Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Squire.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 3^rd March 2026 (attached).

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on 3^rd March 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

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

None.

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.

These 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.

None.

To receive any Chair’s correspondence.

None.

To note the names of any Councillors who wish to address the meeting under Standing Order 34.

Members should inform Democratic Services and the Chair by 12 noon on the day of the meeting of their intention to speak under Standing order 34, specifying which items they wish to speak on.

Councillor Kemp – South Lynn Community Centre

Councillor Ryves – Invited to the meeting for the Audit Committee Annual Report from the Chair.

To report on any Cabinet Decisions called in.

None.

To comment on and note the Forward Decisions List.

RESOLVED: The Forward Decisions List was noted.

To receive any comments and recommendations from other Council bodies which meet after the dispatch of this agenda. 

Cabinet notes the recommendations put forward by the Panels in relation to the following items:

Environment and Community Panel – 14^th April 2026

Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

Railway Road Extended Air Quality Management Area Revocation.

Changes to the existing Corporate Enforcement Policy and Financial Penalties as a result of the Renters Rights Act

South Lynn Community Centre.

Corporate Performance Panel – 15^th April 2026

Quarter 3 Budget Monitoring

Regeneration and Development Panel – 31^st March 2026

Changes to the Local Plan Task Group Terms of Reference

High Street Rental Auctions

Custom House Refurbishment

RECOMMENDED: That the Annual report of the Chair of Audit Committee be considered and noted by Full Council.

REASON FOR DECISION: It is recommended practice for the Audit Committee to report on its work. To comply with best practice in making the best efforts by the Audit Committee to adopt the principles in complying with CIPFA’s “Position Statement: Audit Committee in Local Authorities”.

RESOLVED: To adopt the revised Local Plan Task Group Terms of Reference (Annex 1 to this report).

REASON FOR DECISION: To recognise the requirements and statutory obligations of the new planning system, as introduced through the 2023 Levelling-Up and Regeneration, and 2025 Planning and Infrastructure Acts.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approve the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure there is a comprehensive and up to date framework for the Council’s response to climate change.

RESOLVED: Revoke Railway Road Air Quality Management Area and revoke Railway Road Extended Air Quality Management Area.

REASON FOR DECISION: Air quality levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) have steadily fallen over the last few years and have not exceeded the legal air quality annual mean limit for the last 5 years within the AQMA. If there have been no exceedances over the previous 5 years, then there is no longer a need to have AQMAs in place.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

1. Note the forecast outturn for Revenue and Capital monitoring position as at 31st December 2025 for 2025/2026.

2. Agree to update the Capital Programme as set out in section 3 of the report.

REASON FOR DECISION: To keep Cabinet informed of performance against budget for Capital and Revenue 2025/2026 based on Quarter 3 data.

RESOLVED: That in order to ensure that the council has a robust legally compliant, and consistent approach to enforcement under the Renters’ Rights Act, that Cabinet approve:

1) The inclusion of an addendum to the current Corporate Enforcement Policy.

2) The proposed Civil Penalty Policy.

REASON FOR DECISION: The Renters Rights Act 2025 has significantly changed the landscape for the private rented sector and introduced specific duties on Local Housing Authorities with respect to enforcement protocols and mandatory reporting of enforcement interventions into central government.

RESOLVED: Cabinet to note the content of this report and agree to implement a High Street Rental Auction Scheme subject to following the national guidance in implementing such a scheme, to initially be applied to the southern section of King's Lynn High Street.

REASON FOR DECISION: The scheme is needed to address the high concentration of long?term vacant commercial units on the southern High Street, which currently undermines the area’s economic vitality, appearance and safety. 

A High Street Rental Auction Scheme provides a practical tool to bring empty

properties back into use and supports the wider aims of revitalising King’s Lynn town centre. 

RESOLVED: To approve that the Purfleet Trust be provided with a lease for the South Lynn Community Centre.

REASON FOR DECISION: Leasing the South Lynn Community Centre to the Purfleet Trust will secure the use of the building for community benefit, and by doing so will support a trusted local organisation in delivering vital services and enabling this to expand.

The proposal aligns with the Councils strategic priorities in relation to the regeneration of the Southgates area and in supporting vulnerable residents, strengthening local partnerships and ensuring efficient use of public assets which align with the Pride in Place programme and the Marmot principles.

Cabinet considered the public information included in the report before moving into closed session.

The Cabinet is asked to consider excluding the public from the meeting under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 for consideration of the item below on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

PRIVATE ITEM

Details of any representations received about why the following reports should be considered in public will be reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RESOLVED:

1. To proceed with the Custom House element of the Riverfront Regeneration project based on the RIBA Stage 4 design.

2. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place to award the contract to deliver the Custom House Project (“the Main Contract”) to the successful tenderer, as identified through the completed procurement process within the approved budget as authorised.

3. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to approve material changes to the scope of the project and/or variations to the Main Contract that are within the approved budget and in accordance with the Local Assurance Framework for this project.

REASON FOR DECISION: To approve the letting of the contract for Custom House works, which will allow the works to be completed in line with Towns Fund timescales and support the Council’s corporate strategy policy to promote growth & prosperity.