Agenda and minutes

Prayers were led by Rev Canon Ling

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on  9 September 2021 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:  The minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2021 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

i)              Questions of the Leader (report attached)

ii)             Questions of Chairs of bodies other than the Cabinet.

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(i)            Questions of the Leader

Members were invited to ask questions of the Leader from his report to the last meeting.  He responded to questions on the proposed incinerator in Wisbech and the County Council position where he stated he would do everything he could to ensure the views of those in West Norfolk were taken into account.

Councillor Dark also responded that the Cabinet would take a view on the issue of the Ferry access.

(ii)           Questions of Chairs of bodies other than the Cabinet.

There were no questions.

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

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The Mayor invited Ms Sue Bruce to ask her public question:

“I refer to the application for a new 3G pitch on River Lane.

The application described the need for the pitch to support the needs of affiliated football teams, school programmes, clubs and coaching sessions.

I refer to an article in the EDP on the 9^th October entitled Pitching in at King’s Lynn…. or are they? by King’s Lynn town football club which is too long to read out but includes the following.

It reports that they have found it impossible to hire pitches from Lynnsport for any of their youth teams and Norfolk FA promised that the club would have access to any new 3G pitch however they have now been told they will not be able to hire the pitch for any of their youth teams and he was told by a manager at Lynnsport to disband their youth network.   

They have been using pitches at King Edward VII Academy however as the light fades the older age groups who train later face difficulties in training as there are no floodlights at KES. The better alternative would be to place the pitch at KES, who can help towards the finance and would be far more of a natural fit.

The report states that he would argue that the planned set up for Lynnsport is essentially an income-generating coaching organisation, but certainly not a grassroots football club.

This application is unpopular with residents, will remove important green space, will not support the current well run and successful youth teams and will cost £263 thousand pounds in tax payers money. 

Isn’t it time to withdraw the application?”

Councillor S Sandell responded

“Demand for the 3G is extremely high and it is unfortunate that Alive West Norfolk  regularly have to turn down clubs and organisations who wish to make use of the floodlit facilities. We have provided space for KLFC in the past but currently they are not using and have not booked any times.

The FA are committed to providing a facility at Lynnsport to address this additional demand and this is their preferred location. They do not support funding a 3G pitch at KES. Fields in Trust have also confirmed that this is an acceptable development on his site.

The report is criticising the FA making an award to  Kings Lynn Football in the Community.   Alive Kings Lynn Football in the Community provide an opportunity for children and young adults in West Norfolk to play sport and create opportunities at all levels.

The scheme was formed in 2002 and works with approximately 1500 children aged 5-19 year each week.  Strong links have been formed with local youth football clubs, schools across West Norfolk, local organisation and agencies.

The scheme offers advanced football squads, player development centres, in-school curriculum sessions, school sponsorship days, after school and lunchtime clubs, birthday parties, disability sessions, multi-skills, and coaching opportunities  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:47

To consider the report on proportionality changes

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Following a further change to the Independent Group, Council was requested to amend the proportionality figures.  The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Dark and seconded by Councillor Middleton, and on being put to the vote were carried.

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

That Independent lose 1 seat from the Licensing Committee and 1 seat from Environment and Community Panel.

Those 2 seats to be dealt with as follows:

·      Environment and Community seat goes to Conservative Group

·      Licensing Committee seat goes to Labour Group

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB46: CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN

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The Leader proposed CAB46: Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, seconded by Councillor Middleton.  On being put to the vote the recommendations were agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations from the 21 September 2021 Cabinet meeting set out in CAB46 be approved.

1)    To consider the following Notice of Motion (4/21), submitted by Councillor Joyce:

"This Council believes planning works best when developers and the local community work together to shape local areas and deliver necessary new homes.

This Council therefore writes to local MPs urging them to insist the Government protects the right of communities to object to individual planning applications."

2)    To consider the following Notice of Motion (5/21), submitted by Councillor Joyce:

"This Council notes its resolution to support the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in seeking funding for a new replacement hospital.

This Council encourages the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to seek funding for a new replacement hospital in a location other than its present location."

3)    To consider the following Notice of Motion (6/21), submitted by Councillor Joyce:

"This Council seeks to support all towns and villages in West Norfolk to secure economic prosperity and fair treatment for all residents and businesses.

This Council is concerned that some Downham town councillors and staff have publicly stated they are afraid to walk in Downham Market.

This Council is equally concerned that 6 Downham town councillors have publicly distanced themselves from a decision of a group of town councillors to terminate the licences of 2 market traders.

This Council can no longer stand idly by and must now step in to act as honest brokers by offering guidance and support to all parties with the aim of moving forward in a positive way.

Therefore, this Council calls on all group leaders, Downham borough councillors along with relevant officers to take appropriate action to help alleviate the present situation."

4)    To consider the following Notice of Motion (7/21), submitted by Councillor Kemp:

Equal Value, Equal Lives

This Council is united in valuing the lives of all its residents equally; it is committed to a culture of safety for women and girls throughout the Borough; to a level playing field of opportunity and respect for people of all abilities, genders and races, including Travellers; and will stand up to discrimination in all its forms, call out hate speech and work towards community cohesion.

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Notices of Motion 4/21  published on the agenda had been withdrawn by Councillor Joyce.  As he was not present at the meeting to propose his Notices of Motion 5 and 6/21 they were not moved.

Councillor Kemp proposed the following Notice of Motion (7/21), speaking in support of it.  This was seconded by Councillor Rust who spoke in support of it.

Equal Value, Equal Lives

This Council is united in valuing the lives of all its residents equally; it is committed to a culture of safety for women and girls throughout the Borough; to a level playing field of opportunity and respect for people of all abilities, genders and races, including Travellers; and will stand up to discrimination in all its forms, call out hate speech and work towards community cohesion.

Under standing order 14.6, Councillor Dark proposed that the Motion be referred to Cabinet for consideration and report back to Council.  This was seconded by Councillor Kemp and on being put to the vote was carried.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be referred to Cabinet for consideration and reporting back to Council.

In accordance with Standing Order 11, to receive reports from Cabinet Members moved en bloc, under Standing Order 11.2 Members of the Council may ask questions of Cabinet Members on their reports and Portfolio areas. The order of putting questions shall commence with a Member from the largest opposition group, proceeding in descending order to the smallest opposition group, followed by a non-aligned Member and finally a Member from the ruling group. This order shall repeat until the time for questions has elapsed or there are no more questions to be put. 

The period of time for putting questions and receiving responses shall not exceed 50 minutes for all Cabinet Members, excluding the Leader

The period of time for putting questions and receiving responses to the Leader shall not exceed 15 minutes.

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

Corporate Services - Councillor B Long

Environment - Councillor P Kunes

Development - Councillor R Blunt

Finance – Councillor A Dickinson

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor Sam Sandell

Deputy Leader and Business, Culture & Heritage – Councillor G Middleton

Leader - Councillor Stuart Dark

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Councillor Dark moved Cabinet Members reports en bloc.

In response from a question from Councillor Rust about pop up shops, Councillor Middleton confirmed he had spoken to the Vancouver quarter regarding the use of a disused building.  He would get an update from Ms Etheridge on what could be done, he also confirmed the proposals with the Town Fund to repurpose empty shop space.  He undertook to give an update when he had more information available.

Councillor Blunt confirmed his meeting listed was the West Norfolk Housing Company, not a West Winch meeting. 

Councillor Sandell, in responding to Councillor Nockolds gave an update on the work of the Housing Team working in partnership with the hospital to get necessary works completed to permit patients to return home from hospital.

In response to a question from Councillor Morley, Councillor Kunes gave an update on work progressing to apply for funding to add charging points on council owned car parks in King’s Lynn and Hunstanton.

Following a question from Councillor Squire, Councillor Kunes commented that he believed a task group looking at biodiversity had been taking place with the Environment and Community Panel.  He updated that a number of trees which had been planted had been vandalised but were looking to be replaced, and the planning plan for Lynnsport was for early spring.

Councillor Blunt, in response to a question from Councillor Spikings on the timetable for CIL awards, explained that the process was being simplified, and bids would be accepted in January and July.  Parishes would be notified.

In response to a question from Councillor Parish asking of the current housing allocations were sufficient so not requiring an increase in the numbers allocated, Councillor Blunt reminded members that it boiled down to the number of properties which were built, and that the Government made the rules regarding the number of houses required. 

Councillor Dickinson confirmed to Councillor S Collop that the Independent report into members allowances had been received. 

Councillor Ryves referred to parking offers given at Christmas by other authorities and asked that they be introduced.  Councillor Middleton reminded Members of the different schemes run in the past, including the scheme which had been run on Boal Quay to encourage shoppers, but the spaces had been used by people working in the town.  He drew attention to the events put on all year round with the current arrangements.

In response to a question from Councillor Rust asking for an enhanced role for King’s Lynn councillors with the Town Fund, Councillor Middleton confirmed that the King’s Lynn Town Centre Members were involved, and the set up was as agreed with the Government.

Councillor Morley asked if governance could be included into some cabinet members reports.  Councillors Blunt and Middleton undertook to look into it.

Following a question from Councillor Kemp regarding the consultation process for the Town Fund, Councillor Middleton confirmed consultation had been carried out when the bid  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:51

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Council was invited to make appointments for a substitute Member from two Outside Bodies which fell within the Environment and Community Panel’s remit.  This report asked Council to confirm the replacement Member who had been nominated by the Environment and Community Panel.

The Council had also received a request to appoint a Member to King’s Lynn Community Football Board.

Councillor M de Whalley was nominated to the Norfolk Health Overview Scrutiny Committee by the Environment and Community Panel.  This appointment was agreed.

Councillors C Hudson was nominated for the substitute Member on Norfolk Countywide Community Safety Partnership Scrutiny Sub-Panel.  On being put to the vote this was agreed.

Councillors C Hudson, G Middleton and J Rust were nominated to serve on the King’s Lynn Community Football Board.  On being put to the vote, Councillor G Middleton was appointed.

RESOLVED:  1)         That the Council appoints Councillor de Whalley to serve as the substitute Member on Norfolk Health Overview Scrutiny Committee as nominated by the Environment and Community Panel.

2)            That Councillor C Hudson be appointed to serve as substitute Member on Norfolk Countywide Community Safety Partnership Scrutiny Sub-Panel as no nomination was made by the Environment and Community Panel.

3)            That Councillor G Middleton be appointed to serve on King’s Lynn Community Football Board.

In accordance with Standing Order 11.2.2, Members of the Council may ask any questions of the Chair of any Council Body (except the Cabinet).

There were no questions.