Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: Councillor Colin Sampson was appointed Chairman of the Panel for the Municipal Year.

RESOLVED: Councillor Lesley Bambridge was appointed Vice Chairman of the Panel for the Municipal Year.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hipperson, Moriarty and Nockolds.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

Those declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge declared an interest in EC11: Lily Update as she was a Trustee of West Norfolk Carers, which was linked with Lily.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposed to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was none.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman.

Councillor Pope – all agenda items.

If any.

There was none.

The Chairman reminded the Panel that this item had been withdrawn from the Agenda during the Parliamentary Election Purdah period.  Representatives from the CCG would be invited to a future meeting of the Panel.

Simon McKenna – Chief Executive, Nina McKenna – Director of Culture and Communication and Tommy Goode – Director of Business Development from Alive Leisure were present at the meeting and provided the Panel with a presentation, as attached.

The Panel were reminded that as part of the Service Level Agreement, Alive Leisure were required to provide updates to the Environment and Community Panel.  Simon McKenna provided information on key performance indicators, as included in the presentation and explained that they were still in draft at the moment as budgets had not yet been finalised.  He felt that Alive Leisure was in a healthy position and had met a lot of its targets.

The Panel was informed that last year was the 25^th Anniversary of the opening of Lynnsport.  An event was held to mark the occasion and a DVD of the opening was shown. 

Simon McKenna explained to the Panel that the new road had been completed and he felt that it was well used and, along with the increase in car parking, had made a positive difference to people using Lynnsport.  He also explained that as part of the works there were four new floodlit tennis courts and the additional facilities had benefitted the centre.

The Skate Park was due to reopen shortly and had been rebranded.  Simon McKenna reminded those present that previously the Skate Park had issues with condensation and had to close periodically.  A grant had been awarded to improve the environment within the skate park by installing a new roof and insulation.  Work to the inside included creation of a first floor which could be used as café and spectator space.  There was also room to hold workshops and classes.

Nina McKenna provided an overview of activities at the Corn Exchange.  She explained that recently the Corn Exchange had held its first week long play, the Mousetrap, which had proved popular.  There had also been lots of sold out performances.  The Pantomime had also been the most financially beneficial Pantomime at the Corn Exchange so far with over 20,000 tickets sold.  Relaxed Autism friendly and signed performances were also held and had proved popular.  The 2017 Pantomime would be Jack and the Beanstalk and sales were currently tracking ahead of Cinderella. 

Alive Leisure were working with partners on Arts Development and were offering outreach work.  Alive Leisure was currently in the process of establishing a two year development plan.

The Panel was provided with information on School Summer Holiday activities which were subsidised.  This meant that the majority of activities could be offered for £1.  Alive Leisure also held two open days during the year, which were well attended.

Tommy Goode provided an overview of the fitness campaign which was currently running.  He explained that staff and customers had been used in the adverts and he felt that it had been well received.  Alive Leisure also now offered Personal Training.

The Panel was informed that Alive Leisure was in the process of introducing a  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC10:

The Careline Community Service Manager and Lily Co-ordinator were present at the meeting.  An update report on the progress of the Ask Lily project had been included in the Agenda.

The Chairman thanked officers for their report and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

In response to a question from the Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge, it was explained that the additional entries on the directory had focussed on social activity.  Work was ongoing to ensure that the entries in the directory were up to date and contact details were being checked.  Ask LILY also included a ‘what’s on’ calendar which included community events. 

Councillor Bird commended the work of the team and thanked them for the work they carried out in Hunstanton with the Dementia Group.  Other Members of the Panel commented that they often had constituents mention LILY and how it acted as a lifeline for many. 

Councillor Mrs Westrop asked for clarification on LILY and the Social Prescription Pilot and it was explained that meetings with the CCG and Community Action Norfolk would be held to look at potential options.  The Panel was also informed that funding, after the next financial year, was unconfirmed, but work was ongoing to investigate funding sources.

RESOLVED: (i) The Panel thanked all those involved in the Ask LILY Project.

(ii) The update was noted.

The Waste and Recycling Manager presented a report which provided information on proposed changes in the way in which residents could present food waste for collection due to technical changes in the processing of collected food waste.

He explained that the previous composting facility would be closing and in the future food waste would be sent to an anaerobic digester, which had a de-packaging plant.  This meant that food waste could be presented in a bag or container.  This meant that the caddy liners would no longer be required. 

The Waste and Recycling Manager asked for the Panel’s comments on the proposed changes which would contribute towards the Cabinet Members Delegated Decision report.  He asked if the Panel supported promotion of the arrangements to members of the Public.

The Chairman thanked the Waste and Recycling Manager for his report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge asked if the waste collectors encountered any health issues when dealing with food waste.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that scientific tests and studies had been carried out and there was little to no risk to public health for the user or collector.  He explained that the outside food caddies had lid locks which should be used and it was important not to let children or pets have access to the bins.

Councillor Smith felt that it would be a positive move if users no longer had to purchase specific bags for the food waste bin and he asked if additional bins were available, should residents not have one.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that additional bins would be made available.

Councillor Whitby asked what would happen to the plastic bags which would be collected with food waste.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that they were recovered and recycled into oil.  He explained that for 6000 tonnes of food waste approximately 59 tonnes of plastic would be required.

The Panel, discussed, and agreed that food waste should not be accepted if it was left loose in the food caddy and it should be wrapped.  Options for wrapping the food waste could include plastic bags, left over packaging or newspaper.

The Panel discussed the proposed changes to arrangements and all agreed that it would be good to provide users with more options for recycling food waste and not having to purchase specific caddy liners.

RESOLVED: (i) The Panel supported the change of arrangements.

(ii) The Panel agreed that loose food in the bin should not be accepted.

(iii) The Panel supported promotion of the new arrangements as appropriate.

The Chairman invited the Panel to nominate representatives to participate in the outside bodies and partnerships which fell within the Panel’s remit.  The nominations would be presented to Full Council on 15^th June 2017 for approval.

The Panel was informed that Cabinet, at its meeting on 23^rd May 2017, had delegated nomination of a representative to King’s Lynn Football Club Board to the Panel.

RESOLVED: That the following nominations be presented to the Full Council meeting on 15^th June 2017:

1. College/Council Liaison Board – Councillor Smith

2. Area Museums Committee – Councillors Smith, Wright and Bubb

3. NCC Norfolk Countywide Community Safety Partnership Scrutiny Sub Panel – Councillor Westrop and vacancy (substitute)

4. Norfolk Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Fraser and Smith (substitute)

5. West Norfolk Community Transport Project - Councillor Fraser

6. West Norfolk Disability Forum – Councillors Bubb, Fraser, A Tyler, Squire and Horsbrugh.

7. King’s Lynn Town Football Club Board – Councillor Westrop.

Members of the Panel were reminded that an eform was available on the Intranet which could be completed and submitted if Members had items which they would like to be considered for addition to the Work Programme.

In response to a question, the Chairman, Councillor Sampson agreed to liaise with the new Harbourmaster and ABP regarding a potential update on the port.

Councillor Westrop requested that the Budget be added to the Work Programme

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 4^th July 2017 at 6.00pm in the Education Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held on Tuesday 4^th July 2017 at 6.00pm In the Education Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.