Agenda and draft 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 19 July 2018 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:   The Minutes of the Meeting held on 19 July 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.

The Mayor reported receipt of letters of thanks from HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip following best wishes being sent on the occasion of their birthdays.

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

None

At the by election on 2 August 2018 for the vacancy in the Snettisham Ward,  Councillor Stuart Dark (Conservative)  was elected.

The Mayor welcomed the newly elected Councillor Stuart Dark (Conservative) who was elected at the by election on 2 August 2018 for the vacancy in the Snettisham Ward. 

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 any questions via email.

Councillor Blunt presented his report.  There were no questions.

Councillor Lawrence presented his report.  He responded to a question on the Council’s compliance to ensure no criminal activity was taking place by landlords, that there was liaison with housing partners, many went through agents, and there had to be a degree of trust with the individuals.  He suggested that if the Councillor was aware of any fraud he should report it and action would be taken.

In response to a question on the position with the toilets at Gaywood and the bringing forward of costings for their replacement, Councillor Lawrence explained that the toilets had closed as agreed at Cabinet and were up for sale.  It had never been agreed to replace the block.  If the figures should have been reported he would do so.

Councillor Devereux presented his report.  In response to a question on the legality of the refuse vehicles it was the responsibility of Kier the contractor to ensure their legality, and with regard to the Council’s fleet of vehicles, he confirmed that they were regularly checked, services and tested etc.

In response to a question on the policy of not releasing balloons and sky lanterns from Council property Councillor Devereux explained that work had been carried out over time to reduce single use plastics and ensure their recycling, he agreed to provide a list of those.  He also drew attention to the work with the Wash management organisations.  He invited a question on a proposed resources and waste strategy should be put in writing.

Councillor Devereux confirmed that Norfolk County Council was the Flood Authority, and that the Borough was able to apply for funding for specific projects and had been successful in that area.  He also confirmed that if residents didn’t have black sacks delivered when they should they could contact the Council or Kier, and that the contractors regularly checked recycling bins for compliance and their contents were regularly analysed at the MRF, and campaigns carried out to promote knowledge of recyclables.

Councillor Mrs Mellish presented her report.  In response to a question seeking assurances that no access would be made to Councillor emails without their permission  could not give that assurance.  The Monitoring Officer explained the legal requirements for the Council around access to emails.

Councillor Hodson presented his report.  There were no questions.

Councillor Mrs Nockolds presented her report and undertook to enquire about the numbers of seats set out in the bandstand.  She considered that the “humps” in the Walks were popular with the small children so did not require tidying up.

In response to a question on the King’s Lynn Pride event, Councillor Mrs Nockolds acknowledged it was a fantastic event, which did have Council staff on hand to help make it a success, and the date was in the diary for the following year. 

Councillor Long presented his report and responded to a question on the decrease in the level of the Council’s reserves referring Members to the Monitoring reports and Cabinet reports which were published showing exactly where the Council had spent money acquiring land and facilities in order to progress the major projects which were ongoing in order to deliver homes for the people of West Norfolk.  He also drew attention to the fact that the Monitoring report showed any variances.

In response to a question on whether the issue of LEPs was going to be a soft Devolution, Councillor Long confirmed that it was not, but due to the Government requirements the Council would have to make a decision to remain part of only one LEP.

In response to a comment on the make-up of Task Groups and the lack of representation of Independent Members, Councillor Long reminded Members that any member could attend and comment in any meeting under Standing Order 34.

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

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

Councillor Ayres proposed the recommendations from the Standards Hearing on 19 July 2018.  They were seconded by Councillor S Sandell.

The report showed that whilst the sub-committee had the power to determine the sanctions set out above, only Full Council had the power to implement some of those sanctions and consequently the following sanctions needed to be approved by Council.

Councillor J Collop commented on the limited sanctions which were available for the Council to make against a Councillor.  The Leader acknowledged this limitation and expressed extreme disappointment that Councillor Wing-Pentelow was not present at the meeting and had not made an apology to Mrs Rust.  He apologised to Mrs Rust unreservedly on behalf of the Council for the Councillor’s behaviour. 

The Mayor reminded Members that the only way to have a sensible debate was to treat each other with respect.  Council gave full support to the recommendations from the Standards Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED:   1)         That Councillor Wing Pentelow be removed from any committee membership and removed from appointments to any outside body.

2)         That Cllr Wing Pentelow be censured by Full Council

CAB46:            Treasury Management Strategy Amendment 2018-19

CAB51:           King's Lynn - Strategic Property Acquisition

CAB52:            Nora Phase 4

CAB53:            Nora Business Park Enterprise Zone Premises

Councillor Long , seconded by Councillor Mrs Nockolds  proposed the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 21 August 2018.

CAB46:            Treasury Management Strategy Amendment 2018-19

CAB51:           King's Lynn - Strategic Property Acquisition

CAB52:            Nora Phase 4

CAB53:            Nora Business Park Enterprise Zone Premises

RESOLVED:   That the recommendations from Cabinet on 21 August 2018 be approved.

Council was invited to consider the nomination of a representative to serve on King’s Lynn Borough Charity. 

The report also sought replacement representatives to serve on King’s Lynn Conservancy Board and King’s Lynn Internal Drainage Board, following Council’s agreement of the recommendation to remove Councillor Wing-Pentelow from appointments to outside bodies, which agreed earlier in the meeting as part of agenda item 12(i) – Standards Committee – 19^th July 2018.

The following nominations were made:

King’s Lynn Internal Drainage Board – Councillor T Smith

King’s Lynn Conservancy Board – Councillor M Howland

West Norfolk Borough Charity – Councillor R Groom

RESOLVED:   That Council appoints representatives to serve as follows:

-        King’s Lynn Borough Charity – Councillor R Groom

-        King’s Lynn Internal Drainage Board – Councillor T Smith 

-        King’s Lynn Conservancy Board – Councillor M Howland