To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2020, were confirmed as a correct record.

To receive apologies for absence. 

None.

To note whether the Chairman proposes to accept any item as urgent business, pursuant to Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Nothing to report.

The duties to register, disclose and not to participate for the entire consideration of the matter, in respect of any matter in which a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest are set out in Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011.  Members are also required to withdraw from the meeting room as stated in the Standing Orders of this Council.

None.

To note the names of any non-members who wish to address the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed all Members present to the meeting.

The Chairman thanked Officers, Volunteers and Emergency Services and other bodies who supported residents through adverse conditions throughout the Christmas period. 

To consider the grants put forward (if any). 

The Executive Member for Community, Leisure & Culture was pleased to inform Members that prior to Christmas, Breckland Council had supported several applications through the Community Match Funding Scheme through delegated decision.

Report of Councillor Phil Cowen, Executive Member for Finance & Growth.

The Executive Member for Finance and Growth presented the report that asked Members to consider the draft capital and revenue budget estimates, the draft medium term financial plan and the draft capital strategy. 

He thanked the Finance team for the report and was pleased to put forward a balanced budget for 2021-22 which not only protected frontline services from cuts but would see a number of services enhanced; for example, improved waste service, the recruitment of new officers focused on fly tipping, business support, COVID-compliance and support and animal welfare, and honouring commitments to the climate change and vulnerability programmes. 

The pandemic had created uncertainty in terms of levels of government funding, fees and charges income and investment returns that could be expected.  However, believed a balanced budget could be achieved without using the core reserves if the annual council tax was increased by £4.95 for a band D property, though most people in the District would see a smaller rise as around 75% of houses were bands A-C.

The draft budget would also be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Commission for consideration.  In addition, it was available on the website for residents to view and provide feedback through to 21 January 2021.  The final budget would be presented to Cabinet and Full Council in February 2021.

Members thanked the Executive Member and the Finance team for providing a comprehensive report and good results under the circumstances.

Councillor Jermy asked for an update on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme as whilst there would be a financial increase for Breckland, the percentage increase for residents could be considerable and providing support for those on low incomes was crucial.   The Chief Accountant confirmed there would not be a proposed change to the Breckland Local Council Tax Support Scheme that offered 91.5% support.  The Government had recently introduced new funding to assist with Local Council Tax Support, the majority of which would go to County Council.

Councillor Birt said the increase of £4.95 to the Council Tax (Band D) was the same level as last year and that by applying the maximum gave the impression that the Council was under resourced.  He highlighted that the report referenced new targets that were to be identified and whilst a significant amount of money had been allocated to those projects felt there was more detail available than had been presented in the report.  He also noted that funding had not been allocated for the climate emergency capital projects and asked how the Council would prepare the Capital budgets in the future to fight climate change.

The Executive Member for Finance and Growth said that the specific figures identified had been shared as it was known what they were likely to be.  It was not unusual to have a funding gap which was at £652k and efficiencies would need to be found over the coming year.  Looking ahead to future years, alternative ways of working would need to be considered which in turn would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8/21

Report of Councillor Paul Hewett, Executive Member for Contracts & Assets.

The Executive Member for Contracts and Assets presented the report which asked Members to consider the transfer of Breckland District Council owned land at Croxton Road, Thetford to Norfolk County Council at nil value for the purpose of creating a public cycleway.

Councillor Robinson fully supported the recommendation as it would provide the much needed cycle pathway for Thetford Academy and would support the Thetford Sustainable Urban Extension.

Options

1)    Agree to transfer Breckland District Council owned Land along Croxton Road, Thetford to Norfolk County Council at nil value.

2)    Refuse to transfer the Breckland District Council land along Croxton Road, Thetford to Norfolk County Council at nil value and ask for the full value of the land which based on District Valuers general land valuation would be £1562.

Reasons for Recommendation

In considering the options members considered whether the reasons outlined had enough weight in this case to agree the nil valuation and considered the legal advice outlined within the report (paragraph 5.1.1). 

RESOLVED that:

1. the transfer of Breckland District Council owned land along Croxton Road, Thetford be transferred to Norfolk County Council at nil value for the purpose of creating a public cycleway.

2. Authority to finalise the terms and conditions of the transfer and to complete the same be delegated to Strategic Property Manager and Executive Member for Contracts & Assets.

Report of Councillor Gordon Bambridge, Executive Member for Environmental and Public Protection.

The Executive Member for Public Protection presented the report to Members that considered a revised Health and Safety Policy.  It was a legal document that required review every 3-years.  Following the consultation process amendments had been made and the layout had been altered to make it easier to read.

Members were informed that it was an internal document for Officers only. 

The Chairman suggested that the title of the policy be updated to show 2021.

Options

1.    Agree the adoption of the revised Health and Safety Policy.

2.    Agree the adoption of the revised Health and Safety Policy with amendments.

3.    Do nothing.

Reasons for Recommendation

1.    To ensure Breckland was compliant with its statutory duties.

2.    To protect the health and safety and welfare of employees and the health and safety of visitors to Breckland’s premises or where services were provided by the Council.

RESOLVED that the Corporate Health and Safety Policy 2020 (2021) be adopted.

Report of Councillor Ian Sherwood, Executive Member for Customer Engagement and Member Champion for Breckland Sustainability Strategy.  

The Executive Member for Customer Engagement & Member Champion for Breckland Sustainable Strategy said that 2021 would be the year the Council would adopt the sustainability strategy and the year climate action would be taken.  He invited Council colleagues to take the opportunity to identify their own carbon footprint and how it could be reduced.

Councillor Webb asked when the Environment & Climate Change Officer would start and what information could be shared on the current public engagement survey.  Councillor Sherwood informed Members that the new Officer commenced their position on 4 January 2021.  The survey for residents was available online and over 150 responses had been received to date. 

Councillor Birt asked if Members could have sight of the Carbon Audit report that had been received.  He also felt that the carbon off-setting should not be an option for the Council.  Councillor Sherwood confirmed the report would be shared with Members by the 15 January, pending discussions with the Strategic Policy Advisor.  He went onto say that whilst carbon off-setting was not the best way forward it was an option that may need to be considered in some circumstances.  He also outlined that it was important for the Council to set an achievable target for being carbon neutral and that this would come forward as part of the strategy.

Councillor Wickerson asked if there would be a specific budget set aside for the climate change agenda.  Members heard that there would be a defined budget to implement the sustainability policy going forward.

Councillor Atterwill said that businesses and households were struggling due to the pandemic and wondered if it would make it difficult to engage and encourage them to change their habits and asked how it could be mitigated.  Councillor Sherwood felt that public and businesses identified through the pandemic the importance of the environment, nature and wildlife and felt there was a genuine desire to make that change.  He said that there were many grants available for those looking to change energy sources and would like to support residents on how to make those changes which could ultimately help them financially. 

To note the minutes of the Anglia Revenues and Benefits Partnership Joint Committee meeting held on 8 December 2020.

The minutes of the Anglia Revenues and Benefits Partnership Joint Committee held on 8 December were noted.

To note that the date of the next meeting of Cabinet will be held on 1 February 2021 at 9.30am.

The arrangements for the next meeting on 1 February 2021 at 9.30am were noted.  

To consider passing the following resolution:

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and the 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 Schedule 12A to the Act”.

PART B – ITEM FROM WHICH THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC ARE EXCLUDED 

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 items of business on the grounds that they involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Report of Councillor Paul Hewitt, Executive Member for Contracts and Assets.

Members discussed the report that considered the future long-term interest of the Barnham Broom Golf & Country Club.

RESOLVED that Option 3 of the report be approved subject to the satisfactory completion of the necessary due diligence which shall be delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Contracts & Assets. However, if there is no material progress to the completion of Option 3 within an appropriate timescale, authority is delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Contracts & Assets to undertake Option 2.