Agenda and minutes

The Mayor welcomed all to the meeting and explained that it was being broadcast live on you tube.

The Democratic Services Manager carried out a roll call of Members present.

Prayers were led by Father Joshua Bell.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 9 July 2020 (previously circulated).

REOLVED:     The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 July 2020 were agreed 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.

None

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.

None

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.)

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Councillor Middleton presented his report.  He responded to questions on the number of employees furloughed across the Borough and undertook to find out the numbers and distribute if possible.  He gave an update on the Town Deal Board and the encouragement for town centre businesses to engage with and put themselves forward for the Board, which also included other key partners. He confirmed a workshop had been held the previous day for Board Members and businesses.  In response to questions as to why parishes hadn’t been invited to join the Town Deal Board he confirmed that Government guidance was for the Borough and County tiers to be involved in the Board, however appropriate parishes would be invited at the correct time.   The membership and approach the Board were taking had been complimented by the Government Department leading on the scheme.

Councillor Middleton also responded to questions about the revitalising of the high street, and the fact that many of the empty shops were owned by private landlords some of whom did not wish to engage.  He explained the support the Council was able to provide for businesses and that business rates were set centrally.  He reminded members that it was necessary to focus on the town centre being used in different ways. 

Following comments and questions, Councillor Middleton commented that the Ferry re-starting with new owners was the result of a group effort and was welcomed by all.  He confirmed that the Government decision on whether the bid submitted for the  School of Nursing in King’s Lynn would be funded was anticipated in the coming weeks.  He confirmed that work was carrying on with the BID to provide training and awareness sessions for businesses in the town centre, often involving knowledgeable local people.

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Councillor Kunes presented his report, updating members that a response on the Gayton Road Cemetery water levels had been received from the Environment Agency, and that investigations were ongoing regarding the surfacing of the KLFC car park.  He undertook to investigate if the rear car park would be surfaced.

He undertook to provide members with the detail of the timelines for responding to members questions on email and to let him know of a query which hadn’t been responded to, and would look to update members on a data handling issue which had been raised with him.

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Councillor Blunt presented his report, he informed Members that the Local Plan Task Group would consider a paper on the Government Planning White Paper following which he would submit the response as a delegated decision.  He also confirmed that the Task Group would be considering energy efficiency at its next meeting.

Councillor Blunt undertook to provide a breakdown on the costs of planning appeals to the authority, and to discuss with Cabinet members the issue of supporting a doctors surgery for South Lynn.

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Councillor Lawrence presented his report and in doing so he thanked officers in Housing and across the authority who assisted with the provision and running of safe accommodation for the homeless during lockdown and since.

Councillor Lawrence responded to questions on the empty properties owned by Freebridge, and a bid for funding for housing first which involved third party organisations.  In response to a question he confirmed that work was underway to provide single person accommodation which was needed.  He also confirmed the night shelter would be operating this year.

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Councillor Gidney presented his report. There were no questions.

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Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented here report and in response to a complaint that South Lynn Community centre wasn’t available for hire by the community , reminded members that the centre had been used to house homeless persons at the beginning of the lockdown, and was now being used as office space to enable Council staff to get back into the office and operate in a covid safe manner.  She also responded to questions on play areas and charging rates.

Councillor Nockolds responded to questions on  the Shakespeare Guildhall Trust, meeting with all interested parties about the Guildhall, and awaiting the outcome of the Future High Street Fund bid for the guildhall  if unsuccessful this would then have to be looked at again.  She commented that the Trust did not accept what she had deemed as a memorandum of agreement as such.  She confirmed she had met with the Chair of the trust and a former member.

With regard to tourism grants availability she confirmed that the closing date for applications was 9 October.

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Councillor Long presented his report, he confirmed that he hoped to appoint a Cabinet Member for waste, recycling and enforcement in the coming months, but would retain other elements of the current portfolio.

In response to questions on the food waste collection he confirmed that discussions were ongoing with Serco for the new contract post April, but due to the covid safe distances required in cabs it had not been possible to do so at the current time.  Councillor Long also confirmed he would go to the Norfolk Waste Partnership to ascertain if the things that could be recycled could be expanded.

In response to questions on the content of his report he confirmed that Climate Change and Air Quality had been considered by the Environment and Community Panel at its last meeting.  He clarified the position regarding funding for PM2.5 monitoring where the Government sited the monitoring stations.

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

None.

At 16.33 Council adjourned until 16.40, whereupon a roll call was carried out.

i)              To consider the following Notice of Motion (2/20), submitted by Councillor Francis Bone

“This Council welcomes the announcement, following questions raised by local Member of Parliament, James Wild, that the proposal for a new hospital in King's Lynn is "under active consideration".

This Council wishes to support the present Government in all its efforts to improve the health and well being of local residents, especially by promoting active travel.

This Council further wishes to see greater use of public transport along routes such as Hardings Way in South Lynn to help reduce congestion and lower pollution on roads where people live such as London Road.

Therefore, this Council calls on all involved to work with Norfolk County Council,  Highways England and local Members of Parliament towards the introduction of a Park and Ride system to further the aims of this Council and time the Government to help improve the health and well being of local people.

As a first step this Council will forthwith resist all attempts to introduce general traffic including HGVs on to public transport routes such as Hardings Way in South Lynn."

ii)         To consider the following Notice of Motion (3/20), submitted by Councillor S Squire:

This council acknowledges that climate change is not the only challenge facing our natural environment. Therefore, this council agrees to ask Cabinet to set up a Cabinet task group, chaired by an appropriate portfolio holder, to work with our partners including Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership. Any recommendations on issues such as habitat protection and creation, the creation of a pollinator action plan and wildflower verges where possible, should be brought to Cabinet via the Environment & Community Panel before consideration at Council.

iii)        To consider the following Notice of Motion (4/20), submitted by Councillor T Ryves:

That this Council acknowledges that one of our priorities is to support and encourage the long term improvement in health of all in the Borough and commits to continuing to promote actively good health.

In particular we thank our NHS bodies for their supreme professionalism and instructs its leaders to work with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust to explore ways in which this Council can actively assist EEAST in improving Ambulance Response Times to improve outcomes for our residents.

This Council notes the greatly improved reduction in ambulance handover delays at QEH from a target of 438 to 38 in the April to June quarter and also the successful completion of the apprenticeships for 4 qualified emergency medical technicians.

(iv)       To consider the following Notice of Motion (5/20), submitted by Councillor S Squire:

Given the welcome commencement of works to extend the pontoons, which will encourage more visitor arrivals by water, increasing visitor numbers to the town and benefit local businesses.  This council believes that improved facilities for pontoon users, such as showers and toilets etc would encourage more visitors and improve the visitor experience. 

This council also believes it has a wealth of experience amongst all  ...  view the full agenda text for item C:107

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i)              Council was invited to consider the following Notice of Motion (2/20), proposed by Councillor Francis Bone, seconded by Councillor Rust.

“This Council welcomes the announcement, following questions raised by local Member of Parliament, James Wild, that the proposal for a new hospital in King's Lynn is "under active consideration".

This Council wishes to support the present Government in all its efforts to improve the health and well being of local residents, especially by promoting active travel.

This Council further wishes to see greater use of public transport along routes such as Hardings Way in South Lynn to help reduce congestion and lower pollution on roads where people live such as London Road.

Therefore, this Council calls on all involved to work with Norfolk County Council,  Highways England and local Members of Parliament towards the introduction of a Park and Ride system to further the aims of this Council and time the Government to help improve the health and well being of local people.

As a first step this Council will forthwith resist all attempts to introduce general traffic including HGVs on to public transport routes such as Hardings Way in South Lynn."

Council debated the motion.  Members were reminded to stick to the content of the Motion in the proposal and following debate, and on being put to the vote the Motion was lost.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion was lost.

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ii)         Council was invited to consider the following Notice of Motion (3/20), proposed by Councillor S Squire and seconded by Councillor Long.:

This council acknowledges that climate change is not the only challenge facing our natural environment. Therefore, this council agrees to ask Cabinet to set up a Cabinet task group, chaired by an appropriate portfolio holder, to work with our partners including Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership. Any recommendations on issues such as habitat protection and creation, the creation of a pollinator action plan and wildflower verges where possible, should be brought to Cabinet via the Environment & Community Panel before consideration at Council.

In debating the Motion Councillor Rust proposed an amendment that the task group should be proportional.  This was seconded by Councillor Howman.  On receiving confirmation that the Task Group would be proportional Councillor Rust withdrew the amendment.  Council voted on the Motion which was agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the vote the Motion be approved.

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iii)        Council was invited to consider the following Notice of Motion (4/20), proposed by Councillor T Ryves, and seconded by Councillor Rust:

That this Council acknowledges that one of our priorities is to support and encourage the long term improvement in health of all in the Borough and commits to continuing to promote actively good health.

In particular we thank our NHS bodies for their supreme professionalism and instructs its leaders to  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:107