The North Norfolk District Council Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including decarbonisation of the Fakenham Fitness Centre, housing land supply, lease renewal for the RNLI in Sheringham, and repairs to the Rocket House in Cromer. The Cabinet delegated authority to officers to make decisions on the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub project and the Rocket House repairs, and approved the lease renewal for the RNLI Sheringham. They also endorsed the updated Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework and agreed to allocate funds for Japanese knotweed control at Overstrand Cliffs.

Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub Decarbonisation

The Cabinet considered a report regarding the Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub project, which aims to deliver a 4-lane 25-meter swimming pool, an extension to the gym, improvements to the current sports centre, and a 3G all-weather pitch at Trap Lane in Fakenham. The project is primarily funded through the government's Levelling Up Fund¹. The council had accepted a £150,000 grant towards decarbonising the existing Fakenham Fitness Centre from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), administered by Salix Finance. The report considered the additional costs and impacts on the Levelling Up Fund project and sought to add the scope of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme works to the main Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub project via a variation to the contract.

The Cabinet resolved to delegate to the Section 151 officer², in consultation with the portfolio holders for Community, Leisure & Outreach (Including Health & Wellbeing), Climate Change & Net Zero, Finance, Estates & Assets, and the Director of Service Delivery, the decision on whether to include the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme works into the main Fakenham Leisure and Sports Hub project via variation to the contract, once the full capital and revenue implications are understood. This decision aligns with the council's corporate plan objective relating to our journey to Net Zero .

Five-Year Housing Land Supply Position

The Cabinet reviewed the council's five-year housing land supply position as of 31 March 2025, as detailed in the Five-Year Housing Land Supply Statement 2025–2030. The report stated that the council can demonstrate a 7.3 year supply based on the standard method (2021 NPPF, transitional). When assessed against the emerging Local Plan requirement, the supply is 7.0 years.

The Cabinet agreed that the position statement be published and used in decision-making. This ensures compliance with the requirement in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to identify and update annually a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites.

Lease Renewal - RNLI Sheringham

The Cabinet considered a report regarding the lease renewal for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) at Sheringham Promenade. The RNLI currently holds a 99-year ground lease, established in 1935 and set to expire in 2034, which enabled the construction of the lifeboat station and slipway. Following a recent structural survey, safety concerns were raised regarding the condition of the lifeboat station, prompting a temporary closure earlier this year. The RNLI has requested an early renewal of the lease to invest in building repairs and improvements.

The Cabinet approved a 25-year lease renewal to the RNLI and delegated authority to the Asset Strategy Manager to finalise and agree the exact terms of the legal agreement. This decision will enable the RNLI to repair the building and recommence lifesaving services from the lifeboat station.

Henry Blogg Museum, Rocket House Cromer

The Cabinet discussed the Henry Blogg Museum, Rocket House in Cromer, a multi-let property with community facilities on Cromer promenade. Investigations in 2023 and 2024 identified defective subfloor drainage beneath the public conveniences as a major cause of damp. Refurbishment works in early 2025 addressed these isolated issues, but monitoring shows damp persists where the rear wall meets the cliff, requiring further action. Consultants have provided a cost plan amounting to £367,484 for the tanking works and repairs and reinstatement of the internal fabric of the building. Heads of Terms for a new lease with the RNLI are under discussion to support the return of the Henry Blogg Museum and secure the building's long-term use.

The Cabinet delegated authority to the Asset & Property Programme Manager, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to utilise any remaining capital budget to undertake all works set out in the detailed cost plan dated 11 September 2025. They also delegated authority to the Estates and Asset Strategy Manager, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to enter into a lease based on terms listed in Appendix B of the Rocket House Building - Works and Museum - Final report. This decision aims to address the ongoing damp issues within the Rocket House building, improve its energy performance, and support the reinstatement of the RNLI Museum in Cromer.

Japanese Knotweed - Overstrand Cliffs

Councillor Harry Blathwayt, Portfolio Holder for Coast, introduced a report about Japanese knotweed at Overstrand Cliffs. The Cabinet agreed to provide a total budget of up to £120,000 from the 'reactive coastal works' budget and the CTAP budget, to undertake the actions recommended in the report to address the knotweed issues over the period between autumn 2025 and autumn 2027.

Extension of the Processing of Co-mingled Recyclables

The Cabinet considered the extension of the contract for the processing of co-mingled recyclables with Norse Environmental Waste Services (NEWS) Ltd through to 31 March 2030 on its current terms. They also considered extending the scope of the services provided by NEWS Ltd under the contract from the year 2026/7 to comply with the change in law introducing Simpler Recycling and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements, conditional on such changes being approved in accordance with the Shareholder Agreement with NEWS Ltd.

The Cabinet resolved to agree to the extension of the contract with NEWS Ltd and to extend the scope of the services provided by NEWS Ltd. This decision aims to ensure a continuation of the current joint venture through the period of local government reorganisation and to provide consistent recycling services to residents of Norfolk and North Norfolk.

Provision of Kitchen Caddy Liners to Support Food Waste Service Rollout

The Cabinet considered the provision of kitchen caddy liners to support the food waste service rollout. They agreed to support Option 1: Provide a single roll of 26 bags per household as a starter kit only. This option will be a one-off distribution at service launch and will support households in adapting to the new service.

This decision aims to provide clear direction which will allow for the future planning of the service and the procurement of services.

Endorsement of the Updated Joint Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework

The Cabinet considered the endorsement of the updated Joint Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework. They resolved to endorse the updated Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework and to give delegated authority to the Acting Planning Policy Manager to make necessary minor/factual amendments, following the progress of the framework through other local authorities, prior to signature & publication.

This decision ensures that the updated Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework, a key piece of evidence supporting Local Plan production, can be endorsed.

Reporting Progress Implementing Corporate Plan 2023-27

The Cabinet received a report detailing the progress made to the end of June 2025 in implementing both the 2024/25 Annual Action Plan and Quarter 1 of the 2025/26 Annual Action Plan. The report identified any issues with the delivery of individual actions and put forward proposals for how these would be addressed.

Budget Monitoring Period 4 2025/26

The Cabinet considered the budget monitoring position for Period 4 of 2025/26. They resolved to recommend the following to Full Council:

• Approval is requested from Full Council to decrease the 2025/26 capital budget for the Mundesley Coastal Defence scheme to £1,139,806 to reflect the apportionment of £250k from external contributions to the Cromer Scheme.
• Approval is requested from Full Council to increase the 2025/26 capital budget for the Cromer Coastal Defences scheme to £1,096,067 to reflect the apportionment of £250k from external contributions from the Mundesley Scheme.
• Note the contents of the Q1 Treasury Management update report, appendix F.

This decision aims to update Members on the current budget monitoring position for the Council.