Agenda and minutes

Prayers were led by the Rev Canon Ling

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 1 December 2022  (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 December 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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.

Councillor I Devereux declared a non pecuniary interest in Notice of Motion 1/23.  

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

None

a)            THE FINANCIAL PLAN 2023/2027 AND COUNCIL TAX RESOLUTION 2023/24  (Document attached)

Pursuant to Minute CAB117: Financial Plan2022/2027of the Cabinet Meeting held on 7 February 2023, the “Financial Plan 2022/2027and Council Tax Resolution 2023/2024” the document attached as a supplementary to the agenda for consideration and decision includes an updated summary of the Financial Plan 2022/2027, the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner - Council Tax for 2023/2024 and details of Parish Precepts and Internal Drainage Boards levies for 2023/2024. 

NOTE:In accordance with Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 165, Local Government, England, The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, any decision taken on the Council’s Budget or Council Tax setting must be taken with a recorded vote

b)         CABINET RECOMMENDATIONS FROM 7 FEBRUARY 2023 (document attached)

CAB118 :        Treasury Management Policy

CAB119:         Capital Strategy 2023-24

CAB120:         Capital Programme 2023-24

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube

Pursuant to Minute CAB117: Financial Plan2022/2027of the Cabinet Meeting held on 7 February 2023, the “Financial Plan 2022/2027 and Council Tax Resolution 2023/2024” the document attached as a supplementary to the agenda for consideration and decision included an updated summary of the Financial Plan 2022/2027, the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner - Council Tax for 2023/2024 and details of Parish Precepts and Internal Drainage Boards levies for 2023/2024. 

Councillor Dickinson proposed the recommendations set out in the report and spoke in favour of the proposed Budget.  She highlighted the key elements of the budget which was fully funded for years 1-3.  The proposed council tax increase was 3.2% which included the levy increases made by the Internal Drainage Boards which was 43% of the Borough’s total council tax collected.  She gave a breakdown of the allocation of the overall Council Tax collected for the County Council, Police, Parishes and Borough.  She drew attention to the fact that the Council had one of the lowest Council tax levels in the country. And highlighted that the budget was orientated towards residents and businesses with no increase in fees and charges or any cuts to services.

Councillor Dark seconded the Motion and reserved his right to speak.

Councillor Parish as Leader of the Independent Group thanked officers for communicating the essence details and ramifications of the budget.  He commented on the use of the reserves to balance the budget for the next 3 years was a false promise as reviews from 2024 would be needed.  He hoped the IDB funding would be reviewed by the Government.  He commented that the new administration would not be as fortunate, but that the reserves held to date should have been spent when they were accrued for the benefit of the residents.  He felt the Government had underfunded local government.

Councillor Jones as Deputy Leader of the Labour Group addressed the Council on the budget commenting on the level of charges made, he felt that the budget didn’t help those in need.   He commented on the additional resources allocated to the planning department, high costs of charging of halls rented out, and that Labour would prosecute fly tippers.

Councillor Dark asked for confirmation as to any amendment which were planned to be moved.  The Labour Group confirmed they would have none.

Councillor Joyce spoke on the budget and referenced the forthcoming elections, spend, borrowing and earmarked reserves.  He commented on the fees and charges and Alive West Norfolk where residents not using it were paying for it.  He commented on the outsourcing of leisure facilities. 

Councillor Sandell considered the budget was prudent, taking into account the cost of living.  She gave examples of the services provided to residents taking into account support during the cost of living crisis.

Councillor Kemp did not support the budget as she considered there was not enough attention given to services. She considered there  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:74i

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube

Councillor Dickinson moved recommendations CAB118,119 and 120.  This was seconded by Councillor Dark who reserved his right to speak.

CAB118: Treasury Management Policy

CAB119: Capital Strategy 2023-24

CAB120: Capital Programme 2023-24

Council debated the items and on being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED:   That the recommendations above from 7 February 2023 be approved.

To receive any items of business which in the opinion of the Mayor are urgent. 

CAB131:         Minor Updates to Delegated Authorities for Revenues

A decision needs taking under the proposals in the recommendations on 24 February 2023.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube

In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mayor decided that the following matter should be considered in order that the authority was in place to deal with the relief schemes.

CAB131:          Minor Updates to Delegated Authorities for Revenues.

Councillor Dark, seconded by Councillor Middleton proposed the recommendations in CAB131.  On being put to the vote this was agreed.

RESOLVED:   That recommendation CAB131: Minor Updates to Delegated Authorities for Revenues be agreed.

Notices of Motion

i)          To consider the following Notice of Motion (2/23), submitted by Councillor T Parish (Resuming of adjourned part heard on 26 January 2023):

‘This Council receives a full briefing on the County ‘devolution’ Deal currently being considered by NCC and, in particular, the impact and ramifications it is likely to have on this Borough Council and its’ inhabitants. The briefing to be shared with officers and employees of the authority.’

ii)             To consider the following Notice of Motion (1/23), submitted by Councillor T Parish:

This Council recognises that a very significant commercial campaign to create a barrier across The Wash, for diverse purposes, has been launched and clearly states that the Council’s view on the matter is neutral until sufficient information is available, from all appropriate sources, and that this has been considered fully and impartially.

Further, this Council will act as a receptacle and conduit for local comments and opinion about the proposal and provide help and support to local organisations to enable them to make their case for support or rebuttal. The Council will do this via a Task Group set up well prior to the May elections with the brief to determine the framework for such actions and support so that a new administration can easily pick up and continue the work.

iii)         To consider the following Notice of Motion (3/23), submitted by Councillor A Kemp:

The Borough Council and the Government's Devolution Deal

In 2016, this Council voted against the Government's Devolution Deal for an Elected Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk, and an extra tier of Local Government.

Now Govt has offered  a new Devolution Deal with an Elected Mayor for Norfolk, but none of the £600 million funding offered over 30 years for infrastructure or the new powers, would come to this Council or the Districts, but would all go to the County Council. 

The Elected Mayor would become the County Council Leader and would have extensive Housing powers, Rights of Compulsory Purchase and Land Assembly for development, and could set up a "Mayoral Development Area" in any part of Norfolk, and a "Mayoral Development Corporation". 

But Housing is the function of the Local Planning Authority.

The Devolution Deal would take away powers and funding from the District Council and centralise too much power in the hands of the County Council. 

This Council will write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Levelling Up to make its views clear that it does not agree with the Deal.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube

i)          Notice of Motion (2/23), submitted by Councillor T Parish (Resuming of adjourned part heard on 26 January 2023):

‘This Council receives a full briefing on the County ‘devolution’ Deal currently being considered by NCC and, in particular, the impact and ramifications it is likely to have on this Borough Council and its’ inhabitants. The briefing to be shared with officers and employees of the authority.’

Councillor Parish moved a procedural motion to withdraw the Motion as in the interim period he and Councillor Dark had agreed a further motion which would be submitted to the 30 March 2023 meeting.  Councillor Morley seconded the proposal which was agreed by Council.

RESOLVED:   That the Motion be withdrawn.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube

ii)                Councillor T Parish proposed the following Notice of Motion (1/23) and spoke in support of it.  This was seconded by Councillor de Whalley:

“This Council recognises that a very significant commercial campaign to create a barrier across The Wash, for diverse purposes, has been launched and clearly states that the Council’s view on the matter is neutral until sufficient information is available, from all appropriate sources, and that this has been considered fully and impartially.

Further, this Council will act as a receptacle and conduit for local comments and opinion about the proposal and provide help and support to local organisations to enable them to make their case for support or rebuttal. The Council will do this via a Task Group set up well prior to the May elections with the brief to determine the framework for such actions and support so that a new administration can easily pick up and continue the work.”

Councillor Morley proposed an amendment to delete the word “well” in the last sentence of the motion.  This was seconded by Councillor Rust.  Councillor Parish accepted the amendment which was then the substantive Motion. 

Council debated the Motion, Councillor Bullen spoke in support of the Motion citing the issues such a barrier could cause.  Councillor Long drew attention to the Wash and Marine Partnership which he sat on as a County Councillor which consisted of all major organisations involved with the Wash, he confirmed he would remain neutral until the Environmental Impact Assessment had been carried out and considered to show there would be no detriment to the wash.

Councillor Dark expressed the view that he took a neutral stance at this stage in the proceedings until the detail and the Environmental Impact Assessment was submitted when advice from experts would be sought.  He considered spending money and officer time on it at this stage would be premature and wrong.

Councillor Joyce commented that he felt a task group would prepare the ground for the future Council.

Councillor Kemp spoke in support, urging the council to look at the impact on the Wash.

Councillor Middleton acknowledged Councillor Bullen’s knowledge of the subject, but also  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:76i