Agenda and minutes

Prayers were led by Father Ling.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 21 September 2017 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:   The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 September 2017 were signed as a correct record 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.

The Mayor reported she had sent a telegram to HM The Queen and Prince Philip on the occasion of their 70^th wedding anniversary.

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

None

To consider the recommendations contained within the report.

The Mayor invited Council to consider the recommendations set out in the report and explained that the two references to the Resources and Performance Panel should be changed to Corporate Performance Panel.

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 and the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, the Council determines:

1.     That the council tax discount for Second Homes defined as being within Class A of the Regulations be set at 0% for 2018/2019;

2.     That the council tax discount for Second Homes as defined by Class B of the Regulations be set at 0% for 2018/2019;

3.     That the council tax discount for Empty / Unfurnished dwellings defined as being within Class C of the Regulations be set at the following for 2018/2019:

a.     100% for one month starting on the day the dwelling becomes unfurnished; then

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

4.     That the council tax discount for Uninhabitable dwellings defined as being within Class D of the Regulations be set at the following for 2018/2019:

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 be set at 50% for 2018/2019;

6.     That any period of occupation of less 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 to the Portfolio Holder for Resources in consultation with the Ward Member and the Chairman of the Corporate Performance Panelto consider individual applications to the Discretionary Hardship Fund; and

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.

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 was unable to be present for the Meeting.  Members were invited to pose any questions to him via email.  Points were made regarding the questioning of Councillor Beales at the next meeting, it was confirmed that questions on matters within the portfolio could be asked.

Councillor Blunt presented his report.  There were no questions.

Councillor Lawrence presented his report and responded to questions on the level of housing in the Borough which the Borough as the biggest developer in the Borough, was working to increase.   Councillor Collop was re-invited to meet with Councillor Lawrence and the Housing staff to see the work which was being carried out by the team. 

In response to a question on a new project working with young people, Councillor Lawrence reported that the project would be launched in December.  He undertook to keep Members informed.

In response to a question on the supporting people project ceasing, Councillor Lawrence confirmed the Council was speaking to the County Council.  He confirmed it was not appropriate to discuss this matter or the Discovery Centre situation in the public domain at this time.

Councillor Devereux presented his report.  He confirmed that the acronym was Habitat Regulations Assessment Mitigation Monitoring and Green Infrastructure Co-ordination Panel, as set out in the report.

In response to questions on the method and cost of disposal of the residual waste, Councillor Devereux confirmed that it was taken to a site designated by the County Council, the collection lorries brought the waste to the transfer station where it was loaded into high volume vehicles to go to Wisbech.

In response to questions on the responsibility for controlling begging etc in the town centre, Councillor Devereux explained that the CSNN team which was within his portfolio were not ultimately responsible for the end point.  He also confirmed he was not in a position to influence the Police Commissioner’s decision making on PCSO’s.

In response to a question on whether the ceasing use of caddy liners had been effective, Councillor Devereux explained that national research had shown an increase in usage in other areas.   He also responded that there were no plans for the Council to work jointly with Freebridge on clearing fly tipping, although joint working was being undertaken on raising the profile of fly tipping and taking legal action.

Councillor Mrs Mellish presented her report and explained that meeting rooms 1-3 would be out of service soon due to work progressing well on the ground floor of King’s Court.  The new microphones were in place and it was hoped that they would be working well for the meeting.

In response to a question, Councillor Mrs Mellish informed Members that should they need to have an interview room in King’s Court to meet with constituents, to contact the CIC to book a room on the ground floor.

Councillor Hodson presented his report.  He confirmed that 2 officers had attended the MIPIM event.

Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented her report.  In response to questions, it was confirmed that the public was invited to contribute to the Fawkes in the Walks event on the night, but that had not covered the cost of the fireworks, which had been funded from the Events budget.

Councillor Mrs Nockolds confirmed that the paths in the park in Hunstanton had been cleaned and were being monitored.

Although it wasn’t within her portfolio, Councillor Mrs Nockolds explained that the free after 3 parking was being paid for by the BID.

Councillor Long presented his report.  In response to a question on his view on the point raised by a number of parishes asking for the opening of Hardings Way to traffic except HGVs, Councillor Long confirmed he had received a number of similar comments, and felt that the opening of the road would be of benefit to the western side of the town, and he would support the opening.  In response to comments made disagreeing with the opening of the road, it was confirmed that the County Council were the highway authority and so would be taking any decision on this issue. 

In response to points raised complaining about the start time of some meetings, Councillor Long suggested it be raised in the Group Leaders meeting.  He also agreed with encouraging all staff or Councillors to take up the opportunity to have a flu jab.

A question was asked about the performance of the solar panels on King’s Court and Lynnsport, to which Councillor Long reported that King’s Court tariff payment was approximately £24,000, he undertook to get the details for Lynnsport and let Members know.

In response to a question on if the Leader would give as much notice as possible about consultation events, he confirmed it was the case wherever possible.

In response to a question as to whether the £2.7m loan issues would feature on the budget for the following year, Councillor Long  explained that the terms of the loan were set out and any discussions would be held should the need arise. 

Councillor Long agreed to investigate the light show on the Town Hall for Transgender week, and to look into placing the Boundary Review consultative information to be in a more prominent position on the Council’s web site. 

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

(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 the Cabinet meeting as follows:

CAB75:            Re-Fit Proposals For Council Building Assets

CAB76:            Pay Policy Statement - 2017/18 Update

CAB79:            Townscape Heritage Two

CAB80:            Development Appraisal - Alexandra Road, Hunstanton

Councillor Long, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nockolds, proposed the following recommendations.

CAB75:            Re-Fit Proposals For Council Building Assets

CAB76:            Pay Policy Statement - 2017/18 Update

CAB79:            Townscape Heritage Two

Councillor Long, seconded by Councillor Lawrence, proposed the following recommendation

CAB80:            Development Appraisal - Alexandra Road, Hunstanton

In debating the item attention was drawn to some objections to the overall proposal which had been sent to all Councillors, along with the proposed changes to the road.  The involvement of as many of the community as possible in the consultation process was welcomed and the fact that the planning process was open and accountable and that interested parties could have their say.  It was confirmed that this stage was not a part of the planning process, but to consider the concept of building on redundant land and would therefore not pre-determine  any planning application which would come forward.    The vote on the recommendation was unanimous.

RESOLVED:   That the recommendations from the meeting on 17 October 2017 be approved.