A minute’s silence was held in memory of former Councillor Cliff Jordan. 

Members paid tribute to former Councillor Jordan, and acknowledged his service to the area. Councillors Crawford, Bambridge, Joel, Jermy, Matthews, Wilkin and Nairn paid individual tributes and relayed treasured memories of former Councillor Jordan.

The Chairman reminded councillors that a new Members’ Room had been established, and felt that it would be appropriate to name it the Jordan Room.  Members unanimously agreed with this suggestion.

To receive apologies for absence. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Borrett, Gilbert, Paul Hewett, Millbank, Sherwood, Taylor and Wassell.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2018.

The Minutes of the Annual meeting held on 17 May 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

a)    Agenda item 10: Planning Committee 4 June 2018: Minute No. 64/18(1)

Councillor Claussen declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this item due to it being his own application.

b)    Agenda item 17: Breckland Bridge Business Plan update

Councillor Cowen declared an interest in this item due to him being a Director of Breckland Bridge.  He would not take part in any debate if the matter was discussed.

The Chairman had thoroughly enjoyed all of the events attended since his inauguration in May, particularly the Lord Mayor’s celebrations in Norwich on 7 July 2018.

To receive a verbal update from Councillor Nunn, Leader of the Council.

The Leader provided Members with updates on the following matters:

·        Leisure provision – the Leisure Centres based in Dereham and Thetford had already increased participation by another 3½% this year by offering special rates to residents of Breckland. 

·        The Glutton waste vacuum cleaner was being used to support the Market Town Initiative. Members were reminded that the Council had committed another £250k to that Initiative this year to further help and support their efforts in dealing with what was a national problem of closures in the market towns. The Council needed to focus on smaller bespoke businesses and provide them with as much support as possible such as reduced business rates.  He hoped that this would continue.

·        Garden Waste collections – there were now 23,500 subscribers to the garden waste scheme and nearly all subscribers were now paying on-line.  It was noted that the Council was in discussion with two of its neighbouring authorities on waste services re-procurement, which would help to ensure that best value was maintained.  Serco continued to do a sterling job for the District and he hoped that the new contract, whoever it might be awarded to, would provide great value for money for the authority.

·        EcoTech/Green Britain Centre, Swaffham – this, in his opinion, was a beautiful building in Swaffham. The Leader reported that the current tenant had given notice to the Council that it would not be renewing its lease of the property.   Enquiries from a variety of other businesses were already being received.  A report would be brought back to Full Council in due course.

·        Thetford ‘Music on the Green’ – the Greater Thetford Development Partnership Board had established this event which was a great initiative.  The Leader said that he could remember speaking to the Town Council about this vision many years ago for a café culture in Thetford alongside the river which now seemed to be coming to fruition.  Hopefully, Button Island together with all other green spaces as far as Three Bridges would be tidied up leading to further improvement in the profile of the area.  This was great news and a great piece of work that was still on-going that would eventually bring the Thetford community together.  He congratulated all concerned.

Councillor Wilkin asked the Leader to join him in congratulating the people of Thetford who volunteered their services to litter pick and weed etc.  He was well aware that the Council, along with others, took care of general street cleaning but a lot of the towns around the district had their own volunteers to clean and look after the other areas.  The Leader agreed.  He knew of many volunteers across the District who were prepared to give up their own time to carry out this work and all should be congratulated. It was a great opportunity for people to come together for the good of their village or town. 

Councillor Brindle mentioned the ‘Music on the Green’ in Thetford and pointed out to the Leader that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90/18

None.

Councillor Jermy asked the Leader what the Council was doing to address the rising cost of fly-tipping which now stood at £250,000.   The Leader pointed out that there had been a drop in fly-tipping in May compared to the previous year. However, fly-tipping sadly had always been an issue for the community and was an inconsiderate act by a minority.  In terms of cost, he hoped that the Council would continue to prosecute the persons involved but he had his doubts that the cost would come down.  He was saddened by the amount of rubbish dumped in the countryside and felt that education was key and by teaching individuals from a young age that it was not acceptable to dump waste/rubbish for others to clear up behind them.

Councillor Clarke asked if prosecutions were the best way to address this issue.  The Leader said that he would be most content to see this Council prosecute where sufficient evidence enabled this.  In such a rural district, the eyes and ears of the public and of Members were needed to catch the people responsible to be able to prosecute.

Councillor Hollis asked if anything was being done about fly-posting.  Members were informed by the Executive Director of Place that the removal work formed part of the Council’s contract with Serco.

Councillor Nairn pointed out that the public could now use the Breckland website to report any fly-tipping.  He had been promoting the website to all residents in his Ward.

On the matter of litter picking, Councillor Joel suggested writing to all Town & Parish Councils informing them that Breckland Council had litter pick equipment to loan.  The Leader said that letters were previously sent informing them that kits were available but as a reminder letters would be issued (again).  Councillor Robert Richmond asked if drones could be used to gain the evidence required in relation to fly-tipping.  The Leader felt that this would be an impossible task due to the size and demographics of Breckland.

Unconfirmed Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 June 2018.

a)    Financial Out-turn 2017-18 (Minute No. 63/18)

RESOLVED that:

1)    the capital budgets (and associated funding sources) of £1,694,731 be carried forward in 2018-19 to support projects in progress; and

2)    the final capital out-turn and funding for 2017-18 as detailed in appendix B of the Cabinet report be approved.

b)    Community Reserve Protocol (Minute No. 65/18)

RESOLVED that the sum of £250,000 be ring-fenced from the Community Reserve to be used by the Market Town Initiative and this to be agreed in line with the Council’s Financial Regulations.

c)     Breckland Bridge Business Plan update (Minute No. 68/18)

RESOLVED that the updated Breckland Bridge Ltd Business Plan for 2018-2023 be approved.

d)    Adoption

RESOLVED that the unconfirmed Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 June 2018 be adopted.

Unconfirmed Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 31 May 2018.

a)    Broadband in Breckland (Minute No. 57/18)

RESOLVED that work be undertaken to establish the broadband speeds of Breckland properties not covered by the BBfN programme and to consider what further options to investigate.

b)    Adoption

RESOLVED that the unconfirmed Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 31 May 2018 be adopted.

To confirm the following Minutes:

RESOLVED that the confirmed Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 8 May 2018 be adopted.

RESOLVED that the confirmed Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 4 June 2018 be adopted.

Unconfirmed Minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee meeting held on 12 June 2018.

RESOLVED that, subject to Cabinet’s approval to the recommendation in relation to the Risk Management Policy (Minute No. 28/18 refers) at its meeting on 24 July 2018; and, subject to the word ‘complaints’ being added to last paragraph at Minute No. 26/18, the unconfirmed Minutes of the Governance & Audit Committee meeting held on 12 June 2018 be adopted.

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

1.     Overview and Scrutiny Commission

To appoint a Conservative Member in place of Councillor Lynda Turner.

2.     Outside Body Appointment

Norfolk Countywide Community Safety Partnership Scrutiny Sub Panel – substitute required

RESOLVED that:

1)    Councillor Theresa Hewett be appointed to the Overview & Scrutiny Commission in place of Councillor Lynda Turner.

2)    Councillor Trevor Carter be appointed as substitute on the Norfolk Countywide Community Safety Partnership Scrutiny Sub Panel

The Executive Manager for Governance presented the amendments to the Constitution. 

RESOLVED that the amendments to paragraphs 14 and 15 under Part 3 Section F1 of the Constitution be approved as per the underlined text as follows:

“14. Any officer with delegated power has power to authorise staff within his/her control to carry out powers delegated to him/her, subject to any conditions or provisos which are imposed.  For the avoidance of doubt wherever an officer delegates a function under this paragraph, or any other paragraph of this Constitution, this power shall include the power to appoint the relevant officer as an “Authorised Officer” or an “Inspector” or such other title as may be required by legislation.”

“15. Each Chief officer shall have the following general powers, and for the avoidance of doubt each Chief Officer is hereby appointed as an “Authorised Officer” or an “Inspector” or any other relevant title where legislation requires such appointment in order to undertake the following functions”.

NOTE: No other business is permitted unless by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the minutes, the Chairman is of the opinion that the items(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency.

None.

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 the 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 contained in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Unconfirmed Private & Confidential Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 31 May 2018.

RESOLVED that the unconfirmed private & confidential Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 31 May 2018 be adopted.

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

Noted.