To consider the following Notices of Motion:
(03/25), submitted by Councillor Kirk:
The Reform Group wishes to put forward the following motion to full council
This Council notes that:
- It declared a climate emergency in 2021 and set a corporate net zero target for 2035.
- Policies include the Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan, decarbonisation of 11 council buildings, Norfolk Net Zero Communities pilot, Eco Flexible Eligibility Scheme, and £3.8m spent on solar, heat pumps, and EV points.
- These unfunded mandates raise council tax and divert funds from local services — hitting the poorest residents hardest.
This Council believes that:
- Its first duty is to protect the poorest and most vulnerable residents, not to chase costly net zero targets.
This Council resolves to:
- Scrap all net zero policies and targets immediately, including the 2035 target, Climate Change Strategy, building decarbonisation programme, and Eco Scheme.
- Publish a full audit of net zero spend within 3 months and consult residents on priorities for the savings.
(04/25), submitted by Councillor SAYERS:
This Council notes that:
This Council resolves to:
Minutes:
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(03/25) Submitted by Councillor Kirk
Councillor Kirk requested withdrawal of the following Notice of Motion and indicated that a revised Notice of Motion would be submitted to the next Full Council meeting.
“This Council notes that:
- It declared a climate emergency in 2021 and set a corporate net zero target for 2035.
- Policies include the Climate Change Strategy & Action Plan, decarbonisation of 11 council buildings, Norfolk Net Zero Communities pilot, Eco Flexible Eligibility Scheme, and £3.8m spent on solar, heat pumps, and EV points.
- These unfunded mandates raise council tax and divert funds from local services — hitting the poorest residents hardest.
This Council believes that:
- Its first duty is to protect the poorest and most vulnerable residents, not to chase costly net zero targets.
This Council resolves to:
- Scrap all net zero policies and targets immediately, including the 2035 target, Climate Change Strategy, building decarbonisation programme, and Eco Scheme.
- Publish a full audit of net zero spend within 3 months and consult residents on priorities for the savings.”
RESOLVED: The Mayor agreed that the Notice of Motion be withdrawn.
(04/25) Submitted by Councillor Sayers
In proposing the Notice of Motion, Councillor Sayers requested an alteration to resolution four of his Notice of Motion. The alteration is set out in bold below.
Councillor Ratcliffe seconded the alteration.
“This Council notes that:
1. "Fleecehold" refers to properties sold as freehold where homeowners remain liable for annual estate management charges to private companies for roads and communal areas councils would traditionally maintain through council tax.
2. One million homeowners across 20,000 estates face escalating charges with no meaningful ability to challenge unreasonable fees or poor service.
3. Eighty percent of new freehold properties by the 11 largest housebuilders now include estate management charges, making fleecehold standard industry practice.
4. Research shows the average new-build home comes with 157 defects, up 96% since 2005, yet residents pay twice - through council tax and private estate charges.
5. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 received Royal Assent in May 2024, but most provisions await secondary legislation. The High Court dismissed a judicial review challenge on 24 October 2025, removing obstacles to implementation.
6. The property management sector remains unregulated, leaving residents with no recourse against excessive charges.
This Council resolves to:
1. Request the Leader writes to the Secretary of State urging immediate implementation of secondary legislation and regulation of property management.
2. Establish support for affected residents through information and signposting to campaign groups.
3. Engage with developers to discourage fleecehold arrangements and require transparent costings.
4. Urge the Planning Committee to give consideration, where legally permissible and appropriate, to requiring adoption agreements for roads and communal areas through Section 106 agreements, and to discourage fleecehold agreements through planning policy.”
RESOLVED: The alteration to the Notice of Motion was agreed.
Councillor Ratcliffe, as seconder of the Notice of Motion spoke in support of the Motion.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Beales thanked Councillor Sayers for highlighting this issue and proposed that under Council Procedure Rule 7.12, the best and most appropriate response would be for this Motion to be referred to another Council Body so that further research and detail could be considered. Councillor Beales proposed that the Motion be referred to the Local Plan Task Group, who would then formulate recommendations for Cabinet and Full Council to consider as necessary.
Councillor Beales also confirmed that he would write to the Secretary of State to ask for a timetable of Secondary Legislation.
Council were invited to debate the proposal to refer the matter to the Local Plan Task Group
Councillor Heneghan supported referral to the Local Plan Task Group so that a proper response could be considered.
Councillor Long commented that he supported referral to another Council Body and a Policy Development Panel would be the correct avenue for this.
Councillor Beales commented that the Local Plan Task Group was the most appropriate body to consider this in the first instance.
Councillor Joyce supported Councillor Beales proposal and highlighted that the Notice of Motion affected some residents in his Ward.
Councillor Kemp commented that action needed to be taken on this issue.
Councillor Bone supported referral to the Local Plan Task Group as more time was required to investigate this complex issue.
Councillor Blunt as a Member of the Local Plan Task Group agreed that referral to the Local Plan Task Group was the best way to take this Motion forward.
RESOLVED: That the Notice of Motion be referred to the Local Plan Task Group for consideration.