Agenda and minutes

The Prayers were led by Father Adrian Ling.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 23 February 2017 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 February 2017 were approved 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.

The Mayor invited Honorary Alderman Wilkinson to ask his public question as follows:

“A letter was sent to residents in Archdale Street signed by the Neighbourhood Officer Sue Payne sates “Do not leave your rubbish out other than on the collection day” this means that a resident has to get up early to put their rubbish out before 7.00 am and on the collection day because a leaflet that residents received from the Council in March 2016 stated that rubbish should only be put out between 7.00 pm on the day prior to your collection and 7.00 am on the day of your collection.

The present ruling by the Neighbourhood Officer means residents who rely on a carer, and those with a medical condition have difficulty in meeting this ruling.

Mr Mayor do you agree with me that Officers should have another look at this ruling with the view of altering the times back to 5.00 pm and 8.00 am as prior to March 2016.”

Councillor Devereux responded as follows:

"The Council’s policy for over 10 years has been to ask residents not to put their bins or rubbish bags out before 7.00pm on the day prior to collection to avoid congestion, damage and infestation.  I believe that this simple policy has worked and should continue to help us achieve an efficient and cost-effective service. The council asks residents to present their bins or bags before 7.00a.m to coincide with the start of collections. Although for many residents collection will be much later in the day there are occasions when routes have to change for operational reasons and schedules vary, particularly after bank holidays --when the service catches up for the bank holiday period as will be happening over the coming Easter weekend. We would not want to create a situation when bins or rubbish bags are not collected because of our guidance.”

“I can, however, advise that at present, for most collections in Archdale Street and the surrounding area, the crew do not start to collect the bags first thing.  So, if a resident with particular problems relating to health and social care needs did not have their bagged waste presented until 8 am, at present it would not cause us a problem.”

As a supplementary question, Honorary Alderman Wilkinson sought clarification that the letter circulated by Sue Payne, the Neighbourhood Officer did not apply.

Councillor Devereux responded by reiterating that the Borough Council’s policy, which had been in operation for 12 years, was that residents are asked not to put their bins or rubbish bags out before 7.00 pm on the day prior to collection and before 7.00 am on the day of collection.  The letter circulated by the Neighbourhood Officer was in response to an action from a SNAP meeting.

The Mayor invited Jo Rust to ask her public question as follows:

“Over the last two years the Borough Council has had significant input into schools and education in our area.  With that in mind can  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:86

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.)

Councillor Beales presented his report. There were no questions.

Councillor Blunt presented his report and responded to questions regarding the Government White Paper and how it would affect the Local Plan. 

Councillor Blunt informed Council that a briefing for all Members would be held on 24 April 2017 at 6.30 pm in the Town Hall which would cover the following subjects:

·         The effect the white paper would have on planning related matters.

·         Update on Neighbourhood Plans.

·         Explanation of how the required housing numbers were calculated.

Councillor Bird advised that he had attended a briefing on the White Paper at Norfolk County Council and had been pleased to see senior Borough Council Officers present.

Councillor Blunt responded to questions on the potential changes to the strategy going forward in relation to Compulsory Purchase Orders.

Councillor Devereux presented his report and responded to questions regarding fly tipping in the North Lynn/North End Ward.  Councillor Devereux commented that he was aware of the serious situation in the Archdale Street area and explained that the Borough Council was working hard to keep the community involved to improve the area and that enforcement action was taken when appropriate.

Councillor Devereux undertook to keep Ward Councillors informed.

Councillor Devereux responded to questions regarding anti-social behaviour around the Bus Station.  He explained that the Borough Council continued to support the Police to improve behaviour in and around the Bus Station, which was showing a marked reduction in reported problems which was positive news.

In response to questions regarding the CIC funding, Councillor Devereux explained that a Wash East Coast Management Strategy – Stakeholders Forum was held on 30 March where discussions were held and actions identified to address issues of concern.

Councillor Lawrence presented his report.

In response to a question on whether Councillor J Collop had taken up the Portfolio’s offer to accompany officers to look at the work being undertaken regarding, Homelessness, Councillor Lawrence confirmed he had not been contacted by Councillor J Collop.

Councillor Collop commented that he would contact the Portfolio Holder following the Norfolk Council Elections on 4 May 2017.

In response to questions on the situation with Second Homes, Councillor Lawrence undertook to update Members whether there was any significant to report.

Councillor Mrs Mellish presented her report.  There were no questions.

Councillor Daubney presented his report and informed Members that the BID had held regular meetings and on 5 April 2017, Mr Darren Taylor had been appointed Chairman.

Councillor Collingham congratulated the Portfolio Holder on the success of the Channel Shift initiative which had achieved savings and efficiencies and asked if the Council was considering any similar initiatives.

In response, Councillor Daubney commented that the Channel Shift project had been driven by political will and conveyed thanks to the officers who had driven the initiative hard.  Councillor Daubney highlighted the importance of providing customers with a better service.  Members were informed that the Borough Council’s forms were being reviewed/updated and included within the Channel Shift project.  He added that the introduction of the Web Chat service had been well received and positive feedback given.

Councillor Daubney responded to questions on the Shared Technology Centre and undertook to keep Members updated.

Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented her report and undertook to confirm the date of the next meeting of the Friends of The Walks to Councillor J Collop.

Councillor Nockolds responded to questions on the distribution/display of the Borough Council’s tourism leaflets/pamplets.

The Leader presented his report and responded to questions on education attainment and cuts in Children’s Services.  The Leader explained if it was necessary to make any representations to Norfolk County Council in the future he would report it to Borough Councillors.

The Leader responded to questions on items discussed at Norfolk Leader’s meetings.

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

There were no questions.

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

(Councillors are reminded this is a debate with one opportunity to participate in the debate per item.)

To consider the recommendations to Council from the Cabinet Meeting on 28 February 2017 as follows:

CAB134:  Reviewof AntiFraud Documents

CAB135: TreasuryManagement StrategyStatement, Minimum RevenueProvision Policyand AnnualInvestment Strategy2017/18

Councillor Long proposed recommendation CAB124: Review of Anti-Fraud Documents which was seconded by Councillor Daubney.

Councillor Long proposed recommendation CAB135:           Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and Annual Investment Strategy 2017/18 which was seconded by Councillor Mrs Nockolds.

RESOLVED:  The recommendations from the meeting held on 23 February 2017 were approved.

RESOLVED:  That proportionality be amended by the change of 1 seat reverting from the Labour Group to the Conservative Group from the Appointments Board and the appropriate membership sought.