Agenda Item no _________2________
CABINET
Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4 July 2011 at the Council
Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 10.00 am.
Members present:
Mrs H Eales (Chairman)
Mr T FitzPatrick
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett
Mr T Ivory
Mr K Johnson
Mr J Lee
Mr W Northam
Also attending:
Mrs S Arnold
Mrs A Claussen Reynolds
Ms V Gay
Mr P High
Mr G Jones
Mrs A Moore
Mr P Moore
Mr S Partridge
Mr R Price
Mr R Shepherd
Mr B Smith
Mr N Smith
Mrs A Sweeney
Ms V Uprichard
Mr G Williams
Mr D Young
Officers in attendance:
The Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive, the
Strategic Director – Community, the Coast and Community
Partnerships Manager, the Economic and Tourism
Development Manager and the Coastal Pathfinder
Programme Manager.
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MR P PAGE, FORMER DEPUTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICER
The Chairman informed the meeting of the recent sad loss of Mr P Page, a
former Deputy Environmental Health Officer with the Council. Mr Page had
worked for the Council up until his retirement in 1990. He would be sadly
missed.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
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MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 June 2011 were
approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
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PUBLIC QUESTIONS
None.
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4 July 2011
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ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
None.
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
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DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11
The report presented the key element of the draft Annual Report 2010/11,
achievement against targets, for discussion and eventual approval.
Officers were commended on the excellent levels of performance which they
had achieved. It was noted that the present administration were working on
producing the next Corporate Plan which would be published later in the year.
RESOLVED that
accept the 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.
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NORTH WALSHAM LEADERSHIP OF PLACE PROJECT AND ACTION
PLAN
Supported by the Regional Efficiency and Improvement Programme, the
District Council and key stakeholders within North Walsham have 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
presented the background to the project and the findings.
Mr T Ivory considered that the project would put localism at the heart of the
Council’s agenda, as per the Government’s agenda. North Walsham was the
largest town in the District and had much to commend it. It was intended that
the key issues would be addressed through the temporary formation of a
Community Development Board, working alongside North Walsham Town
Council, which would then take on the responsibilities created. He paid
tribute to Mr E Seward for his dedication and commitment to North Walsham.
Ms V Gay read out the following statement from Mr E Seward, a local
Member for North Walsham (North), who was unable to attend the meeting:
“I have been involved with the Leadership of Place Project since its inception
in the summer of 2010 and currently Chair the Project Board. I fully support
the recommendations before the Cabinet today. I have had a number of very
constructive conversations with Cllr Trevor Ivory on the future development of
this project and am pleased and encouraged by the support he has given to
the project’s future development and trust that his Cabinet colleagues will
provide the necessary support today.
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4 July 2011
“What this project has done to date is to arrive at a starting line that has been
agreed by the key stakeholders in North Walsham. There is also an agreed
plan of action that ought to bring about some very visible improvements in the
town. A start has already been made with the current improvements to the
Council building in North Street that will provide better facilities for the Town
Council and a new information hub. There is a clear need to effectively tackle
the derelict sites that disfigure so many of the main entry points to the town
and for the historic town centre to improve its retail offer. North Walsham has
much to offer. It is a good place to live in, to work in and for businesses to be
successful. If the town speaks with a common and unified voice it can
overcome its problems. What is important is that visible improvements in the
town are continually seen to be delivered. Momentum must be maintained.
“Finally, I should like to express my gratitude and thanks that Sheila Oxtoby,
Jill Fisher and her colleagues have already done on this project and are
continuing to carry out.”
It was clarified that the Board and the Town Council would have different
roles; the Board acting as a galvanising influence. It was not felt that the
Local Area Partnership was necessarily the right vehicle for this project as it
had a much wider remit.
Confirmation was sought as to whether building works at the North Walsham
War Memorial Cottage Hospital development had been unable to start
because of birds nesting there. Members would be informed.
RESOLVED to
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a)
endorse the report and associated action plan and nominate Mr T
Ivory to participate on a future Stakeholder Board.
b)
endorse the proposal that a local Member (a Liberal Democrat) should
form part of the stakeholder Board and in addition to terms of
reference, a communication protocol be agreed by the Board.
c)
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.
NORTH NORFOLK COASTAL CHANGE PATHFINDER; BUY TO LEASE
PROJECT
The report outlined the Pathfinder ‘Buy to Lease Project’, provided a succinct
but comprehensive account of the investigations completed by the Pathfinder
property agents ‘Bruton Knowles’ and drew the conclusion that the Council
should not proceed with the implementation of the Buy to Lease scheme.
The report then listed some other options which could potentially meet the
project objectives.
It was noted that the project would be reported back to DEFRA in due course.
Mr S Partridge read out the following statement from Mrs L Walker, local
Member for Happisburgh and Shadow Spokesperson for the Coast:
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“It was with some disappointment that I learnt that the buy to lease scheme
will not be going ahead. I understand the Officers have explored all avenues
to make this scheme work. However, due to the potential problems and costs
the plan is a non-starter.
“I would like to add that this is not the end of the road and it is my hope that
pathfinder seeks to find innovative ways to assist communities deal and adapt
to the changes along the coastline of this country.
“Coastal erosion is not isolated to Happisburgh and North Norfolk. This is a
national issue and I am proud of the work carried out by “Team North Norfolk”
and Malcolm Kerby of CCAG. They are our experts and the knowledge they
have is second to none. I ask this Cabinet to continue to support them and
their ground breaking work.
“Government must not be let off the hook and the campaign for a fair and
socially just resolution to the problems faced by householders in Happisburgh
and other communities must be sought.
“We need communities to remain viable and again thanks to the pathfinder
team I am pleased businesses are being supported by enabling them to adapt
and respond to coastal changes. I fully support the implementation of further
business support by way of loans and grants.
“I am glad politics have not played any part in us all working together for the
benefit of our residents and I trust this will continue to be the case.
“I would ask that the individuals serving on the grants and loans assessment
panel have local knowledge of the issues faced and are willing to join “Team
North Norfolk”, embracing the need to create a fair and just scheme for all.
“Thanks to the Officers past and present, the community and members of the
Council this project is localism at its best. We should all be very proud of the
work being carried out to make this district a great place to live and work in.
“The works along Beach Road to improve the beach access, new car park etc
has injected new life and optimism in Happisburgh. That is all due to the
great work in obtaining the funding for pathfinder. For that I would like to
thank all those involved on behalf of my community.”
RESOLVED to
not implement the Pathfinder Buy to Lease scheme on the basis of the
evaluation conducted by Bruton Knowles on behalf of the Council.
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NORTH NORFOLK COASTAL CHANGE PATHFINDER; FURTHER
BUSINESS SUPPORT
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. The report provided a background to
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the need for further support and outlined 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.
RESOLVED to
a)
b)
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approve the development and delivery of a Pathfinder business grant
and loan scheme through the Norfolk Community Foundation in
accordance with this report.
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.
CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
Following the retirement of Peter Frew, the Council’s longstanding Head of
Coastal Strategy in March 2011, the authority had identified that it wished to
maintain its presence and influence on a number of national and regional
bodies considering coastal management and adaptation issues. It was
therefore proposed that Peter Frew be asked to represent the Council’s
interests at such forums over the period to 31st March 2012.
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett said she had worked with Peter Frew for many years and
was grateful to him for the work which he had undertaken. She supported his
proposed retention by the Council. She considered that it was important that
elected councillors were seen to be leading from the front on important issues
like this and said that she intended to represent the Council on bodies relating
to the coast.
It was explained how there would be a saving to the Council by agreeing to
the proposals in the report.
RESOLVED 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.
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PLANNING PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS
Planning Performance Agreements are mechanisms by which large and
complex development proposals can be managed through the planning
system. The District Council had recently been asked to enter into such an
agreement in respect of a major proposal within the district and this had 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 was transparency in the use of such mechanisms in the future it is
proposed that the authority developed a draft Planning Performance
Agreement Charter which would 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 agreed to enter into
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such arrangements on a regular basis. Alongside the consultation on the
Planning Performance Agreement Charter it was 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.
RESOLVED that
a)
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.
b)
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.
c)
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.
The meeting closed at 10.30am.
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Chairman, 5 September 2011
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4 July 2011