Agenda and minutes

Council held a minutes silence in memory of Honorary Alderman Wg Cdr Vic Stapley and the John Savage, Staff Bearer and town crier,  both of whom had sadly passed away recently.

Prayers were led by Rev Canon Ling

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 24 January 2019  (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:   The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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.

Councillor Devereux declared an interest in the Leisure Provision item as a Council appointed Trustee of the Alive Trust.

Councillor G Middleton declared an interest in Councillor Nockolds reference to the West Norfolk Trail as his wife worked on the project.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

None

To receive any items of business which in the opinion of the Mayor are urgent. 

None

To receive petitions and public questions in accordance with Standing Order 9.

Under Standing Order 9, the Mayor invited Mr De Whalley to ask his question.

“At the recent public meeting of the Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust (SGT), which attracted a capacity audience one attendee was unable to gain admission as he was wheelchair bound. The “stair crawler” device for wheelchair users was already being used, so the second person could not be accommodated. Does this Council agree that this is an undesirable state of affairs and would they support SGT’s stated intention to make access for audience and performers with restricted mobility one of its primary objectives?”

Councillor Mrs Nockolds responded as follows:

“I have always been keen to have the Guildhall accessible to everybody. The cost of building and installing a lift is in the region of £300,000. Debates of where and how the lift is to be built has been ongoing since 1999.

The source of the funding has always been a complex issue.

In 2016 when the Borough Council applied to the HLF for funding towards the restoration of the whole complex the lift was included in the plan.

The fact that the Shakespeare Guildhall Trust has made the accessibility for everyone their primary objective is good news.

I am having my second meeting with some members of the Trust very shortly at which we will be discussing the way forward.”

By way of supplementary, Mr de Whalley asked if there were any other solutions to use as a stop gap to the stair crawler which was jerky and painful to use, until Guildhall grant applications had been considered.

Councillor Mrs Nockolds acknowledged that it was not ideal that it was uncomfortable to use but as there were no budgets this was the only means, but she was looking forward to being able to change it.  

Pursuant to Minute CAB122 : FinancialPlan 2018/2023of the Cabinet Meeting held on 5 February 2019, the “Financial Plan 2018/2023 and Council Tax Resolution 2019/2020” the document attached as a supplementary to the agenda for consideration and decision includes an updated summary of the Financial Plan 2018/2023, the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner - Council Tax for 2019/2020 and details of Parish Precepts and Internal Drainage Boards levies for 2019/2020. 

NOTE:In accordance with Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 165, Local Government, England, The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, any decision taken on the Council’s Budget or Council Tax setting must be taken with a recorded vote

Councillor Long, Leader of the Council, proposed the budget as set out in CAB122 Financial Plan 2018/2023 and the Council Tax Resolution from the Cabinet meeting on 5 February 2019.  The paperwork distributed for Council was made up of an updated summary of the Financial Plan 2018/2023 to include the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner - Council Tax for 2019/2020 and details of Parish Precepts and Internal Drainage Boards levies for 2019/2020.  This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Nockolds.

In proposing his budget Councillor Long thanked officers for the preparation of the budget, and members for the consideration of it in the Panel meetings, and Cabinet members involvement in its preparation.  He drew attention to the agreed financial settlement from the Government over the previous 3 years, with this being the last year with reducing revenue support grant.  The Council had maintained below inflation rises over that period.

Councillor Long drew attention to the work and the cost of the operation of the internal drainage boards across the Borough to keep the area drained, the cost equated to £58 per band D dwelling and used to be repaid via the revenue support grant, however this was no longer the case and had to be funded via the Borough Council.

The Council Tax increase being proposed was £4.50 per year, which was 9p per week, Councillor Long drew attention to the fact that if the IDB were identified individually it would mean the Borough had the lowest district level council tax in England whilst delivering the services for the Borough creating homes, cleaning streets, emptying bins, supporting leisure services and events along with keeping people safe and making West Norfolk a better place to live and work.

Councillor Moriarty as Leader of the Independent Group questioned the strategic direction of the Financial Plan and budget, but confirmed that he would be voting in favour of the recommendations.

Councillor Joyce criticised the budget for what he deemed as Victorian austerity.  He drew attention to the cost of unpaid loans and rental payments for a building and commented that the Council Tax payer wanted services met or improved.  He drew attention to an error in the budget which had been corrected. He questioned the decision of the Leader to vote against some proposals put forward at the County Council budget meeting.  He did not support the budget.

Councillor J Collop Leader of the Labour Group commented that he was disappointed that the maximum increase was being levied.

Councillor Howman acknowledged that the revenue support grant was going in 2021 and drew attention to the changes in fees and charges for some areas.

Councillor A Tyler asked if strong representations were being made to Government to ask them to address the funding shortages across local authorities.

In summing up Councillor Long confirmed that the future funding would not be known until the fair funding and the business rate reviews had been completed.  A decision would also be made on how the IDB  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:76

Following Group changes Council was invited to consider amending the proportionality.

RESOLVED: That proportionality be amended by the change of  seats as follows:

·        Conservatives lose 6 seats on: Standards, Licensing and Appeals Board, Regeneration & Development Panel (2), Appointments Board and Audit Committee

·        Labour gain seats on: Licensing and Appeals Board and Regeneration and Development Panel

·        Independent gain seats on: Standards, Regeneration and Development Panel, Appointments Board and Audit Committee

In accordance with Standing Order 11.1 to receive reports from Cabinet Members in the following order and under Standing Order 11.2 (a) Members of the Council may ask questions of the Cabinet Member on their reports and Portfolio areas:

(Councillors are reminded that this is a question and answer session not a debate.)

Councillor Beales presented his report.  In response to a question on the impact of Chalcroft going into administration on the Beales store development in King’s Lynn, Councillor Beales explained that there had been discussions with investment partners who had taken a pragmatic view and the contract had been varied to enable direct payment to be made to suppliers and contractors to ensure the site was still working and trying to stay on track.  He also confirmed that it was too early to know what impact it would have on the Council’s finances if any.

In response to a question on the Draft Local Plan documentation Councillor Beales confirmed that he had supported that proposal to put the document out to public consultation.  Following a question on the effect of infrastructure on a village Councillor Beales invited Members to view the work carried out on the Marsh Lane development.

Councillor Blunt presented his report and updated Members that the Government had published the 2018 Housing Delivery figures which had been awaited.  He confirmed that the target was 95%, or which the Borough achieved 91%.  The Council would now have to deliver an action plan over the next 6 months to show how it was to achieve the 95% figure.

In response to a question on whether objections had been raised to the figures issued Councillor Blunt confirmed that they had been but the Government didn’t acknowledge that the delivery was not the sole responsibility of the Councils.  He also confirmed that parishes having neighbourhood plans could influence development in their area including custom and self build.  He also acknowledged that the Government’s recent announcement on gas hobs etc was likely to amend future policies, although not all areas had access to gas. 

Following a question on the standing of meetings held with local plan task group members attending Councillor Blunt confirmed that briefings for those members was the best way forward for ensuring members were aware of information.

Councillor Lawrence was not present at the meeting.  Members were asked to email him with any questions.

Councillor Devereux presented his report. He updated members with the following information: The SCRAP Fly-tipping roadshow was to visit King’s Lynn on Saturday 23^rd March from 1000-1300.  He encouraged Members to get involved

The timetable for the Waste Contract procurement was now defined:-

·        OJEU Contract Notice publication - 27 February 2019

·        Tender Submission - 3 June

·        Contract Award – October

·        North Norfolk DC  - Contract Commencement 1 April 2020

·        BCKLWN - Contract Commencement 1 April 2021

DEFRA had launched their Consultation on the Overhaul of  the Waste System on 18 February, including:-

·        Recycling Collection Consistency,

·        Deposit return schemes,

·        Extended Producer Packaging Responsibility

·         and a Plastic Packaging Tax

Councillor Devereux responded to a question on fly tipping and any link to the charges made by the County Council for tipping large items confirming that the level of fly tipping was down on the previous year at this time.  He also commented that the scheme in Norwich for subsidised food waste collection bags still involved the use of single use plastics and he had no plans to introduce such a scheme in the Borough as it would require the bags to be made.

Following a question on the collection of medical sharps Councillor Devereux confirmed that users were being contacted to confirm individual needs.

Councillor Devereux agreed to provide Councillor S Collop with a copy of the refuse contract dates and confirmed that if the government made the collection of brown bins free it would have a large detriment on the Council’s income.  He agreed to provide Councillor J Collop with a copy of the cost of collection of fly tipping.  He also explained that he had no data to confirm if the volume being put into black bins was higher after the introduction of charges at the recycling centres. 

In response to a question on the Local Plan document, Councillor Devereux confirmed that he supported the consultation process for the Plan.

In relation to a point raised about fly tipping in North Lynn Councillor Devereux confirmed the duty to clear fly tipping on public land but if cleared from private land it would be rechargeable.

Councillor Mrs Mellish presented her report.  There were no questions.

Councillor Hodson presented his report and responded to a question that the BID street ranger would be walking the streets and engaging with the public wearing a uniform.

Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented her report.  In response to a point raised about Community Assets, Councillor Mrs Nockolds explained that this was generally placed on a property that was in danger of being sold, whereas the Guildhall which had been identified as one was not as it was in the National Trust’s ownership.  She also confirmed that she contacted the National Trust annually about the promotion of the Guildhall.

Following a question regarding a Radio 3 presenter coming to King’s Lynn, Councillor Mrs Nockolds said she would be pleased to meet to promote the Borough.

In response to a question regarding a mark of respect for the Late John Savage, Staff bearer and town crier, Councillor Mrs Nockolds informed Members that a child in the Mart procession had rung the bell he would have rung, rather than one of the macebearers and he was remembered in prayers.

Councillor Long presented his report.  In response to a point raised about the NCC pension fund investment he commented that the fund had to get the best return and he would not object to small investments.

Following his attendance at the awareness raising session at Fairstead Doctors Surgery, Councillor Long confirmed he had not heard from the Practice.

Councillor Long confirmed his previous statement of congratulations to staff who had recently attended their long service award ceremony.  He also confirmed that the gender pay gap did in fact show that women in the Council were paid more than men so there was a negative pay gap.  Councillor Long explained that it was up to all Councillors to ensure there was equality all round.

In accordance with Standing Order 11.2 (b), Members of the Council may ask any questions of the Chairman of any Council Body (except the Cabinet).

Councillor Moriarty asked Councillor Humphrey if he had received chairman’s correspondence at the Corporate Performance Panel on 19 February when he had said he had received none at the meeting.  Councillor Humphrey confirmed he had been late arriving at the meeting and had been slightly flustered, but when it came to the item the correspondence had been relating to he had asked officers to make sure that all points had been covered in the debate and questioning.  Councillor Humphrey confirmed that in hind sight he should have formally acknowledged the correspondence earlier.

Councillor J Collop asked Councillor Humphrey if he would ask for the Waste Contract to come through the Corporate Performance Panel as well as the Environment and Community Panel who had indicated they would be looking at it.  Councillor Humphrey reminded Council that the opposition groups were able to request items to be placed onto a Panel agenda.

(Members are reminded this is a debate, not a question and answer session)

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB123: Capital Programme and Resources 2019-23

Exempt Item

CAB125: Leisure Services Transfer

NB: CAB122 is dealt with in item 8 above.

Councillor Long proposed the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 5 February 2019.  This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Nockolds.

CAB123: Capital Programme and Resources 2019-23

Exempt Item

CAB125: Leisure Services Transfer

RESOLVED:   That the recommendations from Cabinet on 5 February 2019 be approved.

To consider the following Notice of Motion (2/19), submitted by Councillor Moriarty:

“In the light of the major challenges faced by this authority beyond the coming year due to continued lack of clarity from central government over future funding arrangements, this Council will investigate as a matter of urgency whether more radical policy changes such as, but not limited to, the outsourcing of the function of planning services should be considered.”

The Mayor invited Councillor Moriarty to propose the following Notice of Motion (2/19) he had submitted:

“In the light of the major challenges faced by this authority beyond the coming year due to continued lack of clarity from central government over future funding arrangements, this Council will investigate as a matter of urgency whether more radical policy changes such as, but not limited to, the outsourcing of the function of planning services should be considered.”

With the consent of his seconder, Councillor Moriarty withdrew the Motion.