Agenda and minutes

The Mayor informed Council of the sad death of Councillor Ian Devereux’s wife Marianne. Council wished its sincere condolences be sent to Councillor Devereux and his family.

Prayers were led by the Mayors Chaplain, Father Ling.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 28^th January 2016 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 January 2016 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.

Councillor Baron Horsburgh did not participate in the debate or vote on the budget item at C83.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

The Mayor informed Council that the Mayor’s Officer Kelly Seaman was undertaking a parachute jump in aid of the Mayor’s Charity, he invited Councillors to sponsor Mr Seaman on the forms which were available in the room.

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

None.

Pursuant to Minute CAB124: The Financial Plan 2015/2020, of the Cabinet Meeting held on 2 February 2016, the “Financial Plan 2015/2020 and Council Tax Resolution 2016/2017” the document includes an updated summary of the Financial Plan 2015/2020, the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner - Council Tax for 2016/2017 and details of Parish Precepts and Internal Drainage Boards levies for 2016/2017. 

NOTE:            In accordance with Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 165, Local Government, England, The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, any decision taken on the Council’s Budget or Council Tax setting must be taken with a recorded vote

Councillor N Daubney, as Leader of the Council, proposed his budget pursuant to Minute CAB124: The Budget 2015/2020, of the Cabinet Meeting held on 2 February 2016.  In proposing the budget, Councillor Daubney reminded Council that in proposing his last budget the Council remained at the top of the efficiency list of councils when measuring service delivered against tax raised.

He drew attention to the fact that there was now a change of emphasis in Council financing which was progressing towards zero direct government funding for services and cooperative working to deliver infrastructure and growth by the ability to retain and attract business growth.

He commented that the council was well placed to look to the future with confidence because since 2009 nearly £8m pounds of savings had been delivered by the Authority, but to maintain the budget position a further £3m had to be found over the coming years.

Councillor Daubney commented that the Administration had resisted the calls from others to mitigate the risk of funding cuts by taxing more, he stated he had measured the risk and mitigated by efficiency.

He drew attention to the fact that services of the council were consistently rated as high quality –improvements were recognised and respected and the Council had maintained a Borough which was clean, smart, interesting and fun whilst bringing employment and growth which was essential, as were savings.

He reminded Members that savings could be targeted and measured but of course they got harder to deliver.  One of his last acts as Leader would be to charge member teams to study specific areas of our operations and identify areas to save. He believed that opportunity was there with fast developing technology and innovative thinking and savings could and would be delivered.

He drew attention to the fact that measured by tax increases against service delivered the Council was one of the UK’s most efficient councils  which he wished it to remain so.

Councillor Daubney, in referring to increases in car parking charges reminded Members that they had been frozen for five years and the modest increases proposed enabled a balance, allowing those using the services to contribute to them, with the charges making a large and valuable contribution to festivals and events in the Borough.

He considered that the Council had:

·         delivered improvement in facilities and a first class service. 

·         was adopting technology to engage better with the population at lower cost

·         was working with continued ambition

·         welcomed regeneration with the town centre enhanced and within weeks the world class Innovation Centre would open.

·      continued to support educational attainment with the completion of a University Block in King’s Lynn later in the year

·      Borough Council apprentice schemes

·      Light shows, festivals, trails and the expansion of the events programme

·      Maintenance of the important basics, like a first class waste collection and recycling service

Councillor Daubney extended his thanks to the Chief Executive and officers for their expertise, advice and guidance and specifically the Section 151 Officer who had  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:83

To receive petitions and public questions in accordance with Standing Order 9.

In accordance with Standing Order 9, 2 public questions had been submitted. 

The Mayor invited Jo Rust to come forward and ask the following question:

"At last full council I asked a question about the impact that Universal Credit (UC) would have on the levels of homelessness in King's Lynn.  I referred specifically to supported housing.  I was given assurances that as the changes to UC and supported housing wouldn't take place until 2018, there was no need for the council to take any action at all.   

However, a cap to housing benefit for social housing tenants in supported and sheltered housing is going to be applied.  The impact of the LHA cap on housing benefit paid to vulnerable people living in supported accommodation will be immense. 

What steps are the council taking to mitigate against this and protect these people?"

Councillor Lawrence gave the following response:

"A cap on social rents is due to be introduced from April 2018 applying to tenancies signed from April 2016.   The cap will limit the maximum amount of Housing Benefit that can be paid in the social rented sector to the relevant Local Housing Allowance rate applying in the private sector.

The majority of social sector tenants will be unaffected as the Local Housing Allowance rate is often higher than their rent.  However social sector tenants in specialist housing services and schemes that provide extra care and support (known as Supported Exempt Accommodation) often incur much higher housing costs.  Currently these costs are covered by Housing Benefit but from 2018 tenants may find that their rent and charges exceed the Local Housing Allowance rate.

The Government is currently undertaking a review of care and support including rents Supported Exempt Accommodation.

The Government has made available £870m of Discretionary Housing Payment funding over the next five years for local councils.  This funding is partly to mitigate the impact of welfare reforms and assist vulnerable people and is used to top up Housing Benefit where there is a shortfall in rent.   The Council already administers a Discretionary Housing Payment scheme and will continue to consider applications from any Housing Benefit customers in need of help with paying their rent.

Any Discretionary Housing Payment will be temporary and DHP doesn’t provide a sustainable funding model for supported housing. From discussions with supported housing provider partners operating at a national level it is clear that decisions relating to investment in new scheme developments are being postponed until the review has been concluded and there is clarity on the proposed changes to Housing Benefit.

The Council will follow the emerging national picture carefully whilst engaging housing support providers and the County Council now, with a sense of urgency, to understand what changes could be made to models of delivery, and what existing funding arrangements could be reviewed, to ensure that accommodation services can continue for the most vulnerable. Whilst some of the changes present a significant challenge there are opportunities to make more effective use of existing resources.  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:84

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 Mrs Nockolds presented her report.  Councillor McGuinness asked why the diagram was included within the report with no narrative, to which Councillor Mrs Nockolds explained that as she had been asked for the information at 2 Council meetings she put the diagram in to explain the Leisure structure.  Councillor J Collop responded that it did not contain the information he required but perhaps he could discuss it with the Cabinet Member.

Councillor Smith asked how the planned opening of the Stories of Lynn project was progressing.  Councillor Mrs Nockolds responded that it was progressing extremely well with the presentation cases being prepared, the Heritage Lottery Fund officer had visited and was happy with the progress.  It was planned to open at Easter. 

Councillor Blunt presented his report.  Councillor McGuinness asked if Councillor Blunt was happy that some residents were having difficulties adding comments to the planning pages on the web.  Councillor Blunt responded that he was not aware that there were problems, but he would look into it.

Councillor Long presented his report.  Councillor Bird commented that he had not been able to see a business plan relating to the Community Interest Company which had been set up relating to the RFCC along the shoreline from Hunstanton, he asked when it would be available.  Councillor Long responded that the document was being prepared by the Company which was a separate entity to the Council so he couldn’t instruct anyone to make it available.  He suggested Councillor Bird contact them direct.

Councillor A Tyler asked if Councillor Long agreed that the improvements which had taken place to with the cleanup along the Bawsey Drain had improved that area, and the entrance to the town through there.  Councillor Long confirmed he did agree, and the IDB would hopefully keep on top of it.

Councillor Mrs Wright asked what the smell was in the town on Tuesday, to which Councillor Long explained it related to a problem at the West Lynn Sewage station which had been sorted out.  The Environment Agency was in dialogue with them to prevent it happening again.

Councillor Lawrence presented his report.  Councillor Mrs Collop asked what the self and custom build register referred to in the report was, and how people would register for it.  Councillor Lawrence explained that it was a Government Initiative which was being explored at the moment, and that once finalised contact should be made by officers.

Councillor A Tyler, asked for some information on what current projects  the Discovery Centre was engaged in.  Councillor Lawrence responded that the Centre was going back to basics, due to funding issues, so was no longer providing the after school club, but was providing approximately 20 other services as its core role.  The Centre was aware that funding was becoming harder to get and retain so were talking to a number of organisations to raise funding.  Councillor Tyler responded that the centre was of importance for his ward and hoped the funding streams would be delivered.

Councillor Pope presented his report and informed Members that the new parking arrangements on the South Quay had been operating for 3 weeks with 4,500 visitors, 3,360 of those hadn’t paid anything due to them using the free hour parking.  All other on street parking schemes were up and running.

Councillor Bird made reference to the decision of Cromer and Sheringham to withdraw from the Partnership relating to the on street parking sub contract, leaving only Hunstanton along the coast with it in place.  He asked Councillor Pope whether he wanted to do something detrimental to Hunstanton or enhance it.   Councillor Pope gave an outline of the occurrences at the meeting, which meant that as North Norfolk had decided against coming into the scheme there was a budget shortfall, he also responded that the residents along the sea front at Hunstanton were happy with the scheme. 

Councillor Mrs Wilkinson asked where the remote mower which had been bought from the Government funding provided for Fairstead some years ago had gone.  Councillor Pope suggested it may have been exchanged, but undertook to look into it.

In referring to the area of ICT systems changing to provide a more engaging customer portal, Councillor Moriarty asked if Home Choice users should be warned about it, to which Councillor Pope undertook to ascertain if that was needed.

Councillor Lord Howard presented his report.  Councillor McGuinness commented that the report didn’t give any information on what the Cabinet Member had been involved in to know what there was no progress to report on.  Councillor Lord Howard referred to Special Projects such as a statue of King Alfred, and the potential for planters at the Rail station, which had been decided against.

Councillor Beales presented his report.   In response to a comment made by Councillor Joyce relating to the issue of allotment land only being used as public open space if de restricted by the Secretary of State, Councillor Beales responded that there was no restrictive covenant on the land as it had been checked, although none of the allotment land was actually part of building area, they remained as allotments.

Councillor Daubney presented his report.  Councillor S Collop asked if there was a reason why Councillors hadn’t received the information from the Independent Panel on allowances.  Councillor Daubney responded that it was due to come to Members in due course.

Councillor A Tyler made reference to the number of Special Projects being undertaken across the authority, and asked what the Leader hoped would be achieved at the railway improvement meeting which he was due to attend.  Councillor Daubney commented that all Cabinet Members undertook Special Projects, but reassured Councillor Tyler that Councillor Lord Howard played a full and active role as a Member of Cabinet.

In referring to the Rail meeting scheduled, Councillor Daubney explained that it had been called by Elizabeth Truss MP, but he was not now able to attend as he had to attend a Devolution meeting in London, but was sending a substitute to it.   As regards what was expected to be achieved, Councillor Daubney commented that it was unsatisfactory that there was a further delay on the spending on the improvements to the Ely North Junction, to bring forward a half hourly service to West Norfolk.  In order to provide the growth the Government was requiring in the area improvements were required to the infrastructure including the rail link.

Councillor Mrs Collop asked if a copy of the slides from the Councillors briefing on educational attainment could be provided to Members, which was agreed.  Councillor Daubney also informed members that there was further information available on the subject, should Members wish to ask specific questions.

Councillor Joyce asked if there had been any progress made on the provision of a second railway station for King’s Lynn, potentially at South Lynn.  Councillor Daubney was not aware of any progress on this issue, but he considered it was important to get a regular frequent service to London every half hour.

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 following recommendations to Council:

To receive the recommendations from the Cabinet Meeting held on 2 February 2016 as follows:

NB: CAB124 Financial Plan is dealt with above.

CAB125:          Capital Programme and Resources 2015-2020

CAB126:          Community Infrastructure Levy: Consultation on a Draft Charging Schedule

Councillor Daubney, seconded by Councillor Beales proposed the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 2 February 2016.

CAB125: Capital Programme and Resources 2015-2020 was agreed without debate.

With regard to CAB126: Community Infrastructure Levy: Consultation on a Draft Charging Schedule, Councillor McGuinness expressed disappointment that the CIL Levy was so low in King’s Lynn compared with outside the town.  He also was now clear that the funding from CIL would be available to areas with a Neighbourhood Plan.  He asked why the rate had been set so low in King’s Lynn.

Councillor J Collop confirmed that he had received clarification at Cabinet Scrutiny Committee about the eligibility for receiving any CIL funding, but did not know how to go about setting up the group.

Councillor Joyce commented that if CIL was set higher in some places, developers would go to where it was cheapest to develop, although they may have to pay large amounts to clean up the area before development.  He considered that rural village schools were struggling, although many villages did want a few more houses, why should the level be so much higher than the town.

Councillor Beales explained that the figures had been based on a viability report and looked at in depth.  The reason it was set at that level was because development in King’s Lynn was expensive, and the market was not lucrative, therefore if the CIL rate was higher there would be no development.  He acknowledged that he was against split rates, but the fact that King’s Lynn was a different market to Burnham Market was a fact and the proposal reflected that position.

In summing up Councillor Daubney stated that advice had been taken and it was cheaper to build on a green field site than an area requiring clearance.  On being put to the vote the recommendations were approved.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations from the meeting held on 2 February 2016 be approved.

To consider any recommendations arising from the above meeting which meets after the dispatch of the Council agenda.

There were no recommendations from Cabinet Scrutiny Committee.