To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2014.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 May 2014 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Borrett, Clarke, Goreham, Nunn, Sherwood, Skull and Steward.

Engagements List - Chairman

30 May 2014 to 16 July 2014

The Chairman remarked that it had been a busy start to his year in office.  He congratulated the Lophams and Sporle for doing so well in the Norfolk Village Games.

Unconfirmed minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 July 2014.

a)         Croxton Neighbourhood Plan – Plan Area Designation & Croxton, Kilverstone & Brettenham Neighbourhood Plan – Plan Area Designation (Minute No 62/14)

In response to a question from Councillor Lamb it was confirmed that the Thetford SUE area was included in the Neighbourhood Plan and until the S106 legal agreement was signed it could not be confirmed where the money for play equipment would come from.

b)         Broadband Breckland Investment (Minute No 63/14)

The Leader of the Labour Group said that he supported rural communities being helped with infrastructure but he questioned the timing and prioritisation of the decision to spend so much public money on Broadband when housing, the spare room subsidy and food banks were such an issue. 

Councillor Cowen said that people were struggling to earn a living and carry on day to day business due to poor Broadband provision.  This was an opportunity to do something for rural areas and was a drop in the ocean to what had been spent in Thetford.  As Chairman of Scrutiny, as a Ward representative and as an individual he supported the recommendation.

Councillor Bambridge agreed and said that some villages in his Ward had no Broadband at all.  It was a good use of Breckland money.

Councillor Duigan regretted the town v rural arguments.  It was vital for all areas.  Everyone needed to be able to contact each other to ensure a healthy, wealthy Breckland.

The Leader of the Labour Group responded saying that he had asked residents for their opinion and been struck by the number against spending the money.

The Leader of the Council concluded the discussion saying that the investment was for the whole district not just rural areas; towns were included as well.

RESOLVED that:

(1)               Breckland Council supports the Norfolk County Council Superfast Broadband (SFBB) project and agrees in principal to provide funding of up to and not exceeding £950,000 to deliver the project across the Breckland District, and

(2)               £950,000 be transferred from the Organisational Development Reserve to the Community Projects Reserve and be earmarked for Broadland Partnership Funding for draw down in 2016/2017.

c)         Adoption

RESOLVED that the unconfirmed Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 July 2014 be adopted.

Unconfirmed minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 19 June 2014.

RESOLVED that subject to an amendment to the spelling of RESOLVED at Minute No 34/14, the unconfirmed Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 19 June 2014 be adopted.

Confirmed minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 9 June 2014.

RESOLVED that the confirmed Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 9 June 2014 be adopted.

Unconfirmed minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 11 June 2014.

RESOLVED that the unconfirmed Minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 11 June 2014 be adopted.

Unconfirmed minutes of the Special Appeals Committee meeting held on 27 June 2014.

RESOLVED that the now confirmed Minutes of the Appeals Committee meeting held on 27 June 2014 be adopted.

To confirm the Minutes of the Audit Committee meetings held on:

a)         Annual Report on Standards Arrangements (Minute No 22/14)

Councillor Gilbert thanked the Audit Committee for giving him a good hearing and debate.

b)         Annual Report on Treasury Management Performance (Minute No 30/14)

RESOLVED that :

(1)       the actual 2013/14 prudential indicators with the report be approved; and

(2)       the Treasury Management Stewardship report for 2013/14 at Appendix B and Appendix C be noted.

c)         Adoption

RESOLVED that the confirmed Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 13 June 2014 be adopted.

RESOLVED that the unconfirmed Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 27 June 2014 be adopted.

Report of the Internal Audit Consortium Manager in consultation with the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

RESOLVED that the Annual Report of the Audit Committee be noted.

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive presented the report which proposed the appointment of the Executive Director Place as the Council’s Section 151 Chief Financial Officer with effect from September, when the audited accounts had been adopted.

RESOLVED that Julie Kennealy, Joint Executive Director, be confirmed as the Section 151 Officer for Breckland Council on the adoption of the 2013/2014 audited accounts.

To receive nominations for any changes to Committee and other seats from political groups.

• Audit Committee

William Nunn to replace Robert Kybird as Vice-Chairman.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       William Nunn be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Audit Committee in place of Robert Kybird

(2)       Robin Goreham be appointed to replace Brenda Canham as Substitute Member of the Planning Committee

(3)   Trevor Carter be appointed Substitute Member on the Health & Wellbeing Board.

A revised list of Attendance Statistics for 2013/14 is attached, with Portfolio Holder Briefing details omitted.

The amended Attendance Statistics were noted.