Agenda and draft minutes

Prayers were led by Father Adrian Ling.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bhondi, Humphrey, Kirk, Lintern, Moriarty, Ring, Tyler and de Winton.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 26^th March and 14^th May 2026.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meetings held on 26^th March and 14^th May 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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.

There were none.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

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The Mayor read a letter received from the Mayor of Gallipoli, congratulating him on his appointment. The letter highlighted the longstanding relationship between King’s Lynn and Gallipoli, emphasised the importance of maintaining and strengthening these ties, and extended an invitation for the Mayor to visit Gallipoli.

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

There was no Urgent Business.

To receive petitions and public questions in accordance with Procedure Rule 20.

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The Mayor invited Cliff Goodman to ask a question as follows:

“The current declaration appears to commit to reducing CO2 emissions as well as other initiatives aimed at playing a part in tackling climate and nature emergency issues locally.

A film featuring exerts from these briefings was recently screened at the    Majestic Cinema and the Corn Exchange. and is currently being screened   nationwide. The message from the briefings is clear and stark. Science backed evidence overwhelmingly shows that rising temperatures resulting in some of the medical emergencies, deaths, infrastructure damage and travel delays is    significantly influenced by human activity. The warning messages state that it's not certain doom, it's still not too late to stop temperature rise spiralling out of control but it's vital this council ensures meaningful actions to feed into combined efforts to tackle climate and nature crisis. It’s important that this council's actions take account of fairness and do not put additional financial burden on people, especially those who can least afford extra living costs.

My question is:

How does the current Climate Emergency Declaration and associated strategy take account of reporting measured progress on delivering objectives,   including reducing CO2? Do the strategies include aims to get overall medium to long term cost saving or at least not incur heavy extra spending?”

Councillor de Whalley responded by explaining that, in accordance with the Council’s Climate Change Policy and Strategy, the target date for eliminating the Council’s own carbon emissions was 2035, with a commitment to explore opportunities to bring this date forward if possible.

He advised that the Council produced and published annual reports on its Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.  In considering decarbonisation measures, the Council sought to implement cost effective carbon reduction initiatives, whilst also prioritising energy conservation measures that provide protection against future energy price increases.  Where appropriate, the Council also pursued external grant funding to support the delivery of decarbonisation projects.

Councillor de Whalley noted that the procurement of zero carbon electricity had led to significant reduction of carbon emissions, whilst resulting in only a modest increase in costs.  He further explained that the Council had worked in partnership with other organisations on the installation and operation of electric vehicle charging points which had increased the availability of electric vehicle charging facilities across the Borough and supported the Council’s vehicle fleet.

He added that the Council continued to maximise the return on investment from low carbon initiatives including through the Climate Change Levy relief associated with combined heat and power units, and smart export guarantee payments received for surplus energy generation.

Councillor de Whalley referred to section 5 of the Climate Change Strategy and Action plan, which provided further detail on the range of climate related work currently being undertaken by the Council.

By way of a supplementary question, Cliff Goodman asked what plans were in place to increase green spaces to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat.  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:19

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

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The Leader, seconded by Councillor rust proposed the following recommendations:

-        CAB150: Audit Committee Annual Report from the Chair.

-        CAB11: Health and Safety Policy and Statement of Intent.

RESOLVED: The recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 23 April 2026 and 9 June 2026 were approved by Full Council, as set out below.

CAB150: Audit Committee Annual Report from the Chair

1. That the Annual Report from the Chair of the Audit Committee be considered and noted by Full Council

CAB11: Health and Safety Policy and Statement of Intent

1. To approve the adoption of the Health, Safety & Welfare Policy.

2. To delegate responsibility for approving annual administrative reviews to the Chief of Staff.

3. To note that where significant changes to the policy are made that these will be brought back to council for approval.

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Councillor Beales, seconded by Councillor Rust proposed the recommendations as set out within the report and the sheet which had been circulated in advance of the meeting.

Council noted that, where the number of nominations exceeded the number of available positions, a ballot would be conducted. The results of the ballot are attached to these minutes.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Council appoints representatives to serve on the Outside Bodies and partnerships listed in the report.

2. That Council approves the appointment of representatives nominated by the Panels to serve on Outside Bodies and Partnerships which fall within the Scrutiny and Regulatory categories as set out in the report.

3. That Council approve the representatives to serve on the Executive Outside Bodies and partnerships as set out in the report.

A copy of the appointments are attached to these minutes.

To consider the following Notice of Motion (05/26), submitted by Councillor Moore:

Replace the Climate Emergency Declaration with a Practical Environmental and Resilience Strategy

This Council notes that the Climate Emergency declared in 2021 has not delivered clear or practical outcomes for residents. The UK produces approximately 1% of global CO? emissions, and Kings Lynn and West Norfolk contribute a tiny fraction of that total. Reducing our limited share alone will not meaningfully alter global climate trends, but the costs of rapid transition policies are already placing significant strain on local households.

Many of the most vulnerable residents are facing rising energy bills, fuel poverty, and financial hardship linked to policies that increase the cost of heating, transport, and daily living. No local environmental strategy should make life harder for those already struggling or force people into choosing between heating and eating.

This Council believes that practical environmental action should focus on improving local resilience and protecting our area from real risks such as flooding, coastal erosion, drainage pressures, water scarcity, and loss of agricultural land and wildlife habitats. The planning system considers environmental issues on a case by case basis, but there is no dedicated local process that assesses the wider environmental pressures created by long term population growth, including increased demand for land, housing, energy, water, and infrastructure.

This Council resolves to:

1. End the 2021 Climate Emergency declaration.
2. Replace it with a Practical Environmental and Resilience Strategy focused on flood defence, water management, land protection, and locally beneficial environmental measures.
3. Ensure future policies protect vulnerable residents from increased living costs.
4. Provide annual updates on measurable local resilience improvements rather than symbolic targets.

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Councillor Moore proposed the below Notice of Motion:

Replace the Climate Emergency Declaration with a Practical Environmental and Resilience Strategy.

 This Council notes that the Climate Emergency declared in 2021 has not delivered clear or practical outcomes for residents. The UK produces approximately 1% of global CO? emissions, and Kings Lynn and West Norfolk contribute a tiny fraction of that total. Reducing our limited share alone will not meaningfully alter global climate trends, but the costs of rapid transition policies are already placing significant strain on local households.

Many of the most vulnerable residents are facing rising energy bills, fuel poverty, and financial hardship linked to policies that increase the cost of heating, transport, and daily living. No local environmental strategy should make life harder for those already struggling or force people into choosing between heating and eating.

This Council believes that practical environmental action should focus on improving local resilience and protecting our area from real risks such as flooding, coastal erosion, drainage pressures, water scarcity, and loss of agricultural land and wildlife habitats. The planning system considers environmental issues on a case by case basis, but there is no dedicated local process that assesses the wider environmental pressures created by long term population growth, including increased demand for land, housing, energy, water, and infrastructure.

This Council resolves to:

1. End the 2021 Climate Emergency declaration.

2. Replace it with a Practical Environmental and Resilience Strategy focused on flood defence, water management, land protection, and locally beneficial environmental measures.

3. Ensure future policies protect vulnerable residents from increased living costs.

4. Provide annual updates on measurable local resilience improvements rather than symbolic targets.

The Notice of Motion was seconded by Councillor Hodson, who reserved his right to speak.

The Leader of the Council welcomed debate on the motion but stated that he did not support it and urged Members to reject it. He noted the irony that the meeting had been deferred by one week due to extreme heat. He referred to this year having recorded the hottest June since records began and observed that the ten hottest years on record had all occurred since 1990. Drawing on his experience in farming and harvesting, he outlined the impact that climate change was having on the agricultural sector. He also referred to the heatwave of 1976, commenting that temperatures of that nature were now becoming increasingly commonplace. The Leader further highlighted increases in rainfall, warmer and wetter winters, and changing weather patterns, which he stated were consistent with the predictions made by climate scientists.

The Leader also referred to the action being taken by the Council, including the provision of grants, support for energy-efficient housing and other assistance available to residents. In addition, he highlighted the roles of the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as the lead agencies in relation to flooding matters.

Councillor Beales expressed disappointment with the motion. He  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:22

In accordance with Council procedure rule 8, to receive reports from Cabinet Members to be moved en bloc.  Members of the Council may ask up to four 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, then non aligned members, followed by 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 60 minutes for all Cabinet Members and the Leader

Climate Change and Biodiversity – Councillor M de Whalley

Culture and Events – Councillor S Lintern

Planning and Licensing – Councillor J Moriarty

Environment and Coastal - Councillor S Squire

Finance – Councillor C Morley

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Deputy Leader and Business – Cllr S Ring

Leader - Councillor A Beales

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Councillor Beales moved the Cabinet Members Reports.

Councillor Blunt congratulated the Leader on his appointment as Chair of the Norfolk Leaders Group. He also referred to the recent Voluntary Joint Committee meeting and expressed concern that no representatives from Norfolk County Council had been in attendance. Councillor Blunt asked how Members would be kept informed of progress on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and the work of the Joint Committee.

In response, Councillor Beales explained that, following the Norfolk County Council elections, he had invited the newly elected County Division Members for King’s Lynn and West Norfolk to a meeting at the Town Hall, which he considered to have been constructive and worthwhile. He also referred to County and Borough representation at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Councillor Beales expressed disappointment that the new administration at Norfolk County Council was not actively engaging with the LGR process, emphasising that the matter was not political in nature but concerned effective risk management. He also provided an update on Norfolk County Council’s judicial review challenge relating to the LGR proposals.

Councillor Long raised a point of order, stating that the discussion was moving away from a question and answer format. The Mayor ruled that it was important for Members to be kept informed on matters relating to LGR.

Councillor Beales provided further information on the judicial review and related legal proceedings. He noted that Norfolk County Council officers continued to provide support to the LGR process but reiterated his disappointment at the lack of engagement from the administration. He added that he hoped to arrange further engagement sessions involving Members from King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and Breckland in order to keep councillors informed of progress.

Councillor Everett asked Councillor Rust about the delay in the installation of accessible play equipment in The Walks. Councillor Rust shared Councillor Everett’s disappointment but explained that there was currently a lack of resources available to progress the project and that this position was unlikely to change in the short term. She also provided information on the Youth Advisory Board’s ‘Right to Play’ campaign.

Councillor Kemp referred to proposals for single member wards within the West Norfolk area under the new unitary authority arrangements and expressed concern that this would reduce representation in the Borough’s most deprived communities. Councillor Beales reminded Members that the proposals formed part of the business case previously approved by the Council and advised that Councillor Kemp could make representations to the relevant Minister if she wished.

Councillor Nash referred to the ReFit programme and its reported underperformance. Councillor de Whalley explained that the underperformance related to the scheme not achieving the specifications and outcomes originally promised by the contractor and advised that options for resolution were being explored. He also explained that reliability issues associated with the heat pumps at King’s Court had resulted in system overloads. Whilst acknowledging that the project remained a work in progress, he advised that improvements  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:23

In accordance with Procedure rule 9, Members of the Council may ask any questions of the Chair of any Council Body (except the Cabinet).

In response to questions from Councillor Nash regarding proposed reforms to the Planning Committee process, Councillor Spikings, in her capacity as Chair of the Planning Committee, expressed disappointment with the proposed arrangements.

She advised that, under the new regime, the majority of planning applications would be determined under delegated powers by officers and that Members would no longer have the ability to call applications before the Committee for consideration.

Councillor Spikings assured Members that regular training sessions and updates would be provided to ensure Committee Members remained informed of the changes. She also advised that her intention was to undertake a trial or ‘dummy run’ of the new process in advance, in order to familiarise Members with the arrangements.