To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence. 

An apology was received from Councillor Claussen.

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, and in particular the residents of Abbey Estate who were present for Item 9 of the agenda. 

He had agreed with Councillor Jermy that up to 2 persons (previously nominated) would be invited to speak on behalf of the residents at that agenda item.

The Chairman had been pleased to see that £230m had been confirmed by the Government for the Norwich Western Link Road which would help support residents and communities in the northern part of the district.

To consider the grants put forward (if any). 

Report of Councillor Helen Crane, Executive Member for Waste, Environmental Health, Licensing and Sustainability, Councillor Paul Hewett, Executive Member for Property, Projects, and Procurement and Councillor Tristin Ashby, Executive Member for Health, and Communities.

Councillor Helen Crane, Executive Member for Waste, Environmental Health, Licensing and Sustainability presented the report which sought approval from Cabinet to recommend to Full Council the release of £120,000 from the Growth and Investment Reserve to enable installation of solar PV panels on the roof of Dereham Leisure Centre.

Options:

1)     To release funding of £120,000, to supplement £160,000 from existing Breckland 2035 funds, and proceed with the delivery of solar panel installation on the roof of Dereham Leisure Centre.

2)     Do Nothing

Reasons for Recommendation

The recommendation supports the Breckland 2035 strategy agreed in 2021, namely, to decarbonise premises towards the goal of reaching Net Zero by 2035 and deliver against Priority 1 of the Sustainability Strategy (2021-2035) ‘Reducing our own impact as an organisation on the environment’.

The recommendation would provide a ‘cost avoidance’ benefit through the reduction in energy costs and in the exporting of excess energy generated back to the Grid.

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommend to Full Council:

1)     To agree to the release of £120,000 from Growth and Investment Reserve to add to the £160,000 from the (previously released) Breckland 2035 funds, to enable the installation of solar PV panels on the roof of Dereham Leisure Centre.

2)     to delegate authority to accept the terms and conditions of any future grant funding secured to Executive Member for Waste, Environmental Health, Licensing and Sustainability in consultation with the Executive Director as officers continue to explore all funding opportunities.

3)     That delegation is given to the Assistant Director Contracts and Operations and the Council Solicitor in consultation with the Executive Member for Property, Projects, and Procurement to carry out negotiations with Parkwood Leisure and associated companies to obtain the best outcome for the Council.

Report of  Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen, Leader of the Council & Rob Walker, Deputy Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council presented the report which sought Cabinet’s authority to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Flagship Group Limited and Norfolk County Council regarding the potential regeneration of the Abbey Estate in Thetford.

The document had set out the position of the partnership arrangements for the potential future regeneration of the Abbey Estate and did not pre-determine any planning application that may come forward. 

Councillor Jermy raised significant concerns about the potential regeneration of the Abbey Estate and said that whilst investment was needed it would have the potential to destroy a well-developed community if it was delivered badly.

He raised concerns about the number of homes that may have to be compulsory purchased, and it was the homeowners who were most distressed about the proposed regeneration. He expressed how those homeowners were proud of their community and had stories where people were born, families had been raised had seen loved ones pass away.  He went on to say how the residents within the Abbey Estate were anxious, nervous and frustrated and needed reassurance and certainty about how the costs would be covered and where they would be moved too.  The residents wanted to be respected and listened to and felt that any compulsory purchase should be the last resort and handled sensitively.

He said the infrastructure was crucial and that Breckland Council must scrutinise the decisions made by Flagship to ensure that residents would get what they needed and any additional homes would be right for the community.  He also explained how the green spaces were wanted by the residents and should not be used to fill in the gaps for additional homes. 

Councillor Land added that the project was about the people who felt left out and left behind.  He felt that Breckland Council needed to be behind the residents of the Abbey Estate and respect the issues of the community.

A homeowner on the Abbey Estate explained how she had first heard about the regeneration project in 2019.  She had lived on the estate for 23-years and whilst she was very proud of her home, she would not be able to move on as easily as her neighbours who rented their property from Flagship.  Her home had de-valued in a year and she felt that she would not be able to financially move and therefore would lose out.  She felt the health and wellbeing of the residents was crucial and that the community used the green spaces for community gatherings and for children to play.  She felt that more should be done by Flagship to look after the estate and suggested CCTV to capture the fly-tipping that often occurred. It was appreciated that investment was needed on the estate, but not demolition and there was a strong sense that the community had not been listened to by Flagship.

Another homeowner explained how she had lived in her home for 53 years and had very strong memories there and how since 2019 she has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98/23

To note the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 12 September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of the Joint Anglia Revenues and Benefits Partnership Committee held on 12 September 2023 were noted.

To note that the date of the next meeting of Cabinet will be held on Monday 27 November at 9.30am in the Anglia Room, The Conference Centre, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, NR19 1EE.

The arrangements for the next meeting on Monday 27 November at 9.30am in the Anglia Room, The Conference Centre, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham were noted.