Please Contact: Alison Argent
Please email: alison.argent@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Please Direct Dial on: 01263 516058
17 November 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, 28 November 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 31
October 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.
JOINT STAFF CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
(attached – page 6)
To receive and consider the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Staff Consultative
Committee held on 18 July 2011.
7.
RECOMMENDATION FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: 18
OCTOBER 2011: MINUTE 62: COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY
(text from minute 62 attached – page 9)
RECOMMENDED
To recommend to Cabinet that the Council investigates Community Infrastructure
Levy and that the Planning Policy and Built Heritage Working Party progresses the
detailed work in relation to infrastructure planning, viability testing, and preparation
of a Draft Charging Schedule.
8.
2011/12 REVISED BUDGET
(attached – page 11)
(appendix A – 23 ; appendix B - 24; appendix C – page 43; appendix D - 45; appendix E –
page 49)
Summary:
Conclusions:
The base budget for 2011/12 was approved by Full Council on 23
February 2011. The budget was then updated as part of the Final
Accounts process for 2010/11 to take account of roll forwards of
previously unspent budgets. This report presents for approval the
revised budget for 2011/12 for both capital and revenue.
The budget for 2011/12 has been revised to take account of variances
which have been highlighted as part of the ongoing budget monitoring
process. The appendices to the report provide details of the
movements for each service while the main body of the report
highlights the more significant movements compared to the current
budget for 2011/12. This report presents a balanced position for the
2011/12 revised budget while allowing for a contribution to be made to
the Organisational Development reserve to offset any reduced savings
in 2012/13 as a consequence of the revised approach in relation to the
implementation of the new pay model resulting from the Pay and
Grading Review.
Detailed work is still ongoing on the 2012/13 budget which will be
reported to Members in the new year.
Recommendations:
That Members agree and recommend to Full Council:
•
The revised revenue budget for 2011/12;
•
The revised transfers to and from reserves included at
Appendix C;
•
The transfer of the forecast surplus of £172,488 to the
Organisational Development reserve;
•
The revised capital programme and associated financing as
included at Appendix E;
•
The scale of fees and charges from 1 April 2012 included at
Appendix D;
•
Delegated authority for setting the fees and charges for waste
be given to the Strategic Director for Environment, Deputy
Chief Executive and relevant Portfolio Members.
Cabinet member(s):
All
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
9.
Ward(s) affected:
All
Duncan Ellis, 01263 516330,
Duncan.Ellis@north-norfolk.gov.uk
PROPOSED SAVINGS REPORT – 2012/13 BASE BUDGET
Summary:
Conclusions:
(attached – page 62)
(appendix F – page 70)
The recent update of the Corporate Plan which was presented to
Cabinet in October 2011 was accompanied by an appendix entitled
‘Financial Plan Update 2011/12 – 2014/15, Strategic Context and
Organisational Workstreams’. This paper identified a projected
funding gap of £0.9 million for 2012/13 and just under £1.1m for
2013/14. This report provides an update on the progression of two of
the Council’s workstreams and identifies a number of savings and
additional income streams that will help to address the funding deficit.
This report provides a summary of progress to date in relation to the
two workstreams and identifies a number of new savings and
additional sources of income for 2012/13 onwards. These are
summarised below and additional details can be found within the
appendices that accompany the report.
The Revised Budget report for 2011/12 is included elsewhere on this
agenda and detailed work is still ongoing on the 2012/13 budget which
will be reported to Members in the new year. The recommendation
from this report is to note the progress on the workstreams and to
approve the savings and additional income identified for inclusion
within the 2012/13 Base Budget report.
Recommendations:
That Members agree and recommend to Full Council:
•
The savings and additional income as identified within Table 1
of the report
•
Note the updated position in relation to the management
structures and prioritisation workstreams
•
To fund any ‘one-off’ costs in relation to staff restructuring
through the use of the Restructuring and Invest to Save
Proposals reserve
•
A new reserve is established for the ‘New Homes Bonus’ and
that the allocation for 2012/13, estimated to be £595,700 is
transferred to this reserve
Cabinet member(s):
All
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
10.
Ward(s) affected:
All
Duncan Ellis, 01263 516330,
Duncan.Ellis@north-norfolk.gov.uk
TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY
2011/12 TO 2013/14 – AMENDMENT
(attached – page 74)
Summary:
Conclusions:
Recommendations:
This report sets out a proposed amendment to the minimum credit
rating criteria required for investment counterparties within the current
Treasury Management Strategy.
The reduction in the minimum acceptable credit criteria will allow
investment in systemically important institutions and provide access to
a greater number of appropriate investment counterparties.
That the Council be asked to RESOLVE that the Treasury
Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2011/12 to
2013/14 is amended by reducing the minimum long-term credit rating
for investment counterparties from A+ (or equivalent) to A- (or
equivalent).
Cabinet member(s):
All
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
Ward(s) affected:
All
Tony Brown 01263 516126
tony.brown@north-norfolk.gov.uk
11.
REVENUES AND BENEFITS SHARED SERVICE
(attached – page 76)
(appendix G – page 87; appendix H – page 90; appendix I – page 93;
appendix J – page 94)
Summary:
Conclusions:
Recommendations:
The report updates members on progress to date on the shared
service work for Revenues and Benefits.
The realisation of savings and efficiencies from working in partnership
can only be delivered if the two authorities operate on the same
application software. The decision therefore on the software upgrade
is crucial to any development of shared working and the development
of a fully operational shared service.
There are a number of interdependent decisions which are required to
be made linked to the software procurement. This report considers
these areas and their dependencies.
The service will be subject to significant change in the future and
having stable software as well as a system that enables us to
maximise efficiencies will be essential. The decision to procure a new
software system should be considered alongside opportunities that a
partnership approach would give.
The business case has been reviewed following the procurement
exercise for a replacement system, extensive work considering the
infrastructure requirements for a single hosted system, a revision of
employee and supplies and service budgets has also been
undertaken.
As a result of this work it is estimated that a partnership arrangement
would deliver total annual savings of £561,877
Some further financial modelling of Universal Credit has been carried
out which still forecasts a net saving of £438,000 over five years
between the two authorities. Gross savings of £1,525,306 are
forecasted over the five years taking into account capital investment.
1. To agree the revised financial information within the business
case.
2. For delegated authority to be given to the Portfolio Holder for
Revenues & Benefits and the Deputy Chief Executive to continue
to develop the Partnership Agreement for Council approval.
delegated authority to the Leader of the Council and Portfolio
Holder for Revenues & Benefits and the Deputy Chief Executive, to
develop a shared service model and following full consultation
report back to Cabinet.
3. For authority to be given by the Cabinet to procure the software
from Civica and complete and seal the Agreement.
4. Note that the infrastructure requirements and costs are within
budget and give delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive
and Portfolio Holder for ICT to agree the infrastructure
procurement
with BCKLWN.
5. Approve the proposals for BCKLWN to host the ICT infrastructure
and business system and for NNDC to host any proposed shared
management structure.
6. Delegate authority to the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for
Revenues and Benefits and the Deputy Chief Executive, to agree
proposed service level agreements with customer services and
other support services.
Cabinet member(s):
All
Contact Officer, telephone number,
Ward(s) affected:
All
and e-mail:
12.
SHERINGHAM LITTLE THEATRE BUSINESS PLAN AND GRANT
(attached – page 98)
(appendix K – page 104)
Summary:
Conclusions:
Recommendations:
A report to inform Cabinet of the new Business Development Plan for
Sheringham Little Theatre which seeks to increase levels of earned
revenue enabling the theatre to maintain the level of service to the
local community while reducing dependence on public sector funds.
This Business Plan seeks to provide a financial saving for the Council
while enabling Sheringham Little Theatre to sustain the current level
and quality of service to residents and visitors to the District.
I. That Cabinet support the priorities and actions and note the
financial projections within the SLT business plan.
II. That Cabinet confirm £48,000 financial support to the
Sheringham Little Theatre in 2012/13, £43,000 for 2013/14 and
£38,000 for 2014/15.
III. That a three year service level agreement is drafted to aid the
monitoring of the grant.
IV. That a progress report is brought back to Cabinet in October
2012 for further consideration.
V. That Cabinet approves £45,000 being placed into the capital
programme to cover the cost of property works on this Council
asset.
Cabinet member(s):
Cllr John Lee
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
13.
THE COUNCIL’S APPROACH TO LOCALISM AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BIG
SOCIETY FUND
(attached – page 122)
(appendix L – page 130)
Summary:
Conclusions:
This report details the Council’s new approach to Localism, makes
recommendations in relation to the Local Strategic Partnership and
establishes the principle of the Big Society Fund.
The Council has positioned itself to ensure that it is able to take
advantage of the legislative changes incorporated within the Localism
Bill for the benefit of communities within North Norfolk. Streamlined
partnership working combined with new arrangements for the return of
50% of the second homes council tax funding will allow communities
within North Norfolk to benefit for the first time from a Big Society Fund
of almost £700,000 per annum. This fund will support projects that
communities want and where they will make a difference to the
economic and social well-being of the area, and not linked to meeting
top down government targets. This is an exciting new fund that will
help reinvigorate our communities by giving people the opportunity to
get involved in real projects thereby strengthening our civic society.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that;
Cabinet member(s): Cllr Trevor
Ivory
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail: Sheila
Oxtoby,Sheila.oxtoby@northnorfolk.gov.uk
14.
•
Cabinet support the proposal for North Norfolk
Community Partnership to be reconfigured from being a
formal committee to become a standing conference
with an annual summit for the strategic partners
operating in North Norfolk and a 6 monthly review
meeting.
•
The Council support Holt Town Council in becoming a
pilot for a neighbourhood plan subject to the funding bid
being accepted.
•
A Big Society fund is established from the return of the
second home council tax income and any uncommitted
funds from this year allocated to this fund through the
establishment of an earmarked reserve.
•
The principles of the Big Society fund are agreed as
outlined within Appendix L and a policy developed
which will provide more detail on the operation of the
grant scheme.
•
The fund is split between revenue and capital based
upon an indicative allocation of £500,000 for revenue
and £200,000 for capital projects.
Ward(s) affected: All
NORTH NORFOLK SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PLAN: KELLING TO LOWESTOFT
NESS
(attached – page 132)
(appendix M – page 138)
Summary:
Conclusions:
This Shoreline Management Plan (SMP6) covers the frontage from
Kelling to Lowestoft Ness, thus including frontages in Great Yarmouth
Borough Council and Waveney District Council. This plan was first
subject to public consultation in 2004/5 and as a result of considerable
public concern the plan has not yet been adopted. Major amendments
were made to the plan in 2007 to reflect these concerns and a revised
version was subject to consultation in 2009, with the version now
before Cabinet finalised in November 2010.
Members may consider that approval, (and subsequent
adoption the SMP6 subject to the partnering authorities’
adoption of the full document) will provide a strategic overview
for coastal defence planning to feed into a more holistic
approach to coastal planning which takes account of social,
economic and environmental objectives.
The SMP Action Plan initiates a number of studies on coastal
processes and economic impacts which are required before
coastal management policy changes are implemented. The
Council will take forward a new approach to coast
management, under the framework of an Integrated Coastal
Management Plan which enables a holistic approach to be
taken to coastal management, taking into account economic,
social and environmental objectives.
Within the overall context of the Shoreline Management Plan,
the Council will continue to maintain sea defences in locations
which have previously been defended and where it is cost
effective, sustainable and practicable to do so. This approach
will ensure that investment can continue in coastal areas; that
infrastructure and access for coastal users is maintained; and
that the coast remains attractive to tourist and visitors. Overall
this will safeguard the sustainability and vitality of coastal
communities in North Norfolk.
Recommendations:
1. That the provisions in SMP6 relating to North Norfolk District
Councils Coast Protection responsibility (Kelling Hard to Cart Gap) be
approved and that delegated authority be given to the Cabinet
Portfolio Holder for the Coast and the Chief Executive to adopt the full
SMP6 following its approval by Great Yarmouth Borough Council,
Waveney District Council and the Environment Agency.
2. That an Integrated Coastal Management Plan process be
commenced to be overseen by the Council’s Coastal Management
Board.
Cabinet member(s):
All
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
15.
Ward(s) affected: All wards
Jill Fisher, Coast, Localities and Assets Manager, 01263
516037, Jill.Fisher@north-norfolk.gov.uk
FAKENHAM CONSERVATION AREA: ADOPTION OF CHARACTER APPRAISAL &
MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS
(attached – page 159)
(appendix N – page 161)
Summary:
Adoption of the Fakenham Conservation Area Appraisal
& Management Proposals for statutory planning
purposes: report on further community consultation.
Conclusions:
Now that the changes in the above document as
requested by the Fakenham Town Council have been
given further consideration and incorporated where
appropriate that the Conservation Area Appraisal &
Management Proposals for Fakenham be formally
adopted.
Recommendations:
That the Fakenham Conservation Area Appraisal &
Management Proposals document, as amended
following further consultation with Fakenham Town
Council, is formally adopted and that it becomes a
material consideration in the planning process.
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected
Cllr. Keith Johnson
Lancaster North; Lancaster South
Contact Officer, Phil Godwin 01263 516131
phil.godwin@north-norfolk.gov.uk
16.
REVIEW OF THE DISCRETIONARY COMPENSATION POLICY FOR STAFF
(attached – page 166)
(appendix O – page 170; appendix P – page 178)
Summary:
This report proposes changes to the current
Discretionary Compensation Policy to reflect the
continuing need to have a policy which is workable,
affordable and reasonable for the Council.
Conclusions:
A review has been undertaken of the current policy to
ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the
business and amendments have been proposed to
ensure that the scheme remains affordable.
Recommendations:
It is recommended (subject to consideration of the
formal consultation response from UNISON) to amend
the Discretionary Compensation Policy as outlined
within the report.
Cabinet Member(s)
Ward(s) affected
Contact Officer, telephone number and email: Julie Cooke, 01263 516040
Julie.cooke@north-norfolk.gov.uk
17.
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 paragraph _ of Part I of
Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”
18.
TO CONSIDER ANY EXEMPT MATTERS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATION OF THE
PUBLIC BUSINESS OF THE AGENDA