Please Contact: Alison Argent
Please email: alison.argent@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Please Direct Dial on: 01263 516058
23 June 2011
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, 4 July 2011 at 10.00 a.m.
At the discretion of the Chairman, a short break will be taken after the meeting has been running
for approximately one and a half hours. Coffee will be available in the staff restaurant at 9.30 a.m.
and at the break.
Members of the public who wish to ask a question or speak on an agenda item are requested to
arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the meeting. It will not always be possible to
accommodate requests after that time. This is to allow time for the Committee Chair to rearrange
the order of items on the agenda for the convenience of members of the public. Further information
on the procedure for public speaking can be obtained from Democratic Services, Tel: 01263
516047, Email: democraticservices@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Philip Burton
Chief Executive
To: Mrs H Eales, Mr T FitzPatrick, Mrs A Fitch-Tillett, Mr T Ivory, Mr K Johnson, Mr J Lee,
Mr W Northam.
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: Philip Burton Deputy Chief Executive: Sheila Oxtoby
Strategic Directors: Nick Baker, Steve Blatch & Tony Ing
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
(attached – page 1)
To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 June
2011.
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 personal or prejudicial
interest.
6.
DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11
Summary:
(attached – page 7)
(appendix A – page 11)
This report presents the key element of the draft Annual Report
2010/11, achievement against targets, for discussion and eventual
approval.
Conclusions:
The Annual Report concludes that North Norfolk District Council
continues to deliver good performance in priority areas.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that Cabinet resolve to accept this draft Annual
Report as accurate and that the Chief Executive in conjunction with
the Leader of the Council be given delegated authority to approve the
complete Annual Report 2010/11 for publication.
Cabinet member(s):
All
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
Ward(s) affected:
All
Helen Thomas, 01263 516214, helen.thomas@northnorfolk.gov.uk
7.
NORTH WALSHAM LEADERSHIP OF PLACE PROJECT AND ACTION PLAN
(attached – page 19)
(appendix B – page 23; appendix C – page 25)
Summary:
Supported by the Regional Efficiency and Improvement Programme,
the District Council and key stakeholders within North Walsham
worked together during 2010/11 to produce a vision and action plan
for the future of North Walsham. The aim of this work was not only to
strengthen community leadership and improve co-ordination of public
service provision, but also to identify actions and interventions that
would improve the town for residents, businesses and visitors leading
to greater inward investment. This report presents the background to
the project and the findings.
Conclusions:
The community leaders in North Walsham have worked hard to
engage as wide a stakeholder group as possible to ensure
representation from all sectors of the community. It has been a
challenging and worthwhile exercise culminating in an agreed set of
actions which the Cabinet are now asked to endorse along with the
continued operation of a Stakeholder Board with representation from
the Cabinet. This project demonstrates a commitment to localism and
community leadership.
Recommendations:
On 17 March the North Walsham Partnership Board approved the
Leadership Of Place report and requested that each representative
seek endorsement from their respective organisation in order to
establish their commitment, both in direct financial contributions and
non-financial resources. Cabinet are therefore being asked to endorse
the report and associated action plan and nominate a member of
Cabinet to participate on a future Stakeholder Board.
Cabinet are also asked to endorse the proposal that a local Member
should form part of the stakeholder Board and in addition to terms of
reference, a communication protocol be agreed by the Board.
That Cabinet support an approach to the Local Strategic Partnership
to secure revenue support for both the feasibility study and project
management of £50,000 and options for match funding explored
further.
Cabinet member(s):
All
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
8.
Ward(s) affected:
All
NORTH NORFOLK COASTAL CHANGE PATHFINDER; BUY TO LEASE PROJECT
(attached – page 37)
Summary:
This report outlines the Pathfinder ‘Buy to Lease Project’, provides a
succinct but comprehensive account of the investigations completed
by the Pathfinder property agents ‘Bruton Knowles’ and draws the
conclusion that the Council should not proceed with the
implementation of the Buy to Lease scheme. The report then lists the
other options which could potentially meet the project objectives and
details the further tasks the Pathfinder team will need to complete to
Conclusions:
Recommendations:
conclude this investigation.
Following the in-depth investigation into the Buy to Lease Scheme, the
constraints, long term risks and liabilities for the Council are
considered to be too great, therefore the Council should not
implement the scheme. The project has generated a great deal of
learning which will be reported back to Defra to assist with formulating
national coastal policies.
The Pathfinder team will continue to investigate the feasibility and
possible application of alternative approaches. A resource for buyers
and sellers will also be developed with activities implemented to
develop local property agent’s understanding of coastal property
issues.
It is recommended that Cabinet does not implement the Pathfinder
Buy to Lease scheme on the basis of the evaluation conducted by
Bruton Knowles on behalf of the Council.
Cabinet member(s):
All
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
9.
Ward(s) affected:
Happisburgh & coastal wards
Rob Goodliffe, 01263 516321, Rob.Goodliffe@northnorfolk.gov.uk
NORTH NORFOLK COASTAL CHANGE PATHFINDER; FURTHER BUSINESS
SUPPORT
(attached – page 42)
Summary:
A key element of the North Norfolk Coastal Pathfinder Programme
involved supporting and enabling local businesses adapt / respond to
the challenges of coastal erosion risk and blight.
The Pathfinder Business Advice Project and East Norfolk Marketing
Project have been well received and have guided the shape of the
potential further support options detailed in this report. This report
provides a background to the need for further support and outlines
options for consideration for inclusion in a comprehensive support
scheme. The delivery of a business support scheme, including
business grant and loans schemes, would be able to assist
businesses in areas affected by coastal erosion and coastal flooding
to develop further, with the objective of maintaining the local economy.
Conclusions:
The North Norfolk Coastal Pathfinder business advice and marketing
projects delivered during 2010 have been successful and have
highlighted the issues faced by businesses in the Coastal Pathfinder
area. The proposed further support options outlined in this report are
targeted at the issues faced by businesses which have engaged with
the Pathfinder Programme and therefore it is anticipated that the
measures will have a positive impact for local businesses and the
wider community.
It is recommended that the following initiatives are agreed and
implemented under the further business support offered through the
Pathfinder programme:
•
•
Development and implementation of coastal business
grants
Development and implementation of a revolving loans
•
scheme
Development and implementation of business circles and
a funding toolkit.
It is recommended that the Community Foundation is the preferable
body to administer the Pathfinder loans and grants scheme and
officers develop the schemes according to the details in this report. It
is also recommended that a panel be established for consideration
and assessment of loan and grant applications consisting of two
members of the North Norfolk Business Forum, two District
Councillors, one business representative and an officer from the
Economic Development Team.
Recommendations:
That Cabinet:
a) approve the development and delivery of a Pathfinder business
grant and loan scheme through the Norfolk Community
Foundation in accordance with this report.
b) nominate members to serve on the grants and loans
assessment panel operated by the Norfolk Community
Foundation in the administration of the North Norfolk Coastal
Pathfinder further business support programme.
Cabinet member(s):
All
Ward(s) affected: Poppyland, Gaunt, Mundesley,
Happisburgh, Waxham,
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
Robin Smith, 01263 516236, Robin.Smith@northnorfolk.gov.uk
10.
CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES
(attached – page 54)
Summary:
Following the retirement of Peter Frew, the Council’s longstanding
Head of Coastal Strategy in March 2011, the authority has identified
that it wishes to maintain its presence and influence on a number of
national and regional bodies considering coastal management and
adaptation issues. It is therefore proposed that Peter Frew be asked
to represent the Council’s interests at such forums over the period to
31st March 2012.
Conclusions:
That Peter Frew be engaged to represent the Council on a number of
national and regional coastal management and policy bodies as per a
prepared proposal.
Recommendations:
Cabinet is asked to agree to the suspension of Standing Orders to
allow the appointment of Peter Frew as per an agreed schedule of
works, to represent the authority on a number of national and regional
bodies, until 31st March 2012.
Cabinet member(s):
Cllr A Fitch-Tillett
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
Ward(s) affected:
Coastal wards
Steve Blatch - 01263 516232
Steve.Blatch@north-norfolk.gov.uk
11.
PLANNING PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS
(attached – page 56)
Summary:
Planning Performance Agreements are mechanisms by
which large and complex development proposals can be
managed through the planning system. The District
Council has recently been asked to enter into such an
agreement in respect of a major proposal within the
district and this has given rise to the authority giving
consideration to how such agreements might be used in
the future as part of the Development Management
process. In order that there is transparency in the use
of such mechanisms in the future it is proposed that the
authority develops a draft Planning Performance
Agreement Charter which will be the subject of
consultation with local communities through Town and
Parish Councils, statutory bodies and the North Norfolk
Planning Agents Group before the Council agrees to
enter into such arrangements on a regular basis.
Alongside the consultation on the Planning Performance
Agreement Charter it is proposed to pilot the proposed
approach in respect of the initial request received to use
such a mechanism in respect of the proposed
development by TAG Aviation at the former RAF
Coltishall site.
Conclusions:
See above.
Recommendations:
Cabinet Member(s)
1. That Cabinet agrees that the Council should
prepare as the basis for consultation with Town
and Parish Councils, statutory consultees and
the North Norfolk Planning Agents Group, a draft
Planning Performance Agreement Charter
outlining the approach the authority proposes
taking with respect to requests received for the
use of such mechanisms in supporting the
development and consideration of planning
applications for some large-scale developments.
2. That delegated authority be provided to the
Strategic Director – Community, in consultation
with the Planning Portfolio holder, to prepare a
draft Charter for consultation in late summer /
early autumn with responses to the consultation
being reported back to Cabinet at its November
meeting.
3. That alongside the consultation on the draft
Charter, Cabinet agrees to pilot the Planning
Performance Agreement arrangement in respect
of the proposed future re-use of the former RAF
Coltishall facility.
Ward(s) affected
Cllr K Johnson
All
Contact Officer, telephone number and email:
Steve Blatch, Strategic Director
Tel:-01263 516232
Email:- steve.blatch@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Steve Oxenham, Head of Planning and Building Control
Tel:- 01263 516135
Email:- steve.oxenham@north-norfolk.gov.uk
12.
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.”
13.
TO CONSIDER ANY EXEMPT MATTERS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATION OF THE
PUBLIC BUSINESS OF THE AGENDA