Agenda, decisions and minutes

To consider any business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept, under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

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Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

Councillor I Devereux declared a non pecuniary interest in the Leisure Trust item as a Council representative on Alive Trust.  He did not vote on the item.

Councillor I Devereux declared a non pecuniary interest in the Leisure Trust item as a Council representative on Alive Trust.  He did not vote on the item.

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

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To note the names of any Councillors who wish to address the meeting under Standing Order 34.

Councillor Miss L Bambridge, Mrs S Fraser and P Kunes attended for the Leisure Services Provision Item.

Councillor D Pope attended for all items.

Councillor Miss L Bambridge, Mrs S Fraser and P Kunes attended for the Leisure Item

Councillor D Pope attended for all items.

To report on any Cabinet Decisions called in.

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To receive any comments and recommendations from other Council bodies which meet after the dispatch of this agenda.

Environment and Community Panel – 11 October 2018  - to follow

The Environment and Community Panel at its meeting on 11 October 2018 had considered the item on the Provision of Leisure Services.  Their recommendations were considered by Cabinet.

The Environment and Community Panel at its meeting on 11 October 2018 had considered the item on the Provision of Leisure Services.  Their recommendations were considered by Cabinet.

RECOMMENDED:   That the criteria for the Local Property Investment Fund is revised to remove the restriction limiting property investment opportunities to the local area and extend the criteria to the whole of Norfolk as detailed in the report.

Reason for Decision

To increase flexibility within the Local Property Investment Fund.

Cabinet considered a report which showed that the Capital and Local Property Investment Fund Strategy, supported by a number of other documents, provided a framework for the delivery of the capital programme and ensured that capital investment was directed to the Council’s Corporate Priorities and helps achieve the Financial Sustainability Plan. It therefore provided the rationale for any capital spending and property investment plans.

It was proposed that the restriction limiting property investment opportunities to the local area be removed and the criteria extended to include the whole of Norfolk.  This would provide greater opportunity to acquire investment properties whilst still maintaining the benefit of sustaining/growing business rates in Norfolk from which the Borough Council would also benefit as a member of the Norfolk Business Rates Pool.

In discussing the proposal it was agreed that it was a pragmatic approach, and that the business rate pooling was important.  The proposal allowed for the Council to bolster its position but to remain in Norfolk.

Under Standing Order 34 Councillor Pope expressed the opinion that he would prefer to see investment in West Norfolk which could help encourage businesses and create employment.  Councillor Long referred to investments made by other authorities in properties outside their area which had proved profitable.

RECOMMENDED:   That the criteria for the Local Property Investment Fund is revised to remove the restriction limiting property investment opportunities to the local area and extend the criteria to the whole of Norfolk as detailed in the report.

Reason for Decision

To increase flexibility within the Local Property Investment Fund.

The Cabinet is asked to consider excluding the public from the meeting under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 for consideration of the item below on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

PRIVATE ITEM

Details of any representations received about why the following reports should be considered in public will be reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(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 it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(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 it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RESOLVED:   1)         That the Local Authority Controlled Company model is the preferred model for the delivery of leisure services in the borough

2)     That officers be instructed to seek to agree a protocol for dealing with the transition process with Alive Leisure Trust

Reason for Decision

To respond to the proposal from ALT and to achieve best value for the council.

Following the Cabinet meeting on 21 August 2018, Cabinet now considered a further report on the provision of Leisure Services for the Borough.  The Environment and Community Panel had considered the report at its special meeting on 11 October 2018 and received a full presentation from the Trust.  The Panel had asked the Trust questions on its presentation.  All Cabinet Members had been present for the Panel meeting.   The Panel had recommended that the Cabinet support the option of a Local Authority Controlled Company.

Representatives from the Alive Leisure Trust attended the meeting and answered questions from the Cabinet members. The Trust representatives left the meeting following their question and answer session.

Unison representatives attended the meeting and answered questions from Cabinet and left the meeting following their question and answer session.

Cabinet then debated the contents of the report, and the submissions and responses to questions from the Alive Trust. 

Under standing order 34, Councillor Miss L Bambridge asked the Cabinet a question regarding the charity’s reserves and received a response.

On putting the recommendation to the vote by Cabinet, Councillor I Devereux abstained.

RESOLVED:1)         That the Local Authority Controlled Company model is the preferred model for the delivery of leisure services in the borough

2)     That officers be instructed to seek to agree a protocol for dealing with the transition process with Alive Leisure Trust

Reason for Decision

To respond to the proposal from ALT and to achieve best value for the council.