Decision

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM
OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Visitor Information
Centre
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee
recommended that Cabinet consider:

·      
The building being made available for an alternative income
generating use.

·      
What provision can be made to continue a tourist information
service – be that through an enhanced online presence,
electronic information boards or physical leaflet stands at
prominent locations within Cromer such as the Pier and other
visitor attractions.

·      
Relocation of the current Deep History Coast display housed within
the North Norfolk Visitor Centre to a suitable alternative
location, possibly Cromer Museum.
 
MTFS
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee confirmed
support for the proposed steps to close the gaps within the
MTFS.
It also made the following
recommendations to Cabinet:

1.    
To take a twin track approach to savings, looking
not only at those that can be achieved within 2025/26 but also
those with a longer lead in time to ensure savings are progressed
into 2026/27 and beyond.

2.    
The awaited Workforce strategy be used to help
understand staff costs arising from use of part time and hybrid
working and agency staff cover to explore scope for greater
efficiency savings.

3.    
A Workshop be arranged to understand options around
statutory and non-statutory service provisions and to explore and
evaluate options for beneficial changes. Action Cllr
Shires.
 
Budget
Monitoring
O&S noted the contents of the
report and the current forecast year end position and recommended
that:

1.    
Officers to work to further reduce the overall
projected General Fund deficit for 2024/25

2.    
In respect of item 7 below, the Estates Team to
explore the most cost-effective materials options (in addition to
rethatching) for the re-roof of the Collectors Cabin with
competitive quotes and that the budget for the work should be up to
£30,000.
 
The Overview and Scrutiny
Committee supports Cabinet seeking approval from Full Council in
respect of the following:

3.    
to include an addition to the revenue budget of
£13,000 for an addition to existing Exacom software as laid out in paragraph
4.8.1

4.    
to include a permanent increase to the revenue
budget of £34,000 for an additional member of staff in the
Licensing Team as detailed in paragraphs 4.8.2 to 4.8.5. This will
be funded from the ring-fenced licencing income.

5.    
to include an additional capital budget of
£22,000 to complete the Cromer Offices LED lighting project.
This is to be funded from the Net Zero Initiatives reserve as
detailed in paragraph 5.4.2

6.    
to include an additional capital budget of
£5,600 to pay the retention sum for the Crinkle Crankle Wall and that this is funded from the Major
Projects Reserve as detailed in paragraph 5.4.3

7.    
to include an additional capital budget of
£30,000 to rethatch the Collector’s Cabin roof and that
this is to be funded from the Asset Management reserve as detailed
in paragraph 5.4.4

8.    
to include an additional capital budget of
£23,400 to develop the customer services C3 software and is
to be funded from the Development Plan reserve. as detailed in
paragraph 5.4