To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2018 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

An apology was received from Councillor Webb.

None.

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.

Councillors Borrett, Darby, Jermy, Matthews, Sherwood and Wilkinson.

None.

To consider the grants put forward:

Report of Executive Member Place, Councillor Paul Claussen.

The chief operating officer for the Charles Burrell centre was present at the meeting, and provided members with an overview of the project. The project is a significant step providing work experience opportunities to those that are economically inactive.  

The Executive Member for Finance had the opportunity to visit the Charles Burrell centre, and said it was remarkable operation and something that was to be supported.  He added that the model should be replicated across the market towns.

Options

Option 1 – fully fund the application as set out in the report

Option 2 – part fund the application as set out in the report

Option 3 – Do nothing.

Reasons

The grant application meets the criteria of the scheme.

RESOLVED that the grant award of £20,000 (or 23% of the project costs, whichever is the lower amount) to the Charles Burrell Centre for a new project called ‘Full Steam Ahead’ to provide work experience opportunities for people who are currently economically inactive be approved.

Report of Executive Member for Growth, Councillor Gordon Bambridge.

The Executive Member for Growth presented the report which proposed that an investment approach be explored to increase the provision of interim accommodation for homeless households.

The Executive Member for Place asked if the process followed an holistic approach to establish why an individual had been made homeless and asked if this was being considered in a cohesive way.  It was confirmed that the new legislation did ensure that Local Authorities approached homelessness holistically.

Options

1)     Do nothing – under this option the authority will not seek to pursue an investment approach for this funding.  This approach would mean that the authority would not be in a position to capitalise on any opportunities to improve housing provision for those experiencing homelessness within the district.

2)     Proceed as per the report recommendations (recommended option) – under this option, an investment approach will be explored which focuses upon utilising available funding to increase the provision of interim accommodation for homeless households within the district.

Reasons

To enable exploration of an investment approach which focuses upon utilising available funding to increase the provision of interim accommodation for homeless households within the district.

RESOLVED that the proposed broad investment approach for available funds for affordable housing, as set out within the report, be approved.

Report of Deputy Leader & Executive Member for Strategy Governance and Transformation, Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen.

The Deputy Leader explained that the Breckland PFI for leisure services was currently in its 10^th year of full operation.  A new unitary charge would take effect in year 12, and the report requested delegated authority to the Executive Director for Strategy and Governance, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Place, to progress with the benchmarking exercise.

Options

Option 1 – to grant the necessary delegations;

Option 2 – Not to grant some or all of the necessary delegations – failure to grant the delegations will likely result in a delay to the process which could prejudice the Council’s position.

Reasons

To allow the council to meet its contractual obligations described in Schedule 18 part 1 ‘Benchmarking Procedure’ of the Project Agreement.

RESOLVED to delegate authority to the Executive Director for Strategy & Governance in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Strategy Governance and Transformation and the Portfolio Holder for Place to progress the Benchmarking Exercise and in particular to take the actions listed in the report.

To note that the date of the next meeting of Cabinet will be held on 1 May 2018, at 9.30am in the Norfolk Room, Elizabeth House, Dereham.

The arrangements for the next meeting on 1 May 2018 in the Norfolk Room, Elizabeth House, Dereham, 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) 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 likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Report of Executive Member for Growth & Commercialisation, Councillor Adrian Stasiak.

RESOLVED that Option 1 be approved.