PR 279

For Immediate Release

6 November 2006     

What can you buy for £2 was the challenge to members of the public posed by Barry Coleman, the Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, at the opening of the fourth annual State of the Borough debate on November 2.

Two packets of chips off the market, or two lottery tickets were his suggestions. He then listed a dozen services the authority provides every week for just that amount, including helping the homeless, regeneration and job development, refuse collection, recycling and sport for all.

Councillor Coleman went on to outline the achievements of the Council over the last year, before moving on to future plans, work being undertaken to improve services and a commitment to keep Council Tax increases to a minimum.

Among the achievements is £130,000 in reward payments from the Government by the benefits investigation team. It marks the success in tackling fraudulent claims on housing and council tax benefit schemes. The introduction of new computer system this year has helped cut the time taken to process benefit claims, and a joint partnership with South Norfolk and Waveney District Councils will lead to further service improvements, and cuts in operating costs.

There was good news also for homeless people. The housing department has not only met Government requirements to ensure families spend no more than six weeks in B&B accommodation, it has reduced the level to negligible.

This has been achieved through the attainment of good quality leased accommodation, and the appointment of two homelessness case workers who have helped to resolve problems between tenants and landlords to reduce the number of people becoming homeless by 23 per cent this year.

Challenges to the housing department include the continuation of the SHARP project in partnership with the tourist industry to regenerate Wellsley and Paget Roads, to create quality accommodation and lift the appearance of an area close to the seafront.

A rural enabler study is looking at the needs of housing in country districts, while the redevelopment of the old Bretts warehouse in Market Row will provide homes for young people, including those leaving foster care.

Market Row is also the site of work by the Townscape Heritage Initiative led by the regeneration and conservation departments. It is developing sites to provided shops at ground level with housing above.

The Initiative has allocated funding to 100 renovation projects throughout the Borough, 82 of which are complete, while generating £18 million of investment.

The team has also significantly reduced the number of buildings at risk from 87 to 16. But challenges still arise from notable structures in the town such as the Winter Gardens, which need multi-funded bids to ensure their future.

The first phase of the inteGREAT project on the seafront has seen paving and lighting between the piers completed. Phase two is to continue now that the summer season is over, with similar work as far as the jetty.

Ongoing talks are taking place with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) to gain more funding for future inteGREAT schemes, as the Council is totally committed to completing the project.

Beacon Park in Gorleston has seen development in the region of £5.5 million, including Minerva House, a Council owned property which offers six office suites for small or medium sized companies. The Norfolk Coastal Centre for Independent Life also opened this year. Run by the Red Cross it offers advice, training and equipment for disabled residents.

Councillor Coleman went on to enthusiastically welcome two exciting and ground breaking developments - 1st East’s Masterplan to develop large areas in the Borough to encourage inward investment; and Eastport which will open the port to larger vessels including ferries bringing visitors from Europe.

Transport, the Leader conceded, is always an issue and he welcomed the formation of the Gapton Hall Task Group a multi-agency partnership looking at the problem of road congestion on the roundabout.

He also told the members of the public attending the meeting that £150,000 has been committed over two years for an initial study on a third river crossing.

The problems customer service has faced over an inadequate telephone system were also addressed. Steps are being taken to rectify the underestimation on the amount and depth of staff training needed. Improvements in this and the recruitment of additional staff, has seen the number of calls now being answered nearly double those of a few months ago.

On recycling and refuse collection the Borough surpassed the recycling target of 18 per cent, set by DEFRA, by nearly one per cent. This led to a reduction in the amount of waste to landfill from 36,453 tonnes to 30,110. Much of the success is through the programme which has seen wheelie bins delivered to 40,000 homes with areas such as communal flats currently being included in the scheme.

In conclusion Councillor Coleman stated that: “The future is challenging.

“In 2007/8 the budget round is likely to be another very tight year as the Government only proposes to increase the rate support grant by 2 per cent, whereas inflation is generally running at 3.3 per cent - with much higher rates in the energy sector.

“Seventy five per cent of our budget comes as a direct grant from Government. A one per cent increase on Council tax would raise £30,000 for Great Yarmouth Borough Council. These figures combined will gives us an extra £100,000 on a budget of approximately £13 million.

“But despite these restraints we will keep Council Tax increases to a minimum, continue to provide value for money services, and will continue striving to improve our services to achieve Excellent Council status.”

For further information please contact the Deputy Leader Barry Stone on 07760 166344, or the Chief Executive Officer Richard Packham on 01493 846301.

Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513