)
* The exempt appendix is not for publication by virtue of paragraph 2 of Part I of
Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972
Summary:
Options considered:
Conclusions:
In October 2011 Cabinet received a Report on Empty
Homes as classified on the Council Tax Register and
resolved to establish an Empty Homes Pilot Project to
identify a way forward in dealing with the issue of long term
empty homes in the District. This report reviews the Empty
Homes Project and its outcomes.
N/A
The outcomes achieved through the Pilot Project to date
are as follows;
•
•
•
•
•
The appearance of the properties/gardens has been
enhanced by the use of the statutory notice
procedures.
Where building condition impacted negatively on
adjoining properties, this has been remedied
Debts owed to the Council have been recovered
from the property owner through the use of the
charging order procedure.
One property has been sold and the Council Tax
status changed as a result and one is currently
under repair.
A record of intervention has been developed that
•
•
•
Recommendations:
would support an application for a Compulsory
Purchase Order on the properties as required.
Learning from pilot will be used in implementation of
new Empty Homes Policy.
The pilot has shown that the willingness of the
Council to use CPO powers and the use of other
enforcement powers to improve the appearance and
condition of the empty homes has achieved results,
although in one case further action is required to
ensure improvements in property condition are
maintained. This process of enforcement action as
the Council prepares the CPO case will continue.
The learning from the pilot will be used to ensure
that the new Empty Homes Policy will be able to
deliver a reduction in the number of empty homes
and the ability to use a range of enforcement powers
including the enforced sale procedure and where
appropriate and effective CPO powers.
(1) That all required enforcement action on empty
homes be directed through the Enforcement
Board.
(2) That £200,000 is ringfenced to support bringing
back into use properties through the use of
enforcement methods including enforced sale
and CPO powers.
LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW
(Papers relied on to write the report and which do not contain exempt information)
ODPM Circular 06/2004 Compulsory Purchase and the Crichel Down Rules
ODPM Empty Property : Unlocking the Potential
Cabinet Member:
Wards affected
Contact Officers
telephone number
and email:
16.
Trevor Ivory
All
Nicola Turner & Emma Duncan
01263 516222./516045
Nicola.turner@north-norfolk.gov.uk
emma.duncan@north-norfolk.gov.uk
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY UPDATE
(Page 79)
(Appendix E – p.81) (Appendix F – p.84) (Appendix G – p.85) (Appendix H - p.89)
(Appendix I – p.90) (Appendix J – p.114)
(12.35 – 12.45)
Summary:
This report updates the Committee on progress with
topics in its agreed work programme (attached at
Appendix E) and invites Members to identify any
arising items for future meetings. The Scrutiny
Committee’s working style and role is attached at
Appendix F.
Conclusions:
That progress is being made in some areas, others
need to be monitored and opportunities for scrutiny
should be discussed.
Recommendations: That Members should consider any follow-up
actions required on these topics.
Cabinet
Member(s):
Ward(s) affected
Contact Officer
telephone number
and email:
17.
Mr T FitzPatrick
All
Emma Denny
01263 516010
emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk
EXCLUSION OF THE 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 items of business on the grounds that they
involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph _ of Part I of
Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”
18.
TO CONSIDER ANY EXEMPT MATTERS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATION OF THE
PUBLIC BUSINESS OF THE AGENDA