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       (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2021 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Deputy 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.

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Councillor P Kunes declared a pecuniary interest in CAB74 as he held a small number of shares in Rank Organisation.  He did not vote thereon.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

None

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

None

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RESOLVED:            That under Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as enacted by Section 75 of the Local Government Act 2003, Section 11B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as enacted by Section 11 and Section 12 of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 and in accordance with the provisions of the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings) (England) Regulations 2003, the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 and the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018 the Council determines:

1.    That the council tax discount for Second Homes defined as being within Class A of the Regulations is set at 0% for 2022/2023;

2.    That the council tax discount for Second Homes as defined by Class B of the Regulations is set at 0% for 2022/2023;

3.    That the council tax discount for Empty / Unfurnished dwellings defined as being within Class C of the Regulations is set at 0% for 2022/2023;

4.    That the council tax discount for Uninhabitable dwellings defined as being within Class D of the Regulations is set at the following for 2022/2023:

a.    25% for 12 months starting on the day the dwelling becomes uninhabitable; then

b.    0% once the 12 month period has expired;

5.    That the Levy rate for Long Term Empty Dwellings as defined in the Regulations is set as follows for 2022/2023:

a.    100% for properties empty between two and five years,

b.    200% for properties empty longer than five years, and

c.    300% for properties empty longer than ten years;

6.    That any period of occupation of fewer than six weeks shall be disregarded when calculating the maximum period of a reduction or the start date of the Levy;

7.    That delegated authority be given for individual applications under s13a Local Government Finance Act 1992 be determined by the Revenues and Benefits Manager in consultation with the Council Leader and the relevant Ward Member/s.

8.    In accordance with Section 11A(6) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as enacted by Section 75 of the Local Government Act 2003 and the Local Government Finance Act 2012, these determinations shall be published in at least one newspaper circulating in West Norfolk before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the determinations.

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

None

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB67:           Corporate Business Plan

CAB74:           Gambling Act 2005 – Update

CAB75:           Requests for Variation of Numbers of Parish Councillors

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Councillor Dark proposed and Councillor Middleton seconded each of the recommendations below:

CAB67:           Corporate Business Plan

Council debated CAB67, where the Labour group confirmed they would not support the recommendations. Comments were made relating to the proposed Wisbech incinerator, progress on climate change, green space, and the level of reserves.

On being put to the vote the recommendation was approved.

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CAB74:           Gambling Act 2005 – Update

On being put to the vote the recommendation was approved.

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CAB75:           Requests for Variation of Numbers of Parish Councillors

On being put to the vote the recommendation was approved.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 16 November 2021.

i)              To consider the following Notice of Motion (8-21), submitted by Councillor A Ryves:

“This Council recognises that the retail sector has been particularly badly hit by the pandemic.

This Council wishes to play its part in retaining an active local retail sector.

Therefore, this Council agrees that all car parks and on road parking spaces owned by this Council in Hunstanton and King's Lynn will operate a system of free parking from the hours of 9.00 AM to 5.00PM on each Sunday in the month of December and the first Sunday in January.”

ii)             To consider the following Notice of Motion (9-21), submitted by Councillor A Kemp

This Council is committed to making its services as accessible as possible. The trend for transferring applications for more and more services, like Homechoice, online, is a barrier for people who  most need them, but who are digitally excluded,  whether through cost or disability.  

The Council used to supply computers for public access in King’s Court, but these have been taken away.  Residents come into King’s Court regularly, who are Homechoice clients, and want to check their benefits online, but are unable to do so. Residents are not permitted to use the computers near the Council reception that belong to the DWP. 

Council will consider the benefit of recommending  the reintroduction of computers for public use for specified purposes in the Council reception at King’s Court, for inclusion within the forthcoming budget.

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i)             Councillor A Ryves proposed the following Notice of Motion (8-21), this was seconded by Councillor Joyce:

In proposing the Notice of Motion Councillor Ryves spoke in support of the motion informing Council that he had been in contact with the BID who had confirmed retailers would support the free parking.

“This Council recognises that the retail sector has been particularly badly hit by the pandemic.

This Council wishes to play its part in retaining an active local retail sector.

Therefore, this Council agrees that all car parks and on road parking spaces owned by this Council in Hunstanton and King's Lynn will operate a system of free parking from the hours of 9.00 AM to 5.00PM on each Sunday in the month of December and the first Sunday in January.”

Council debated the motion it was pointed out that the proposal had not been costed and the implications for the authority not taken into account. It was noted that in the run up to Christmas the car parks would be busy anyway, and when the implications for the town of less car parking income were explained there was greater understanding of the need for the income.

Councillor Nash, seconded by Councillor Parish proposed an amendment to the Motion that the free parking on Sundays proposed above take place in January or February.  Councillor Ryves accepted the amendment.

A debate was then held on the substantive.  Attention was drawn to the additional footfall events brought to the town centre, comments made on the fact that relying on car parking income was outdated and other options such as visitors tax should be considered.  It was suggested that a  cost benefit analysis should be carried out.  The effect the internet was having on retail was referred to and the fact that the Council relied on business rates.  Attention was drawn to the fact that the corporate business plan intended to help boost the economy.

The fact that the proposal had not been discussed at Cabinet or Panels or costed was drawn attention to, if the free spaces were taken all day by the same cars it did not permit a high turnover.  The incentive for people to come to town in the quiet winter months was drawn attention to.

In summing up Councillor Ryves drew attention to the reserves held  and commended the proposal to Council.

On being put to the vote the Motion was lost.

RESOLVED: The Motion was lost.

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ii)            Councillor A Kemp proposed the following Notice of Motion (9-21), seconded by Councillor de Whalley

In proposing the Motion Councillor Kemp drew attention to the fact that a number of households had no access to computers or phones and needed the computers to be able to access services.

This Council is committed to making its services as accessible as possible. The trend for transferring applications for  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:62

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 (to follow)

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 the Cabinet Members reports en bloc.

Cabinet Member’s questions

Councillor Ryves asked Councillor Dickinson a question on the underwriting of the Guildhall funding and consequence it would have on future budgets. Councillor Dickinson confirmed that the money was in the capital programme, but it was hoped that it wouldn’t need to be spent.   Councillor Middleton confirmed a positive meeting with the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the business plan was being worked up with the Town Board.

Councillor Howman asked for information on the numbers of penalty charges cancelled or sent for recovery.  Councillor Long agreed to send him some information.

In response to Councillor Spikings question on an update to Upwell cemetery, Councillor Long confirmed he had met with the parish who were looking at land adjacent to the current cemetery for an extension to it.

In response to a question from Councillor de Whalley, Councillor Middleton confirmed that an architect had not yet been appointed for the Guildhall project.

Following a question from Councillor Kemp regarding tree planting in the Winfarthing woods area, Councillor Kunes reminded Councillor Kemp that the land was allocated building land.

Councillor Bower asked Councillor Blunt the situation with Hunstanton Neighbourhood Plan and others in the Borough compared with the rest of Norfolk.  Councillor Blunt confirmed that a lot of work had gone into the Hunstanton Plan which was at examination stage.  He confirmed there were 11 fully adopted plans  and 3 more in the pipeline.  He confirmed the Borough’s numbers were very good in comparison to some others in the county.

Councillor Rust asked the number of staff monitoring CCTV in order to make women and girls feel safe.  Councillor Long confirmed that the numbers varied depending on the day and time and events, the recordings were held.  He undertook to provide her with some figures.

Councillor Sandell responded to a question from Councillor Nockolds on the ECF Food for Thought grant that Lily had been awarded.  She confirmed that the bid supported families in deprived areas on healthy eating on a budget.  Freebridge were providing the facilities and COWA were providing support staff.

Councillor Kunes confirmed to Councillor Squire that he had misinterpreted the Task Group on urban wildlife for a Biodiversity Task Group.

Councillor Crofts asked Councillor Blunt what the timings were for the next CIL applications.  Councillor Blunt  confirmed it would open on 1 January to 1 February, with the scheme simplified since the previous one.  The round after that would be 1 July to 1 August.  He undertook to email Councillors with information that had been provided to parishes.

Councillor Kunes undertook to investigate Councillor Parish’s query as to whether it was permissible for log burners to be specified in a new build.

Councillor Devereux asked Councillor Blunt for information on a strategy document from Transport East.  He confirmed that he had attended the launch of the draft document which covered all the transport needs  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:63

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).

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Councillor Ryves asked Councillor Collingham if the Regeneration and Development Panel would ask for a cost benefit analysis of the free parking proposed and lost in the motion earlier in the meeting.  Councillor Collingham said it could be an item for a future meeting.