Agenda and minutes

Prayers were led by Canon Robert Fayers.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 27 July and 31 August 2017 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:   The Minutes of the meetings held on 27 July and 31 August 2017 were signed as a correct record.

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.

None.

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.)

Cabinet Members were invited to present their reports.

Councillor Beales presented his report.  He updated Members and explained that as part of the Marsh Lane Development three local Apprentices had been taken on by Lovells for a two year period, which was always intended to be part of the project. 

Councillor Beales responded to questions and confirmed that additional work would be carried out to the wall to the rear of the Princess Theatre in October 2017.  He also undertook to look at lighting in the area at Lynnsport and near the Railway Track.

Officers and the Portfolio Holder were thanked for their hard work to secure protection of an area of public open space at Lynnsport, which had been protected by Fields in Trust as part of the Active Spaces Programme.  Councillor Beales explained that the programme secured the recreational land in perpetuity so that it could be enjoyed for generations.  He explained that the designation had also brought in benefits such as a grant from the London Marathon Charitable Trust Active Spaces fund.  Councillor Beales explained that this was significant as this was the first in England, outside of London, to benefit from the fund.  Members were informed that an unveiling ceremony had been held, and he thanked Councillor A Tyler for requesting such a ceremony, to which all Ward Members had been invited.

In response to a question on the content of his report to Council, Councillor Beales explained that he took his responsibility as a Portfolio Holder very seriously.  He felt that the opposition could make better use of the opportunities they had to call items it, bring amendments forward and suggest items for Scrutiny.

Councillor Beales responded to a question regarding installing a Post Box at the Bus Station.  He agreed that it would have been useful, but the Post Office had said that there was already sufficient provision in the area.

Councillor Blunt presented his report.  There were no questions.

Councillor Lawrence presented his report.  He explained that Care and Repair West Norfolk had received a commendation in the Handyperson Service of the Year category at this year’s national Home Improvement Agency Awards held at the House of Lords.  He explained that although they were a small department, they did so much to help the lives of the residents of West Norfolk and he was proud of the service. 

Council congratulated the Care and Repair Service on the commendation.

In response to a question, Councillor Lawrence commented that he felt that the Food Safety and Hygiene officers worked hard to ensure that all food establishments were of a high standard.  Establishments also worked well with the Council, asking for advice and attending courses as required.  He hoped that the mandatory requirement for ‘scores on the doors’ would be introduced soon.

Councillor Devereux presented his report.  He thanked the staff from Kier, who were recently involved in saving a toddler who had become trapped under a car.  He felt that the staff had acted selflessly and should be congratulated on their efforts, especially as they had lifted the car off the toddler.

Council congratulated the staff from Kier on their efforts.

Councillor Devereux explained that a land quality assessment had been conducted, following the Manor Farm fire and no significant contamination had been found against the land quality criteria.  Local residents would be informed of the outcome of the assessment in due course.  Councillor Devereux acknowledged that there was still a lot of work to do to clean up the site.

In response to a question, Councillor Devereux commented that he was aware of the fly tipping issues in North Lynn and discussions were ongoing with the contractors.

Councillor Mrs Mellish presented her report.  She updated Members and informed them that the Mintlyn parking plans had now been submitted for a planning decision.

Councillor Hodson presented his report.  There were no questions.

Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented her report.  She explained that the Borough had won Gold for Downham Market, Hunstanton and King’s Lynn in this year’s Anglia in Bloom Awards.  She thanked all the officers and volunteers who had helped to make this happen.

In response to a question, Councillor Nockolds commented that the Civic Society had, once again, arranged a very successful Heritage Open Day.  Attendance numbers were still being calculated and Councillor Nockolds commented that it had been a very busy day.

Councillor Long presented his report.  There were no questions.

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).

None.

To consider the report on the review of proportionality.

Council was invited to review the proportionality following the recent By-Election in St Margaret and St Nicholas Ward and Group membership changes.

RESOLVED: That proportionality be amended by the change of 2 seats reverting to the Conservative Group as follows:

·        1 from the Labour Group on the Licensing & Appeals Board

·        1 from the Independent Group on the Environment and Community Panel.

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

To consider the recommendations from Cabinet contained within the following:

CAB36:            Planning Code of Conduct

CAB42:            Riverfront Regeneration

Councillor Long proposed recommendation CAB36: Planning Code of Conduct from the Cabinet Meeting on 1 August 2017, seconded by Councillor Blunt.

RESOLVED:   That recommendation CAB36: Planning Code of Conduct from the Cabinet meeting on 1 August 2017 was approved.

Councillor Long proposed recommendation CAB42: Riverfront Regeneration from the Cabinet Meeting on 1 August 2017, seconded by Councillor Beales.

In debating the recommendation concerns were put forward regarding the opening of Hardings Way Bus Route to traffic.  The Leader appreciated that there would be concerns from local residents and he explained that, should the proposals go forward, a consultation process would be carried out and concerns would be taken into consideration.  On being put to the vote the recommendation was agreed.

RESOLVED: That recommendation CAB42: Riverfront Regeneration from the Cabinet Meeting on 1 August 2017 was approved.

To consider the recommendations from Cabinet contained within the following:

CAB62: West Norfolk Disability Forum

CAB65: Local Lottery

Councillor Long proposed recommendation CAB62: West Norfolk Disability Forum from the Cabinet Meeting on 6 September 2017, seconded by Councillor Lawrence.

In debating the recommendation it was acknowledged that although the West Norfolk Disability Forum would be disbanded, an alternative provision would be available through the creation of a Member Champion, who would act as a conduit through whom concerns could be raised.  The Member Champion would also engage with organisations and charities as appropriate.  Councillor Long explained that he was pleased to see this recommendation come forward and he would also be bringing forward a report on the role of Member Champions.  On being put to the vote the recommendation was agreed.

RESOLVED:   That recommendation CAB62: West Norfolk Disability Forum from the Cabinet meeting on 6 September 2017 was approved.

Councillor Long proposed recommendation CAB65: Local Lottery from the Cabinet Meeting on 6 September 2017, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nockolds.

Councillor Long explained how a Local Lottery could assist small organisations and charities by allowing additional funds to be raised.  He acknowledged that some Members had expressed concern or did not agree with Gambling. 

Councillor Mrs Nockolds reminded Members that the Environment and Community Panel had debated the item and asked for a competitive selection process to be carried out.  It was confirmed that interviews would be taking place in the next few weeks.

In debating the item, concerns were raised that gambling could be addictive and could have a detrimental effect on people who had gambling problems.  The benefits the Lottery could have to local charities and small organisations was acknowledged.

On being put to the vote the recommendation was agreed.  Councillor Joyce asked for it to be recorded that he had abstained from the Vote.

RESOLVED: That recommendation CAB65: Local Lottery from the Cabinet Meeting on 1 August 2017 was approved.