To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dowling and Hambidge.

Councillor Duigan was in attendance as substitute.

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.

None.

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

Councillors Birt, Cowen, Crane, James & Wilkinson.

Report of Councillor Jane James, Executive Member for Customer and Corporate Services.

Councillor Jane James, the Executive Member for Customer and Corporate Services introduced the report.

Teresa Smith, the Democratic Services Team Leader explained that an officer working group representing Democratic Services, IT and Communications had been set up to successfully deliver the induction programme in May 2023. A new welcome pack had been agreed which would align more closely with the staff induction experience. It had also been agreed that all members, whether existing or newly elected, would be provided with a Breckland Council device, and should they wish, a mobile phone to allow them to perform their duties as a ward member and all new members would be offered training on any device issued.

Councillor Duigan suggested that more than one induction day should be offered to ensure new members could attend at some point and could benefit from the information and training given as it was extremely useful.

Councillor Birt asked about the opportunity to bring your own device. The IT & Digital Manager, Ben Meen explained that this was something that Breckland Council had explored and investigated, however due to concerns over security and the resources to manage this, it was not something that could be accommodated at this time.

Councillor Wilkinson welcomed what he thought was an in-depth report on induction and training with lots of initiatives for newly elected Members which had not been offered in the past and felt that this was an improvement.

Councillor Monument felt it might be worth contacting Members newly elected at the previous election to find out their thoughts on what worked or not and what they found useful.

Councillor James said that she was part of the last intake and was very mindful of speaking to others and there had been discussions on what had been useful or not. Councillor James said that she would have further discussions with the team around possible notifications of training and induction dates.

The Chairman suggested that refresher training for all Members would be a good thing as things were constantly evolving and changing.

Members of the committee noted the report.

None.

Report of Councillor Philip Cowen, Executive Member for Finance, Revenues & Benefits.

Councillor Philip Cowen, the Executive Member for Finance, Revenues & benefits introduced the report. He stated that cabinet had approved entering into a Section 113 agreement with Lincolnshire County Council (to include Boston Borough Council, City of Lincoln Council, East Lindsey District Council, West Lindsey District Council, South Kesteven District council, North Kesteven District Council and South Holland Council) for ARP to provide Single Person Discount Fraud services.

In addition, it was recommended that the Breckland staffing establishment be increased by 3 permanent FTE and 2 temporary FTE for the fully funded posts required to deliver the services included in the Section 113 agreement. The fully funded posts would be funded by Lincolnshire County Council and no cost would be incurred by the ratepayers of Breckland Council.

Councillor Duigan welcomed the report and praised the work of ARP stating that over the years since the collaboration with Breckland Council, the service had improved greatly.

Councillor Ashby asked for further clarification on the option to make the posts permanent, subject to funding. Councillor Cowen explained that it would be prudent to look ahead and that based on ARP’s history it was probable that the posts would continue.

Councillor Birt asked for assurance that the new full-time posts would cover the full external contract provision requirements with no dilution of Breckland Council’s Fraud Services. Councillor Cowen confirmed that this would only enhance and strengthen the ability of the officers concerned to fulfil the commitment.

The recommendation was proposed and seconded, and it was:

RESOLVED that the Breckland staffing establishment be increased by 3 permanent FTE and 2 temporary FTE for the fully funded posts required to deliver the services included in the Section 113 agreement.

Report of Councillor Philip Cowen, Executive Member for Finance, Revenues & Benefits.

Councillor Philip Cowen, the Executive Member for Finance, Revenues & benefits introduced the report. He stated that Cabinet had agreed to entering into a Section 113 agreement with Broadland District Council and South Norfolk District Council for ARP to provide Fraud services and it was recommended that Breckland Council increase staffing by 2 permanent FTE for the fully funded posts.

The recommendation was proposed and seconded, and it was:

RESOLVED that the Breckland Council staffing establishment be increased by 2 permanent FTE for the fully funded posts required to deliver the services included in the Section 113 agreement.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 at 2pm in the Anglia Room, the Conference Suite, Dereham.

The arrangements for the next meeting on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 at 2pm in the Anglia Room 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 items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 & 2 of Schedule 12A to the Act.”

Part B – ItemS from which the press and the public are excluded

Following a vote, it was:

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 defined in paragraphs 1 & 2 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Report of Councillor Helen Crane, Executive Member for Environmental Health, Licensing & Sustainability.

This item was discussed in a private session.

This item was discussed in a private session.