Please Contact: Emma Denny
Please email: emma.denny@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Please Direct Dial on: 01263 516010
21 February 2014
A meeting of the Cabinet of North Norfolk District Council will be held in the Council
Chamber at the Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer on Monday 3rd March 2014 at 10am
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.
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 516010, Email: democraticservices@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Sheila Oxtoby
Chief Executive
To: Mr B Cabbell-Manners, Mr T FitzPatrick, Mrs A Fitch-Tillett, Mr T Ivory, Mr J Lee, Mr W
Northam, Mr R Oliver, Mr R Wright
All other Members of the Council for information.
Members of the Management Team, appropriate Officers, Press and Public.
If you have any special requirements in order
to attend this meeting, please let us know in advance
If you would like any document in large print, audio, Braille, alternative format
or in a different language please contact us
Chief Executive: Sheila Oxtoby
Corporate Directors: Nick Baker & Steve Blatch
Tel 01263 513811 Fax 01263 515042 Minicom 01263 516005
Email districtcouncil@north-norfolk.gov.uk Web site northnorfolk.org
AGENDA
1.
TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2.
MINUTES
(page 1)
To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 03
February 2014.
3.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
To receive questions from the public, if any.
4.
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.
5.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests that they may have in any of
the following items on the agenda. The Code of Conduct for Members requires that
declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a disclosable
pecuniary interest.
6.
CONSIDERATION OF ANY MATTER REFERRED TO THE CABINET BY THE
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL FOR
RECONSIDERATION
To consider matters referred to the Cabinet (whether by the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee or by the Council) for reconsideration by the Cabinet in accordance with
the provisions within the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules or the Budget and
Policy Framework Procedure Rules.
7.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE
To consider any reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which may be
presented by the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and
determination of any appropriate course of action on the issues so raised for report
back to that committee
8.
JOINT STAFF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
(page 7)
To receive the minutes of the Joint Staff Consultative Committee held on 25th
November 2013.
The following recommendation was made to cabinet at the meeting of the 10th
February 2014:
“That the current Living Wage rate of £7.65 per hour is paid as a minimum to staff on
NNDC payscales to supplement their basic rate of pay (where applicable) and that
this rate is reviewed annually by the Joint Staff Consultative Committee.”
9.
BIG SOCIETY FUND GRANTS PANEL
(page 10)
To receive the minutes of the meeting of the 23rd September 2013
10.
BUDGET MONITORING 2013/14 – PERIOD 10
(page 18)
(Appendix A – p.28) (Appendix B – p. 29) (Appendix C – p. 32) (Appendix D – p. 34)
Summary:
This report summarises the budget monitoring position
for the revenue account to the end of December 2013.
Options considered:
Not applicable
Conclusions:
The overall position at the end of period 10 shows a
forecast under spend of £169,455 for the current
financial year on the revenue account.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
Cabinet note the contents of the report and the
current budget monitoring position.
Reasons for
Recommendations:
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected
Contact Officer:
Telephone number
Email:
11.
To update Members on the current budget monitoring
position for the Council.
Cllr W Northam
All
Malcolm Fry
01263 516037
malcolm.fry@north-norfolk.gov.uk
S106 AGREEMENTS- AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVISIONS
(page 42)
Summary:
This report explains the potential for the Council to
acquire affordable housing as a result of current
provisions in Section 106 Agreements. Firstly the
Council could choose to accept the freehold and
unsold share of shared equity dwellings and secondly it
could choose to become the owner of affordable
housing to rent provided as part of fall back
arrangements triggered when there is no Registered
Provider able to take the affordable housing dwellings
in the scheme. The report discusses the implications
associated with each scenario and recommends that
we acquire the freehold and unsold share of shared
equity dwellings and accept free affordable dwellings
for rent when these are offered to the Council.
Options considered:
Option 1 – that the Council only accepts the freehold
and unsold share of shared equity dwellings where
there is no Registered Provider willing to take them.
Option 2 – to take as first preference the freehold and
unsold share of shared equity dwellings. Option 3 to
accept the offer of free affordable dwellings to rent.
Option 4 not to accept free affordable dwellings.
Conclusions:
Section 106 Agreements offer an opportunity for the
Council to acquire the freehold and unsold share of
shared equity dwellings provided as part of the
affordable housing requirement delivered on market
housing sites through Section 106 Agreements. Where
the leaseholder of a shared equity dwelling chooses to
buy out the unsold share, this would result in a capital
receipt for use in providing more affordable housing. In
addition the fallback arrangements in Section 106
Agreements could mean in some cases that the
Council could be offered the opportunity to acquire a
number of affordable dwellings for rent which would be
provided for free. This would result in the Council
becoming a landlord again. Acquiring such dwellings
has implications in terms of potentially opening a
Housing Revenue Account which will need to be
explored further.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1. The Council accepts the offer to take the
freehold and unsold equity of shared equity
dwellings when this is offered by developers.
(option 2 as set out in paragraph 4.2)
2. The Council accepts the offer to take free
affordable dwellings which are required to be
provided as a result of the trigger of fallback
arrangements in Section 106 Agreements.
(Option 3 as set out in paragraph 4.3)
Reasons for
Recommendations:
12.
The current requirements for affordable housing in
Section 106 Agreements requires the Council to have
an agreed approach as to whether it will accept the
offers made by developers for it to own affordable
housing. The provision of affordable housing across
the district is a Corporate Priority and accepting the
affordable dwellings which are offered to the Council
will enable the Council to be an active participant in the
delivery of affordable housing.
S157 AGREEMENTS ON FORMER COUNCIL HOMES
Summary:
(page 52)
Section 157 restrictions on former Council homes
across the district provides a pool of properties which
can only be sold to someone who has lived or had their
place of work in Norfolk for a period of 3 years prior to
the sale. The Council regularly receives requests from
purchasers wanting to buy a property subject to the
restriction who do not meet the required criteria to
purchase to remove or waive the restriction. This report
recommends the Council agrees an approach as to
when it will waive the restriction on a case by case basis
and recommends that such decisions are delegated to
the Housing Team Leader – Strategy.
Options considered:
13.
Option 1: Agree a policy which enables a flexible
approach to be taken in deciding when to allow a
purchaser who does not meet the Section157 criteria to
purchase a property subject to the restriction.
Option 2: Choose not to uphold the Section 157
restrictions. This option was not considered appropriate
as the properties subject to the Section 157 restriction
increases the range of properties available for sale at a
reasonable price, especially in the more pressured parts
of the district, which contributes to the achievement of
the Council’s Corporate Plan.
Conclusions:
The Section 157 Restriction on former Council homes
requires that properties which are subject to the
restriction are only sold to a purchaser who for the 3
years immediately prior to the purchase have had their
only or principal home or place of work in Norfolk. The
restriction creates a pool of properties which contribute
to the range of affordable tenures available across the
district. The Council must have a clear policy as to
when it will act flexibly and allow a purchaser who does
not meet the criteria through residence or place of work
to buy a property subject to the restriction.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1. The Council adopts the approach set out in this
report when considering whether to waive the
Section 157 restriction to allow a purchaser
who does not meet the terms of the restriction
to purchase a property subject to the
restriction.
2. Delegate to the Housing Team Leader –
Strategy, alongside the portfolio holder, the
ability to decide when to waive the Section 157
restriction.
Reasons for
Recommendations:
To support the Council’s Corporate Vision that
“everyone in North Norfolk should have the opportunity
to buy or rent a decent home at a price they can afford,
in a community where they want to live or work” by
ensuring that the properties with the Section 157
restriction remain available as an affordable housing
product.
NEW ANGLIA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC PLAN
Summary:
(page 57)
This report provides information about the formulation
of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s
Strategic Economic Plan (SEP). It provides a link to the
draft plan that was submitted to Government on 19 Dec
2013 and identifies the process intended for its final
adoption. The report also provides information on the
emerging Norfolk Growth Prospectus and on how these
strategic documents affect our own growth agenda.
Options considered:
The SEP is being prepared in collaboration between a
variety of local authorities and other agencies. The
route suggested in this report is considered to be the
most pragmatic in order to both influence the
document’s content and facilitate its timely submission.
An alternative would be to await the finalisation of the
plan prior to Cabinet approving it; however this cannot
occur in time for its submission to Government.
Conclusions:
The SEP is essentially a high level bidding document to
Government. It will be the principal vehicle for bringing
resources and investment to the LEP area. North
Norfolk (being quintessentially what is thought of as
rural
Norfolk)
obviously has
quite
different
characteristics from the urban parts of the LEP area;
however it also has the assets that can foster growth
not only to the benefit of this locality but the LEP area
as a whole. It is vital therefore that this potential is
recognised in the emerging strategic documents.
The document drafted thus far does highlight the
strategic growth issues and constraints for Norfolk and
Suffolk, and officers and members will continue to
ensure it includes the critical aspects of our own
economic growth potential.
Recommendations:
Cabinet is recommended to delegate authority to
the CEO in consultation with the Leader of the
Council and the Cabinet Member for Economic
Development to indicate the District Council’s
support for the submission version of the New
Anglia Strategic Economic Plan, subject to:
a. The retention of the Fakenham–Wells corridor
in the Plan as a location for investment in the
renewable energy and agri-tech sectors and
recognition of the infrastructure requirements
needed to help attract such investment to this
location
b. The inclusion in the Plan of an identified zone
encompassing the former Coltishall Airbase,
North Walsham, and Bacton Gas Terminal Site
as an area of significant growth potential in the
context of rural North-east Norfolk;
c. The recognition of the ‘care sector’ as a key
growth sector
d. Recognition of the important role played by the
Bittern Line as a key rural transport
infrastructure asset linking a large part of the
North Norfolk District to the national rail
network via Norwich.
Reasons for
Recommendations:
This recommendation is intended to help facilitate
the timely submission of the Plan to Government,
whilst ensuring the strategic growth potential of
North Norfolk district is recognised in the
substantive content of the Plan.
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected
Contact Officer:
Telephone number
Email:
14.
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2014/15
Summary:
Conclusions:
Recommendations:
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected
Contact Officer:
Telephone number
Email:
15.
Cllr R Wright
All
Robert Young
01263 516162
robert.young@north-norfolk.gov.uk
(page 64 )
(Appendix E – p.67) (Appendix F – p.75)
This report presents the Annual Action Plan for 2014-15
for approval
.
A rigorous development process has resulted in a
balanced and effective Annual Action Plan for 2014 -15
and associated performance indicators to deliver the
priorities and objectives as laid out in the Corporate Plan
2012-2015.
Cabinet is recommended to approve the Annual
Action Plan 2014-15 as set out in Appendix E and the
targets and recommendations for performance
indicators as set out in Appendix F..
All
All
Helen Thomas
01263 516214
helen.thomas@north-norfolk.gov.uk
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
To pass the following resolution:
“That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public
be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that
they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs _ of
Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”
16.
PRIVATE BUSINESS
Agenda Item 2__
CABINET
Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on Monday 03 February 2014 at the
Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 10.00am.
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett
Mr B Cabbell Manners
Mr T FitzPatrick
Members Present:
Mr R Oliver
Mr W Northam
Also attending:
Mrs S Arnold
Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds
Mrs H Cox
Mrs P Grove-Jones
Mr P W High
Mrs A Moore
Mr P W Moore
Officers in
Attendance:
85.
Ms B Palmer
Mr J Perry-Warnes
Mr R Reynolds
Mr R Shepherd
Mr B Smith
Mr N Smith
The Chief Executive, the Head of Finance, the Chief Accountant, the
Technical Accountant, the Head of Economic and Community
Development, the Growth and Communities Manager and the
Democratic Services Team Leader.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr T Ivory, Mr J Lee and Mr R Wright
86.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 02 December 2013 were confirmed as a correct
record and signed by the Chairman.
87.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
None received
88.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
None
89.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
90.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE
None
Cabinet
1
04 February 2014
1
91.
MEMBER DEVELOPMENT GROUP
The Leader informed Members that a recommendation had been made by the
Member Development Group regarding the terms of reference for the Group.
It was proposed by Mrs A Fitch-Tillett, seconded by Mr W Northam and
RESOLVED
To receive the minutes of the Member Development Group meeting held on 16
September 2013 and to approve the following recommendations:
i.
ii.
Representation on the Member Development Group to be on non- political lines
and should include Members and Officers.
The future role and objectives of the Member Development Group should
include:
a) the development and delivery of the agreed Development Programme
b) to support the delivery of a Human Resources Strategy and Workforce
Development Plan
c) to develop an Induction Programme for the new Council following Elections,
including the recruitment of candidates on a non- political basis.
d) to focus on appropriate development for members towards strengthening their
role externally in the community within North Norfolk, as well as internally with
regards to the corporate direction of the council.
92.
JOINT STAFF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
RESOLVED
To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Staff Consultative Committee held
on 09 September 2013
93.
BUDGET MONITORING 2013/14 – PERIOD 9
Mr W Northam, Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced this item. He explained that
the report summarised the budget monitoring position for the revenue account to the
end of December 2013. He advised members that this was the third consecutive
reported underspend. He went on to inform members that the costs of the tidal surge
of 5th December 2013 were still being assessed, with current estimate at £2.7m.
Several options for recovering some of the costs were being explored. Mr Northam
thanked the Leader, Mr T FitzPatrick for acting so promptly in pressing the case with
the Government for financial support.
Mr Northam then highlighted some of the service areas where there were savings
and additional income. He also drew members’ attention to the inclusion of a capital
budget for the Splash Roof Remedial works, which would be funded by a virement
from the underspends within the capital programme and a proposed external match
grant funding of £30,000.
Mr Northam concluded by saying that the revenue budget was showing an estimated
full year underspend for the current financial year of £163,455 and that it was
anticipated that the overall budget for the current year would be achieved.
Cabinet
2
04 February 2014
2
It was proposed by Mr W Northam, seconded by Mr R Oliver and
RESOLVED
1. To note the contents of the report and the current budget monitoring position.
2. To agree to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, to provide funding from the
Enabling Fund (of a sum not exceeding £24,000) to support the development of
both the design and business case for the future re-development of the Melton
Constable Goods Shed site and buildings.
To make the following recommendation to Council:
The updated budget as set out in section 5.1, Table 3 of the Budget Monitoring
Report.
Reason for the decision:
To ensure that Members are updated on the current budget monitoring position for
the Council.
94.
TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
Mr W Northam, Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced this item. He explained that
the report set out the details of the Council’s treasury management activities and
presented a strategy for prudent investment of the Council’s surplus funds. He
informed Members that regulatory changes were taking place in the UK, United
States and Europe that moved away from bank bail-outs to bank resolution regimes
in which shareholders, bond holders and unsecured creditors were ‘bailed in’ to
participate in the recovery process. In addition, there were also proposals for EU
regulatory reforms to Money Market Funds which would result in these funds moving
to a variable net asset value basis (VNAV) and losing their ‘triple A’ credit rating.
Consequently, in light of these developments, diversification of investments between
creditworthy counterparties to mitigate bail-in risk would become even more
important in the Council’s investment strategy.
It was proposed by Mr W Northam, seconded by Mr B Cabbell Manner and
RESOLVED to recommend to Council:
The Treasury Management Strategy Statement is approved.
Reason for the decision:
To ensure that the Council is provided with a flexible treasury strategy enabling it to
respond to changing market conditions and ensure the security of its funds.
95.
2014/15 BUDGET REPORT
Mr W Northam, Portfolio Holder for Finance, introduced this item. He explained that
the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) for 2014/15 had been
announced. Total funding (excluding the New Homes Bonus) was expected to
reduce by 13.3% in 2014/15 (compared to 2013/14) and then by a further 15.4% in
2015/16. Mr Northam said that the provisional settlement for supporting sparsely
populated areas for 2014/15 equated to £56,738 in each of the next two years.
Cabinet
3
04 February 2014
3
The provisional LGFS had announced that the Council Tax Freeze Grant would be
extended for both 2014/15 and 2015/16 and would be equivalent to a 1% increase in
council tax. Mr Northam confirmed that there would be no council tax increase for the
third year running.
The provisional LGFS included announcements on the New Homes Bonus (NHB) for
2014/15. The provisional allocation of NHB for 2014/15 for NNDC was £1,264,722.
This was based on the council tax data return submitted in October 2013 and
included additions of 172 and a reduction in empty properties of 325. Mr Northam
confirmed that 80% of the NHB would be taken into the base budget and 20% would
be placed into an earmarked reserve.
Mr Northam concluded by informing Members that the most significant impact of the
recent storm surge was in relation to the emergency repairs to assets and the coastal
assets and sea defences. Whilst various avenues were being pursued to try and
recover as much of the costs incurred as possible, in the meantime funding for these
costs would need to be allocated from NNDC reserves.
It was proposed by Mr W Northam, seconded by Mrs A Fitch-Tillett and
RESOLVED to recommend to Council:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
The 2014/15 revenue budget as outlined at Appendix E;
That the surplus of £533,425 be allocated to the
general reserve;
That the demand on the Collection Fund, subject to any
amendments as a result of final precepts still to be
received be:
a. £5,205,386 for District purposes
b. £1,599,741 (subject to confirmation of the final
precepts) for Parish/Town Precepts;
The statement of and movement on the reserves as
detailed at Appendix I;
The updated Capital Programme and financing for
2013/14 to 2016/17 as detailed at Appendix J;
The new capital bids as detailed at Appendix K;
The prudential indicators as included at Appendix L;
The approval of a three year arrangement for the
provision of Monitoring officer through NP Law as
detailed within section 5.3.4 of the report;
That members note the current financial projections for
the period 2015/16 to 2017/18.
Reasons for the decision:
To recommend a balanced budget for 2014/15 for approval by
Council on 26 February 2014.
96.
MANAGING PERFORMANCE Q3 2013/14
The Leader, Mr T FitzPatrick introduced this item. He acknowledged the good
progress that was being made and endorsed the actions being taken by management
where there were any areas of concern.
Cabinet
4
04 February 2014
4
It was proposed by Mr T FitzPatrick, seconded by Mr B Cabbell Manners and
RESOLVED
To note the report, welcome the progress being made and endorse the actions laid
out in Appendix M being taken by management where there were areas of concern.
Reason for the decision:
To ensure the objectives of the Council are achieved.
97.
NORTH LODGE PARK ASSET TRANSFER
The Portfolio Holder for Assets, Mr R Oliver introduced this item. He informed
members that there had been lengthy discussions with Cromer Town Council
regarding the future of North Lodge Park. Both parties agreed that an asset transfer
would provide the opportunity for Cromer Town Council to achieve long-term benefits
for the local community in line with local views regarding its future use. The transfer
would also lead to revenue savings for the District Council in the long-term.
Mr P W Moore wondered whether this would set a precedent for other towns across
the District to take over NNDC assets such as car parks. Mr R Oliver replied that
each proposal for an asset transfer would be considered on a case by case basis.
However, they would need to demonstrate that they could operate the asset more
effectively than the District Council. He reminded members of the recent transfer of
the Wells Tourist Information Centre to Wells Town Council.
It was proposed by Mr R Oliver, seconded by Mrs A Fitch-Tillett and
RESOLVED
1. To agree the principle of disposing of North lodge Park on a 99 year leasehold
basis as set out in this report;
2. To delegate authority to the Chief Executive (in consultation with the Cabinet
Members for Assets and for Localism & the Big Society) to settle the terms of, and
complete a lease of North Lodge Park to Cromer Town Council, including:
 extent of the asset
 use of the Park and any covenants and overage
 costs
3. To delegate authority to the Chief Executive (in consultation with the Cabinet
Members for Assets and for Localism & the Big Society) to make to Cromer Town
Council a Council grant not exceeding £150,000 to be funded from the 2nd homes
Council Tax reserve for community initiatives to cover the initial period of
ownership.
Reasons for the decision:
To provide the opportunity for Cromer Town Council to achieve the long-term benefits
of the Park for the local community and align control of the asset with local views
over its management and use. Also for NNDC to realise savings in the long-term over
the management and maintenance of North lodge Park
The Meeting closed at 10.23 am
Cabinet
5
04 February 2014
5
_______________
Chairman
Cabinet
6
04 February 2014
6
Agenda Item 2
JOINT STAFF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
Minutes of a meeting of the Joint Staff Consultative Committee held in the Committee
Room, Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer on 25 November 2013 at 2.30pm
Members Present:
Mrs S Arnold
Mr P High
Mr R Oliver (Chairman)
Mrs B McGoun
Mr N Smith
Mrs P Grove-Jones (sub)
Staff Side Present:
Mr S Case
Ms C Lowin-Green
Officers in Attendance:
Ms J Cooke, Head of Organisational Development
Mrs E Denny, Democratic Services Team Leader
Mrs S Oxtoby, Chief Executive
1.
TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Mr T FitzPatrick and Mr A Mitchell
2.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Joint Staff Consultative Committee held on 09
September 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
3.
BUDGET UPDATE
The Chairman suggested that this item was taken at the start of the meeting as the
Chief Executive had another commitment. He invited the Chief Executive to update
the Committee on the current financial situation.
The Chief Executive informed the Committee that the Financial Strategy for 2014/15
had recently been agreed by Council. It was anticipated that £1.6m of savings would
need to be made over the next 3 years. Several workstreams had been identified
where savings could be made but there was still £1m deficit. She went on to explain
that two service areas were undergoing a reorganisation – Economic Development
and Environmental Health. The focus was on changing the way the Council worked
rather than ceasing to do provide certain services. The reorganisation of the
Environmental Health team was looking to rationalise some of the team leader posts.
The vacant Environmental Sustainability Officer post would not be filled but there was
a possibility that Broadland District Council may be able to cover some of this
workload.
The Chief Executive then outlined several service areas where there were either
potential savings or possible income streams. For waste collection, the garden waste
scheme was likely to raise an additional £40,000 and the new waste recycling
scheme would bring in approximately £100,000 per year in income.
1
7
The recent decision to withdraw CCTV provision across the District would save a
considerable amount of money and the renegotiation of the Council’s leisure contract
would save approximately £100,000. Further savings in grants and contributions to
service level agreements meant that the budget was on track for 2014/15. It was for
2016/17 where a gap was forecast. Despite this, the Chief Executive said that she
remained confident that the Council was in a strong position financially. Income from
the New Homes Bonus (NHB) was up due to the reduction in empty homes.
However, she warned that the New Homes Bonus was likely to be reduced in future
and it was possible that there could be a knock-on effect on the general government
grant due to the increase from the NHB.
Mr R Oliver thanked the Chief Executive for her update. He said that the greatest
challenge would come in 2016/17. The administration had made considerable
savings already and had taken some very difficult decisions, leaving very few areas
to target. It was possible that the Council would have to rethink some of the
discretionary service that it currently provided – such as arts, leisure and public toilet
facilities.
Members were invited to ask questions:
1. Mrs S Arnold wondered whether the Council would be putting the future central
government grant in jeopardy if they were seen to be too efficient in making
savings. The Chief Executive said this was a possibility and this was why the
business transformation project was so important. By keeping up to date with
technology the Council would be able to work more efficiently and in innovative
ways. She went on to say that she had greater concerns about the County Council
and the cuts they were making to their service provision. Some of the most
vulnerable people in the district would be affected and this could have implications
for the District Council regarding homelessness and benefits.
2. Mrs B McGoun was concerned that the possibility of a unitary authority was still
hanging over the Council. She felt politics worked better at a local level. Mr R
Oliver agreed and said that the recent County Council election had demonstrated
that there was a lack of understanding about the role of the County Council.
3. Mr S Case asked whether there was an intention to increase council tax in line
with inflation. Mr Oliver replied that as long as government provided a grant to
keep council tax lower then there was no intention to increase it.
4. Mrs P Grove-Jones queried whether there were any services that the County
Council provided that the District Council could not. The Chief Executive replied
that there had been discussions recently around the co-location of services and
the possibility of looking at efficiencies jointly – where there was considerable
scope particularly around assets. Mrs Grove-Jones responded that she felt that a
lot of the services currently provided by the County Council could be distributed to
the district councils. The Chief Executive added that most of the County’s
spending was on social services and education, however, they were rethinking
their service provision and looking at a bottom-up approach with more operational
partnerships.
4.
JSCC UPDATE
Ms C Lowin-Green asked how many expressions of interest had been confirmed. The
Head of Organisational Development replied that there was nothing further to report
since the recent Chief Executive’s meeting. She said that she would provide an
update at the next meeting of the Committee. Ms Lowin-Green added that it would be
helpful to see a breakdown of the savings achieved through this exercise.
2
8
Ms C Lowin-Green then asked if there was any further information on the
assessment of current salary scales. The Head of Organisational Development
confirmed that she had started work on this but it was not completed. In response to
a further question as to when completion was likely, she said that it would be by the
end of the financial year.
Mr S Case reminded the Head of Organisational Development that he had requested
figures on car allowances going back to 2010.
5.
SICKNESS ABSENCE UPDATE
The Head of Organisational Development introduced this item. She informed the
Committee that there was a reduction in sickness in quarter 2 and it was anticipated
that by the end of Q4 that the figures would be similar to the previous year – at about
6-7 days. A decision had been taken to offer all staff a free flu jab. Approximately a
third of staff had opted to have one.
Members were invited to ask questions:
Mrs S Arnold said that it would be interesting to see if there was an obvious reduction
in flu and colds following the flu jab. The Head of Organisational Development replied
that there was a reduction of 25% was projected. In response to a further query from
Mr Oliver regarding the cost, she confirmed that it was approximately £1500. She
said that the offer to provide a flu jab had been generally well-received by staff.
Mrs Arnold queried the huge variation in depression and stress-related illness over
the quarters. Ms C Lowin-Green wondered whether regular stress audits would help
with preventing such illnesses. The Head of Organisational Development said that
further assistance was offered to staff via the Employment Assistance Programme
and in some cases, a referral was made to Occupational Health.
LIVING WAGE
The Head of Organisational Development informed the Committee that an update
had been received from the Local Government Association (LGA) on 20 November
on the Living Wage and she requested that this item came back to the next meeting
so that members would have time to consider the information in the update.
The Committee agreed to postpone the Living Wage report until the next meeting of
the Committee on 10 February.
The meeting concluded at 15.26pm.
_______________
Chairman
3
9
Agenda Item 2__
NORTH NORFOLK BIG SOCIETY FUND GRANTS PANEL
Minutes of the meeting of the Big Society Fund Grants Panel held on Monday 23
September 2013 at the Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 13.00pm.
Members Present:
Officers in
Attendance:
1.
Mr T Ivory (Chair)
Mr B Jarvis
Mr R Reynolds
Mr P High
Mrs P Grove-Jones
Mrs V Uprichard (Sub)
The Coast & Community Partnerships Manager, the Head of
Finance, the Community Liason Officer, the Health Improvement
Officer, and the Democratic Services Officer.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr J Wyatt, Mr S Ward
2.
MINUTES, MATTERS ARISING, AND UPDATES ON APPLICATIONS
The minutes of the meeting 8 July 2013 were approved as a correct record and
signed by the Chairman.
The Coast and Community Partnerships Manager then gave an update on
applications from the previous meeting. He commented that Edgefield village hall
were due to be starting work soon and were hopeful of an October opening date. The
panel were informed that the application from North Walsham Town Council was
taken to the parks team, and appropriately given £16,000 of funding from there to
cover the cost of the new equipment. The Local Community Smallholding project
based in East Ruston, and the Atrium in North Walsham, whilst both unsuccessful in
their bids, were being given continued support by the Community Projects Manager
in order to develop their business strategy. He further commented that the Norfolk
and Suffolk 4x4 Response Team were very happy to have received funding, and that
they had started to implement the project.
Mr P High commented that he thought the officers were working very hard to ensure
the best response for all applicants, and that the new Big Society panel appeared to
be working effectively. The Chairman reiterated this point, and added that the fund
did not just give an application a yes or a no, but wanted to provide further support
and guidance if it was necessary.
3.
CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO THE BIG SOCIETY FUND
a) APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED INELIGBLE
The Coast and Community Partnerships Manager stated that those considered
ineligible were noted in the report. The Chairman asked the group if they had any
concerns with those not to be considered, and the group replied that no they did not.
The Coast and Communities Partnership Manager reiterated that support would still
be offered to these applicants where appropriate.
Big Society Fund Grants Panel
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23 September 2013
b) DEFERRED OR REFUSED APPLICATIONS RE-SUBMITTED FOR DECISION
Little Snoring Pre-School
The Health Improvement Officer introduced this item. She reminded the panel that
the application was for £15,000 to replace an existing pre-school portable building,
and further said that the application had been deferred, pending further investigation
into the available community use of the building. She commented that she had been
in contact with the pre-school, and whilst they did foresee some use possible by the
community, realistically the building would not lend itself well to wider community
use. She further commented that the pre-school believed the wider community
benefit was similar to play facilities, and that as Fakenham Sure Start had closed in
May 2013, the pre-school was even more necessary due to the registering of more
children.
The panel then discussed this application. The Chair was concerned about setting a
precedent that might lead to applications from similar organisations for projects for
which funding from other sources was perhaps being withdrawn. It was suggested
such projects are really County service responsibilities and did not align closely to the
purposes of the BSF. However he also added that as there were no other community
buildings and as an area of rural deprivation it was an important issue for this
particular locality. Mr P High reiterated this by suggesting that the closure of the
Fakenham Sure Start centre added pressure on the pre-school, and that he believed
that they should give the centre some funding. Mr R Reynolds commented that he
believed it was a big community project and widely supported. Mr B Jarvis
questioned if the new building would allow more children than previously to attend.
The Health Improvement Officer replied that yes, the new building was slightly bigger
so in theory should be able to support more children.
Mr P High suggested that the panel should partially fund the project, on the basis of
the exceptional circumstances put forward and Mrs P Grove-Jones supported this,
and suggested ring-fencing the amount. The Coast and Communities Partnership
Manager suggested that they could make the funding conditional on the pre-school
being available for community use.
Mr P High proposed and Mrs P Grove-Jones seconded and it was
APPROVED
To award Little Snoring Pre-School £5,000 towards the project costs, due to the
exceptional circumstances of this case and on the condition that the facility is made
available as a community facility. It was made clear that the panel would not
ordinarily support pre-school facilities.
Blakeney Parish Council
The Health Improvement Officer introduced this item. She commented that the parish
had taken the committee’s concerns on board about a lack of community
consultation, and had now gathered evidence for need. She commented that the
parish had prioritised certain play equipment, and that whilst they did have
considerable earmarked reserves, these were needed to cover the costs of recently
vacated housing owned by the parish. She also commented that the parish were
making available s106 funds of around £22,000 to cover some of the costs.
The panel then discussed this application. The Coast and Communities Partnership
Big Society Fund Grants Panel
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23 September 2013
Manager suggested that the parish had addressed the concerns of the panel. The
Chair commented that the panel did have a record of supporting play equipment, but
he did consider the costs of the project to be quite high. He did however support the
project in principle and suggested a donation of £5,000.
It was proposed by the Chair and seconded by Mr P High and
APPROVED
To award Blakeney Parish Council £5,000 towards the project costs.
c) NEW APPLICATIONS FOR DECISION
British Trust for Ornithology
The Health Improvement Officer introduced this item. She commented that the Trust
was asking for between £10,000 and £14,657 to set up, promote and support eight
bat monitoring centres in North Norfolk. She commented that whilst the project would
encourage volunteering and community work, this was on an individual and ad-hoc
basis, as opposed to volunteers working together for the benefit of the community.
She further stated that the Trust claimed it was not able to fund the project itself due
to reserves being committed elsewhere.
The panel then discussed the application. Mrs P Grove-Jones stated that she was
concerned about the charity’s large annual income which implied that the Trust could
fund the project itself. The Coastal and Community Partnership Manager questioned
if this type of application which had less tangible community benefits should be ruled
out before coming to the panel. The panel unanimously agreed that they still wished
to see applications such as these so that they could judge them on their own merits.
The panel agreed that because the Trust’s project did not have as many community
benefits as some other applications, that they could not support the application at this
time.
AGREED
Not to support the application at this time.
Sheringham and Cromer Choral Society
The Health Improvement Officer introduced this item. She stated that the
Sheringham and Cromer Choral Society were asking for £8,450 to £10,450 to
support an open workshop in Holt in May 2014 as part of a commemoration of the
centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and inspired by the work of Nurse
Edith Cavell. The money would also go to fund a Remembrance concert at St Peters
Church in Sheringham in November 2014. She commented that the choral society
had an open membership and the event was encouraging different groups to come
forward to work with the concept. She stated that there had been a lot of interest in
the idea, in particular from the Imperial War Museum. She further commented that
the district could even see economic benefits from the project as it may encourage
tourism and local interest, and the royalties generated from the production of the
musical piece would bring further economic benefits to help sustain the Choral
Society.
The panel then discussed this application. Mr B Jarvis stated that he was concerned
that the workshop was only being offered in Holt and queried if they were being
offered for free. The Health Improvement Officer commented that they were providing
Big Society Fund Grants Panel
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23 September 2013
240 free places at the workshop. The Chair commented that next year was an
important year and that he felt the project was a good idea. Mr R Reynolds reiterated
this and said in particular the East of England was an important area during the war
and that this was an apt way of commemorating this. Mrs P Grove-Jones commented
on the importance of music in schools and for children, and Mrs V Uprichard agreed
with this point, stating that music was a particularly effective tool for children with low
self-esteem, and for children with mental health issues. The Coast and Communities
Partnership manager commented that he thought the project was something quite
different and interesting and would possibly inspire other similar projects. The panel
agreed that they were very keen to fund the project.
Mrs V Uprichard proposed and Mr P High seconded and it was
APPROVED
to award Sheringham and Cromer Choral Society the full amount of £10,450.
Langham Playing Field Committee
The Health Improvement Officer introduced this item. She commented that the
application was to replace new play equipment at the Graham Allen Memorial
Playing Field in Langham, and that the Playing Field Committee had asked for
£15,000 to support these costs. She further commented that the group had raised
£7,000 by fundraising in the village.
The Panel then discussed this application. The Chair stated that for such a small
village, they had raised a very impressive amount of money themselves. He
suggested that the panel offer £8,357, which with the village’s fundraising of £7,000
would meet the costs of the project. Mr B Jarvis commented that the application
showed very good evidence of need. Mrs V Uprichard asked if the costs were just for
the equipment to be supplied, and the Health Improvement Office commented that
the costs also covered installation and the matting for the equipment.
Mr P High proposed and Mr R Reynolds seconded and it was
APPROVED
To provide Langham Playing Field Committee with £8,357 towards the costs of the
project.
Wherry Housing Association
The Health Improvement Officer introduced this item. She stated the application was
for funds to provide play equipment on the recreation area at Mervyn King Close,
Fakenham. She stated that the Wherry Housing Association had no plans to provide
funds themselves but would fund planning application costs and future maintenance
and repairs.
The panel then discussed this application. The Coast and Communities Partnership
Manager and Mr R Reynolds queried why the WHA had not provided a play area on
the available land at the time of the houses being built. Mr P High commented that
such a large organisation, should consider funding the project itself. The Chair and
the committee agreed with this. It was unanimously agreed not to support the
application for funding.
AGREED
Big Society Fund Grants Panel
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13
23 September 2013
Not to support the application for funding on the basis that Wherry Housing
Association, with an operating surplus of £9.7m, could consider funding play
equipment for their own housing estates, and that there were more needful
applications that the panel had to consider.
Southrepps Parish Council
The Health Improvement Officer stated that the application was for £13,000 to
£15,327 to cover the costs of providing new play equipment in Southrepps. The
project had been on-going for a while and was entering its third phase. The Health
Improvement Officer further stated that the panel had awarded the project a grant in
May 2012 of £5,176 for the second phase of the project. It was decided by the panel,
that as they had previously funded this project, further funds would be inappropriate
and could be better used to fund other projects. However the panel unanimously
agreed to offer the project the help and advice they required.
AGREED
Not to provide a grant on this occasion, due to previous funding by the Big Society
Fund in May 2012.
Potter Heigham Village Hall Management Committee
The Health Improvement Officer stated that the application was for £15,000 to
replace old and non-compliant play equipment with new, up-to-date equipment. The
Health Improvement officer further stated that an unexpected utility bill used up their
free reserves.
The panel then discussed the application. The Coast and Communities Partnership
Manager suggested that providing funding may incentivise the committee to do their
own fundraising also. Mr B Jarvis, ward member for Waterside, stated that he fully
supported the application and thought it was a very beneficial project. The Chair
queried if the committee should receive the full amount requested. Mrs P GroveJones stated that it might be useful to kick-start the project with a lesser amount in
order to encourage further fundraising of their own. The panel decided to award half
the requested amount of funding.
Mr B Jarvis proposed, and Mr P High seconded and it was
APPROVED
To provide £7,500 towards the cost of the project
Sidestrand Reading Room
The Health Improvement Officer stated that the reading room needed immediate
refurbishment as it no longer complied with current legislation regarding health and
safety and fire regulations. She stated that they were requesting £13,241- £15,000 to
help support the costs of the project. The Health Improvement Officer further stated
that the society did have earmarked reserves; however it had been suggested that
these were to refurbish the existing car park.
The panel then discussed this application. Mr P High was concerned that the
society’s earmarked funds were not being used to refurbish the reading room as
opposed to the car park, as it was felt that the car park could not be put back in to
use until the reading room was refurbished. The panel concurred with this view. Mr R
Big Society Fund Grants Panel
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23 September 2013
Reynolds queried how big the reading room was, and the Health Improvement
Officer replied that it was comparable to a small village hall. Mr R Reynolds further
commented that he was aware that buildings of this age did indeed have to be to a
certain standard, and he was fairly certain that the costs would be significant. Mrs P
Grove-Jones stated her support for the project. Mrs V Uprichard queried whether the
reading room was considered a historic reading room and whether or not they would
be able to receive funding from other sources due to the historic nature of the
building. The Coast and Communities Partnership Manager stated that he wasn’t
aware of the availability of such funding. Mr B Jarvis drew comparisons with the
Potter Heigham project and stated they might benefit from similar amounts of grant
awarded. The panel agreed that the project was a beneficial one.
The Chair proposed and it was seconded by Mrs P Grove-Jones and
AGREED
To award Sidestrand reading room £9,000 on the condition that the remaining funds
are secured.
The Poppy Centre Trust
The Health Improvement Officer stated that the application had been received for the
building of toilet and changing room facilities, as the final part of this project. She
reminded the panel that they had previously funded the project to provide flooring.
She reminded the panel that the overall project costs were around £520,000 and
further commented that the centre was requesting £15,000 for the changing facilities.
She commented that the centre had successfully opened and run a charity shop in
order to fund some of the costs for the overall project, which provided on average
£5,000 a month towards costs.
The panel then discussed this application. The Chair stated that, whilst there was
concern, as with play applications, about providing two lots of funding in different
‘phases’ of the project this was considered to be different as it was for different
elements towards the final completion of a single project. Mrs V Uprichard supported
funding the project despite feeling that it should be the County’s role to do so,
however she did state her full support for what she believed to be an exceptional
project.. Mrs P Grove-Jones, Ward member for Stalham and Sutton stated that the
group had been raising money since 1994, and it was becoming increasingly difficult
to secure funding from elsewhere. She stated that the project was very close to
completion and it just required a final push to take it though its final stages. Her only
concern was that the community might not benefit fully from the centre due to its
location outside of the town centre. Mr B Jarvis commented that he thought the
project was very good, and that it felt that this area of the district was often forgotten.
He commented that the panel’s continued support for such a beneficial project would
be
commendable.
The Chair proposed and Mr B Jarvis seconded and it was
APPROVED
To award The Poppy Centre the full amount of £15,000
Thornage Parochial Church Council
The Health Improvement Officer stated that the application was to make internal
alterations to the church building in order to enable community activities to take place
there. She stated the key alterations were the installation of a toilet and of a
Big Society Fund Grants Panel
6
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23 September 2013
kitchenette, and to improve disabled access. She stated that the group were very
keen to allow a variety of groups to use the facilities and would not restrict based on
faith. She further stated that the panel had now received relevant quotes for the work
which totalled approximately £61,000. The application request was for £10,000 to
£15,000. The Health Improvement officer further commented that the church council
had free reserves that they could contribute to the project, however £21,643 of these
were from a legacy which was stipulated to be for repairs only.
The panel then discussed this application. Mr R Reynolds mentioned the church at
Fakenham and commented that they had a similar system of providing a community
venue. He commented that this was due to having good facilities and also a proactive
rector. He was concerned that Thornage may not be so proactive in getting people to
book the venue. The Health Improvement Officer commented that it did seem to be a
community initiative for which many people wanted to get involved in booking things,
such as for yoga classes, and that the group shouldn’t have an issue with the venue
being taken up for use. Mr B Jarvis stated his support for the project. The committee
decided the project seemed like a very beneficial one, and they decided to fund it.
It was proposed by Mr R Reynolds, seconded by Mrs P Grove-Jones and
APPROVED
To award Thornage Parochial Church Council £10,000 towards the costs of their
project conditional on the facility being fully available for community use.
Hindringham Village Hall
The Health Improvement officer stated that this project had requested funds of
£5,000 to £7,000 to help towards the costs of refurbishing their village hall. She
further commented that councillor Mr P Terrington had written in support of the
project, stating the hall was used widely and that there was a lot of community
support for the project.
The Chair asked if anyone objected to them being awarded a grant. Nobody
objected. The Coast and Communities Partnership Manager pointed out the project
should be described as refurbishment as opposed to on-going repairs.
The Chair proposed awarding the full amount and Mr P High seconded and it was
APPROVED
To award Hindringham Village Hall £7,000 towards the costs of their project.
Fakenham Rugby Union Football Club Ltd
The Health Improvement Officer stated that Mr S Ward, had written stating his
support for this application, wherein he commented that the application came from
the former head of Fakenham High School who was particularly effective in getting
individuals involved in different projects. She further stated that the project requested
£9,654 to £12,500 in order to refurbish the kitchen at the Rugby Club. She further
commented that a more appropriate kitchen would increase the use of the facility by
the whole community, and that letters from local builders and tradespersons had
been pledged to provide such things as a free day of work for the project.
Mr R Reynolds, ward member for Lancaster North, stated his support for the project
and believed that it was a particularly good family and community led project. He
Big Society Fund Grants Panel
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23 September 2013
stated the panel’s support would be very beneficial and requested that the panel
provide the full amount. Mrs P Grove-Jones stated her support and drew
comparisons with the Poppy Centre which had received support from the panel.
Although she queried why the maximum grant of £12,500 included the price for a
fridge, and why it added £3,000 to the costs. The panel discussed this, and came to
the understanding that catering fridges cost higher amounts than domestic fridges
which explained the high costs. The panel agreed to fund the project.
Mrs P Grove-Jones proposed, and Mr P High seconded, and it was
APPROVED
To award the full amount of £12,500 towards the costs of the project.
The Health Improvement Officer told the panel that today they had awarded grants
totalling £89,807.
4.
MONITORING, PUBLICITY AND FEEDBACK
The Coast and Community Partnerships Manager introduced this item. He stated that
members had been involved in the opening events for funded projects and that good
publicity had been received. Sea Palling play equipment and Erpingham MUGA had
now been opened by the Leader of the council. He further stated that the Deputy
Leader was due to open Sheringham Patch, and the Leader was due to open
Sculthorpe Village Hall improvements.
The Head of Finance queried if outstanding conditions on granted applications ever
expire. The Coast and Community Partnerships Manager replied that this was
monitored. They normally expire after one year, although they can be rolled-over to
allow for more time to, for example, get match-funding.
The Coast and Community Partnerships Manager commented that the new system
of awarding funding was working as expected, however more publicity from
successful projects would be beneficial for promoting it further. Greenbuild had been
an excellent opportunity to promote the fund. He commented that it had been
considered to run a ‘tour’ of the projects granted funding by the panel, as most had
never met their beneficiaries and were keen to show the panel how the funding was
being used. The panel agreed that this was a good idea and it was decided the
Communities team would set this up. The Community Liason Officer also commented
that it was being considered to run the ‘Big Society Awards’ to reward the volunteers
involved in developing the projects. Again, all members of the panel agreed that this
was an excellent idea and it should be further looked in to.
5.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The date of the next meeting would be 16 December 2013.
The Meeting closed at 3.05pm
_______________
Chairman
Big Society Fund Grants Panel
8
17
23 September 2013
Agenda Item No_____10_______
BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 2013/14 – PERIOD 10
Summary:
This report summarises the budget monitoring position
for the revenue account to the end of December 2013.
Options considered:
Not applicable
Conclusions:
The overall position at the end of period 10 shows a
forecast under spend of £169,455 for the current
financial year on the revenue account.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
Cabinet note the contents of the report and the
current budget monitoring position.
Reasons for
Recommendations:
To update Members on the current budget monitoring
position for the Council.
LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW
(Papers relied on the write the report and which do not contain exempt information)
System budget monitoring reports
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected
Cllr Wyndham Northam
Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Malcolm Fry, 01263 516037,
malcolm.fry@north-norfolk.gov.uk
1.
Introduction
1.1.
This report compares the actual expenditure and income position at the end
of January 2014 to the budget for 2013/14 as updated by Period 9
amendments as approved by Cabinet in February 2014 and provides a
projected outturn for the 2013/14 financial year. It also provides an update on
the costs related to the storm damage.
1.2
The base budget for 2013/14 included savings and additional income of
£163,097. This report includes the latest position on both of these areas
2.
Budget Monitoring Position – Revenue Services
18
2.1
The general fund summary at Appendix A shows the high level budget
monitoring position at 31st January 2014 which shows a year to date variance
of £1,086,600 underspend. Appendix B provides further details of the
individual service variances.
2.2
Tidal surge - The total costs associated with the tidal surge of 5th December
2013 are still being assessed, but the current estimate is approximately
£2.8m. There are several ways in which some of these costs can be
recovered. These are set out below:a) Bellwin Scheme – As mentioned in the Period 9 report this is a
Government scheme designed to recompense authorities for the costs of
emergency measures taken, during exceptional circumstances. There are
strict rules on the types of expenditure that are eligible for reimbursement.
There is a lower threshold in place up to which authorities have to bear
the cost. This threshold is set at 0.2% of budget. For North Norfolk this
equates to £24,218.
On 6th February 2014 the Government announced the following changes
to this scheme:-


100% of eligible costs above threshold will now be reclaimable
(previously 85% above threshold)

Eligible expenditure period extended to the end of March 2014
(previously two months after event occurred i.e. 4th February
2014).
Estimates of further costs and actual costs are still being collected. It
should be noted that this is a discretionary scheme, therefore not all
costs claimed may be reimbursed. The current level of costs (as at
10th February 2014) which are expected to be included in any claim
are estimated to be £106,688 (period 9 estimate £68,000). Once the
threshold has been deducted this leaves 100% of £82,470 (period 9
£43,782) that potentially could be reclaimed. The net cost therefore
that needs to be funded by the authority’s resources is the threshold
amount of £24,218) (period 9 £30,785).
b) Insurance – Items which are insured are not covered by the Bellwin
scheme. It should be remembered that the authority will have to bear the
costs of agreed insurance excesses which are expected to be in the
region of £134,750.
c) Assets such as coastal defences and promenade infrastructure are not
insured assets and therefore funding for this work will need to be
allocated. The estimated value of these works which will be completed by
31st March is £721,100.
d) Severe Weather Recovery Scheme (SWRS) - The Government has also
recently announced the above scheme to help local authorities affected
by flooding caused by the east coast tidal surge. A total of £7m has been
made available split 50:50 between two elements, Highways infrastructure
and Communities.
e) To qualify for this grant local authorities must be able to demonstrate that
they have or will incur expenditure in supporting their communities during
the recovery phase (5th December 2013 – 7th February 2014) and at least
10 residential or commercial properties have been reported as flooded.
19
f)
Grant will be distributed using a simple formula based on number of
properties affected, therefore as yet the likely amount to be received is
unknown. Costs which are eligible under the Bellwin Scheme are not
allowable under the SWRS.
2.3
Any unrecoverable costs will initially have to be borne by the Council, pending
further announcements of funding.
2.4
Members are reminded that as reported previously the 2013/14 base budget
has been updated during the year to produce an in-year updated budget.
Variances are reported against the updated budget in Appendix A. Any
budgets and reserves affected will be updated accordingly. By taking any
forecast outturn adjustments at the end of the reporting period, a constantly
updated budget is achieved, rather than as was previously done, updating at
one point in time during the year.
2.5
For monitoring purposes the following table shows the over/under spend to
date for the more significant variances, compared to the updated budget, and
the projected outturn column is compared to the base budget.
2.6
As we approach year end some services are starting to identify where
planned expenditure will not be incurred in the current year but will be
required in future years. All roll forward requests will be considered as part of
the outturn process and reported as part of the final accounts report. Unlike
capital expenditure, revenue budgets are not automatically rolled forward
unless there are justifiable reasons for doing so. This will need to take into
account the overall financial position for the Council, although at this stage
Table 3 makes the assumption of this earmarking.
Business Rates
2.7
Members will be aware that this is the first year of the new system of Local
Government finance which includes the business rates retention scheme. As
previously highlighted within budget reports, the new system has shifted the
risk of fluctuations in actual business rate income from central government to
Local Authorities.
2.8
Fifty per cent is retained at the local level which is shared 80/20 Districts/
County with the districts paying a tariff to the government to ‘re-balance’ the
overall funding nationally. The budget that was set in February 2013 assumed
the baseline funding, i.e. the amount included in the Local Government
Finance Settlement as announced in February 2013. Any amounts retained
above this level will be retained in the percentage shares with the district
paying a levy on their share. Other factors that will influence the actual
amount of rates retained include the impact of current and backdated appeals
and the temporary increase in the Small Business rate reliefs in 2013/14
(which has been extended further for 2014/15).
2.9
The Government has committed to provide funding to authorities in respect of
the small business rate relief extension and this will be re-imbursed through a
section 31 grant payment. However, the actual amounts will not be confirmed
until the year end National Non Domestic Rate (NNDR) 3 returns are
submitted. In addition the full impacts of the tariffs and levies within the
business rate retention scheme have not been quantified and therefore at this
time the budget monitoring report assumes the budgeted level of business
rates retention. The outturn position will be reported once all returns have
been received and completed.
20
2.10
The following table shows the over/under spend to date for the more
significant variances, compared to the updated budget, and the projected
outturn column is compared to the base budget.
Table 1 – Service Variances
Over/
(Under)
Spend to
Date
£
Assets and Leisure
Car Parking – At the end of period 10 the service shows an
underspend which is mainly due to additional car park income
above the profiled budget. (£21,206) additional car park fee
income, (£16,256) additional penalty charges, (£7,918) additional
season ticket income.
(£3,986) - Reduced expenditure on repairs and maintenance.
£7,832 - Additional expenditure on rental costs following increased
income. (£5,516) - Reduced expenditure on NNDR. £11,003 Additional administration costs for penalty charge notice
processing, offset by income.
(34,992)
Projected
Outturn
£
(85,000)
The full year impact of this is expected to result in a net (£85,000).
Foreshore - (£26,975)General reduced repairs and maintenance
expenditure compared to the budget, although further costs
(uninsured or excesses) will be incurred as result of tidal surge in
early December.
Property Services - £11,902 overtime re Tidal surge which may
be recoverable via the Bellwin Scheme, balance is minor variances
*£9,016 additional overtime re reception works, £5,553 effect of job
evaluation, (£2,100) Income for work done for external
organisation.
Overall these are expected to result in an outturn of £13,500.
Other Sports - Minor variances.
The projected outturn reflects budgeted income for the Mobile Gym
now unlikely to be received.
Investment properties - Repairs and maintenance expenditure
on Oddfellows Hall and New Road offices £5,523. £9,375
additional chalet, beach hut and Rocket house repairs. Service
charge income £5,114 delay in agreement on Service charges
(Rocket House).
*The projected outturn position is made up of £43,255 in respect of
the Grove Lane Depot which became vacant in the year, £5,000 lift
repairs at Rocket House, £9,500 loss of income re beach huts and
chalets as a result of tidal surge.
.
Sports Centres – Minor variances
Work is still on-going in relation to the agreements with Cromer
and Stalham. The Cromer agreement has been amended and has
yet to be shared by the school with its Governors. It has been
difficult to arrange meetings with representatives of Stalham school
21
(29,471)
0
15,767
*13,500
5,308
20,000
19,327
*57,755
(4,063)
35,000
Table 1 – Service Variances
Over/
(Under)
Spend to
Date
£
Projected
Outturn
£
due to the Head Teacher currently being on long-term sick leave. It
is unlikely at this point if these agreements will be completed and
signed in the current financial year.
*This delay means that the budgeted savings for 2013/14 of
£40,000 are unlikely to be realised in the current year although it is
anticipated that North Walsham will contribute £10,000 this year.
The position will continue to be monitored and an updated position
will be provided as part of the period 10 budget monitoring report.
Community and Economic development
Community and Localism – Grants awarded in 2012/13 via the
Big Society Fund and Coast and Community Partnership totalling
(£32,771) have not yet been claimed.
Environmental Strategy – Minor variances
The projected outturn reflects a vacant post not being replaced.
Customer Services
Tourist information Centres - (£5,960) software not yet
purchased, (£13,930) greater than expected sales of souvenirs
etc. A small saving is expected by the year end..
Customer services – Corporate - Salaries and on-costs are lower
than budgeted, following the departure of the Head of Customer
Services, some of this will be used towards recruiting the Business
Transformation posts as agreed in October. Any year-end
underspend will be requested to be carried forward for the
business transformation project.
Development Management
Development Management –The main reason for the variance to
date is due to additional income from planning applications,
including large applications for Solar and Wind farms.
The projected outturn for the year will be transferred to an
appropriate earmarked reserve.
(37,354)
0
172
(21,500)
(£22,202)
0
(£45,353)
0
(46,051)
(165,000)
Building Control and Access – (£30,000) vacant post, balance is
made up of minor variances.
Projected outturn reflects the full year of a vacant post.
(38,291)
(30,000)
Planning Management and Community Support – Number of
minor variances below £2,000.
* Savings not achievable in the year from an anticipated service
restructure, which was delayed due to the appointment of a new
(£5,616)
*26,860
22
Table 1 – Service Variances
Over/
(Under)
Spend to
Date
£
Head of Planning in the year. The anticipated saving will be taken
into account when reviewing the overall Planning structure. It is
planned that this will be implemented in 2014/15.
Property Information – Minor variances
*Land charges (£20,000), Street naming (£10,000)
Projected
Outturn
£
1,193
*(30,000)
The outturn position reflects in year savings on vacant posts.
(25,223)
(40,000)
Waste Collection and Disposal – (£13,000) outstanding creditor
provision from 12/13 for work yet to be invoiced.
Additional fee income (£14,090).
Community Safety – Minor variances
The projected outturn reflect a reduced contribution to Victory
Housing in the year for the Community Officer.
(34,354)
0
1,269
(10,000)
(11,681)
*(85,000)
(10,309)
(34,000)
0
(28,163)
(21,345)
*(42,000)
Environmental Health
Environmental protection - The variance to date relates to a
sundry debtor invoice raised. This debt is now in process of being
secured through the Court process. Additional expenditure for
rechargeable works.
Financial Services
Local Taxation – The variance to date reflects a number of minor
variances
* It is estimated that £50,000 of unspent grant from previous years
will not be utilised in full by the year-end and this will be required in
2014/15 for expenditure on ICT and staffing requirements in the
next financial year. £35,000 for Council tax software which will
financed by local council tax support grants in 2014/15
Benefits – Costs still to be invoiced re Civica on demand and
vacant posts.
Fraud manager post has been vacant since beginning of the year,
(£20,000) for the year which at this stage is being recommended
for earmarking for enforcement work.
Discretionary Payments – All payments for the year have now
been paid. These are funded from earmarked reserves, which will
be adjusted accordingly at the year end.
Corporate Finance – Staff savings due to vacant posts and
23
Table 1 – Service Variances
Over/
(Under)
Spend to
Date
£
Projected
Outturn
£
recruitment advertising.
*The post of Trainee Accountant remains vacant and will not be
filled this financial year.
Organisational Development
Human resources and Payroll – Underspend on corporate
training programme. It is likely that this will be requested to be
rolled forward to 2014/15 so as to fund outcomes from 2013/14
appraisal process.
Registration Services – The variance relates to the amount
that has not yet been reimbursed in full by the Home Office for the
Police and Crime Commissioners Election. Claims for costs are
submitted to the Electoral Claims Unit (the deadline for this was
June and the claim was submitted on time). The Home Office will
pay an element up-front and the balance is payable once the claim
has been authorised. The variance reported relates to the balance
outstanding. The Electoral Claims Unit are currently processing
this claim.
(£34,000)
TOTALS
3
3.1
(40,729)
0
37,662
0
(326,336)
(417,548)
Budget Monitoring Position – Savings and Additional Income
The budget for 2013/14 included savings and additional income totalling
£163,097 within the service areas; the revised figure for the current year is
now £133,397 although it is anticipated that apart from the Dual Use Sports
Centres (DUSC) the remainder of the savings will be on target for 2013/14..
The detail for each of the service savings is included at Appendix C. Table 2
below summaries the current position for each service heading.
Table 2 – Savings and Additional
Income 2013/14
Assets Coastal Defence & Leisure
Customer Services
Development Management
Environmental Health
Financial Services
Organisational Development
Corporate
Total
2013/14
Updated
Budget
£
33,000
24,740
2,150
22,507
19,700
5,000
26,000
133,097
24
3.2
When the budget was approved in February 2013 further savings from the
management restructure were anticipated. These have not yet been
delivered in the year and therefore the £23,000 will not be achieved.
4
Treasury Management Position
4.1
The budget for 2013/14 anticipated that a net total of £392,900 would be
earned in interest. This assumed an average balance of £24m at a rate of
1.65%.
4.2
At the end of period 10, a total of £300,359 had been earned resulting in a
shortfall against the year to date budget of £25,093. The rate of interest
achieved was 1.53% from an average balance available for investment of
£23.4m.
4.3
Based on the actual results to period 10, a total interest receivable figure of
some £379,000 is forecast for the year from an average balance £23.6m at an
average rate of 1.65%.
4.4
The rate of interest achieved on term deposits was 0.54% to period 10 which
is 0.22% below the budget figure, reflecting the very low interest rates
currently available. No change to the budget position is proposed at this point
as the final outturn will be significantly influenced by the last quarter’s
dividend on the LAMIT.
5
Budget Monitoring Position – Summary
5.1
The following table provides a summary of the full year projections for the
service areas along with an updated use of reserves figure where applicable.
Table 3 - Summary of Full Year Effects 2013/14
Service Areas (Table 1)
Savings not achieved (Para 3.2)
Total Projected Outturn
Previously
identified
Earmarked
transfers:Big Society Fund/2nd homes
Planning Policy
Estimated
Outturn
(£)
(417,548)
23,000
(394,548)
reserves
Total Estimated Outturn
(100,823)
(36,247)
(531,618)
Planned Transfers made to/(from) reserves
Development Management
Local taxation
Benefits
Discretionary Payments
Building Control
165,000
85,000
34,000
28,163
50,000
Total Impact - Transfer to General Reserve
(169,455)
25
6
Budget monitoring position – Capital
6.1
An update of the capital programme was presented to members in
February as part of the budget report.
6.2
Appendix D shows the latest position against the current 2013/14
approved programme, and provides details of expenditure up to the end of
period 10. In addition to this it also shows the projected expenditure to the
end of the financial year, which has highlighted several schemes where there
are either minor overspends following completion of the project, or there is a
requirement to claw back some of the budget that had been approved
for slippage into the 2014/15 financial year.
6.3
Disabled Facilities Grants – The updated budget as at period 10 was
£477,536, compared with a revised anticipated expenditure of
£545,000 by the end of the financial year. Any expenditure above the
updated budget will be clawed back from slippage already taken into
2014/15.
6.4
Strategic Housing and Choice Based Letting System – At the current
time there is an identified overspend of £13,150 compared to an
updated budget of £20,000. This additional expenditure is to be funded
from contributions from external organisations and the net position of
the scheme at the end of the year is anticipated as being as per the
budget.
6.5
Equity Loans – In relation to this scheme all grant payments have been
made, and the balance of the grant monies has been returned to Great
Yarmouth Borough Council, as the grant administrator.
6.6
Cromer Pier Structural Works – Phase 2 – The updated budget of
£546,655 has already been exceeded. The additional expenditure
incurred will be offset by a claw back of the slippage already re-profiled
into 2014/15.
6.7
Chalet Repairs – A minor overspend of £396 has been incurred against
the updated budget of £35,738.
6.8
Trade Waste Bins / Waste Vehicle – The updated budget of £29,387 is
anticipated as being overspent by £12,419 at the end of the financial
year. The additional expenditure identified for the purchase of waste
bins will be offset by a claw back of the budget slippage re-profiled into
2014/15.
6.9
Reception Project – The scheme has been completed, but has come in
£7,905 over budget as a result of design improvements requested
during the build project. This project has formed part of a wider
scheme of office improvements and has helped to attract new tenants
26
to the building. This will give rise to an improved revenue position in
region of £100k per annum.
6.10 Probass 3 – The scheme has been completed, but is overspent by
£440, compared to the updated budget of £2,410 for the 2013/14
financial year.
6.11 Handyman Vehicle – The scheme has been completed but an over
spend of £496 has been incurred compared to the £13,200 included
within the updated budget for 2013/14.
7
Conclusion
7.1
The revenue budget is showing an estimated full year under spend for the
current financial year of (£169,455). The overall financial position continues to
be closely monitored and it is anticipated that the overall budget for the
current year will be achieved.
8
Financial Implications and Risks
8.1
The detail within section 2 of the report highlights the more significant
variances including those that are estimated to result in a full year impact.
8.2
The budget for 2013/14 included service savings and additional income
totalling £163,097 and whilst there have been some in the current year that
have been reduced, the progress in achieving these is being monitored as
part of the overall budget monitoring process and where applicable corrective
action will be identified and implemented to ensure the overall budget remains
achievable.
8.3
Of the estimated outturn shown in Table 1 £362,163 will be transferred to
earmarked reserves as shown in Table 3. The impact of this will be that the
budgets affected will reduce and reserves will increase. By taking these
forecast outturn adjustments at the end of the reporting period, a constantly
updated budget is achieved, rather than as reported previously, updating at
one point in time during the year.
9
Sustainability - None as a direct consequence from this report.
10
Equality and Diversity - None as a direct consequence from this report.
11
Section 17 Crime and Disorder considerations - None as a direct
consequence from this report.
27
Appendix A
General Fund Summary Report for Period 10 Year 2013/2014
Base
Budget
£
Net Cost Of Services
Assets & Leisure
Clt / Corporate
Community, Econ Dev & Coast
Customer Services
Development Management
Environmental Health
Finance
Organisational Development
Savings To Be Identified
Net Cost Of Services
Non Service Expenditure/Income
Precepts Of Parish Councils
Interest Receivable
External Interest Paid
Capital Charges
Retirement Benefits
Contributions To/From Reserves
Revenue Financing For Capital
Capital Grants/Contributions
Non Service Expenditure/Income
Income
Council Taxpayers
Central Government Grants
Income
Surplus / Deficit
Full Year
Budget
£
YTD
YTD Budget Actuals YTD Variance
£
£
£
Commitments
£
Remaining
Budget
£
2,325,691
0
697,597
4,379,430
875,690
4,226,832
2,974,845
556,353
(23,000)
2,409,395
76,933
4,390,785
703,519
441,825
4,352,309
2,989,753
833,770
0
1,460,643
49,538
1,107,686
559,951
352,446
3,309,135
3,145,583
727,539
0
1,483,931
18,486
1,006,028
457,026
237,601
3,208,318
3,060,562
701,603
0
23,288
(31,052)
(101,658)
(102,925)
(114,845)
(100,817)
(85,021)
(25,936)
0
340,270
3,461
152,412
31,374
10,799
994,247
26,842
0
0
585,195
54,986
3,232,344
215,119
193,425
149,744
(97,651)
132,167
0
16,013,438
16,198,289
10,712,520
10,173,555
(538,965)
1,559,405
4,465,329
1,457,091
(392,490)
0
(4,803,930)
266,577
776,535
400,000
1,457,091
(383,490)
0
(4,803,930)
300,441
786,328
1,019,153
(779,332)
(2,403,739)
1,457,091
(325,452)
0
(1,910,440)
(658)
0
0
0
(779,459)
1,457,091
(200,036)
431
(1,910,470)
0
0
0
0
(652,984)
0
125,416
431
(30)
658
0
0
0
126,475
0
0
0
(183,454)
0
(431)
0 (2,893,460)
0
300,441
0
786,328
0 1,019,153
0
0
0
(971,423)
(9,357,207) (9,434,535) (8,715,167) (9,389,133)
(4,360,014) (4,360,014) (2,348,335) (2,348,479)
(13,717,221) (13,794,549) (11,063,502) (11,737,612)
(673,966)
(144)
(674,110)
0
(45,402)
0 (2,011,535)
0 (2,056,937)
1,086,600
(1,559,405) (1,436,969)
(2,296,217)
0
(1)
28
1,130,441
2,217,041
Appendix B
Service Area Summaries 2013-14 P10
Assets & Leisure
Cost
Centre
Code
Full Year
Budget
£
R200
R200A
R201
R202
R203
R204
R262
R262A
R300
R301
R302
R303
R304
R305
R306
R309
R310
R312
R314
R315
R318
R397
R414
Car Parking
Markets
Industrial Estates
Surveyors Allotments
Handy Man
Parklands
Administration Buildings Svs
Property Services
Parks & Open Spaces
Foreshore
Community Centres
Sports Centres
Leisure Complexes
Other Sports
Recreation Grounds
Pier Pavilion
Foreshore (Community)
Woodlands Management
Cromer Pier
Public Conveniences
Investment Properties
Leisure
Cctv
Total Assets and Leisure
YTD Budget YTD Actuals
£
£
YTD
Variance
Commitments
Remaining
Budget
£
£
£
(1,343,509)
64,621
9,667
2,840
(15,830)
(4,555)
70,447
13,500
492,466
211,134
11,038
338,886
739,018
124,968
10,518
106,347
396,116
163,286
35,871
563,341
172,873
9,000
237,352
(1,392,140)
18,334
(4,791)
2,410
(3,312)
(11,482)
82,072
11,236
385,850
177,667
9,147
208,251
555,349
105,101
8,075
98,767
324,535
135,698
34,012
460,247
22,666
40
232,912
(1,427,132)
9,825
5,550
2,360
4,438
(13,420)
113,296
27,003
390,826
148,196
4,588
204,188
547,738
110,409
9,233
110,171
320,526
123,550
35,221
476,755
41,993
(5,151)
243,766
(34,992)
(8,509)
10,341
(50)
7,750
(1,938)
31,224
15,767
4,977
(29,471)
(4,559)
(4,063)
(7,611)
5,308
1,159
11,404
(4,008)
(12,148)
1,209
16,509
19,327
(5,191)
10,855
52,471
9,102
1,483
0
0
0
18,569
1,500
86,866
1,565
165
245
1,695
350
2,162
0
64,072
26,572
483
55,902
2,820
131
14,118
31,152
45,694
2,634
480
(20,268)
8,865
(61,418)
(15,003)
14,774
61,373
6,285
134,453
189,585
14,209
(877)
(3,824)
11,517
13,164
167
30,684
128,061
14,021
(20,532)
2,409,395
1,460,643
1,483,931
23,288
340,270
585,195
Clt / Corporate
Cost
Centre
Code
R460A
R481
Full Year
Budget
£
Corporate Leadership Team
Legal Services
Total CLT & Corporate
YTD Budget YTD Actuals
£
£
YTD
Variance
£
Commitments
£
Budget
Remaining
£
19,383
57,550
1,619
47,919
(2,614)
21,100
(4,233)
(26,819)
3,170
291
18,827
36,159
76,933
49,538
18,486
(31,052)
3,461
54,986
Community, Econ Dev & Coast
Cost
Centre
Code
R112A
R307
R308
R330
R333
R340
R341
R391
R398
R399
R415
R472
Full Year
Budget
£
Health
Arts & Entertainments
Museums
General Economic Development
Tourism
Coast Protection
Pathfinder
Regeneration Management
Housing (Health & Wellbeing)
Housing Strategy
Community And Localism
Coastal Management
Total Community Eco Dev & Coast
YTD Budget YTD Actuals
£
£
YTD
Variance
£
Commitments
£
Budget
Remaining
£
0
155,209
41,587
411,006
149,787
1,393,091
67,697
(1,284)
1,193,074
1,104,739
(124,121)
0
0
117,957
41,320
370,500
122,341
1,059,062
7,697
(5,408)
230,924
(260,993)
(575,744)
30
(11,140)
135,426
41,496
367,920
123,087
1,034,862
10,249
(13,678)
205,296
(235,514)
(613,098)
(38,878)
(11,140)
17,469
176
(2,580)
746
(24,200)
2,552
(8,270)
(25,627)
25,478
(37,354)
(38,908)
0
10,977
0
9,512
10,588
112,731
0
150
0
7,319
358
778
11,140
8,806
91
33,574
16,113
245,498
57,448
12,244
987,778
1,332,934
488,619
38,100
4,390,785
1,107,686
1,006,028
(101,658)
152,412
3,232,344
29
Appendix B
Service Area Summaries 2013-14 P10
Customer Services
Cost
Centre
Code
R261
R311
R372
R394
R411
R430
R481B
R481C
R481D
Full Year
Budget
£
It - Support Services
Tic'S
Homelessness
Customer Services Housing
Transport
Publicity
Graphical Info System
Media & Communications
Customer Services - Corporate
Total Customer Services
YTD Budget YTD Actuals
£
£
YTD
Variance
£
Commitments
£
Budget
Remaining
£
18,900
237,296
388,001
0
39,220
31,080
0
(6,429)
(4,549)
6,443
203,150
323,340
30
6,440
25,910
4,933
(6,576)
(3,719)
(31,338)
180,948
332,635
(8,387)
11,126
25,463
(747)
(3,602)
(49,072)
(37,782)
(22,202)
2,295
(8,417)
4,686
(447)
(5,680)
2,974
(45,353)
26,236
2,478
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,661
24,003
53,870
55,366
8,387
28,094
5,617
747
(2,827)
41,862
703,519
559,951
457,026
(109,925)
31,374
215,119
Development Management
Cost
Centre
Code
R100
R101
R102
R103
R121
R150
R402
Full Year
Budget
£
Development Management
Planning Policy
Conservation & Design
Landscape
Building Control & Access
Planning Man And Comm Support
Property Information
Total Development Management
YTD Budget YTD Actuals
£
£
YTD
Variance
£
Commitments
£
Budget
Remaining
£
491,548
(486,671)
127,186
147,964
73,109
26,860
61,829
405,336
(407,190)
107,109
118,834
61,680
22,364
44,314
359,285
(426,364)
101,304
117,733
23,389
16,748
45,507
(46,051)
(19,175)
(5,805)
(1,101)
(38,291)
(5,616)
1,193
6,870
0
2,007
0
0
800
1,122
125,393
(60,307)
23,875
30,231
49,720
9,312
15,200
441,825
352,446
237,601
(114,845)
10,799
193,425
Environmental Health
Cost
Centre
Code
R111A
R114
R115
R117
R117B
R118
R119A
R120
R151
R316
R317
R412
R413
R420
Full Year
Budget
£
Commercial Services
Rural Sewerage Schemes
Travellers
Licensing
Street Signage
Pest Control
Environmental Protection
Dog Control
Env Health - Service Mgmt
Waste Collection And Disposal
Cleansing
Environmental Strategy
Community Safety
Civil Contingencies
Total Environmental Health
YTD Budget YTD Actuals
£
£
YTD
Variance
£
Commitments
£
Budget
Remaining
£
464,536
353,303
101,120
67,472
39,384
17,685
645,733
57,418
5,200
1,664,128
732,097
60,255
14,650
129,328
387,064
353,243
113,030
43,136
26,947
15,089
544,031
46,863
(4,978)
1,089,832
536,796
47,970
8,883
101,228
384,894
353,243
117,806
22,601
17,817
13,126
518,809
46,444
(14,027)
1,055,478
533,389
48,142
10,152
100,444
(2,170)
0
4,776
(20,535)
(9,130)
(1,962)
(25,223)
(420)
(9,048)
(34,354)
(3,408)
172
1,269
(784)
1,871
0
185
2,115
250
89
40,151
3,039
7,878
759,282
176,845
1,580
0
963
77,771
60
(16,871)
42,757
21,317
4,470
86,774
7,935
11,349
(150,632)
21,863
10,533
4,498
27,921
4,352,309
3,309,135
3,208,318
(100,817)
994,247
149,744
30
Appendix B
Service Area Summaries 2013-14 P10
Finance
Cost
Centre
Code
R210
R211
R214
R219
R251
R263
R263C
R450
R450A
Full Year
Budget
£
Local Taxation
Benefits
Discrectionary Payments
Non Distributed Costs
Benefits & Revenues Mgmt
Corporate Finance
Internal Audit
Central Costs
Corporate & Democratic Core
Total Finance
YTD Budget YTD Actuals
£
£
YTD
Variance
£
Commitments
£
Budget
Remaining
£
502,496
998,050
252,707
1,580
0
8,549
0
0
1,226,371
475,449
1,364,772
163,539
200,588
10
7,061
(91,360)
210
1,025,314
463,768
1,354,463
163,539
200,902
(634)
(14,284)
(104,420)
(23,467)
1,020,695
(11,681)
(10,309)
0
314
(644)
(21,345)
(13,060)
(23,677)
(4,619)
808
21,201
0
0
0
4,834
0
0
0
37,919
(377,614)
89,168
(199,322)
634
17,999
104,420
23,467
205,676
2,989,753
3,145,583
3,060,562
(85,021)
26,842
(97,651)
Organisational Development
Cost
Centre
Code
R260
R263B
R263D
R400
R450B
Full Year
Budget
£
Human Resources & Payroll
Insurance & Risk Management
Policy & Performance Mgt
Registration Services
Members Services
Total Organisational Development
YTD Budget YTD Actuals
£
£
YTD
Variance
£
Commitments
£
Budget
Remaining
£
22,100
(3,239)
(64,369)
326,181
553,097
17,830
37,373
(53,599)
264,981
460,954
(22,899)
31,727
(55,891)
302,643
446,024
(40,729)
(5,646)
(2,292)
37,662
(14,930)
0
0
0
0
0
44,999
(34,966)
(8,478)
23,538
107,073
833,770
727,539
701,603
(25,936)
0
132,167
31
Appendix C
Savings Summary - 2013/14
Ref.
AL2
AL3
CS1
EH2
EH4
Service
Assets and
Leisure
Assets and
Leisure
Customer
Services
Environmental
Health
Environmental
Health
Brief outline of
Saving/Additional
Income
Brief Outlione of Saving/Additional
income (Where applicable)
introduction of concessions
(refreshments, trailors etc) to some
of the car parks
Revised arrangements fir the DUSC
(Cromer and Stalham) (in addition to
current review of NW)
Generating efficiencies through
maximising use of Front Office
Reception, Cabinet report December
2012
2013/14
Budget
Savings
/Income
2013/14
P9 Update Variance
(15,000)
(15,000)
0
(40,000)
(10,000)
30,000
(24,740)
(24,740)
0
Handyman
Reduction in establishment for
handyman function. (0.5fte).
Previously post used for waste
associated work (now within
contract) and street signs backlog of
work - mostly now complete
(9,007)
(9,007)
0
Recycling Initiatives
Reduction in the recycling initiatives
budget, currently used for
promotional activities associated with
recycling and composting, previous
years spend has been less than level
budgetted.
(6,500)
(6,500)
0
Car Parks concessions
Dual Use Sports Centres
Customer Services
32
Appendix C
Ref.
Brief outline of
Saving/Additional
Income
Service
F2
Finance
Staffing and Other
C1 (no
form)
Corporate
Outlook
DM2
Development
Management
Grants and contributions review
AL6
Assets and
Leisure
AL7
OD1
EH6
Assets and
Leisure
Organisational
Development
Environmental
Health
Brief Outlione of Saving/Additional
income (Where applicable)
Deletion of vacant Exchequer
Services Assisatant post.
Cessation of the publication of
outlook.
Landscape contributions - not
currently committed.
2013/14
Budget
Savings
/Income
2013/14
P4 Update Variance
(19,700)
(19,700)
0
(26,000)
(26,000)
0
(2,150)
(2,150)
0
Grants and contributions review
Reduction in the 13/14 contribution
from £6k to £3k then full amount
thereafter for the Folk on the Pier
(3,000)
(3,000)
0
Grants and contributions review
Contribution to Village Games event.
(5,000)
(5,000)
0
(5,000)
(5,000)
0
(7,000)
(7,000)
0
(163,097)
(133,097)
30,000
Grants and contributions review
Grants and contributions review
Norwich and Norfolk Racial Equality
Council
Community Safety - Remove
contribution of £7k for funding
analyst.
TOTAL
33
Appendix D
GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME - Period 10 Budget Monitoring 2013/14
Scheme
Scheme Total
Current Estimate
Pre 31/3/13 Actual
Expenditure
Updated Budget
2013/14 at Period 10
Actual Expenditure at
Period 10
Variance 2013/14
Projected Outturn to
Actual Expenditure
2013/14 Projected
Outturn
Updated Budget 14/15
£
Jobs and the Local Economy
North Norfolk Enterprise Innovation Centre
50,000
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
50,000
Rocket House
77,084
10,295
0
0
0
0
39,705
26,928
50,156
5,240
50,156
44,916
0
45,029
26,723
0
26,723
26,723
0
0
100,000
100,000
100,000
0
0
68,379
5,000
0
5,000
5,000
0
207,758
153,923
90,835
153,923
63,088
0
0
15,000
369
15,000
14,631
0
358,389
350,802
196,444
350,802
154,358
39,705
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
77,084
Wells Sackhouse Refurbishment
71,752
Financed by;
Other Contributions
27,752
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
44,000
Maltings Wells
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
100,000
Carbon Reduction Scheme
Financed by;
NNDC (Cap Receipts - Carbon Reduction
Fund)
Car Park Resurfacing and Refurbishment
Financed by;
NNCD (Capital Receipts)
Public Conveniences (Plumbing and
Drainage)
Financed by;
NNCD (Capital Receipts)
100,000
73,379
73,379
361,681
361,681
15,000
15,000
748,896
34
Comments
GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME - Period 10 Budget Monitoring 2013/14
Scheme
Scheme Total
Current Estimate
Pre 31/3/13 Actual
Expenditure
Updated Budget
2013/14 at Period 10
Actual Expenditure at
Period 10
Variance 2013/14
Projected Outturn to
Actual Expenditure
2013/14 Projected
Outturn
Updated Budget 14/15
Comments
£
Housing and Infrastructure
Disabled Facilities Grants
Housing Associations
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
NNDC (Capital Projects Reserve)
Affordable Housing Contributions
Strategic Housing & Choice Based Lettings
System
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital receipts)
Capital Projects Reserve
477,536
472,251
545,000
72,749
1,350,000
Annual programme
819,950
397,100
819,950
422,850
105,150
100,650
20,000
33,150
20,000
(13,150)
0
Additional expenditure has been incurred
in 2013/14 to be funded from
contributions from external organisations.
The net position on the scheme is
anticipated as being as per the budget.
19,845
27,155
28,125
28,125
0
0
All grant payments have been made and
the balance of grant monies has been
returned to Great Yarmouth Borough
Council as the grant administrator.
0
0
0
0
0
3,500,000
120,495
1,344,641
930,626
1,413,075
482,449
4,955,150
120,650
113,950
6,700
Equity Loans
47,000
Financed by;
EERA Contribution
47,000
Housing Loans to Registered Providers
3,500,000
Financed by;
Capital Receipts
Capital Projects Reserve
Internal/External Borrowing
Additional expenditureis anticipated as
being incurred in 2013/14, to be offset by
a clawback of reprofiled budget from
2014/15
Annual programme
Financed by;
Specified Capital Grant
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
2,484,769
90,800
924,431
3,667,650
35
GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME - Period 10 Budget Monitoring 2013/14
Scheme
Scheme Total
Current Estimate
Pre 31/3/13 Actual
Expenditure
Updated Budget
2013/14 at Period 10
Actual Expenditure at
Period 10
2013/14 Projected
Outturn
Variance 2013/14
Projected Outturn to
Actual Expenditure
Updated Budget 14/15
Comments
£
Coast, Countryside and Built Heritage
Gypsy and Traveller Short Stay Stopping
Facilities
Financed by:
Grant
Sheringham Beach Handrails
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Projects Reserve)
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
Cromer Pier Structural Works - Phase 2
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
Sheringham Promenade Lighting
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
Other Contributions
Cromer Pier and West Prom Refurbishment
Project
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
Refurbishment Works to the Seaside
Shelters
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
Cromer Coast Protection Scheme 982 and
SEA
Financed by:
Environment Agency Grant
Pathfinder Project
Financed by:
DEFRA Grant
Cromer to Winterton Scheme
Financed by:
Environment Agency Grant
1,409,000
1,103,354
45,646
0
45,646
45,646
40,000
37,028
494
494
494
(0)
2,501
691,976
546,655
581,504
581,504
0
180,000
67,498
12,002
0
12,002
12,002
0
110
49,890
956
49,890
48,934
150,000
33,449
30,051
3,887
30,051
26,164
90,000
320,710
3,119,000
129,673
3,119,000
2,989,327
6,960,290
1,654,783
312,232
12,751
312,232
299,481
0
56,623
23,377
20,773
23,377
2,604
30,000
0
60,000
8,750
60,000
51,250
0
262
35,738
36,134
36,134
0
0
262
21,738
6,867
21,738
14,871
0
1,409,000
40,023
5,023
35,000
1,418,631
1,418,631
79,500
Additional expenditure has already been
incurred in 2013/14, to be offset by a
clawback of reprofiled budget from
2014/15
46,500
33,000
200,000
200,000
153,500
153,500
10,400,000
10,400,000
1,967,015
1,967,015
110,000
110,000
Coastal Erosion Assistance
Financed by:
Government Grant
60,000
Chalet Repairs
Financed by;
NNCD (Capital Receipts)
36,000
Doctors Steps
Financed by;
22,000
60,000
36,000
36
A £396 overspend has been incurred
against this scheme.
GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME - Period 10 Budget Monitoring 2013/14
Scheme
Scheme Total
Current Estimate
Pre 31/3/13 Actual
Expenditure
Updated Budget
2013/14 at Period 10
Actual Expenditure at
Period 10
2013/14 Projected
Outturn
Variance 2013/14
Projected Outturn to
Actual Expenditure
Updated Budget 14/15
£
NNCD (Capital Receipts)
22,000
15,895,669
3,966,055
4,256,823
801,789
37
4,292,068
3,490,279
7,452,791
Comments
GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME - Period 10 Budget Monitoring 2013/14
Scheme
Scheme Total
Current Estimate
Pre 31/3/13 Actual
Expenditure
Updated Budget
2013/14 at Period 10
Actual Expenditure at
Period 10
Variance 2013/14
Projected Outturn to
Actual Expenditure
2013/14 Projected
Outturn
Updated Budget 14/15
£
Localism
North Lodge Park
Financed by;
NNCD (Capital Receipts)
197,000
Big Society Fund
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
RCCO
507,000
0
0
0
0
196,268
282,000
225,000
40,000
225,000
185,000
0
17,045
0
0
0
0
52,955
0
54,370
0
54,370
54,370
0
0
100,000
9,191
100,000
90,809
0
299,777
379,370
49,191
379,370
330,179
249,223
197,000
482,000
25,000
North Walsham Regeneration Schemes
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
70,000
Victory Swim and Fitness Centre
Financed by;
NNCD (Capital Receipts)
54,370
Play Areas
Financed by;
NNCD (Capital Receipts)
732
70,000
54,370
100,000
100,000
928,370
38
Comments
GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME - Period 10 Budget Monitoring 2013/14
Scheme
Scheme Total
Current Estimate
Pre 31/3/13 Actual
Expenditure
Updated Budget
2013/14 at Period 10
Actual Expenditure at
Period 10
Variance 2013/14
Projected Outturn to
Actual Expenditure
2013/14 Projected
Outturn
Updated Budget 14/15
Comments
£
Delivering the Vision
Trade Waste Bins/ Waste Vehicle
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
LPSA Grant
272,700
Reception Project
Financed by;
143,026
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
143,026
Personal Computer Replacement Fund
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
NNDC (RCCO)
204,282
Waste Management & Environmental Health
IT System
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
WPEG Grant
DEFRA Grant
232,427
34,010
Replacement of Planning Printer and Scanner
41,805
12,419
92,301
Additional expenditure identified for the
purchase of garden waste bins, to be
offset by a clawback of reprofiled budget
from 2014/15
2,486
140,540
148,445
148,445
(0)
0
This scheme is complete, but has come
in £7,905 over budget as a result of
design improvements requested during
the build project. This project has formed
part of a wider scheme of office
improvements and has helped to attract
new tenants to the building. This will give
rise to an improved future revenue
position in region of £100k pa.
144,282
20,000
18,321
20,000
1,679
20,000
215,933
5,494
5,149
5,494
345
11,000
62,593
12,407
0
12,407
12,407
0
31,600
2,410
2,850
2,850
0
0
142,916
163,240
44,143
163,240
119,098
0
21,050
11,950
456
11,950
11,494
0
6,754
100,246
84,754
100,246
15,492
168,000
0
0
0
0
0
21,000
131,514
83,486
17,427
Probass 3
Financed by:
Planning Delivery Grant/Housing and Planning
Delivery Grant
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
Administrative Buildings
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
29,387
160,646
43,636
75,000
e-Financials Financial Management System
Software Upgrade
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
29,387
194,784
77,916
Asset Management Computer System
Financed by;
NNDC (Capital Projects Reserve)
NNDC (Asset Management Reserve)
Procurement for Upgrade of Civica System
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
Other Grants (RIEP)
DWP Performance Standards Fund
151,012
60,000
15,000
5,600
28,410
306,156
222,397
53,800
29,959
33,000
33,000
275,000
275,000
21,000
39
An overspend of £440 has been incurred
against this scheme.
GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME - Period 10 Budget Monitoring 2013/14
Scheme
Scheme Total
Current Estimate
Pre 31/3/13 Actual
Expenditure
Updated Budget
2013/14 at Period 10
Actual Expenditure at
Period 10
2013/14 Projected
Outturn
Variance 2013/14
Projected Outturn to
Actual Expenditure
Updated Budget 14/15
Comments
£
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
21,000
0
16,000
12,500
16,000
3,500
0
0
65,000
1,881
65,000
63,119
0
0
13,200
13,696
13,696
0
0
1,690,801
778,626
579,874
361,582
601,133
239,551
312,301
22,931,386
5,523,342
6,911,510
2,339,631
7,036,448
4,696,817
13,009,170
Committee Management Information System
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
16,000
PC Replacement and Mobile Technology
Financed by:
NNDC (Capital Receipts)
65,000
Handyman Vehicle
Financed by:
RCCO
13,200
16,000
65,000
13,200
Capital Programme Financing
Environment Agency Grant
DEFRA Grant
Disabled Facilities Grants
Other Grants
Affordable Housing Contributions
Other Contributions
Asset Management Reserve
Revenue Contribution to Capital (RCCO)
Capital Project Reserve
Capital Receipts
Internal / External Borrowing
3,202,377
357,878
443,000
27,155
50,996
8,000
4,580
38,200
780,781
1,998,543
0
6,990,290
40,000
443,000
0
0
0
0
0
195,950
4,415,499
924,431
TOTAL FINANCING
6,911,510
13,009,170
40
An overspend of £496 has been incurred
against this scheme.
GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME - Period 10 Budget Monitoring 2013/14
Scheme
Scheme Total
Current Estimate
Pre 31/3/13 Actual
Expenditure
Updated Budget
2013/14 at Period 10
Actual Expenditure at
Period 10
£
41
2013/14 Projected
Outturn
Variance 2013/14
Projected Outturn to
Actual Expenditure
Updated Budget 14/15
Comments
Agenda Item No____11________
Section 106 Agreements – Affordable Housing Provisions
Summary:
This report explains the potential for the Council
to acquire affordable housing as a result of
current provisions in Section 106 Agreements.
Firstly the Council could choose to accept the
freehold and unsold share of shared equity
dwellings and secondly it could choose to
become the owner of affordable housing to rent
provided as part of fall back arrangements
triggered when there is no Registered Provider
able to take the affordable housing dwellings in
the scheme.
The report discusses the
implications associated with each scenario and
recommends that we acquire the freehold and
unsold share of shared equity dwellings and
accept free affordable dwellings for rent when
these are offered to the Council.
Options considered:
Option 1 – that the Council only accepts the
freehold and unsold share of shared equity
dwellings where there is no Registered Provider
willing to take them. Option 2 – to take as first
preference the freehold and unsold share of
shared equity dwellings. Option 3 to accept the
offer of free affordable dwellings to rent. Option 4
not to accept free affordable dwellings.
Conclusions:
Section 106 Agreements offer an opportunity for
the Council to acquire the freehold and unsold
share of shared equity dwellings provided as part
of the affordable housing requirement delivered
on market housing sites through Section 106
Agreements. Where the leaseholder of a shared
equity dwelling chooses to buy out the unsold
share, this would result in a capital receipt for use
in providing more affordable housing. In addition
the fallback arrangements in Section 106
Agreements could mean in some cases that the
Council could be offered the opportunity to
acquire a number of affordable dwellings for rent
which would be provided for free. This would
result in the Council becoming a landlord again.
Acquiring such dwellings has implications in
terms of potentially opening a Housing Revenue
Account which will need to be explored further.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1. The Council accepts the offer to take
42
the freehold and unsold equity of
shared equity dwellings when this is
offered by developers. (option 2 as set
out in paragraph 4.2)
2. The Council accepts the offer to take
free affordable dwellings which are
required to be provided as a result of
the trigger of fallback arrangements in
Section 106 Agreements. (Option 3 as
set out in paragraph 4.3)
Reasons for
Recommendations:
The current requirements for affordable housing
in Section 106 Agreements requires the Council
to have an agreed approach as to whether it will
accept the offers made by developers for it to
own affordable housing.
The provision of
affordable housing across the district is a
Corporate Priority and accepting the affordable
dwellings which are offered to the Council will
enable the Council to be an active participant in
the delivery of affordable housing.
LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW
(Papers relied on the write the report and which do not contain exempt information)
None
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected All
Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Nicola Turner, 01263 516222,
nicola.turner@north-norfolk.gov.uk
1.
Introduction
1.1
The Council’s Core Strategy Policy H02 sets out the Council’s
affordable housing requirements on eligible sites across the district.
This policy requires that all qualifying sites should provide affordable
housing, where it is viable to do so. The required affordable housing
provision is secured through the completion of a Section 106
Agreement which will set out the number and type of affordable
housing (rented or intermediate housing such as shared equity or
shared ownership) and triggers for the delivery of the affordable
housing.
1.2
The Section 106 Agreements also require that the affordable
housing is provided without any public subsidy and that the
affordable housing is protected in perpetuity as affordable housing.
Where an affordable property can be sold, for example when the
owner of a shared ownership or shared equity dwelling wants to own
the whole property, the receipt received has to be reinvested in
providing more affordable housing within a set period or the receipt
has to be returned to the developer.
43
1.3
A number of Section 106 Agreements have been completed recently
which contain provisions which could result in the Council owning
affordable housing. These provisions relate firstly to the opportunity
to acquire the freehold and unsold equity of shared equity dwellings
and secondly to the opportunity for the Council to acquire a number
of affordable dwellings for rent at nil cost.
2.
Shared Equity Dwellings
2.1
Increasingly developers are promoting shared equity as the
intermediate housing product of choice to be provided through
Section 106 Agreements and whilst there are two models of this
product, some developers prefer the leasehold model. Under the
leasehold model, a purchaser buys a share in the property and
becomes a leaseholder, they can only own the freehold when they
choose to staircase to 100% ownership (unless the dwelling is a flat
in a block of flats). Once the lease of a shared equity dwelling has
been sold to an eligible purchaser, the freehold and unsold share is
then able to be transferred to a third party.
2.3
There is one developer actively developing new housing in North
Norfolk who uses the leasehold shared equity model. To date, only
1 Section 106 Agreement has been completed with this developer
although it is very likely that there will be more agreed in the future.
The current Section 106 Agreement provides for the freehold and
unsold share of the 23 shared equity dwellings to be constructed on
the site to be transferred to the Council or a Registered Provider.
This site has an approved Housing Delivery Incentive Scheme
application which has, on condition of a quick start on site and a
specified number of dwellings delivered within a specified timescale
reduced the number of shared equity dwellings to 16. The Council
has now been asked whether it wants to take ownership of the
freehold and unsold share of the shared equity dwellings on this site.
3.
Fall Back Arrangements – provision of free affordable dwellings
for rent
3.1
The reduction in the availability of long term loan funding for
Registered Provider has led to the use of fall back arrangements in
Section 106 Agreements. The fall back arrangements set out what
happens to the required amount of affordable housing if no
Registered Provider can be found with whom the developer can
agree terms to purchase the affordable housing at a cost which does
not require any public subsidy.
These fall back arrangements
require that either a reduced number of affordable dwellings are
provided completely free to the Council or a Registered Provider or
that the developer engages with the Council to agree a mechanism
to deliver the full affordable housing requirement or alternatively
agree an approach which will deliver an agreed amount of affordable
housing.
3.2
There are currently 3 Section 106 Agreements in place for schemes
with full planning permission, which could, if the fall back
arrangement is triggered deliver rented affordable dwellings which
44
will be transferred to the Council or a Registered Provider for free.
A further 3 Section 106 Agreements are in place for schemes with
outline planning permission, where the exact detail of the fall back
arrangement would be agreed when a new solution to deliver
affordable housing was required.
3.3
It is not possible to give an exact figure of how many rented
affordable dwellings could be offered to the Council for free, but
based on current completed Section 106 Agreements it is
considered that at least 22 rented dwellings could be offered to the
Council if a fall back arrangement was triggered.
4.
Options Considered
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Shared Equity
Option 1: Accept the freehold and unsold share of shared equity
dwellings where there is no Registered Provider willing to take them.
Under this option the Council would only accept the freehold and
unsold share of shared equity dwellings where there is no
Registered Provider willing to take them. This option would limit the
number of dwellings which the Council would ultimately be asked to
take on.
Option 2: Accept the freehold and unsold share of shared equity
dwellings.
Under this option the Council would always take up the offer of
taking the freehold and unsold share of shared equity dwellings and
would advise developers that our preference is for the Council to
take these dwellings. This would maximise the number of freeholds
the Council would own, although the exact number of freeholds the
Council could acquire is not known, currently this is expected to be
at least 16 freehold dwellings.
Affordable Dwellings for Rent
Option 3: Accept the offer of free affordable dwellings to rent.
Under this option the Council would always accept the offer of free
affordable dwellings to rent when these are offered as a result of the
trigger of fall back arrangements in Section 106 Agreements. This
would result in the Council becoming a landlord although it can
choose to contract out the management and maintenance of these
dwellings.
Option 4: Not accepting the offer of free affordable dwellings to rent.
Under this option the Council would decline the offer of accepting
free affordable rented dwellings and would instead allow the
dwellings to be taken by a Registered Provider. This option has the
fewest implications but also offers no benefits to the Council and
would maintain the Council’s position as a non stocking holding
Council.
Options 1, 2 and 3 would result in the Council owning affordable housing
although only option 3 would result in the Council becoming a landlord. The
implications in relation to options 1, 2 and 3 are discussed below.
5
Conclusions
45
5.1
6
Section 106 Agreements offer an opportunity for the Council to
acquire the freehold and unsold share of shared equity dwellings
provided as part of the affordable housing requirement delivered on
market housing sites through Section 106 Agreements. Where the
leaseholder of a shared equity dwelling chooses to buy out the
unsold share, this would result in a capital receipt for use in
providing more affordable housing.
In addition the fallback
arrangements in Section 106 Agreements could mean in some
cases that the Council could be offered the opportunity to acquire a
number of affordable dwellings for rent which would be provided for
free. This would result in the Council becoming a landlord again.
Acquiring such dwellings has implications in terms of potentially
opening a Housing Revenue Account which will need to be explored
further.
Implications and Risks
6.1
6.1.1
Shared Equity Dwellings
The shared equity dwellings will be sold on a leasehold basis, with
the leaseholder being responsible for the repairs and maintenance of
the dwelling. Where the shared equity dwelling is a flat, the
freeholder will however be responsible for the repairs to the building
structure. If the Council decides to take the freehold and unsold
share of the dwellings there are a number of risks and implications
which are discussed below:
6.1.2
The freehold of the shared equity dwellings and the unsold share is
an asset and the Council will need to protect that asset by ensuring
that the dwellings have appropriate buildings insurance cover at all
times. The lease through which the shared equity dwellings will be
sold will ensure that the Council as freeholder would be responsible
for insuring the building and the leaseholder would be required to
reimburse this cost. In some cases, the shared equity dwelling will
be a FOG or Flat Over Garage where some of the garages or car
ports under the flat will be owned on a leasehold basis and there will
be a number of garage/carport leaseholders in addition to the
leaseholder of the shared equity dwelling. Where the shared equity
dwellings are provided as FOG’s or in a block of flats, the Council
will need to recharge a number of leaseholders for their share of the
insurance cost.
6.1.3
There may also be responsibility for shared areas of road or amenity
space which are provided to serve the shared equity dwellings and
any other adjoining dwellings. In addition, future shared equity
dwellings may be served by shared stairwells and corridors which
the Council would be required to maintain as freeholder. This would
require the Council to put in place appropriate arrangements for the
management and maintenance of these shared areas. The Council
will need to ensure that it collects all income due to it as service
charges in relation to the maintenance of shared areas and
recharges accordingly through a service charge.
6.2
Free affordable dwellings for rent
46
6.2.1
If the Council accepted the offer to take free affordable dwellings for
rent through a fall back arrangement, it will become a landlord and
will be responsible for the management and maintenance of the
properties. However, the Council could choose to contract out the
management and maintenance of any rented homes it acquires or
manage this in house
6.2.2
Prior to becoming a landlord, legal advice will be required in relation
to the types of tenancy which could be offered by the Council,
although it is considered that the Council will be required to offer
Secure Tenancies. Subject to confirmation of this, the Right to Buy
would apply to a Council tenant once they have held a qualifying
tenancy for at least 5 years. If a tenant exercised their Right to Buy,
that dwelling would no longer be available as affordable housing.
The Council will also need to consider any rules relating to the
calculation of Right to Buy discounts and as to how receipts from
sales of dwellings under the Right to Buy can be used. Any
requirements in relation to the Section 106 Agreement through which
the dwelling was originally provided would also have to be
considered. The likely consequence would be that the receipt would
be used to provide more affordable housing.
6.2.3
In 2006 the Council transferred its housing stock to Victory Housing
Trust (then called North Norfolk Housing Trust) through Large Scale
Voluntary Transfer. There is a reputational risk that the Council’s
decision to become a landlord by accepting free affordable dwellings
for rent could be misunderstood when considered against the
previous decision to transfer its housing stock. The Council will
therefore need to be clear that the two decisions are separate. The
decision to transfer the Council’s housing stock in 2006 was taken in
the light of constraints on the ability of the Council to achieve the
Decent Homes Standard imposed by the funding provisions at that
time. Another reason for the stock transfer was that it would support
the delivery of more affordable housing. In becoming a landlord
again, the Council would be supporting the delivery of more
affordable housing across the district and as the acquired dwellings
would be new, they would be of a high standard of construction and
repair.
7
Financial Implications and Risks
7.1
Shared Equity Dwellings
7.1.1
There will be an administrative cost associated with accepting the
freehold of shared equity dwellings in relation to the requirement to
insure the dwellings and to recharge this cost to the individual
leaseholders. In addition there will be an administrative cost
associated with managing shared areas and recharging these costs
through service charges to leaseholders. It is not known whether
any additional staff resource would be required to manage the
administration required or whether this could be accommodated
within existing staff levels. However, if the Council accepted a large
number of freeholds, additional staff may be needed. The need for
any additional staff would be considered through the Council’s
budget setting process.
47
7.1.2
The Council would be responsible for carrying out repairs and
maintenance to the structure of flats including FOG’s. Whilst any
requirement for repairs and maintenance would be mitigated against
by requiring the dwellings to be provided with a warranty such as
that offered by the National House Builders Council (NHBC) there
will be some element of cost. However, the Council will be able to
recoup these costs through service charges which would be paid by
the leaseholders.
7.1.3
Where there is a requirement for the Council to charge a service
charge in relation to shared areas or in relation to repairs and
maintenance works carried out through its responsibilities as
freeholder, the service charge must be set at a level which recovers
actual costs. Therefore the service charge costs will be charged in
arrears to some extent, with costs incurred in 2014/15 for example
being recovered in 2015/16. Service charge costs would be
calculated to accord with all legislative requirements and best
practice.
7.1.3
There is a financial risk that the Council does not recover the full
cost of insuring the dwellings or all the service charges due it as
freeholder. In order to mitigate against this risk, the Council will
need to closely monitor the payments it receives and take prompt
action to chase outstanding payments in accordance with its Sundry
Debtors process and provisions within the lease for recovering debt
owed for insurance and service charges,
7.1.4
Where the leaseholder chooses to buy out the Council’s share of the
property, the property would revert to freehold (unless it was a flat in
a block of flats) and the Council would receive a capital sum to
reinvest in the provision of affordable housing. It is standard practice
for the Section 106 Agreements to stipulate a set period for the use
of any such sums or the monies will need to be given to the
developer. To ensure that the Council is not required to repay any
receipts received when a leaseholder buys out the Council’s share,
the timescale for use of such monies will be closely monitored to
ensure all monies are spent on the provision of more affordable
housing in North Norfolk in a timely way.
7.1.5
The lease through which the shared equity dwellings would be sold
contains a Mortgagee Protection Clause. This clause only applies to
a mortgagee which has had its loan approved by the Council as a
first charge on the property in advance of the purchase. The clause
enables the mortgagee to recover any loss it has incurred in
repossessing a shared equity dwelling from the Council as
freeholder. There are set rules around what losses can be claimed.
The mortgagee’s loss is recovered by selling 100% of the property
(using the provision to staircase to 100% ownership) and deducting
its loss from the receipt the Council will receive. The lease allows
the Council to recover its loss from the leaseholder, although it
should be noted that there is a risk that this loss cannot be
recovered as the leaseholder will have been repossessed due to
mortgage arrears. It should be noted however, that the Council has
not incurred any cost in acquiring the freehold and unsold share
initially.
48
7.2
Affordable Dwellings for rent
7.2.1
There will be a cost associated with managing and maintaining the
affordable dwellings, although this can be recovered from the rental
income received. The costs associated with maintenance will be
mitigated by ensuring that the affordable dwellings are provided with
a warranty such as that offered by the National House Builders
Council (NHBC) so that only ongoing maintenance costs are
incurred within the first 10 years.
7.2.2
If management and maintenance work was managed by the Council
it will be necessary to consider what additional staff resource was
required for the ongoing management of the homes. In addition an
IT system may be required which would include modules for rent
accounting, tenancy management, repairs and maintenance.
Finally it would be necessary to put in place a provider to carry out
repairs and maintenance. The cost associated with these is not
currently known, however, the rental income would be required to
cover these costs.
7.2.3
If the Council choose to contract out the management and
maintenance of the affordable dwellings, the contractor would use
the rental income to cover their costs. This service would need to be
procured which would have cost implications in terms of
procurement costs and staff time. There would however, still be the
requirement to establish an additional staff resource to carry out the
client function to ensure that the dwellings were managed and
maintained in accordance with the contract.
7.3
Housing Revenue Account
7.3.1
The Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was formally closed
on 1 April 2007 following the transfer of the Council’s housing stock
on 13 February 2006. The letter from the Communities and Local
Government (CLG) which formally closed the HRA states that “If at
any time after the date of this direction, the Council once again
possesses property to which section 74(1) of the 1989 Act applies,
the Council shall keep a Housing Revenue Account as required by
that section, and shall immediately notify the Secretary of State that
the Council is once again keeping a Housing Revenue Account.”
7.3.2
Section 74 (1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989
requires that a Council keeps a HRA of sums received and spent on:
“(a) houses and other buildings which have been provided under Part
II of the Housing Act 1985 (provision of housing).” Part II of the
Housing Act 1985 requires Council’s to consider the housing needs
of their district and section 9 enables councils to build or acquire
housing to meet this need.
7.3.3
It is clear that should the Council take affordable housing to rent
from a developer following the trigger of a fall back arrangement in a
Section 106 Agreement that this housing will be held under Part II of
the Housing Act 1985. It is less clear whether owning the freehold of
shared equity dwellings would also be classed as the acquisition of a
49
dwelling under Part II of the Housing Act 1985 and legal advice on
this is currently being sought.
7.3.4
The CLG has advised that if the Council had up to 50 affordable
dwellings it could apply for a direction to hold these outside of the
Housing Revenue Account. Such a direction would be given and
would allow the Council to own 50 dwellings without establishing a
separate ring fenced budget for the dwellings. If the Council had
more than 50 dwellings it is less clear whether such a direction could
be given.
7.3.5
No advice has been sought on what would be required of the
Council if it choose to own more than 50 affordable dwellings and
have a HRA. Since the Council closed its HRA, the rules have
changed with the introduction of Self-Financing in April 2012, as a
result of this change some Council’s took on additional debt and all
Councils were given a limit on the level of debt which the HRA can
support. It is possible for some of the headroom (the difference
between the level of debt held and the cap on the amount of debt
which can be held) to be used to build or acquire new Council
homes. It may therefore be advantageous for the Council to choose
to open a HRA rather than applying for a direction to hold (up to 50)
dwellings outside of the HRA. This report does not consider the
advantages or disadvantages of opening a HRA or make any
recommendation in relation to the HRA as it seeks to establish the
approach the Council will take in relation to accepting rented
affordable dwellings or the freehold and unsold share of shared
equity dwellings.
8
Sustainability
8.1
All the new homes will be provided in accordance with current building
regulation standards and in compliance with the requirements of the
Council’s Core Strategy which requires homes are built to Level 3 of
the Code for Sustainable Homes.
8.2
Through the Housing Delivery Incentive Scheme it is possible for
developers to seek approval to build dwellings which do not comply
with Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes or meet the
Council’s renewable energy requirements, however, they would still
be built to Building Regulation Standards which include
requirements for energy efficiency.
9
Equality and Diversity
9.1
There are no equality and diversity implications related to the
recommendations.
10
Section 17 Crime and Disorder considerations
50
10.1
There are no section
recommendations.
51
17
implications
related
to
the
Agenda Item No____12_______
Section 157 Restrictions on former Council homes
Summary:
Section 157 restrictions on former Council homes
across the district provides a pool of properties
which can only be sold to someone who has lived
or had their place of work in Norfolk for a period
of 3 years prior to the sale. The Council regularly
receives requests from purchasers wanting to buy
a property subject to the restriction who do not
meet the required critieria to purchase to remove
or waive the restriction. This report recommends
the Council agrees an approach as to when it will
waive the restriction on a case by case basis and
recommends that such decisions are delegated to
the Housing Team Leader – Strategy.
Options considered:
Option 1: Agree a policy which enables a flexible
approach to be taken in deciding when to allow a
purchaser who does not meet the Section157
criteria to purchase a property subject to the
restriction.
Option 2: Choose not to uphold the Section 157
restrictions. This option was not considered
appropriate as the properties subject to the
Section 157 restriction increases the range of
properties available for sale at a reasonable price,
especially in the more pressured parts of the
district, which contributes to the achievement of
the Council’s Corporate Plan.
Conclusions:
The Section 157 Restriction on former Council
homes requires that properties which are subject
to the restriction are only sold to a purchaser who
for the 3 years immediately prior to the purchase
have had their only or principal home or place of
work in Norfolk. The restriction creates a pool of
properties which contribute to the range of
affordable tenures available across the district.
The Council must have a clear policy as to when
it will act flexibly and allow a purchaser who does
not meet the criteria through residence or place
of work to buy a property subject to the
restriction.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
1. The Council adopts the approach set
out in this report when considering
whether to waive the Section 157
restriction to allow a purchaser who
does not meet the terms of the
52
restriction to purchase a property
subject to the restriction.
2. Delegate to the Housing Team Leader –
Strategy, alongside the portfolio
holder, the ability to decide when to
waive the Section 157 restriction.
Reasons for
Recommendations:
To support the Council’s Corporate Vision that
“everyone in North Norfolk should have the
opportunity to buy or rent a decent home at a
price they can afford, in a community where they
want to live or work” by ensuring that the
properties with the Section 157 restriction remain
available as an affordable housing product.
LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW
(Papers relied on the write the report and which do not contain exempt
information)
None
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected All
Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Nicola Turner, 01263 516222,
nicola.turner@north-norfolk.gov.uk
1
Background
1.1
In 1982 the Council sought and was granted The Housing (Right to
Buy) (Designated Rural Areas and Designated Regions) (England)
Order, which designated the majority of the North Norfolk District
Council area (it excludes Cromer, Fakenham, Holt, North Walsham
and Sheringham) a rural area in accordance with what became
Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985.
1.2
The order means that all properties which were sold through the Right
to Buy following the order came into place which are located in the
rural area have a restriction which means that the properties can only
be sold to someone who throughout the three years immediately
preceding the application for consent to a disposal has either their
only or principal home or their place of work in the designated region.
The region for North Norfolk is the County of Norfolk. Someone can
also qualify through a mixture of employment and residence. The
restriction is referred to as the Section 157 restriction.
1.3
In recognition of the important role that properties subject to the
Section 157 restriction have in the North Norfolk housing market, as
the restriction has an impact on the value of the property which
enables them to provide a pool of properties which are generally more
affordable than other properties which are not subject to the
53
restriction, the Council’s Housing Strategy (Housing and Infrastructure
document) includes a specific action that:
 We will uphold Section 157 restrictions on former Right to Buy
properties ensuring that such properties remain available for
local people and contribute to the range of affordable housing
tenures.
2
The operation of the restriction
2.1
Operationally the Section 157 restriction means that the Council is
required to provide written confirmation that the sale of a property
which it sold subject to the restriction can proceed. The Council
cannot withhold consent to a sale where the purchaser meets the
requirements of the restriction. The Council receives approximately 6
such requests a month.
2.2
Properties subject to the Section 157 restriction should be clearly
marketed as being subject to the restriction to inform all prospective
purchasers of the restrictions which apply to the property.
Unfortunately there are cases where a prospective purchaser only
becomes aware of the restriction and the fact they do not meet the
criteria after they have viewed or even offered to purchase the
property.
2.3
The Council receives a number of requests, around at least 1 per
month from a potential purchaser who wants to buy a property which
is subject to the restriction but does not meet the restriction. In
addition owners of properties subject to the restriction do on occasion
contact the Council to seek removal of the restriction.
3
A flexible approach
3.1
The Council’s Housing Strategy sets out a clear policy approach to
Section 157 restrictions. However, whilst the Council will not remove
a restriction from a property, it should not have such an inflexible
approach that it will not ever agree to waive the restriction to allow a
purchaser who does not meet the terms of the restriction to buy a
property subject to the restriction. The owner of a property subject to
the restriction must be able to sell their property even if no eligible
purchaser can be found.
3.2
Whilst a flexible approach is required, it must also be clear, that
properties subject to the Section 157 restriction should be marketed
for an appropriate period at an appropriate value. This is required to
ensure that there is an opportunity for a purchaser that meets the
terms of the restriction to be able to offer to purchase the property,
this is especially important in those parts of the district which are
attractive to purchasers relocating into the district from outside of
Norfolk.
3.2
Any flexible approach must be transparent and provide an idea of
when the Council will be flexible, without fettering the Council’s ability
to take into account exceptional circumstances on a case by case
54
basis. It is proposed that the Council adopts the following flexible
approach to the current policy:
All applications for dispensation will be considered on their merits on
a case by case basis but the authority has decided that cases falling
within the description below will be given a reasonable preference.
Where a property subject to the restriction has been on the market for
an appropriate price which reflects the restriction for a period of 12
months without being sold to a purchaser who meets the terms of the
restriction, the Council may agree on a case by case basis, to the sale
of the property to a purchaser who does not meet the terms of the
restriction. In assessing whether the property has been marketed at
an appropriate price, the Council will commission an independent
valuation, to be paid for by the vendor.
3.3
Other factors which will be considered as part of the above approach
are the amount of time the potential purchaser has lived (only or
principal home) or had their place of work in Norfolk.
3.4
The decision whether or not to waive the restriction to allow a
purchaser which does not meet the terms of the restriction to buy a
property is an executive matter and it is recommended that this is
delegated to the Housing Team Leader – Strategy.
3.5
When the Council agrees to allow the sale of a property subject to the
restriction to a purchaser who does not meet the terms of the
restriction it will not remove the restriction, but instead waive the
restriction for the purchase to proceed. The restriction will remain on
the property for future sales.
4
Options Considered
4.1
Option 1: Agree a policy which enables a flexible approach to be
taken in deciding when to allow a purchaser who does not meet the
s157 criteria to purchase a property subject to the restriction. Where
the Council has a clear policy to uphold the restriction it must not be
inflexible in how the policy is applied. A clear approach to how the
Council will act flexibly is therefore required.
4.2
Option 2: Choose not to uphold the s157 restrictions. This option
was not considered appropriate as the properties subject to the
Section 157 restriction increase the range of properties available for
sale at a reasonable price, especially in the more pressured parts of
the district, which contributes to the achievement of the Council’s
Corporate Plan.
5
Conclusions
5.1
The Section 157 Restriction on former Council homes requires that
properties which are subject to the restriction are only sold to a
purchaser who for the 3 years immediately prior to the purchase have
had their only or principal home or place of work in Norfolk. The
restriction creates a pool of properties which contribute to the range of
55
affordable tenures available across the district. The Council must
have a clear policy as to when it will act flexibly and allow a purchaser
who does not meet the criteria through residence or place of work.
6
Implications and Risks
6.1
Adopting a clear approach to Section 157 restrictions will ensure that
owners of properties subject to the restriction are clear under what
circumstances they can sell to someone who does not meet the terms
of the restriction and provide reassurance that they will be able to sell
their property.
6.2
If the Council was too flexible in its approach as to when it will agree
to waive the Section 157 restriction, this would undermine the purpose
of the restriction and would lead to an increase in requests and
consequently increase the staff time required to process requests.
Undermining the purpose of the restriction could ultimately impact
positively on the value of the properties and lead to the loss of these
properties contributing to the affordable housing tenure provision
across the district.
6.3
The proposed approach provides a balanced approach by setting out
under what circumstances the Council is minded to waive the
restriction, whilst also providing for a flexible approach to be taken to
enable exceptional circumstances to be taken into account. This
ensures that the properties subject to the Section 157 restriction
continue to provide a valuable contribution to the district’s housing
market.
7
Financial Implications and Risks
7.1
There are no financial implications related to the recommendations.
8
Sustainability
8.1
There are no
recommendations.
9
Equality and Diversity
9.1
There are no equality and diversity implications related to the
recommendations
10
Section 17 Crime and Disorder considerations
10.1
There are no section 17 implications related to the recommendations.
sustainability
56
implications
related
to
the
Agenda Item No_____13_______
NEW ANGLIA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC PLAN
Summary:
This report provides information about the formulation of
the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic
Economic Plan (SEP). It provides a link to the draft plan
that was submitted to Government on 19 Dec 2013 and
identifies the process intended for its final adoption. The
report also provides information on the emerging Norfolk
Growth Prospectus and on how these strategic
documents affect our own growth agenda.
Options considered:
The SEP is being prepared in collaboration between a
variety of local authorities and other agencies. The route
suggested in this report is considered to be the most
pragmatic in order to both influence the document’s
content and facilitate its timely submission. An
alternative would be to await the finalisation of the plan
prior to Cabinet approving it; however this cannot occur
in time for its submission to Government.
Conclusions:
The SEP is essentially a high level bidding document to
Government. It will be the principal vehicle for bringing
resources and investment to the LEP area. North
Norfolk (being quintessentially what is thought of as
rural
Norfolk)
obviously
has
quite
different
characteristics from the urban parts of the LEP area;
however it also has the assets that can foster growth not
only to the benefit of this locality but the LEP area as a
whole. It is vital therefore that this potential is
recognised in the emerging strategic documents.
The document drafted thus far does highlight the
strategic growth issues and constraints for Norfolk and
Suffolk, and officers and members will continue to
ensure it includes the critical aspects of our own
economic growth potential.
Recommendations:
Cabinet is recommended to delegate authority to
the CEO in consultation with the Leader of the
Council and the Cabinet Member for Economic
Development to indicate the District Council’s
support for the submission version of the New
Anglia Strategic Economic Plan, subject to:
a. The retention of the Fakenham–Wells
corridor in the Plan as a location for
investment in the renewable energy and agritech sectors and recognition of the
infrastructure requirements needed to help
attract such investment to this location
57
b. The inclusion in the Plan of an identified
zone encompassing the former Coltishall
Airbase, North Walsham, and Bacton Gas
Terminal Site as an area of significant growth
potential in the context of rural North-east
Norfolk;
c. The recognition of the ‘care sector’ as a key
growth sector
d. Recognition of the important role played by
the Bittern Line as a key rural transport
infrastructure asset linking a large part of the
North Norfolk District to the national rail
network via Norwich.
This recommendation is intended to help facilitate the
timely submission of the Plan to Government, whilst
ensuring the strategic growth potential of North Norfolk
district is recognised in the substantive content of the
Plan.
Reasons for
Recommendations:
LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW
(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not
published elsewhere)
Cabinet Member(s)
Cllr Russell Wright
Ward(s) affected
All
Contact Officer, telephone number and email:
Robert Young, 01263 516162
1.
Introduction
1.1
This report provides an overview of the New Anglia Strategic Economic Plan
and the Norfolk Growth Prospectus, governance arrangements for their
delivery, progress to date, timeline for delivery and proposed sign off
procedures.
1.2
These plans will provide the context for the development of economic growth
initiatives locally and the administration of funding support at the strategic
level. It is important to ensure that these plans include the ‘hooks’ on which
local growth and investment initiatives can be hung at the appropriate point in
the future and the Council has, through both officers and members, thus far
provided contributions on what this Council wants the strategic documents to
contain.
58
1.3
The final text for the SEP document is currently being drafted and the
timescale for submission to Government does not allow time for the final plan
to be formally considered by the relevant authorities prior to submission. This
report therefore seeks delegated authority to endorse the final plan, subject to
the inclusion of matters that are considered to be of fundamental importance
to future plans for strategic level economic growth in this District.
2.
2.1
New Anglia Strategic Economic Plan
The Government created Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), as
public/private partnerships between business, local authorities and academia
in order to drive local growth. Increasingly, powers are transferring to the
LEP’s and they are seen as the conduit for the administration of funding and
governance for economic development activity and growth related initiatives –
such as transport infrastructure. New Anglia LEP (NALEP) is the partnership
for Norfolk and Suffolk and covers both counties in their entirety. King’s Lynn
and West Norfolk is also in the Greater Cambridgeshire, Greater
Peterborough LEP.
2.2
Government recently requested that LEPs produce a Strategic Economic
Plan (SEP) for their area, which will be used to negotiate a six year ‘Growth
Deal’, giving access to a Local Growth Fund (LGF), which is designed to
contribute to financing economic growth priorities. Government guidance
indicates that Deals will be signed off by the end of July 2014.
3.
3.1
Norfolk Growth Prospectus
Norfolk Chief Executives and Norfolk Leaders have agreed that their input to
the SEP would be framed into a county-specific document, a Norfolk Growth
Prospectus (NGP). This document will help articulate the ambitions of Norfolk
authorities to encourage growth investment and facilitate change.
3.2
The NGP will not replace district councils’ strategies and development plans;
rather, it will help coordinate and inform them, with a focus on removing
barriers to growth, especially in the areas of infrastructure, enterprise and
skills.
3.3
The approach to the NGP, agreed with Norfolk Leaders and Chief Executives
is to:
 Paint a picture of the Norfolk economy
 Identify those sectors that have the potential to lead to a step change in
growth of higher value jobs and GVA (‘gross value added’ - a measure of
wealth creation)
3.4
The prospectus will be an evidence-based picture of the strengths and
opportunities we can exploit, given the right conditions for growth. The NGP’s
priority is to support enterprise in emerging and growth sectors, through
innovation and development in these - by existing and new businesses - that
we will achieve a step change in growth and prosperity. It will:
 Identify the locations where the growth in jobs and housing is projected to
take place, based on district plans, to the mutual benefit of all
communities in Norfolk; providing a catalyst for coordination and
cooperation
59



Examine the enablers of growth that are needed, e.g. infrastructure,
housing, as well as crosscutting themes such as education/training/skills
development
Describe what is already being done to address these challenges and
grow key sectors
Propose interventions to build on this existing activity, using a range of
funding streams
4.
4.1
NNDC’s Growth Plan
During the development of these plans, this Council will need to formulate its
own local growth agenda. This involves further developing our approach to
the following:
 setting priorities for local economic growth (both locational and sectoral)
 identifying the resources needed to support both the existing growth and
development oriented activities and those that can be reasonably
anticipated to meet the wider ambitions of the Council and its partners
 identifying ways in which support can be offered and influence can be
brought to bear on agencies, organisations and businesses that will be
instrumental in implementing our local growth ambitions
 providing a framework for the utilisation of the Council’s own assets (and
investment potential) to facilitate local economic growth
 setting out an action plan, that will direct the implementation of local
growth initiatives.
4.2
In order to obtain a fair share of any resources to address the needs and
exploit the opportunities for growth locally, it is important for those matters to
be recognised in the emerging strategic documents. It is suggested therefore
that the LEP be informed of the following matters which North Norfolk District
Council would wish to see incorporated into the final SEP submission
document.
a.
The retention of the Fakenham–Wells corridor in the Plan as a
location for investment in the renewable energy and agri-tech sectors
and recognition of the infrastructure requirements needed to help
attract such investment to this location
b.
The inclusion of an identified zone including the former Coltishall
Airbase, North Walsham and Bacton Gas Terminal Site as an area of
significant growth potential in the context of rural North-east Norfolk;
c.
The recognition of the ‘care sector’ as a key growth sector
d.
Recognition of the important role played by the Bittern Line as a key
rural transport infrastructure asset linking a large part of the North
Norfolk District to the national rail network via Norwich.
4.3
The local growth plan will first of all be reported through the Growth Board,
prior to consideration by Cabinet.
5.
5.1
Local Growth Fund.
The main purpose of the SEP is to provide the basis for negotiating a ‘Growth
Deal’ with Government, which gives access to a share of the £2bn LGF. The
LGF comes into force in April 2015, with an element allocated to the local
area, but a further element to bid for competitively.
5.2
For the first year, the Fund is virtually all capital, largely coming from the
Department for Transport (DfT). While the LGF is described by Government
60
as being unringfenced, in practice DfT will expect the funds they put into the
pot to emerge in the Plan in the form of transport and infrastructure-related
projects. This is therefore the approach that New Anglia is taking. There is
virtually no revenue money in the Fund. The table below summarises the
funding bid for in the initial 19 December submission, for the six years from
2015/16 to 2020/21.
Description
Six-year transport programme
Capital skills investment
Enterprise and innovation offer
EU structural and investment strategy (match funding of £5m
per annum for the SIF)
TOTAL
Amount
£265m
£72m
£46.5m
£30m
£413.5m
5.3
EU Structural and Investment Fund (SIF). Government is devolving EU funds
for the EU programme period 2014-20 down to LEPs.
In practice,
Government is still retaining control of their management, but LEPs are being
given notional allocations, based on population and are able to recommend
how the funds should be allocated across a range of EU thematic spending
priorities.
5.4
New Anglia’s share is £81m over the seven-year period. The Fund is roughly
half ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and half ESF (European
Social Fund). ERDF funds contribute to economic growth, particularly low
carbon, while ESF targets education, skills and employment.
5.5
A key priority of the NGP is to ensure that Norfolk draws down as much of the
SIF as possible and the Prospectus will be updated regularly to show how this
is being achieved.
5.6
Business Rates. Norfolk Leaders entered into a formal agreement to create a
£790,000 Joint Investment Fund, from Business Rates revenues (with
£300,000 retained to cover fluctuations in business rates achieved, giving a
net investment fund of £490,000), on the basis of the following principles:
a) The purpose of the Norfolk business rates pool is to make
strategic investments designed to support Norfolk priorities within
the Local Enterprise Partnership Strategic Economic Plan and
support Norfolk’s Economic Growth Strategy.
b) Priority will be given to schemes which:
 Lever funding from LEP growth and European funds
 Support projects which will lead to:
o Job creation
o Further business rates growth
o Housing growth
o Improved skills and qualifications
o New business creation/expansion
These schemes should be ready to start on site and have all
relevant permissions, licences, land ownership arrangements
in place.
5.7
In due course, both the SEP and the NGP will describe how this Joint
Investment Fund is being used to deliver the above outcomes for Norfolk.
61
5.8
Other funds to support the SEP and the NGP may come from a variety of
sources, such as the private sector, local authorities, other EU funds and
other Government funds, such as the Growing Places Fund, being
administered by the LEP.
5.9
A key aim of both the SEP and the NGP is to build on the City Deal for
Greater Norwich, which was signed in December 2013. The Deal already has
its own funding package in place, including the facility to borrow at
preferential rates.
6.
6.1
Governance, progress and next steps
Norfolk Leaders tasked the Chief Executives Group with overseeing Norfolk’s
input to the SEP and development of the NGP. The Chief Executives
therefore established a Norfolk Growth Group, comprising District Council
Directors or Heads of Service, the County Council’s Assistant Director for
Economic Development & Strategy and the New Anglia LEP Programme
Director. This is the same model as operates in Suffolk.
6.2
The first draft of the SEP was required to be submitted to Government on 19
December 2013.
A copy is available on the New Anglia website
(http://www.newanglia.co.uk/how-can-we-help-you/keep-informed-2/strategiceconomic-plan/) with a hard copy in the Members’ Room.
6.3
All district councils and both county councils in Norfolk and Suffolk had the
opportunity to comment on the draft, but due to the very tight timescales,
consultation was not able to go wider. Further timings are:
 End January/early February 2014: Government feedback received on
draft plan, stressing the need for it to be a strategic document that is
‘business-led’
 January - February: engagement on the formulation of the revised Plan
and proposed interventions
 31 March 2014: New Anglia submits final version of Strategic Economic
Plan
 April 2014: Government starts assessing plans and negotiating with LEPs
– advice to ministers by June
 July 2014: Single Local Growth Fund offers made to LEPs
 April 2015: Growth Deals implemented
7.
7.1
Conclusion
The SEP is essentially a high level bidding document to Government. It will
be the principal vehicle for bringing resources and investment to the LEP
area. North Norfolk (being quintessentially what is thought of as rural Norfolk)
obviously has quite different characteristics from the urban parts of the LEP
area; however it also has the assets that can foster growth not only to the
benefit of this locality but the LEP area as a whole. It is vital therefore that this
potential is recognised in the emerging strategic documents.
7.2
The document drafted thus far does highlight the strategic growth issues and
constraints for Norfolk and Suffolk, and officers and members will continue to
ensure it includes the critical aspects of our own economic growth potential.
8.
Implications and Risks
62
8.1
The content of these strategic documents will be instrumental in directing
resources for growth in the area. Our own policy documents will be prepared
within the context set by these. There are, however, no direct implications for
the Council emanating from the formulation of the SEP and the NGP and
therefore no risks associated with the recommended course of action.
9.
9.1
Financial Implications and Risks
There are no financial implications or risks associated with the matters
identified in this report or its recommendation.
10.
10.1
Sustainability
There are no sustainability implications resulting from the matters dealt with in
this report.
11.
11.1
Equality and Diversity
There are no equality and diversity implications resulting from the matters
dealt with in this report.
12.
12.1
Section 17 Crime and Disorder considerations
There are no crime and dissorder implications resulting from the matters dealt
with in this report.
63
Agenda Item No____14________
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2014-15
Summary:
Conclusions:
This report presents the Annual Action Plan for 2014-15
for approval
.
A rigorous development process has resulted in a
balanced and effective Annual Action Plan for 2014 -15
and associated performance indicators to deliver the
priorities and objectives as laid out in the Corporate
Plan 2012-2015.
Recommendations:
Cabinet is recommended to approve the Annual
Action Plan 2014-15 as set out in Appendix E and
the targets and recommendations for performance
indicators as set out in Appendix F.
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected
All
All
Contact Officer, telephone number and email:
Helen Thomas, 01263 516214, Helen.Thomas@north-norfolk.gov.uk
1.
Annual Action Plan 2014/15
1.1
This report presents the third annual action plan, this one for 2014/15,
designed to deliver the Corporate Plan 2012-2015. It builds on and develops
further the work of the first Annual Action Plan 2012/13 and the second
Annual Action Plan 2013/14 which is currently being delivered. The plan is
intended to be operational from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.
1.2
Over the winter Staff, Managers, Heads of Service, members of Corporate
Leadership Team and Portfolio Holders have been reviewing the progress of
the Annual Action Plan 2013/14 and developing the next. In addition,
meetings continue to take place with town and parish councils which have
also informed this process..
1.3
Some activities in the Annual Action Plan 2013/14 have already been
completed or are anticipated to be completed by the end of March 2014.
These therefore do not appear in the Annual Action Plan 2014/15. Progress in
delivering the activities in the Annual Action Plan 2013/14 and achievement
against targets will be reported in our Annual Report for 2013/14 which will be
produced later this year and presented to Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny
Committee.
1.4
Some activities in the Annual Action Plan 2013/14 are anticipated to still be in
the process of being delivered during 2014/15, or were always designed to be
64
activities that would require more than one year to complete, or are expected
to run for the full period of the Corporate Plan 2012-15. These activities have
been rolled forward into the Annual Action Plan 2014/15. Some activites may
have been slightly amended to take account of changing circumstances or
new opportunities that have arisen.
1.5
Some longer term activities in the Annual Action Plan 2013/14 met milestones
as planned during 2013/14 and have been reworded to show the milestone
that should be achieved during the delivery of the Annual Action Plan
2014/15.
1.6
Some new activities have been added to the Annual Action Plan 2014/15.
1.7
The Annual Action Plan 2014-15 attached as Appendix XX1 is the result of
that review.
1.8
The performance indicators, including those for which targets have been set,
to assist in managing the achievement of the objectives in the Corporate Plan
2012-15 have also been reviewed and recommendations for targets for
2014/15 or changes to the indicators are presented in Appendix XX2.
2.
Managing Delivery of the Annual Action Plan 2014/15
2.1
The Annual Action Plan 2014/15 will be delivered by applying the
Performance Management Framework. Implementation of the framework is
under continuous review and improvement as required by Cabinet and
Management Team.
4.
Conclusion
A rigorous development process has resulted in a balanced and effective
Annual Action Plan for 2014-15 and associated performance targets to deliver
the objectives laid out in the Corporate Plan 2012-2015
5.
Implications and Risks
Agreeing a clear Annual Action Plan for 2014/15 is a key part of the process
to ensure the Council achieves the objectives in the Corporate Plan 2012-15
and reduces the risk of failure.
6.
Financial Implications and Risks
There are no direct financial implications associated with this report.
However, there are performance measures and targets, and activities
included in the Annual Action Plan 2014/15 that are specifically related to
finance. In addition, corrective action needed during delivery of the plan or an
activity within it may have financial implications that would need to be made
clear at the time any action is agreed.
7.
Sustainability
There are no direct implications for sustainability in this report. However, the
Annual Action Plan it presents seeks to increase the sustainability of the
social, economic and environmental situation in North Norfolk
65
8.
Equality and Diversity
There are no direct implications for equality and diversity in this report. If any
activity in the Annual Action Plan 2014/15 requires review of a service being
delivered or a change to a policy of the Council an Equality Impact
Assessment on any proposed changes will be carried out.
9.
Section 17 Crime and Disorder considerations
There are no implications for Crime and Disorder in this report.
66
Appendix E
Annual Action Plan 2014/15 - FINAL
Introduction
North Norfolk District Council’s Corporate Plan 2012-15: small government, big society, sets out the
council’s priorities until 2015. It guides business decisions to ensure that the council is well-run and able to
meet its objectives. And in line with the Coalition Government’s localism agenda, NNDC is putting the
interests of local communities at the heart of everything it does – local decisions and local actions for the
benefit of local communities.
The Corporate Plan is a strategic document, listing the priorities for council actions for the period 20122015, giving our shared vision and our values and listing the priority areas on which the council intends to
concentrate its efforts:





jobs and the local economy
housing and infrastructure
coast, countryside and built heritage
localism, and
the proposed means of delivering the vision.
These priorities were drawn up following two years of consultation and discussions with members of the
local community and reflect the concerns and ambitions raised over that period. Success in meeting these
aims will involve making some difficult choices. We must ensure that our spending is focussed on the
things that really matter to local people and businesses. The Corporate Plan 2012-15 is available for online
viewing.
This document is the third Annual Action Plan, giving detail of how the priorities in the Corporate Plan will
be realised over the forthcoming 12 months from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015. It builds on, and adds to,
the work done in the first and second Annual Action Plans. The plan is designed to deliver change that will
meet the needs and aspirations of all the people of north Norfolk including particular issues facing young
people and older persons. It takes account of the work that needs to be done as a result of the storm surge
in December 2013.
A key element of the plan will be the start of the implementation of the Business Transformation
Programme which includes the Customer Management Strategy 2014-2017 and the IT Strategy 20142017.
Regular dialogue continues to take place with Parish and Town Councils and other local bodies so as to
ensure that local communities are involved and engaged with District Council actions and some of the
results of that dialogue are included in this plan.
March 2014
Annual Action Plan 2014-15 v15 FINAL FOR CABINET
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67
Appendix E
JOBS AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY 2014-2015
What we want to achieve: A district with a thriving economy offering better jobs and prospects for
local people
What we are going to do and how we will achieve it
A
Increase the number of new businesses and support the growth and expansion of existing businesses
1 We will work with partners to develop and deliver the business support scheme Enterprise North Norfolk
2 Working in partnership we will increase investment opportunities in the district through the promotion
and development of allocated employment sites
3 We will conclude the designation of a Local Development Order at Egmere and develop job and supply
chain opportunities associated with the off shore wind sector
4 We will support the North Norfolk Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) and review the delivery of
projects from the £2.4 million funding secured for the fishing sector
5 We will develop our corporate position in respect of emerging renewable energy technologies through
preparation of an Energy Strategy
6 We will seek to influence and promote job-creating investment at the former Coltishall airbase
7 We will formulate a Growth Plan for North Norfolk District Council, linked to the LEP Strategic Economic
Plan and the Norfolk Growth Prospectus and identify potential future key projects
8 We will formulate a Business Engagement Strategy via a new Memorandum of Understanding with
North Norfolk Business Forum and through business events such as a Business and Skills Symposium
9 We will review the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy to reflect changes to support businesses as outlined
in the Autumn Statements
B
Improve the job prospects of our residents by developing a skilled and adaptable workforce that is matched
to business growth and development
1 Through the Council's Learning for Everyone (L4E) Team we will provide information, advice and
guidance to local people wishing to enter employment or improve their levels of skills and raise
aspiration
2
We will offer bespoke programmes of advice and support to people faced with redundancy from local
companies as and when such events occur
3
The L4E team will engage with existing and new employers in the district to understand their future
workforce requirements and co-ordinate provision of relevant training courses to secure employment
within the district
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68
Appendix E
C
Improve access to funding for businesses
1 Working with the North Norfolk Business Forum, other representative local groups, regional partners
and financial services companies we will seek to ensure that small and medium sized enterprises have
improved access to investment finance to support business growth and development across the district
D
Reduce burdens to business by removing unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy at the local level
1 We will work with partners to roll out BDUK's £60m Norfolk Broadband Initiative across North Norfolk
2 We will ensure our approach to enforcement supports local businesses
3 We will streamline the planning process to improve our performance
4 We will advertise and promote all public sector procurement opportunities to small and medium sized
businesses (SMEs) across the district
E
Promote a positive image of north Norfolk as a premier visitor destination
1 We will support and facilitate the newly established private sector led Destination Management
Organisation (DMO) for the north Norfolk coast and countryside to maintain the profile of the district as a
leading tourist destination within the UK, boosting levels of employment and income for the district
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69
Appendix E
HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE 2014-2015
What we want to achieve: Everyone in north Norfolk should have the opportunity to buy or rent a
decent home at a price they can afford, in a community where they want to live and work
What we are going to do and how we will achieve it
A
Increase the number of new homes built within the district and reduce the number of empty properties
1 We will bring forward detailed proposals on allocated sites by better engagement with developers
2 We will produce a development brief for the allocated site in Fakenham (F01)
3 We will seek to increase the number of new homes built of all tenures
4 We will encourage the development of neighbourhood plans by supporting towns and parishes when
they indicate a desire to go down that route
5 We will support owners to bring empty homes back into use and provide opportunities to do so through
the application of our statutory powers
6 We will review the homelessness strategy
7 We will consider our approach and establish a timeline for a review of the local plan
B
Increase the number of affordable homes within a range of tenure types
1
We will seek to increase the number of affordable homes provided across the district through a range
of delivery mechanisms and including the local investment strategy loan to registered providers
C
Secure investment in new infrastructure
1 We will consult and then obtain agreement on a process for securing contributions towards
infrastructure from development proposals in the district (known as section 106 agreements)
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70
Appendix E
COAST, COUNTRYSIDE AND BUILT HERITAGE 2014-2015
What we want to achieve: A district where the beautiful natural environment and built heritage is
valued and protected for future generations and where the coastline is defended against erosion
wherever practicable
What we are going to do and how we will achieve it
A
Maintain the integrity of special landscape designations and balance the development of housing and
economic activity with the need to preserve the character and quality of the district’s countryside and built
heritage
1 We will assess and implement requirements for new Green Flag awards and work to retain the existing
awards
2 We will work with other agencies to retain four of the district's Blue Flags for the quality of the beaches
and to achieve Quality Coast awards elsewhere
3 We will manage the waste services contract through the effective use of rectifications and defaults to
achieve an excellent level of service
4 We will ensure that all reported fly-tipping will be responded to within 2 working days
5 We will review our supplementary planning guidance for landscaping requirements on large
development sites and the application of the guidance
B
Recognise the district’s built environment as a heritage asset when promoting north Norfolk
1 Through the work of the Council’s Enforcement Board we will take appropriate action where listed
buildings and buildings within conservation areas are considered to be at risk
C
Design a more cohesive framework for coastline management
1 We will investigate Coastal Management Partnership options with neighbouring Maritime Authorities
2 We will work with coastal communities to identify coastal management schemes and sources of funding
3 We will continue to assess the storm surge of December 2013 and prepare and implement plans to
repair sea defences and replace coastal assets
D
Continue to defend coastal settlements against erosion wherever practicable
1 We will oversee the implementation of the £8.6m Cromer Defence Scheme
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71
Appendix E
LOCALISM 2014-2015
What we want to achieve: To embrace the Government’s localism agenda to empower
individuals and communities to take more responsibility for their own futures and to build a
stronger civil society
What we are going to do and how we will achieve it
A
Recognise the important role that Town and Parish Councils have as the democratic embodiment of their
communities
1 We will respond positively to a Community Right to Challenge to take over the running of services within
their area/communities if they can be run more efficiently (to our Service Level Agreement) and we will
establish a regular dialogue and work with town and parish councils. We will hold workshops for training
and development, in particular to encourage wide community participation in the democratic process
B
Encourage communities to develop their own vision for their future and help them to deliver it
1 We will support and encourage Community Dog Warden Schemes in those parishes where there is a
local demand
2 We will implement a Community Resilience Planning programme to increase uptake amongst local
communities so that communities are able to help and support each other in the face of a common crisis
C
Encourage the growth of The Big Society within communities
1 We will continue to administer our Big Society Fund, to invest in local communities, strengthen civil
society, and provide support for local priorities
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Appendix E
DELIVERING THE VISION 2014-2015
What we want to achieve: We will make the Council more efficient so that we can deliver our
priorities and offer value for money for local taxpayers
What we are going to do and how we will achieve it
A
Ensure our governance arrangements are robust and fit for purpose
1 The Audit Committee will oversee a review programme to ensure that audit coverage reflects the risks
facing the Council and produce a revised annual audit plan for 2013/14 onwards
2 We will set and achieve 100% compliance with deadlines agreed with Internal Audit for
recommendations rated as Medium and High
3 We will review and update the revised performance management framework to include managing the
Business Transformation Programme
4 We will review the Scheme of Delegation to fit with a new structure within the Planning Service
B
Ensure that effective communications exist
1 We will work to develop our approach to digital and social media and work to improve our dissemination
of information to our local residents
2 We will re-launch the Planning Agents Forum
3 We will undertake a programme of Member Development
4 We will implement a replacement telephony system and customer management system
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Appendix E
C
Delivering strong and proportionate organisational management in the Council
1
We will implement a new structure for the Planning Service
D
Prioritise services and functions in line with the wishes of our communities and to deliver our corporate
objectives
1 We will prioritise services and redirect resources in line with those priorities by completing fundamental
reviews of services that residents have identified as the least important
2 We will review the objectives in the Corporate Plan to ensure it takes account of emerging issues and
opportunities
E
Deliver year-on-year improvements in efficiency
1 We will implement a cost saving Revenues and Benefits project
2 We will devise and implement budgets to deliver a freeze in the District Council's part of the Council
Tax charge
3 We will review the reward structures to encourage staff, for finding innovative new ways to deliver
higher quality services more efficiently
4 We will implement the Business Transformation Programme to ensure that the most economic, efficient
and accessible forms of contact are in place for all our customers
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Appendix F
Annual Action Plan 2014/15
Performance Indicators and Measures
including targets - FINAL
Jobs and the Local Economy
Indicators and Measures
Q3 13/14
Result
J 015 - Number of member businesses of the
Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for the
north Norfolk coast and countryside (quarterly)
Target
2013/14
161
Target
2014/15
165
165
Housing and Infrastructure
Indicators and
Measures
H 002 - Number of
long term empty
homes (6 months or
more) (Quarterly)
Q3 13/14
Result
Target 2013/14
575
(December)
H 003 - Number of
development briefs
produced on allocated
sites (Quarterly
Cumulative)
Carry out trend analysis
2
H 007 - Number of
affordable homes built
(Quarterly
Cumulative)
Target 2014/15
Monitor
3 (Land North of Rudham Stile
Lane, Fakenham (F01), Land at
Heath Farm /Hempstead Road,
Holt (H01), Land at Norwich
Road / Nursery Drive, North
Walsham (NW01))
1 (Land North
of Rudham Stile
Lane,
Fakenham
(F01))
Carry out trend analysis
Carry out trend
analysis
99
Coast Countryside and Built Heritage
Indicators and
Measures
C 002 Percentage of
planning appeals
allowed
Q3
13/14
Result
16.7%
Target 2013/14
NA
Review and report
Annual Action Plan PIs and Targets 2014-15 v05 for Cabinet
75
Target 2014/15
Review and report
Page 1
Appendix F
Indicators and
Measures
Q3
13/14
Result
Target 2013/14
Target 2014/15
(quarterly)
C 003 Percentage of
MAJOR planning
applications
processed within
thirteen weeks
(monthly
cumulative)
81.25%
80%
80%
C 004 Percentage of
MINOR planning
applications
processed within
eight weeks
(monthly
cumulative)
41.67%
72%
70%
C 005 Percentage of
OTHER planning
applications
processed within
eight weeks
(monthly
cumulative)
58.40%
80%
70%
DM 005 Percentage of
MAJOR planning
applications
processed within
thirteen weeks
over the last 24
months (monthly
cumulative)
61.90%
NA
Target not yet set.
Government threshold likely
to start at 30%.
Target threshold set by
Government at 30%.
DM 006 Percentage of
MAJOR planning
applications
refused and then
overturned on
appeal over the
last 24 months
(monthly
cumulative)
0.00%
NA
Target not yet set. Low is
good.
Target threshold set by
Government at 30%. Low is
good.
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76
Appendix F
Indicators and
Measures
C 007 - Target
response time to
fly tipping and all
other pollution
complaints (within
2 working days)
(quarterly)
Q3
13/14
Result
Target 2013/14
90.00%
Target 2014/15
95%
Target still under discussion
pending changes to the
cleansing contract as part
of resource realisations.
C 008 - Number
of pollution
enforcement
interventions
(quarterly
cumulative)
25
NA
Review and report
Review and report.
C 009 - Number
of fixed penalty
notices issued for
environmental
offences(quarterly
cumulative)
3
NA
Carry out trend analysis
Carry out trend analysis
C 010 – Number
of defaults issued
to the waste and
related services
contractor for
cleanliness
(monthly
cumulative)
28
NA
0
Review and report.
ES 015 - Number
of rectifications
issued to the
waste and related
services
contractor for
cleanliness
(monthly
cumulative)
118
NA
No target. Report to Head
of Service and
Management Team
No target. Report to Head
of Service and
Management Team.
Localism
Indicators and Measures
Q3 13/14
Result
L 005 - Number of grants awarded to local
communities from the Big Society Fund (quarterly
cumulative)
20
Annual Action Plan PIs and Targets 2014-15 v05 for Cabinet
77
NA
Target
2013/14
Target
2014/15
Review and
report
Review and
report
Page 3
Appendix F
Indicators and Measures
Q3 13/14
Result
L 006 - Amount of funding investment in
community projects (from the Big Society Fund) (£)
(quarterly cumulative)
£145,193
Target
2013/14
Target
2014/15
Review and
report
Review and
report
NA
Delivering the Vision
Quarterly Indicators and Measures
Q3 13/14
Result
Target 2013/14
V 001 - Percentage of (Medium
Priority) audit recommendations
completed on time (quarterly
cumulative)
78.0%
80%
80%
V 002 - Percentage of (High Priority)
audit recommendations completed on
time (quarterly cumulative)
100.0%
100%
100%
V 004 - Percentage of audit days
delivered (quarterly cumulative)
78.0%
100%
100%
4.71
6 days per full
time equivalent
(FTE) employee
6 days per full
time equivalent
(FTE) employee
See
Budget
Report
Review and
report
Review and
report through the
budget monitoring
process
RB 009 – Percentage of Council Tax
Collected (monthly cumulative)
83.59%
98.3%
98.5%
RB 010 – Percentage of Non-domestic
Rates collected (monthly cumulative)
89.63%
99.0%
99.2%
RB 027 - Average time for processing
new claims (Housing and Council Tax
Benefit) (monthly cumulative)
26.0
18 days
18 days
RB 028 - Speed of processing: change
in circumstances for Housing and
Council Tax Benefit claims (average
calendar days) (monthly cumulative)
23.0
9 days
8 days
V 007 - Working Days Lost Due to
Sickness Absence (Whole Authority
days per Full Time Equivalent
members of staff) (quarterly
cumulative)
V 008 - Level of overspend/
(underspend) (£) total (quarterly
cumulative)
Annual Action Plan PIs and Targets 2014-15 v05 for Cabinet
78
Target 2014/15
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Appendix F
Key
NA = Not
applicable
Target achieved or exceeded
Improving compared to the same
period last year
Close to target
Close to the same period last year’s
result
Significantly below target
Significantly worse compared to the
same period last year
Indicators can be labelled as not applicable as this is important information for the
Council where the influence and actions of the Council may make improvements but
there is not sufficient control over the outcome to set a target
Annual Action Plan PIs and Targets 2014-15 v05 for Cabinet
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