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 13 October 2022 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2022 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.

Councillors R Blunt and A Dickinson declared a pecuniary interest in C56: Determination of Council Tax Discounts relating to second homes and empty dwellings, and did not vote thereon.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Alexandra Ware, the new Labour Councillor for the Gaywood Clock Ward, to her first Council meeting.

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

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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 2023/2024;

2.    That the council tax discount for Second Homes as defined by Class B of the Regulations is set at 0% for 2023/2024;

3.    That the council tax discount for Empty / Unfurnished dwellings defined as being within Class C of the Regulations is set at 0% for 2023/2024;

4.    That the council tax discount for Uninhabitable dwellings defined as being within Class D of the Regulations is set at the following for 2023/2024:

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 2023/2024:

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 hardship applications made 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.

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB88: Pay Award 2022-23

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Councillor Dark proposed recommendation CAB88: Pay Award 2022-23 from the Cabinet meeting on 15 November 2022. This was seconded by Councillor Middleton.

Members commented on the proposal and on being put to the vote it was agreed.

RESOLVED:  That recommendation CAB88 Pay Award 2022-23 from 15 November 2022 Cabinet be approved.

To consider the following Notice of Motion (16/22), submitted by Councillor J Moriarty:

“This Council will, without any delay, arrange with the LGA to organise an immediate Peer Review of its Scrutiny and Transparency practices.”

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Councillor J Moriarty proposed his Notice of Motion (16/22), seconded by Councillor Parish:

“This Council will, without any delay, arrange with the LGA to organise an immediate Peer Review of its Scrutiny and Transparency practices.”

Under standing order 14.6 Councillor Dark proposed that the item be referred to Cabinet for consideration. This was seconded by Councillor Middleton.

Council debated whether to approve referral to Cabinet for consideration and with the required number of supporters a recorded vote was taken on the proposal.

The proposal was approved.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be referred to Cabinet for consideration and decision.

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 H Humphrey

Environment - Councillor P Kunes

Development - Councillor R Blunt

Finance – Councillor A Dickinson – to follow

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor S Sandell

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

Leader - Councillor S Dark – to follow

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Councillor Dark moved the Cabinet Members reports en bloc.  This was seconded by Councillor Middleton.

Councillor Dickinson responded to a question from Councillor Morley on the finances of the Guildhall.

Councillor Sandell responded to a question from Councillor Collop on Councillor Wilkinson’s behalf regarding the visit to the Fairstead Community shop.

Councillor Blunt responded to points raised by Councillor Kemp around the Town Deal fund, the area which was raised was not within its area, but confirmed discussions were taking place about the ferry outside of the Town Deal discussions.

Following a question from Councillor Spikings, Councillor Kunes confirmed that the Welney Wildfowl  and Wetlands Trust was a huge boost to the tourism offer, attracting many visitors to the area.

In response to a question from Councillor Rust regarding the inclusion of more properties with affordable rents within the housing companies, Councillor Lawrence confirmed that West Norfolk Housing Company was a Registered Provider of housing already had a number on its books but that he would do his best to utilise his portfolio to provide properties. 

Councillor Kunes responded to Councillor Kemp’s question on the provision of planting an orchard in South Lynn and explained that investigations of the site were under way because of its proximity to the road, it was possible that an orchard was not advisable due to the particulates from the traffic.

Councillor Devereux asked Councillor Kunes whether the Solar Together scheme would be open to late applications.  It was confirmed that it would not but that a second round would be likely next year.

Councillor de Whalley asked Councillor Kunes questions on tree management and maintenance, Councillor Kunes confirmed the site was tested , and would let him know the details.

In response to a point raised by Councillor Joyce, Councillor Dickinson confirmed that security was the prime concern with investments, and the investment he referred to was short term and had been redeemed.

Councillor Collingham asked Councillor Sandell about the films recently shown at the Corn Exchange to which she confirmed that some Ukrainian films had been shown which resulted in good attendance figures.   Further foreign language films were being considered.

Councillor Blunt in responding to Councillor Holmes confirmed that the council was lobbying central government regarding house completion targets as in previous years.  He explained that there may have to be an action plan dependent on the government responses.

In response to Councillor D Tyler, Councillor Blunt informed members that the Local Plan Examination was due to commence on 6 December and would have 3 sessions in all with the following sessions on 10-12 January, and 25-26 January 2023.  He encouraged members of the Local Plan Task Group to attend.

Following a question from Councillor Parish on the Rural Prosperity Fund, Councillor Middleton confirmed that the Council would have to fund its administration, that match funding would be sought from applicants, although it could be flexible and would be open to  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:59

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).

There were no questions.