8 February 2013 Overview and Council Chamber

Please contact: Emma Denny

Please email: emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Please direct dial on: 01263 516010

8 February 2013

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 Wednesday 20 February

2013 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 Perry-

Warnes, 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

A G E N D A

1. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

2. SUBSTITUTES

4.

To receive questions from the public, if any

MINUTES

(Page 1)

(9.30 – 9.40)

5.

To approve as correct records, the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny

Committee held on 16 January 2013.

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.

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.

PETITIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

To consider any petitions received from members of the public.

CONSIDERATION OF ANY MATTER REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE BY A MEMBER 8.

9.

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.

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 10)

To discuss the Forward Plan and to consider the programme of business for Cabinet,

Overview and Scrutiny, Audit and Full Council.

11.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY UPDATE

( Appendix A – p.17) (Appendix B –p. 18) (Appendix C – p.20) (Appendix D – p.23)

(Page 14)

(Appendix E – p.25 ) (Appendix F – p.28)

(9.40 – 10.00)

Summary:

Conclusions:

Recommendations:

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 .

That progress is being made in some areas, others need to be monitored and opportunities for scrutiny should be discussed.

That Members should consider any follow-up actions required on these topics.

Cabinet Member(s):

Ward(s) affected

Mr T FitzPatrick

All

Contact Officer Emma Denny telephone number 01263 516010 and email: emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk

12.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY UPDATE

(Page 29)

( Strategy Document – p. 36)

(10.00 – 10.30am)

Summary:

Conclusions:


This report updates members on the completed and proposed future work under the environmental sustainability strategy.

Good progress has been made on all activities to date, outlined in section two. The Council’s carbon footprint is 7.7% lower than it was in 2008-9, with head office electricity costs reduced by around £22,000. Water costs are now being identified with a view to making efficiencies.

There have also been several community based projects which have reduced carbon emissions in the District and engaged residents, and the Council’s Green Build event is the largest of its kind in the County, offering advice to residents on how to lead a greener lifestyle.

The Council continues to have some of the highest environmental requirements for new development in the County through implementation of Core Strategy policy EN6.

Current and future proposed projects are concerned with helping local businesses and the community reduce CO

2

emissions and energy costs. The Sustainability Assistant successfully bid for

£18.5k of funding to set up a Collective Energy Switching scheme and to expand the ‘Energy Box’ trial scheme to all Town and Parish Councils in the district. Developments and opportunities under the national Green Deal and ECO schemes will continue to be monitored.

A refresh of the Council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy is appended for comment.

That members note the contents of the report.

That members note the Environmental Sustainability

Strategy 2013-15.

That future updates to Overview & Scrutiny are on a 12monthly basis instead of a 6-monthly basis.

Cabinet member(s):

John Lee

Contact Officer, telephone number, and e-mail:

Ward(s) affected:

All

Peter Lumb, Sustainability Assistant, 01263 516331,

Peter.lumb@north-norfolk.gov.uk

13. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT – DELIVERY OF ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2012/13

QUARTER 3

(Cabinet Agenda 4 February 2013 – p. 113)

(10.30 – 11.00am)

Summary:

Conclusions:

The purpose of this report is to give a third quarter progress report in delivering the Annual Action Plan 2012-13. It gives an overview, identifies any issues that may affect delivery of the plan, the action being taken to address these issues and proposes any further action needed that requires Cabinet approval.

The delivery of the Annual Action Plan 2012/13 is progressing to plan and should be delivered largely as envisaged. Any areas of concern have been reported in this report and where necessary details given of progress to date and action being taken is given in the appendices to this report. In addition, reports on progress of major projects are also included in the appendices where necessary.

Cabinet Member(s)

Ward(s) affected

Contact Officer:

Telephone no:

Email:

All

All

Helen Thomas

01263 516214

Helen.thomas@north-norfolk.gov.uk

14. TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

(Cabinet Agenda 4 February – p.87)

Summary:

Options Considered:

Conclusions:

Recommendation:

Reasons for

Recommendation:

This report sets out details of the Council’s treasury management activities and presents a strategy for the prudent investment of the

Council’s surplus funds. In addition it includes the prudential indicators for approval.

Alternative investment options are continuously appraised by the

Council’s treasury advisors, Arlingclose and all appropriate options are included within this Strategy.

The preparation of this Strategy Statement is necessary to comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s

Code of Practice for Treasury Management in Public Services.

The Code has been revised in November 2011 and this Strategy

Statement incorporates all the requirements of the new Code.

The Prudential Indicators are required to be set each year in accordance with the Prudential Code.

That the Council be asked to RESOLVE that The Treasury

Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy and Prudential Indicators, for 2013/14 to 2015/16, are approved.

The Strategy provides the Council with a flexible treasury strategy enabling it to respond to changing market conditions and ensure the security of its funds.

Cabinet Member(s)

Ward(s) affected

Contact Officer:

Telephone no:

Cllr W Northam

All

Tony Brown

01263 516126

Tony.brown@north-norfolk.gov.uk Email:

15. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 2012/13 – PERIOD 9

(Cabinet Agenda 4 February – p. 99)

(11.30 – 11.50)

Summary:

Conclusions:

This report summarises the budget monitoring position for the revenue account to the end of December 2012.

The base budget report for 2013/14 is included on the agenda as a separate item and includes a full review of the capital programme and therefore the capital programmed has not been included within the budget monitoring report.

The overall position at the end of period 9 shows a forecast over spend of £19,400 for the current financial year on the revenue account.


Reasons for

Recommendations:

Cabinet Member(s)

Ward(s) affected

Contact Officer:

Telephone no:

Email:

Cllr W Northam

All

Karen Sly

01263 516243

Karen.sly@north-norfolk.gov.uk

16. 2013/14 BASE BUDGET AND PROJECTIONS 2014/15 TO 2016/17

(Cabinet Agenda 4 February - page 10)

(11.50 – 12.30)

Summary:

Options considered:

Conclusions:

It is recommended that:

1) Cabinet note the contents of the report and the current budget monitoring position.

To update Members on the current budget monitoring position for the Council.

This report presents for approval the base budget for 2013/14 along with the latest financial projections for the following three years to 2016/17.

The budget for the forthcoming financial year must be set annually.

Whilst there could be options around the individual budgets presented for approval i.e. what is included in the budget for

2013/14, the overall position now presented for approval is the culmination of work carried out by officers and Cabinet, details of this work is provided within the report.

The Council’s budget is set for approval each year; it is presented to Cabinet and then considered by Overview and Scrutiny

Committee before recommendations are made to Full Council. This report now presents a balanced budget for 2013/14 and also presents the future financial projections for the following three

financial years, 2014/15 to 2016/17. The budget has been produced based on a number of assumptions as detailed within the main body of the report and also reflects the provisional finance settlement announced on 19 December 2012. The report outlines the risks facing the Council in setting the budget and forecasting future spending plans and resources.


Reasons for

Recommendations:

1)

2)

It is recommended that Cabinet agree and recommend to Full Council: a) The 2013/14 revenue account budget as outlined at

Appendix A and that the surplus of £240,009 be allocated to the general reserve; b) The demand on the Collection Fund, subject to any amendments as a result of final precepts be: b. £1,450,000 (subject to confirmation of the final precepts) for Parish/Town precepts; c) The fees and charges as included in Appendix D from 1

April 2013; d) The statement of and movement on the reserves as detailed at Appendix F; e) The updated Capital Programme and financing for 2012/13 to 2015/16 as detailed at Appendix G; f) The new capital bids as detailed at Appendix H to be financed from capital receipts; g) That Members note the current projections for 2014/15 to

2016/17.

That Cabinet resolves that the setting of fees and charges for the waste service be delegated to the

Corporate Director as set out within 6.2 of the report and that the delegation within the constitution be updated to reflect this on a permanent basis.

To recommend a balanced budget position for the 2013/14 financial year to be approved by Full Council on 27 February 2013.

Cabinet Member(s)

Ward(s) affected

Contact Officer:

Telephone no:

Email:

Cllr W Northam

All

Karen Sly

01263 516243

Karen.sly@north-norfolk.gov.uk

17. 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

Agenda item no._______4_______

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

Minutes of a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 16 January

2013 in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 9.40 am.

Members Present:

Committee: Mr E Seward (Chairman)

Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds

Mr P W Moore

Mr B Smith

Mr R Smith

Mrs A Green

Mr R Reynolds

Mr N Smith

Mr P Terrington

Officers in

Attendance:

The Head of Development Management, the Head of Environmental

Health, the Revenues and Benefits Services Manager,

the Development

Manager, the Environmental Services Manager , the Chief Accountant

and the Scrutiny Officer.

Members in

Attendance: Mrs S Arnold, Mr P W High, Mrs A Moore, Mr W Northam, Mr R Oliver, Mr

R Shepherd and Mr D Young

Democratic Services Officer (IV)

118 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Ms V R Gay and Mr J H Perry-Warnes.

119 SUBSTITUTES

Mr R Shepherd for Mr J H Perry-Warnes and Mr D Young for Ms V Gay.

120 PUBLIC QUESTIONS

None received.

121 MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 December 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

122 ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS

None received.

123 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Overview and Scrutiny Committee 16 January 2013

1

Member(s)

Mrs A Claussen-

Reynolds

Mr P Moore

Minute

No.

128

130

Item

Council Tax Support Scheme

Development Management-

Introduction of Fees for Pre-

Application Advice

124 PETITIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

None received.

Interest

Personal – disposal of an empty property

Personal interest through professional status

125 CONSIDERATION OF ANY MATTER REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE BY A

MEMBER

None received.

126 RESPONSES OF THE COUNCIL OR THE CABINET TO THE COMMITTEE’S

REPORTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS

None received.

127 THE FORWARD PLAN AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES WORK PROGRAMME

Noted.

128 COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT SCHEME 2013/14

The Chairman referred Members to the report that had been circulated with the agenda

for the Cabinet meeting held on 7 January. Cabinet had supported the adoption of the

scheme recommended in the report, as proposed by the Working Party.

Mr W Northam, Portfolio Holder, pointed out an amendment required to paragraph 2.1

on page 16 of the report to read: “it will not be possible to have one scheme for Norfolk”.

He then explained that the scheme favoured initially by a majority of the Working Party was one whereby working age claimants currently receiving 100% Council Tax Benefit would pay 30% of their liability and thus get 70% Council Tax Support. This scheme was put out to consultation. During the consultation period, the Government had announced that £100 million would be provided to local authorities to ease the transition; this would be available to those Councils who devised a scheme whereby a working age claimant would pay 8.5%, thus receiving 91.5% Council Tax Support. In the event of North

Norfolk introducing such a scheme, a transitional grant of £22,740 could be claimed in

March 2013. The Working Party had then decided, subject to reservations expressed by two Members, to recommend the latter scheme, which did in fact comply with the comments of many who had responded to the consultation. The scheme had to be adopted before the end of the month.

Mr D Young noted that the report and appendix A accompanying the agenda were said

to have been amended following the discussion at Cabinet, but it was not clear which figures had been affected. The reference in the original report to Cabinet had been changed and no longer mentioned the risk carried by the Council that the cost of any


2

scheme exceeding Government contribution and allocated funding would need to be borne in part by the Collection Fund. He had asked the officers about this and was awaiting a reply.

In addition to the concern about what would happen should the shortfall be less than

estimated, the Chairman wondered whether the relatively small amounts involved would

present disproportionate collection difficulties.

Mr Northam pointed out that the statement in the original report had, as indicated, been

subject to confirmation. A degree of guesswork had been implicit in providing figures, given that the scheme had to be adopted by the end of January. The actual outcome would inform the Working Party’s deliberations on the next year’s scheme.

Mr Young accepted that it was necessary to work on the basis of estimates in order to

move forward, but wondered what would happen if, for example, estimated collection levels of 30% on empty homes were not achieved.

The Revenues and Benefits Manager stated that an underestimate would be borne by

the Collection Fund. This situation was a risk faced by all district councils. Collection was a concern for the team; some people who had not previously paid Council Tax would be affected by the requirement to make an 8.5% contribution.

Mr Young noted that the Council Tax base for parishes would reflect the new scheme

and that respective grants for town and parish councils would be allocated accordingly.

The shortfall for the local councils was shown as approximately £26,000 and the transitional arrangements meant that this would be funded by the District Council. He did not know whether this meant that there was a surplus and requested that the Head of Finance be asked to provide clarification. The Chief Accountant then explained that some local councils, having agreed their tax base, had needed to recalculate in the light of the change announced by the Department for Communities and Local Government in November and the consequent requirement to take into account the transitional grant.

It was not possible at this stage to see at what level parish support would be provided for the following financial year.

Mr R Oliver pointed to paragraph 3.5 of the report as an explanation of how the

transitional grant worked in relation to town and parish councils and commented that some parish councils had indeed precepted twice because of the changes.

Mr P Moore had great admiration for the Revenues and Benefits team and felt that the

Council had to go ahead on the basis of their best estimate. Possible variations were not

worth arguing about in the context of the overall budget. He did, however, feel that

Government should be made aware of the Council’s dissatisfaction with the way in which this had been introduced. In agreeing with this, Mr P Terrington said that the process had led to a great deal of confusion at Wells Town Council and he hoped that local councils could as soon as possible be made fully aware of what would be happening in respect of the next financial year.

RESOLVED

That the recommendation of Cabinet that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme, as set

out in the report (option3), be endorsed.


3

129 DETERMINATION OF COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNTS AND LEVEL OF CHARGES FOR

2013/14

Mr W Northam pointed out that the Local Government Finance Act 2012 gave Councils new flexibilities to vary Council Tax on second homes and introduced an empty property premium. These reforms provided the opportunity to raise additional revenue, as well as encouraging properties to be brought back into use. To take advantage of these reforms, it was being recommended that the discount on second homes be reduced to

5%. For some time, there had been suggestions that second home owners should pay

the full 100% Council Tax. However, this could have a detrimental effect on Council income if this led to owners deciding to classify property as business and then paying business rates instead. The recommendations had been supported by Cabinet.

Mr R Reynolds believed that the empty homes premium was an excellent idea, both as a source of additional income and as a means of encouraging owners to get things moving. The Chairman recalled that some 860 empty properties had been identified in the work leading to the new Empty Homes Policy, approximately half of which had been vacant for two years or more.

Mrs Claussen-Reynolds hoped that the scheme of discounts and charges would take account of different circumstances in which properties had become vacant and were in the course of being sold. The Revenues and Benefits Manager said that the situation would be monitored and any loopholes addressed. The Chairman confirmed that both the Empty Homes Policy and collection rates would come back to the Committee for review.

Mr P Moore said that about 10% of all properties in North Norfolk were holiday homes and there was a possibility that owners could feel pressurised into opting for business rates. He had confidence that the officers would take care to keep this under control.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet recommendation to Council, as set out in the agenda, be endorsed.

130 DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT – INTRODUCTION OF FEES FOR PRE-

APPLICATION ADVICE AND ‘DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION?’ ENQUIRIES

The Head of Development Management informed the Committee that, since introducing

the fees for the pre-application service, enquiries had reduced to 35% of their previous level. The estimate of £15,000 income for charging for this service had proved to be accurate. It was therefore being recommended that fees should remain and, taking account of the 15% increase introduced in December 2012 for formal planning applications, that they be held at the present level for another year.

In reply to a question from the Chairman, the Development Manager indicated

that he was not aware that the introduction of these charges had led to unauthorised activity resulting from avoiding advice. It was too early to say whether the quality of applications had been affected.

The Development Manager mentioned a case where an agent had made a

complex multiple enquiry, involving a number of consultations, in turn leading to an extra two weeks being taken for determination of the application. He was now seeking


4

reimbursement of all or part of his fee. The request was declined. There had been no delay – the extra time taken had been as a result of additional enquiries - and the scheme for these charges made no provision for reimbursement. He sought Members’ views on this stance.

The Chairman suggested that this be taken up with the Chairman of the Development

Committee and the Portfolio Holder. Mr Moore felt that the message that multiple enquiries were unacceptable could be put across at the regular meetings that officers held with agents.

Mr N Smith noted that, although the introduction of charges had eased the pressure on

staff to an extent, this had in part been counter-balanced by additional work placed upon

duty officers.

RESOLVED

(1) That the fees for pre-application advice and enquiries be maintained;

(2) That charges remain at the present level as the system continues to bed in;

(3) That workload levels and income continue to be monitored until the budget is set for

2014/15 later in the year.

Note: Mr P Moore abstained from voting.

131 DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE UPDATE

The Head of Development Management referred to the letter sent to Government by the

Corporate Director in response to the consultation on “Planning Performance and the

Planning Guarantee” and copied to all Members. The Chairman felt that the letter was well argued. Mr Oliver said that all feedback on the subject had been appreciated and the various points made had been incorporated into a comprehensive and detailed response. Mrs S Arnold, Chairman of the Development Committee, agreed with these

comments on the letter, which had stressed the conflict between Government proposals

and its own localism agenda. In noting that the letter had been sent to local MPs, the

Chairman asked whether a copy could also go to the Local Government Association.

In presenting his performance update, the Head of Development Management informed

the Committee that there were currently 17 undetermined major planning applications

with the Council. Of these, 11 had run out of time and 5 of those were expected to be

withdrawn in favour of new schemes. Of the 6 remaining in time, one was likely to be

dealt with imminently through delegated powers and another was going to the

Development Committee on the following day.

Mr P Terrington asked whether time could be saved on major applications through

seeking to make sure that they were better presented. The Head of Development

Management said that the timetable for determination gravitated against this. Attempts

to do this informally were not reflected in the figures (one of the points made in the

Corporate Director’s letter). Mr P Moore thought that applicants would prefer to extend

the time limit in order to negotiate something acceptable, rather than getting a refusal

within time and having either to go to appeal or start again with a fresh application.

On staffing, the Head of Development Management reported that Tracy Armitage, Senior

Planning Officer, had now left the Council. Members agreed with him that Tracy would

be sorely missed and asked that their appreciation of the service she had given the


5

Council and best wishes for her future career be conveyed to her.

The recruitment process for the appointment of two new planning assistants on one year

contracts was under way.

The Chairman asked whether the problem with the level of performance was due to lack

of staff. The Head of Development Management said that staffing had been geared to the

level of development activity in the recession. As things had picked up, earlier levels had

not been recovered; this was because of the unpredictability of activity and, therefore, fee

income, which governed staffing. The indications were that the problem of providing a

reasonable service, which was reliant upon income, could now begin to be addressed.

The Head of Development Management and Development Manager indicated that they

expected performance levels on minor/other applications to improve, but that it could take

6/7 months for significant improvement to be seen.

Mrs Arnold raised the question of Members calling in applications for Committee

consideration, rather than determination under delegated powers. Because of the

pressure this put on the workload, she urged Members to discuss applications with the

case officer in the first instance. The Head of Development Management indicated that

figures were being produced to show the comparative costs of determining an application

under delegated powers or by Committee. Mr Moore felt that, in considering calling in an

application, it would help if Members specified the circumstances in which they wanted it

considered by Committee, to give some leeway. Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds remarked that,

if a Member called in an application, he or she should make sure that they attended the

meeting at which it was considered.

RESOLVED

(1) That the report be noted

(2) That the Committee’s best wishes be passed on to Tracy Armitage, former Senior

Planning Officer.

132 WASTE CONTRACT

The Head of Environmental Health began with an update on the effects of the current inclement weather on refuse collection rounds. Some bins missed had been due to be emptied later that day, but snow and ice had led to the service being suspended. The contractors, Kier, would monitor the situation and resume collections, in consultation with the Council, when possible. Collections were now a day behind schedule. Saturday working would bring the service back on course, but this would be dependent upon conditions.

Members would be kept informed and the website would be updated regularly. The

Environmental Services Manager drew attention to how hard the crews had worked in difficult circumstances. Some personnel had not finished on the previous day until 7pm and had then reported for work again at 6.30 am.

The Chairman referred to the section in the report regarding contract supervision, noting that a saving from the reduction in anticipated supervisory control had been used to support local community charities. This was admirable, but he wondered whether savings might be attributed to the service, pointing out that there was little money available for bin replacement. The Environmental Services Manager explained that the amount involved was a small saving from within the current budget; if the actual numbers of supervisors were to be reduced, a more substantial saving which could be applied elsewhere would result. The Head of Environmental Health added that the


6

performance indicators included a target of nil default notices to be served on the

contractors. The current level of supervision was necessary to ensure that the contract was delivered to the required specification. Savings were being sought where deliverable without detriment to the service. Mr P Moore thought that the public relations value of using the small saving for charitable purposes outweighed the benefit of a much smaller saving on bills.

In reply to a question from Mr R Reynolds, the Environmental Services Manager stated that the decision to base two vehicles in Fakenham had improved the sustainability of the service. These arrangements reduced the amount of diesel used and the experience of supervisors, crews and the software available enabled Kier to establish the best routes. The situation was always under review, however. Litter picking was now based upon an output specification, rather than regular cleaning of all streets regardless of need. Some performance in Fakenham had required attention from Kier in order to meet contract standards. The Head of Environmental Health informed Members that the fundamental change in service had led to enquiries and he felt that this might require clearer explanation to the Town Council. He added that the Town Council was always welcome to come back to the District Council regarding any local problem identified.

Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds observed that collection vehicles averaged 4-5 miles per gallon of diesel, whereas the fuel use on street sweepers seemed to have been negatively affected by the change. The Environmental Services Manager pointed out that collection vehicle fuel use had improved from 3 miles per gallon. As far as the sweepers were concerned, although fuel consumption had improved overall, the fact that it was no longer legal to compost the collected material meant longer journeys to dispose of the waste.

Mr P Terrington raised the question of public waste paper bins outside fast food establishments and the impracticability of meeting the contract emptying requirements.

This was a particular problem at weekends when, at Wells, for example, full bins on a

Friday would still be full on the Saturday morning. The Head of Environmental Health felt that the type of container now in use did not help the situation and also referred to the increasing use of new bins which would actually compact waste and thus reduce the problem. The Environmental Services Manager said that joint working with the Borough

Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk would also help; vehicles based in that District would be supporting North Norfolk crews.

The Chairman asked whether the benefits of providing a merged service could be highlighted in the next six-monthly report.

Mr B Smith congratulated the contractors on the maintenance of the flower beds at

Mundesley. The skateboard park in the village had increased bin use and this had been promptly dealt with. He then asked whether kerbside spraying was still taking place. The

Environmental Services Manager reported that the County Council’s verge cutting and spraying had not been carried out so frequently and the contract with Kier did permit some spraying in lieu of street sweeping.

On the subject of the possible transfer of responsibility for parks and gardens, the

Chairman commented that this could be beneficial if the town or parish councils involved did the work consistently. Some local councils were geared up to this, with their own gardening staff, and might be prepared to take on the service for a fee.

In reply to a question from the Chairman on services for “hard to reach” areas and whether the use of smaller vehicles would mean one collection a fortnight, the

Environmental Services Manager believed it was possible to save on contract costs in


7

terms of fuel, labour etc. In the more isolated parts of the District, a better service could be delivered by smaller vehicles. Discussions were in fact already taking place with residents on this.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

133 REVENUES AND BENEFITS PARTNERSHIP – UPDATE REPORT

Mr W Northam opened the discussion by saying that the report was concise and informative. He believed that the authority should be grateful that it had such a confident, committed and very competent team, which had achieved so much under very trying and stressful circumstances and was fortunate to be led by a first class management team . He had recently visited the office and had chatted with every member of the team and had been most impressed by their cheerfulness and resilience. His wish that congratulations should be conveyed to the Revenues and Benefits Manager and her team, as well as the IT

Department, received general endorsement.

The Chairman commented that the partnership had not always gone well and it was pleasing that the new system was up and running smoothly. He then asked whether there was any further information on the outstanding benefits claim cases set out at Appendix E of the report. The Revenues and Benefits Manager reported that the total overall claims average processing time had reduced to 33 days. The total number of outstanding cases had gone down and greater automation would lead to significant further reductions.

Mr R Smith congratulated staff on achieving this reduction in average times for dealing with benefits cases and asked how this compared with targets. He also enquired as to the costs of transferring data back to Cromer. The Revenues and Benefits Manager stated that the target for dealing with claims was an average of 20 days. In the current circumstances, this would be difficult to achieve by April. As far as the costs were concerned, she agreed to circulate details to Members.

In noting that all outstanding references to the bailiffs had been activated, Members enquired further as to the process involved. The Revenues and Benefits Manager assured the Committee that persons to be visited would have been given every opportunity to make arrangements to reduce the arrears and would have received notice before a bailiff appeared. Bailiffs used by the Council were monitored and worked to a code of conduct. They were not aggressive, which would reflect badly on the Council. In fact, as Mr Northam pointed out, they had an understanding of the difficulties in which the people they visited found themselves and acted accordingly.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

.

134 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY UPDATE

The Scrutiny Officer updated the Committee on progress and drew attention to the further response received from the North Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group on

Ambulance Service provision. One outstanding item on this subject remained, in relation


8

to a typical day with the service. Concerns regarding the service would be monitored. She then drew attention to the response that had now been received to the question raised on the Learning for Everyone programme.

The Housing Renewal Policy had been put back from February. It would be going to Cabinet in April or May 2013. Updates on the Housing Allocation Policy and the Empty Homes Policy would now be included in the programme.

No response had yet been received from the County Council regarding the recommendations from the Joint Transport Task and Finish Group. The Scrutiny Officer would contact Broadland District Council to ascertain whether they had followed up the initial letter. In response to a query from the Chairman as to whether the Council’s own

Community Transport Group had met yet, the Scrutiny Officer said she would check with the responsible officer.

The County Council had asked for information on mobile telephone coverage across the

District. Members were forthcoming with examples of poor coverage and asked to inform the

Scrutiny Officer of any problems of which they were aware for incorporation in the response.

The meeting concluded at 12.30 pm.

____________________

Chairman


9

Agenda Item 10

North Norfolk District Council

Cabinet Work Programme

For the Period 01 March 2013 to 30 June 2013

Decision Maker(s) Meeting

Date

February 2013

Cabinet

Full Council

7 Jan 2013

27 Feb 2013

Subject &

Summary

Destination

Management

Organisation

Cabinet

Member(s)

Tom

FitzPatrick /

John Lee

Wyndham

Northam

Corporate Plan

Priority`

Jobs & the Local

Economy (D)

Delivering the

Vision

Lead Officer

Robin Smith

Economic & Tourism

Development Manager

01263 516236

Tony Brown

Technical Accountant

01263 516126

Status

This item was approved at

Cabinet on 7 th

January

Annual Cabinet

Overview & Scrutiny

Full Council

Cabinet


Cabinet


Full Council

4 Feb 2013

20 Feb 2013

27 Feb 2013

4 Feb 2013

20 Feb 2013

4 Feb 2013

20 Feb 2013

27 Feb 2013

Treasury Strategy

2013/14

Performance

Management

2013/14 Base

Budget and

Projections for

2014/15 to 2016/17

Tom

FitzPatrick

Wyndham

Northam

Delivering the

Vision (A)

Delivering the

Vision

Helen Thomas

Policy & Performance

Management Officer

01263 516214

Cyclical

Karen Sly

Financial Services

Manager

01263 516243

Key Decision

* Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (As amended by the Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Exempt Information)

(England) Order 2006)

10

Agenda Item 10





Cabinet


March 2013

Cabinet

Cabinet

Cabinet

Cabinet

Date

4 Feb 2013

20 Feb 2013

Subject &

Summary

Budget Monitoring

– period 9 (12/13)

4 March 2013 North Walsham

Town Centre

Development

Opportunities

4 March 2013 Budget Monitoring

Period 10 (12/13)

4 March 2013 Big Society Fund – consideration of grants above

£10,000

4 March 2013 Community

Transport

Cabinet


Full Council

4 March 2013

20 Mar 2013

27 Mar 2013

Annual Action Plan All

Cabinet

Member(s)

Wyndham

Northam

Trevor Ivory

Wyndham

Northam

Corporate Plan

Priority`

Delivering the

Vision

Delivering the

Vision

Trevor Ivory Localism (C)

Trevor Ivory Localism

Delivering the

Vision

Lead Officer

Karen Sly


Manager

01263 516243

Robert Young

Coast & Community

Partnerships Manager

01263 516162

Karen Sly


Manager

01263 516243

Robert Young

Coast & Community


01263 516162

Robert Young

Coast & Community


01263 516162

Helen Thomas

Policy & Performance

Management Officer

01263 516214

Status

Annual

Key Decision



11

Agenda Item 10





April 2013

Cabinet

Date

Subject &

Summary

15 April 2013 Cromer to

Winterton Study

Cabinet

Member(s)

Angie Fitch-

Tillett

Corporate Plan

Priority`

Coast,

Countryside &

Built Heritage

Cabinet

Cabinet


15 April 2013 The Council’s approach to initiatives arising from Community

Rights under

Localism’

15 April 2013

21 May 2013

Review of Big

Society Fund

Trevor Ivory Localism

Trevor Ivory Localism (C)

Lead Officer

Rob Goodliffe

Coastal Community

Projects Manager

01263 516321

Robert Young

Coast & Community


01263 516162

Robert Young

Coast & Community


01263 516162

May 2013

Cabinet


Full Council

Cabinet

Full Council

13 May 2013

21 May 2013

22 May 2013

13 May 2013

22 May 2013

Housing Renewal

Policy

MRF Procurement

MRF – Award of

Contract

Trevor Ivory Housing &

Infrastructure

John Lee

Karen Hill

Housing Services

Manager

01263 516183

Nick Baker

Corporate Director

01263 516221

Status

Cabinet

Overview &

Scrutiny

Key Decision



12

Cabinet tbc




Options for future of Building Control

Service

Rhodri Oliver Delivering the

Vision (D) (E)

Steve Blatch

Corporate Director

01263 516232

Agenda Item 10

Key Decision



13

Overview and Scrutiny Committee 20 February 2013

Agenda Item No _11__

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY UPDATE

Summary:

Conclusions:

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 .

That progress is being made in some areas, others need to be monitored and opportunities for scrutiny should be discussed.


Cabinet Member(s):

Ward(s) affected

That Members should consider any follow-up actions required on these topics.

Mr T FitzPatrick

All

Contact Officer Emma Denny telephone number 01263 516010 and email: emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk

1. Introduction

The Scrutiny Update report is a standing item on all Overview and Scrutiny

Committee agendas. The report updates Members on progress made with topics on its agreed work programme and provides additional information which Members may have requested at a previous meeting.

2. Progress on topics since the last meeting

2.1 North Norfolk Transport Task & Finish Group

At the last meeting the Chairman asked whether the North Norfolk Transport

Task and Finish Group had met yet. They met on 10 December 2012. An officer from the County Council and a representative from the Norfolk

Community Transport Association (NCTA) were in attendance but unfortunately three Members were unable to make it due to illness and other commitments. The Community Projects Manager, John Mullen is in the process of organising another meeting to consider proposals from the NCTA to take on the management of the financial support for North Norfolk’s community transport initiatives – including assessing grant applications and monitoring how the grants are spent. It is anticipated that a report will be prepared for Cabinet at some point that will look at the future transport agenda and include the NCTA proposal. The draft minutes from the first

14

Overview and Scrutiny Committee 20 February 2013 meeting are attached at Appendix A. I have agreed with Rob Young that all the minutes from this Group will come to Scrutiny so that the Committee can stay informed of any progress.

2.2 Mobile phone coverage

The information from Members regarding mobile phone hotspots (attached at

Appendix B) has been forwarded to the County Council. The Scrutiny

Support Manager, Keith Cogdell says that he will copy any outcomes to me but has warned that it is likely to be a protracted process. He has forwarded the comments regarding lack of mobile phone coverage along the coast to Dr

Marie Strong, the NCC Member for Wells, who is a member of the working group and who has been very active on the issue of flood warnings.

.

2.3 Big Society Fund Review Panel

The Panel will comprise Trevor Ivory, Tom FitzPatrick, Norman Smith and

Glyn Williams. It is anticipated that a meeting will be arranged soon. However, to allow enough time for the Group to meet and report back to Cabinet, the report will now go to April Cabinet and come to Scrutiny in May.

3. Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

A summary of the outcomes and actions of the Norfolk Health Overview and

Scrutiny Committee (NHOSC) is attached at Appendix C . Members will see that item 7 refers to a ‘proposed Norfolk and Suffolk joint scrutiny committee on radical redesign of mental health services’. I have now received further information on this from Maureen Orr, Scrutiny Support Manager for Health:

‘The joint committee will receive Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's proposed Strategy 2012/13 - 2015/16, which involves radical changes to services, as it stands when the results of the trust's staff consultation have been taken into account.

The first meeting will be at 2.00pm on 11 Feb at County Hall, Norwich, and the joint committee will conclude before the lead-in period to the County

Council elections. The Norfolk members are John Bracey, Michael Chenery of Horsbrugh, David Harrison, Robert Kybird and Dr Nigel Legg. We are working on a press release about the first meeting and the agenda will be published on our website a week in advance’. Annie Claussen-Reynolds is a substitute on this committee.

4. Disposal of Affordable Dwellings

Members may recall that John Archibald, Chief Executive of the Victory

Housing Trust gave a presentation to the Committee on 20 July 2011 on

‘Victory Housing’s Disposal Strategy’. A briefing paper for Members regarding changes to the way the Council intends to respond to future disposals is attached at Appendix D for your information.

This will also be published in the Members’ Bulletin.

15

Overview and Scrutiny Committee 20 February 2013

5. Changes to the Work Programme and Future Topics

The Annual Equalities Report will now come to the March meeting of the

Committee as Kate Sullivan needs a little more time to collate the information .

The Annual Action Plan for 2013/14 will also be coming to the Committee in

March, following its presentation to Cabinet.

16

Appendix A

North Norfolk Transport Task & Finish Group

Monday, 10th December at 9:30 am, Room 1- NNDC

Present: Cllr Tom Fitzpatrick Leader NNDC (acting) (Chairman)

Rob Young Coast & Community Partnership Manager

John Mullen

Louise Cornell

Nicky Stevenson

Sharon Garth

Community Projects Manager

Norfolk County Council

Norfolk Community Transport Association

Admin Support Coast & Community Partnerships

Apologies: Cllr McGoun, Cllr Reynolds and Cllr Gay

1. Cllr Fitzpatrick thanked those who had managed to make the meeting in particularly Louise Cornell and Nicky Stevenson from Norfolk County Council.

2. Apologies were received from Cllrs McGoun and Gay who were unable to attend due to illness, and Cllr Reynolds who was on holiday.

3.

4.

5.

Introductions were made round the table.

The proposed Agenda item to agree the Terms of Reference for the

Group will be deferred to the next meeting.

Rob Young explained that he had previously met with Nicky Stevenson and Louise Cornell to discuss ways in which Norfolk Community Transport

Association (NCTA) and the District Council, as a community transport grant provider, could work together to develop a more integrated approach to community transport funding in North Norfolk, which would be mutually beneficial.

6. As a result of the meeting between Rob Young and NCTA. NCTA had drafted a paper for discussion which proposed that NCTA take on the management of the financial support for North Norfolk’s community transport initiatives, including assessing applications, monitoring how the grant is spent and measuring its impact. The proposal also outlines the mutual benefits for NNDC, NCTA,

Community Transport Operators (CTO’s) and the Community, management costs and timescales.

The Chair said it was an interesting proposal but the Transport Task & Finish

Group had a wider remit than merely community transport, and it’s consideration of the issues had only just begun. He did, however appreciate the predicament of the CTO’s and the urgency of securing funding for the next financial year and therefore suggested that this proposal be pursued, subject to the agreement of the Group. John Mullen would prepare a report for Cabinet on the funding of community transport (and circulate this amongst members of the group), whilst reviewing the future transport agenda for the Group.

Louise Cornell offered NCC’s support to the work of the Group and said she would be prepared to give a presentation on the work which County are undertaking regarding both Public & Community transport in North Norfolk, including the mapping of provision of services against needs.

7. Dates for future meetings would be circulated.

17

Mobile phone blackspots

Titchwell to Wells

Egmere to Branthill

Blakeney

Upper Kelling

Fring

Bintree to Lenwade

Sculthorpe Road, Fakenham

Corpusty to Edgefield

Hindolveston to Fulmodeston

Little Snoring, Thursford and Bale

Colkirk

A140 Norwich, Southern Bypass

Saxthorpe, Blickling and Aylsham

Horstead Quarry

Norwich to North Walsham (Worstead area)

Docking to Wicken Green

Bawdeswell

Letheringsett

Great Ryburgh

Sheringham

Walcott

Warham, Binham & Hindringham (Vodaphone reception is better)

Overstrand

North Walsham – Orange particularly poor reception

Sheringham

18

Appendix B

Thursford and Great Snoring.

Appendix B

19

Appendix C

Outcomes and Actions

Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

17 January 2013

Agenda

Item

Number

5.

6.

Report Title Outcomes and Actions

Chairman’s announcements The Committee’s congratulations to be sent to David Prior, Chairman of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on his appointment as Chairman of the Care Quality Commission

Access to hospital for non emergency treatment

Statistical information for Great Yarmouth and Waveney and the rest of Norfolk to be sent to Maureen Orr for inclusion in the NHOSC

Briefing:-

•

The number people who receive the patient transport service

•

The number of people who used to receive the service before the eligibility criteria began to be consistently applied in 2011 (in the

NHS Norfolk area)

•

The number of appeals against the eligibility assessment decision

•

The number of appeals that are successful / not successful

•

The number of medical appointments that are missed because patients are not eligible for NHS transport

The Committee also requested a copy of the current patient information leaflet and the new information leaflet (when it is available).

Action By Whom

Maureen Orr

Lyn Reynolds

Gail Thurston

Helen Izatt

Tessa Litherland

20

Appendix C

7.

8.

Proposed Norfolk and Suffolk joint scrutiny committee on radical redesign of mental health services

Wheelchair provision by the

NHS

NHOSC made the following suggestions regarding the terms of reference for the joint committee:-

•

That the quorum should be 4 members, 2 from each of the participating authorities.

•

That the joint committee should examine the reasons for the different approaches to mental health services proposed for Norfolk and Suffolk

•

That meetings could be held at venues in Norfolk or Suffolk

The Committee made the following nominations to the joint committee and delegated authority to the Chairman to change nominations if

Suffolk does waive the requirement for political proportionality:-

Members

John Bracey

Michael Chenery of

Horsbrugh

David Harrison

Robert Kybird

Dr Nigel Legg

Substitutes

Jenny Chamberlin

Annie Claussen-

Reynolds

The Committee requested written confirmation of the statistical information provided at the meeting to be included in the NHOSC

Briefing:-

•

Number of wheelchairs currently provided to clients, categorised by age band and the types of chairs provided

•

Any benchmarking data comparing Norfolk’s services to others outside the county.

Maureen Orr

Tessa Litherland

Kimi Prosser

Richard Goodhew

21

Appendix C

The commissioners and service providers to bring a follow-up report to

NHOSC in 9 months time (i.e. 10 October 2013 meeting). The

Committee will be interested in:-

•

how the service is commissioned and managed after April 2013, when the Clinical Commissioning Groups take formal responsibility

•

how the points raised by Family Voice regarding information, choice, involvement and consistency have been addressed by commissioners and providers

•

statistical and other information on how the service is operating

(i.e. volume of clients, waiting times, client satisfaction)

9. Forward work programme The Committee agreed the proposed forward work programme

Copied to:-

Chairman of Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (NHOSC)

District Council Members of NHOSC

Member Support Officer - Christine Byles

NHS Norfolk and Waveney

Norfolk LINk

Maureen Orr

22

Appendix D

Disposal of Affordable Dwellings – Supporting new delivery of affordable housing.

This note outlines a change in the way the Council will respond to Housing

Association property disposals.

The Homes and Communities Agency is the main provider of public subsidy to support the provision of affordable housing. The 2011-15 funding programme provided by the Homes and Communities Agency reduced the amount of grant funding available for each affordable home on the basis that

Housing Associations would provide additional support for the delivery of affordable housing by charging a higher rent (the new Affordable Rent which is up to 80% of local market rents) and by disposing of some existing affordable housing.

This has had an impact on North Norfolk as Victory Housing Trust and Orbit

East (Housing Association) were successful in attracting Homes and

Communities funding up to March 2015 and both associations need to dispose of properties to support their development programmes. Victory

Housing Trust’s programme relies on the disposal of 100 existing affordable dwellings in North Norfolk. Orbit East have not set a figure for the number of disposals of properties which become empty in North Norfolk, but it will be considerably less to reflect a programme of new delivery which is across a number of counties.

Victory Housing Trust and Orbit East have consulted the Council on properties which are to be considered for disposal. Whilst the majority of

Victory Housing Trust potential disposals have been vacant properties, in some limited cases occupied properties have been considered where there are extensive costs associated with improving the property or there are issues of poor thermal comfort / or issues of fuel poverty. Not all the properties considered for disposal have been disposed of and many have been relet.

In the past the Council has notified the local member and asked for their comments when we have been notified that a property is being considered for disposal. Where a Member provides consent for their comments to be passed to the Housing Association these have been forwarded with any comments on the potential disposal identified by officers.

As the number of potential disposals has increased rapidly in recent months and will remain high the Council is no longer able to resource a response to individual disposals and will consequently not consult the local Member.

Instead, Members will be notified when Victory or Orbit make the decision to dispose of a property in their ward.

The Council has advised Victory Housing Trust whilst it is no longer responding to individual requests for comments on potential disposals that it would have an objection to the disposal of 1 and 2 bed properties and also properties with 4 or more bedrooms and properties which have had extensive adaptations carried out or which have been provided as wheelchair standard

23

Appendix D bungalows. No objection would be made to the disposal of 3 bedroom properties other than in specific and limited circumstances (for example ex warden accommodation because of the impact on any future ability to remodel or redevelop these schemes and the impact on residents if there is an occupier of the property once sold who causes anti-social behaviour.

The number of properties disposed of and their location and the size and type of property will however, be monitored.

If you have any queries about this matter, please contact Nicola Turner,

Housing Team Leader – Strategy on extension 6222.

24

Appendix E

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME

2012/2013

GUIDANCE FOR REVIEWING THE WORK PROGRAMME

In setting future Scrutiny topics, the Committee is asked to: a) Demonstrate the value any investigation would have to the Council’s Community

Leadership Role. b) Consider the relationship any future topic may have with the work of the Cabinet’s Work

Programme and the Council’s Corporate Plan c) Be mindful of the public’s priorities. d) Provide reasons for the investigation (so that Officers/Witnesses can assist Members to reach an outcome). e) Consider the outcomes required before commencing an investigation. f) Balance the need for new topics with existing items on the Scrutiny Work Programme. g) Consider whether it would be helpful to time limit investigations or break down some topics into smaller areas. h) Provide sufficient notice, where possible, in order that the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the subject, Officers and outside witnesses/attendees can fully assist the

Committee.

Date of

Meeting

Topic Organisation/

Officer/

Responsible

Portfolio Holder

Links with

Corporate Plan

Notes

Feb 20

2013

Environmental

Sustainability

Update

John Lee/Peter

Lumb

Delivering the

Vision E

Annual update

Delivering the

Vision E

Cyclical

Monitoring

Period 9

Sly/Wyndham

Northam

Management Thomas/Tom

FitzPatrick

Delivering the

Vision A - E

Budget and

Projections for

2014/15 to

2016/17

Sly/Wyndham

Northam

Delivering the

Vision E

Cyclical

Strategy

2013/14

Delivering the

Vision E

March 20

2013

Budget

Monitoring

Period 10 (Jan –

March)

Brown/Wyndham

Northam

Karen

Sly/Wyndham

Northam

Delivering the

Vision E

Cyclical

25

Date of

Meeting


Officer/

Responsible


Health Angie Fitch-

Update Tillett/Sonia

Shuter

Links with

Corporate Plan

All

Notes

6 monthly update

Annual report

Report

Plan 2013/14

May 2013 Car Park

Charges

Rhodri Oliver/

Duncan Ellis

Delivering the

Vision

Delivering the

Vision E

Localism Review of the

Big Society

Fund

Rob Young/

Trevor Ivory

Renewal Policy Ivory

Management

June 2013 Complaints,

Compliments and

Suggestions

Thomas/Tom

FitzPatrick

Tom

FitzPatrick/Estelle

Packham

Delivering the

Vision A - E

Delivering the

Vision B

Delivering the

Vision A - E Final Accounts

2011/12

Wyndham

Northam

Performance

Management –

Annual report

RIPA/ Nick Baker/John

Surveillance Lee

Sept 25

2012

Future of the

Happisburgh

Steps

Brian Farrow /

Angie Fitch-Tillett

Review requested by

Members

Quarterly update

Annual

Annual

Coast,

Countryside and

Built Heritage A

Coast,

Countryside and

Built Heritage

Delivering the

Vision E

Annual

Request by Coastal

Management Board

(Nov.12)

Cyclical Budget

Monitoring

Period 4 (April –

July)

Karen Sly/

Wyndham

Northam

26

Date of

Meeting


Officer/

Responsible


Links with

Corporate Plan

Beach Access

Steps

Monitoring

Report

Jan 2014 Update Housing

Allocations

Scheme (tbc)

Update Empty

Homes Policy

(tbc)

Tillett/Brian

Farrow

Trevor Ivory /

Nicola Turner

Trevor Ivory/

Nicola Turner

TBA Customer Tom

Access Strategy FitzPatrick/Estelle

Packham

Item on

All

Scrutiny agendas

Tom FitzPatrick/

Scrutiny Officer

Scrutiny

Committee

Work

Programme

Coast,

Countryside and

Built Heritage C

Delivering the

Vision B

Notes

Undertaking to monitor made to Cabinet on

10 September 2012 – request by Coastal

Management Board to consider in June 2013

27

Appendix F

Working Style of the Scrutiny Committee

Independence

Members of the Scrutiny Committee will not be subject to whipping arrangements by party groups.

Member leadership

Members of the Committee will take the lead in selecting topics for scrutiny and in questioning witnesses. The Committee will expect members of Cabinet, rather than officers, to take the main responsibility for answering the Committee’s questions about topics, which relate mainly to the

Council’s activities.

A constructive atmosphere

Meetings of the Committee will be constructive, and not judgmental, accepting that effective scrutiny is best achieved through challenging and constructive enquiry. People giving evidence at the Committee should not feel under attack.

Respect and trust

Meetings will be conducted in a spirit of mutual respect and trust.

Openness and transparency

The Committee’s business will be open and transparent, except where there are sound reasons for protecting confidentiality. In particular, the minutes of the Committee’s meetings will explain the discussion and debate in a balanced style, so that they could be understood by those who were not present.

Consensus

Members of the Committee will work together and, while recognizing political allegiances, will attempt to achieve consensus and agreed recommendations.

Impartial and independent officer advice

Officers who advise and support the Committee will give impartial and independent advice, recognizing the importance of the Scrutiny Committee in the Council’s arrangements for governance, as set out in its Constitution.

Regular review

There will be regular reviews of how the scrutiny process is working, and a willingness to change if it is not working well.

Programming and planning

The Committee will agree the topics to be included in its published work programme and the extent of the investigation to be undertaken in relation to resources, and the witnesses to be invited to give evidence.

Managing time

The Committee will attempt to conclude the business of each meeting in reasonable time. The order of business will be arranged as far as possible to minimize the demands on the time of witnesses.

28

26

Scrutiny February 2013

Agenda Item No____12_________

UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY

Summary:

Conclusions:

This report updates members on the completed and proposed future work under the environmental sustainability strategy.

Good progress has been made on all activities to date, outlined in section two. The Council’s carbon footprint is 7.7% lower than it was in 2008-9, with head office electricity costs reduced by around £22,000. Water costs are now being identified with a view to making efficiencies.


A refresh of the Council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy is appended for comment.

Recommendations: That members note the contents of the report.

That members note the Environmental Sustainability Strategy

2013-15.

That future updates to Overview & Scrutiny are on a 12-monthly basis instead of a 6-monthly basis.


Current and future proposed projects are concerned with helping local businesses and the community reduce CO

2

emissions and energy costs. The Sustainability Assistant successfully bid for

£18.5k of funding to set up a Collective Energy Switching scheme and to expand the ‘Energy Box’ trial scheme to all Town and Parish Councils in the district. Developments and opportunities under the national Green Deal and ECO schemes will continue to be monitored.

29

Scrutiny

Cabinet member(s):

John Lee

Contact Officer, telephone number, and e-mail:

Ward(s) affected:

All

February 2013

Peter Lumb, Sustainability Assistant, 01263 516331,

Peter.lumb@north-norfolk.gov.uk

1. Introduction

1.1. Background

This is the latest biannual report requested by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to provide an update on the work of the Sustainability Team.

1.2. Note on changes to Sustainability Team

In September, the Sustainability Coordinator (Helen Dixon) left the Council for a new post. The Sustainability Assistant (Peter Lumb) is now acting as sole contact for matters relating to Environmental Sustainability. The Sustainability Assistant is no longer part of

Environmental Health and now sits in the Planning Policy team under Mark Ashwell, as part of the new ‘Economic and Community Development’ Section headed by Jill Fisher.

2. Action since last update

2.1. Carbon Management Plan

The Council’s Carbon Management Plan sets out a target for the Council to reduce its

CO

2

emissions by 33% (from a 2008-9 baseline) by 2014. The plan aims to insulate the

Council against energy price rises by implementing a series of projects, each of which was identified by a comprehensive assessment in 2009 of the energy use associated with the Council’s operations and assets. Approximately 30 projects were identified to be carried out over the 5 year period 2009-14, and the majority of these have already been carried out. Notable projects were:

•

Voltage optimisation in the Council and leisure centres.

•

Variable Speed Drives in the leisure centres.

•

Staff Energy Campaign in the Cromer office.

•

ICT virtualisation in Cromer.

•

Evaporative cooling (‘free cooling’) at Cromer and Fakenham.

These and other projects have contributed to a reduction in CO

2

emissions since 2008/9 of 7.7%, or 302 tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to saving the combustion of 114,000 litres of diesel a year, or consuming 6.5 million fewer kWh of electricity a year. In addition, our head office electricity consumption is down by nearly a third (32%) from

2008 to 2012, saving around £22,000 per year on our head office electricity bills. At present it is not expected that the full 33% target will be met, due to some identified projects having been found to be technically unfeasible and due to insufficient additional projects having been identified.

30

Scrutiny

2.2. National

2

Emissions Reporting

February 2013

On 13 April 2011 the Government wrote to all local authority chief executives regarding the pivotal role expected of local authorities in reducing carbon emissions. One of the requests is that councils measure and report on their carbon emissions using the joint

DECC-Defra national reporting requirements, by the end of July each year. In June

2012 we submitted NNDC’s carbon emissions for the year 2011-12, which are also publically available on our website. In line with the figures reported as part of the

Carbon Management Plan (above), the figures showed our largest annual reduction to date, of around 5% on the previous year.

Financial Year GHG emissions as reported under

DECC-Defra system (tonnes)

2008-9 3,894

% reduction from baseline

(cumulative)

Baseline

2009-10

2010-11

3,783

3,781

2.9%

3.0%

2011-12 3,592 7.7%

The Sustainability Assistant will continue measuring progress of our carbon management initiatives using the above format and to continue publicly reporting on this.

The ‘Green Deal’, which was brought into being by the 2010 Energy Bill, is intended to revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties. The Government is establishing a framework to enable private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost, and to recoup payments through a charge in instalments on the energy bill. The Sustainability

Assistant has prepared a detailed briefing note on the Green Deal and is exploring potential ways to become involved in the scheme. At present it is anticipated that North

Norfolk will be involved in a promotional/advocating role however there may be the opportunity for partnership working in the future. Local Green Deal suppliers will be encouraged to exhibit at Greenbuild 2013.

This year’s winners of the John Sweeney Award for Environmental Excellence were:

Joint winner: Mundesley Scout Hut - a community facility built with energy and sustainability a foremost consideration, including high levels of insulation, two air source heat pumps and a photovoltaic array.

Joint winner: Roots and Shoots project – A project based at Holt Hall, which involved engaging small groups of schoolchildren in a range of outdoor and environmental activities such as gardening, arts & crafts and conservation work.

Runner-up: Pigney’s Wood, North Walsham;

Runner-up: 'The Patch' Sheringham,

31


Runner-up: ‘Allsorts’ shop, North Walsham

Runner-up: Holt Hall volunteer grounds maintenance project.

The 2013 Environment Awards will run in a similar format to the 2012 awards. Entry will be open from early 2013 with a deadline for entries of early June. The Sustainability

Assistant can be contacted by any environmental projects in the district for an informal discussion on entering the awards.

Greenbuild, which is organised jointly between the Sustainability Team and

Environmental Health, again returned to Felbrigg Hall on 8 and 9 September 2012. The region's biggest 'green lifestyles' event was another huge success with around 6,000 visitors passing through the gate.

With a record 95 businesses exhibiting this year, visitors had plenty to keep them occupied and interested. Since the event the renewable energy companies who exhibited have informed us that their diaries are busy with appointments from interested customers and complimented NNDC on not only being the sole local authority in the country to run such an event but also that the emphasis was on local companies & produce. We also receive numerous compliments from visitors to Greenbuild letting us know how much they enjoyed their visit, how informative the exhibitors were and what helpful and friendly staff NNDC has.

2.6. Community fuel poverty and energy projects

The Stay Warm & Cosy scheme which was initiated jointly by the Sustainability Team and Housing Team earlier in 2012 continues to provide energy advice and signposting to sources of funding for residents in the district, with a focus on vulnerable residents.

The Sustainability Team has also worked with the Housing Team to promote ‘Parish

Energy Events’, of which several have been held during 2012. Parish contacts have been encouraged to hold these events to provide advice to residents on energy issues.

Housing and Sustainability officers have attended the events to give presentations on saving money on energy bills, and to raise awareness of the schemes available to residents to fund energy improvements to homes and save money on energy bills. The

Sustainability Assistant also attended the ‘Glad About the Glaven’ event at Holt Hall in

October to provide energy and water efficiency advice to local residents.

The ‘Energy Box’ scheme was also launched as a pilot project in Fulmodeston in the summer of 2012, with contacts within the parish assisting in production of the box, which comprises a folder of information and advice on energy, fuel poverty and renewables. The idea of the box, which also contains a home energy monitor device, is to provide a source of information in a convenient local venue, which can be borrowed by local residents and is particularly useful for residents without access to the internet.

The Energy Box scheme was ‘launched’ at Greenbuild at an event for community representatives, where it was well received. To date, limited funding and resources have meant the scheme has not been able to spread district-wide, however the DECC bid mentioned in section 2.10 has provided funding to fully launch the scheme in the district.

2.7. Anglian Water baselining project

32


Following the success of the Carbon Management Plan in cutting the Council’s expenditure on energy, a project to identify and reduce water-associated costs was initiated in October 2012, working with Anglian Water. The project is now well underway, with Anglian Water having reviewed 70 of NNDC’s water-using sites, in order to check that the correct tariffs are being charged, to baseline all of the sites to identify sites with particularly high or unexpected consumption levels. Several sites identified as being anomalous or high consumption are to be visited by an auditor in February 2013, following which an ‘action plan’ will be produced for the Council, which will identify opportunities for cost effective savings which can be made at the sites. Potential savings of over £9,000 have already been identified through this project.

2.8. RevActive business resource efficiency support project

Following on from the proposal which was approved under the previous Sustainability update to Overview & Scrutiny, a business ‘resource efficiency’ project was initiated in the summer of 2012, and is currently ongoing. ‘RevActive’, an organization based at

South Norfolk Council, are running the project with North Norfolk providing support by providing funding and publicizing the scheme within the district. According to the latest update from RevActive, to date the project has engaged 46 businesses, with 12 having received an auditing visit resulting in an action plan. The action plans have identified

£54,523 of savings and CO

2

savings of 169 tonnes. Four companies engaged through the scheme have been offered grants for carbon reduction initiatives, which have the potential to deliver £113,907 of cost reductions.

2.9. Development Management consultation

The Sustainability Assistant has continued to provide advice to planning agents and

Development Control Officers regarding compliance with Core Strategy policy EN6

(Sustainable Construction and Energy Efficiency) and EN7 (Renewable Energy). 250

Development Control consultations were responded to in 2012. In addition, the

Sustainability Assistant continues to input into pre-application discussions for allocated sites and major development pre-applications, and to provide input into condition discharges for EN6 and EN7-related conditions.

We have noticed a marked decrease in the number of applications for renewable technologies compared to 2011; this is expected to be as a result of fewer householder applications, due to reductions in the Government’s Feed in Tariff incentive. The figures do not, however, show the size of renewable installations proposed under each planning application. Therefore the reduction in numbers may not necessarily correlate to a fall in additional renewable generation capacity in the district, in particular as a number of recent large-scale applications have been submitted.

Year Solar panels Heat pumps Other Total

2009

2010

2011

2012 (up to

Nov)

Wind turbines

9

6

18

16

5

11

79

28

0

3

12

5

0

1

4

6

14

20

109

49

33


2.10. Collective Energy Switching

Collective energy switching occurs when a group of people band together to negotiate a better deal with their gas and electricity suppliers. A third party (e.g. a Local Authority) can set up such a group with the help of a ‘specialist switching partner’ and then negotiate a better tariff on behalf of the consumers they represent.

In November the Sustainability Assistant submitted a bid to the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to initiate a Collective Energy Switching scheme in North

Norfolk, with additional funding requested as part of this proposal to be used to expand the ‘Energy Box’ (see section 2.6) to all Town & Parishes in the district. The bid was one of only 31 successful bids out of 114 nationally, meaning that NNDC has £18.5k of funding to deliver the schemes. A supplier for the Collective Switching scheme is being jointly procured along with 5 other Councils in Norfolk, and it is intended to use a partnership approach to run a Norfolk-wide scheme, in order to generate efficiencies in the costs of publicity etc. The scheme has already generated significant media interest.

2.11. Environmental Sustainability Board

Following the departure of the Sustainability Coordinator, regular meetings of the board are no longer taking place, however the Sustainability Assistant will continue to update the members of the board prior to updates to Overview & Scrutiny, as well as on an adhoc basis when required, in consultation with the relevant Corporate Director.

2.12. Environmental Sustainability Strategy Review

The Council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy was due for review by April 2012 however the approval of the new strategy was delayed following the departure of the

Sustainability Coordinator. It is intended to report a new draft strategy to Cabinet for approval. A draft of the strategy is appended for comment.

3. Risks and Implications

All projects have existing funding allocated to them. Any actions requiring significant additional funds would be proposed to members through the growth-bid process in the usual way.

External sources of funding will be used where possible for additional Sustainability project work. A Local Area Grant which provided £20k of annual funding up to

2012/2013 is funding the RevActive project (section 2.8). £18.5k of funding from DECC

(section 2.10) will fund the launch of two further projects up to March 2013.

3.2. Reputational

Implementation of the actions in this report will help the Council become a community leader and exemplar in the area of environmental sustainability. The actions already undertaken have achieved significant and beneficial media coverage for the Council.

3.3. Equality and Diversity

34


Projects aimed at addressing fuel poverty and disseminating domestic energy advice

(section 2.5, 2.6 and 2.10) may help to reduce health inequalities in the District.

4. Conclusion

Good progress has been made on all activities to date, outlined in section two. The

Council’s carbon footprint is 7.7% lower than it was in 2008-9, with head office electricity costs reduced by around £22,000. Water costs are now being identified with a view to making efficiencies.



Current and future proposed projects are concerned with helping local businesses and the community reducing CO

2

emissions and energy costs. A Collective Energy

Switching scheme is being set up in the district, and developments and opportunities under the national Green Deal and ECO schemes will continue to be monitored.

A draft refresh of the Council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy is appended.

5. Recommendations

That members note the contents of the report.

That members note the Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2013-15.

That future updates to Overview & Scrutiny are on a 12-monthly basis instead of a 6monthly basis.

35

Environmental Sustainability Strategy

April 2013 – March 2015

Foreword

In North Norfolk we are fortunate to enjoy a high quality environment, however the Council recognises that social and economic activities can have a negative impact on the quality of this environment, both at a local and global scale. The challenge that we face is therefore to provide a sustainable balance between protecting and enhancing our environment and maintaining our social and economic development. Equally, however, environmental challenges provide opportunities for the District, for instance through the chance for North Norfolk to become a centre of best practice for renewable energy development.

In resource constrained times, the Council can also benefit from reducing its own corporate environmental impact. For instance, the Council’s Carbon

Management Plan ensured a reduction in our use of energy which will help to minimise the impact of future cost increases for the Council. In this way the environmental aims of the Council directly contribute to its efficiency agenda.

As portfolio holder I believe it is essential for the Council to promote good practice and encourage business and the community to be sustainable. Many of the initiatives in this strategy are now mainstreamed into the Council’s service delivery, and help to deliver other corporate objectives such as promoting green business, and addressing fuel poverty and health issues. However, the successful implementation of these actions will also require the participation of other organisations and everyone in the community; we should work together to safeguard our environment now, and for future generations.

Councillor John Lee

Portfolio Holder – Environment

Deputy Leader of North Norfolk District Council

1

36

Contents

Foreword...............................................................................................................1

Introduction ...........................................................................................................3

NNDC’s Environmental Policy...............................................................................1

Achievements .......................................................................................................4

Context .................................................................................................................5

The Corporate Plan .......................................................................................5

Regional Priorities..........................................................................................6

National Priorities...........................................................................................6

Global Issues .................................................................................................6

Core Aims .............................................................................................................7

37

2

Introduction

This strategy sets out the key activities the Council will take to forward its

Environmental Policy (below). It reviews the successes achieved to date, and sets out a range of activities under three ‘core aims’.

NNDC’s Environmental Policy

North Norfolk District Council recognises that its operations have an impact on the environment and is committed to minimising its adverse environmental impacts through taking action in a number of key areas. We will:

1. Embed sustainable procurement principles in all council procurement decisions.

2. Reduce the use of energy and resources, and therefore CO

2

emissions, from council operations and the district as a whole.

3. Reduce the council’s CO

2

emissions generated through business mileage, and encourage initiatives to reduce car travel in the District.

4. Provide information and support to our residents and businesses in order to enable them to reduce their own environmental impact.

5. Protect and enhance the bio and geo diversity of the district.

6. Ensure we have considered and planned for the future impacts of climate change.

7. Comply with all relevant environmental legislation.

The Council will encourage and enable all its employees to do what they can to translate this policy into practice. We want to set a good example to other organisations and to our residents. The Council will integrate this care for the environment into all areas of Council activity and into all policies, strategies and decisions. The Council will achieve these commitments through implementation of the actions contained in the Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

3

38

Achievements

North Norfolk District Council began implementing its Environmental Policy in

2008, through the actions in the Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2008-12 .

By looking at challenges and opportunities relating to safeguarding North

Norfolk’s environment and addressing global issues such as resource over-use and climate change, the strategy achieved many positive results, including:

•

Organising the annual Green Build event to educate and inspire our residents on how to lead a greener lifestyle, and to promote the Low

Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services (LCEGS) sector. The event has attracted over 6,000 visitors every year for the last 3 years.

•

Reducing CO

2

emissions by 302 tonnes over three years. This is a

7.7% reduction and is equivalent to saving the combustion of 114,000 litres of diesel a year, or consuming 6.5 million fewer kWh of electricity a year. Carrying out projects such as Voltage Optimisation, Evaporative

Cooling and the Staff Energy Campaign helped to cut annual electricity consumption in our head office by nearly a third (32%), saving around

£22,000 per year on our electricity bills.

•

Successfully implementing a Green Travel Plan at our Cromer office which has led to a 10% reduction in single car journeys to work and increased cycling by 6%. 28 bikes have been loaned to staff through the salary sacrifice scheme, which as well as giving staff a cheap and healthy option for travel to work has saved the Council £2,000 in NI contributions.

•

Providing advice and responding to consultations for over 750 relevant planning applications, in order to implement Policy EN6 of our Core

Strategy which ensures new developments in the district are energy and resource efficient, and are adapted to future climate change.

•

Contributing to the production of a ‘Travel Plan’ for North Walsham

Station, the first one to be produced nationally for a station on a

Community Rail line, and providing technical input into the installation of renewable and low carbon technologies at the station.

•

Setting up the ‘Stay Warm and Cosy’ scheme to provide energy advice and signposting to sources of funding for residents in the district, with a focus on vulnerable residents.

•

Providing numerous events and resources for Town and Parish councils, including on allotments, community environmental funding, and energy issues.

•

Running the annual John Sweeney Award for Environmental Excellence, which has provided funding and recognition for grassroots environmental projects within the district for the last 18 years.

•

Introducing a requirement to consider sustainability issues in all committee reports, as well as a Sustainable Procurement Policy.

The Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2012-15 builds upon the work carried out in the previous strategy, seeks to further mainstream the activities and to make the most of new opportunities in North Norfolk for delivering sustainable development and promoting green business.

4

39

Context

The Corporate Plan

In addition to helping the Council adhere to the principles of its Environmental

Policy, the projects identified in the Environmental Sustainability Strategy link in with the Council’s Corporate Plan 2011 – 2015, including:

‘to reform the organisation to deliver high quality services that achieve our priorities in an efficient manner that represents good value for local

taxpayers’

The savings outlined through Carbon Management activities as well as other energy and resource efficiency projects contribute to this priority.

‘enable the provision of new homes and the infrastructure that goes with

them’

Advice is provided to developers of new homes in the district on how to comply

‘increasing the number of new businesses and supporting the growth and expansion of existing businesses’ with Core Strategy Policy EN6 Sustainable Construction and Energy Efficiency.

Participation in the RevActive resource efficiency project will help at least 21

SMEs identify cost savings and offer access to funding to implement them. We also previously provided resource efficiency support for 6 businesses in the district through a ‘Global Action Plan’ project, which also engaged local

‘work with Town and Parish Councils, local organisations and community and voluntary groups to improve health and wellbeing consistent with the

aims of the Health and Wellbeing board’ householders.

The introduction of the Stay Warm and Cosy scheme, the production of an

‘Energy Box’ for Town and Parish Councils, and the launch of Energy Events at

Parish meetings have helped to provide residents in the local community information and advice on energy and fuel poverty issues. We have also hosted

5

40

events for town and parish councils covering topics such as allotments and community energy schemes.

Regional Priorities

The Norfolk and Suffolk, or ‘New Anglia’ Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has identified renewable energy as a priority area for business growth, and has recently been awarded Green Economy Pathfinder status. This means New

Anglia will be national leader on promoting, showcasing and recommending green business development to government and businesses across the whole

UK. This will be an important element of demonstrating the balance between promoting economic development and protecting the environment. The District

Council is also planning to promote green business growth through a new partnership website, known as ‘North Norfolk Renewables’.

National Priorities

On a national scale, on 9 March 2011 Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the

Local Government Group that recognises the pivotal role that local councils have in tackling climate change. The MOU

1 outlines how the Dept. for Energy and

Climate Change (DECC) and the LG Group want to work together to help councils reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

•

on their own estate and operations;

•

in their areas within local council control and influence; and

•

through participating in national carbon reduction initiatives such as the

Green Deal and renewable energy deployment.

DECC has also requested that local councils measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions from their own estate and operations in accordance the with the joint DECC-Defra guidance that was published in September 2009 by the end of July each year, as one of the requirements on the single data list

2

, a catalogue of datasets that local government should submit to central government in a given year.

Global Issues

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing society today. With global emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO

2

growing markedly due to human activities, for instance an increase of 70% between 1970 and 2004 alone

3

, there is an associated increase in average global temperatures, as well as changes in other climatic processes such as the amount and distribution of

3

1

2

available at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/local/local.aspx

http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/tacklingburdens/singledatalist/

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007 http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_and_data_reports.shtml

6

41

rainfall, impacts such as sea level rise, as well as the potential for more frequent extreme weather events.

The challenge is to not only reduce these greenhouse gas emissions from the

District that are contributing to the problem, but to adapt to the climatic changes that are likely to occur in the future. The implications for the climate of North

Norfolk can be summarised as:

•

Hotter,

•

Warmer, winters

•

More extreme weather and rainfall events

•

Rising sea levels

As a low-lying area with a soft coastline and a growing and older population, the

District is therefore particularly vulnerable. The likely consequences of the changing climate such as increased coastal erosion, increased flooding, and water shortages will have serious implications for residents.

Core Aims

The Council will continue to play a leading role in encouraging and supporting environmentally sustainable development through its various functions as;

•

An estate manager (both buildings and land)

•

A service provider

•

As the Local Planning Authority

•

A regulator and enforcement body

•

A purchaser of goods and services

•

A community leader and advocate

•

A partner with other public and private bodies

• lobbyist.

The following core aims outline how the Council aims to achieve this for the period April 2013 to April 2015:

7

42

43

8

44

9

45

10

8 February 2013 Overview and Council Chamber

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.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

Mobile phone blackspots

Outcomes and Actions

Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

17 January 2013

Appendix E

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME

2012/2013

Appendix F

Environmental Sustainability Strategy

April 2013 – March 2015

Foreword

Contents

Introduction

Achievements

Context

Core Aims

Related documents

Products

Support

8 February 2013 Overview and Council Chamber

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.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

Mobile phone blackspots

Outcomes and Actions

Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

17 January 2013

Appendix E

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME

2012/2013

Appendix F

Environmental Sustainability Strategy

April 2013 – March 2015

Foreword

Contents

Introduction

Achievements

Context

Core Aims

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