Agenda and minutes

Prayers were led by the Rev Canon Ling.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 14 June 2018 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:   The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 June 2018 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.

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 not present for the Meeting – Members were invited to send questions via email.

Councillor Blunt presented his report.  He corrected the date in his report for the Parliamentary summer recess from 24 May to 24 July.

Councillor Lawrence presented his report.  He responded to a question regarding the resources put into the seizure of illegal cigarettes etc in the Borough by confirming it was the responsibility of the Police and Customs and Excise working with Trading Standards to seize them, the Borough Council would then consider any license they held.

In response to a question on the lawfulness of tenancy agreements where housing benefit was concerned, Councillor Lawrence confirmed that as far as he was aware they were.  Following a question on a fire to a property in North Lynn, Councillor Lawrence confirmed the property belonged to Freebridge Community Housing.

In response to a question on the hygiene of the Hunstanton toilets Councillor Lawrence confirmed they were visited daily, and more at busy times, and cleaned using the compliant cleaning materials.  He also responded to a point made about the service’s performance indicators which were dealing with people.

Councillor Devereux presented his report.  He and Councillor Long confirmed that the Refit Programme contractors were in the process of being appointed and would then consider which items to begin with, one of which should be the replacement of street lights.

Following a question on fly tipping, Councillor Devereux provided information for Members on the levels of fly tipping in 2017 and 18, some of which showed an increase, some a decrease.  He agreed to send round information to Members on the matter and explained the next opportunity for the matter to be addressed was the Norfolk Waste Partnership on 26 September.  He confirmed that officers would give advice to landowners on clearing flytipping , but would only remove from private land in exceptional circumstances.  He agreed to let members know the numbers of prosecutions for fly tipping etc.

Councillor Mrs Mellish presented her report and confirmed that the increase in County Council fees for car parking did not effect the Borough’s administration costs.

Councillor Hodson presented his report, in response to a question on the number of businesses with the same business rates as the Football Club, explained that each business was different.

Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented her report.  She drew attention to the new issued press release about the Guildhall Complex and the potential benefactor for the venue.  An update on the new Cultural Board was given.

In response to a point raised about 2 bus stops in South Wootton being charged to King’s Lynn Special expenses, Councillor Mrs Nockolds confirmed that the matter had been pointed out two weeks prior, and was being amended for future years.

Councillor Long presented his report and responded to questions on the Lobo loans taken out by the Council at the time of stock transfer, reminding Members the decision had been taken by the Council over 10 years previously.

In response to a question on the Boundary Review of the Borough Councillor Long undertook to look into the current position in Parliament.

Councillor Long also explained that meetings had taken place with relevant organisations regarding Fairstead Surgery replacement.  He also confirmed that when the issue of DIY charging was considered at the County Council he would listen to the points raised and vote  once all the information was discussed.

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).

Councillor J Collop asked Councillor Humphrey as Chairman of the Corporate Performance Panel if the items given as presentations to the meeting on KLIC and the Pontoons could be re-presented as reports rather than presentations.  Councillor Humphrey explained that the presentations would be published for members after the meeting, and subject to the 6 month rule Members could request an item to be considered, but he agreed that an outline of any presentation would be provided with the agenda.

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB28: Compliance and Enforcement - Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015

CAB32: Code Of Good Practice For Licensing

Exempt Items

CAB35: King's Lynn Strategic Land Property Acquisition

CAB36: Changes to West Norfolk Housing Company, Business Plan and Intra Group Agreement

Councillor Long proposed the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 25 June 2018.  These were seconded by Councillor A Lawrence.

CAB28: Compliance and Enforcement - Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015

CAB32: Code of Good Practice For Licensing

CAB35: King's Lynn Strategic Land Property Acquisition

CAB36: Changes to West Norfolk Housing Company, Business Plan and Intra Group Agreement

RESOLVED: That the recommendations from the Cabinet Meeting on 25 June 2018 be approved.