Agenda and minutes

Prayers were led by Fr Michael Sparrow.

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. 

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Cabinet meeting - 7 March 2023 – CAB134  - Appointment of Honorary Alderman

In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mayor decided that the following matter should be considered in order to take a decision on the above.

The Mayor invited Councillor Dark to propose the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 7 March 2023.  Councillor Dark proposed the recommendations and spoke in support of them.  They were seconded by Councillor Middleton. 

Councillors spoke in support of the proposals and on being put to the vote they were approved.

RESOLVED 1)                  That the Council places on record its deep appreciation of the eminent services to the Council rendered by former Councillor Nicholas Daubney.

2)                 That a Special Meeting of the Council to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on former Councillor Daubney be held at 4.30 pm, prior to the Council meeting on Thursday, 30 March 2023 and the  engrossment of recommendation above and an aldermanic badge be presented to the Honorary Alderman, at that Council meeting.

3)                                  That with the consent of the Mayor, the recommendations be submitted to the Extraordinary meeting of the Council on 9 March 2023 as urgent business.

4)                                  That the Council places on record its deep appreciation of the eminent services to the Council rendered by former Councillor Nicholas Daubney.

5)                 That a Special Meeting of the Council to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on former Councillor Daubney be held at 4.30 pm, prior to the Council meeting on Thursday, 30 March 2023 and the engrossment of the recommendation above and an aldermanic badge be presented to the Honorary Alderman, at that Council meeting.

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Councillor Joyce proposed that item 6 1) Cabinet members reports for January 2023 and 6 2)  Members question time for January 2023 be taken together with items 7 3) Cabinet members reports for February 2023 and 7 4) Members question time for February 2023.  This was seconded by Councillor Parish  and agreed.

CAB129:         Hunstanton Multi User Hub and Transport Interchange

CAB130:         Officer Delegated Decisions – Call In

CAB132:         Council Meeting Arrangements

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Councillor Dark moved each of the recommendations from Cabinet on 8 February 2023.  These were seconded by Councillor Middleton.

CAB129:         Hunstanton Multi User Hub and Transport Interchange

Councillor Parish spoke on this recommendation.  On being put to the vote the recommendation was agreed.

CAB130:          Officer Delegated Decisions – Call In

Councillor Parish spoke on this item.  On being put to the vote the recommendation was agreed.

CAB132:          Council Meeting Arrangements

Council debated the recommendations with opinions for and against start timings expressed. It was clarified that should the new council wish to debate and take a decision on this matter before 6 months it would be acceptable.  On being put to the vote the recommendations were agreed.

RESOLVED:   That the recommendations above from the Cabinet meeting on 8 February 2023 be approved. 

i)              To consider the following Notice of Motion (4/23), submitted by Councillor Dark

One year on from the Putin regime’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine that has caused intolerable death, destruction and misery this council thanks all those locally who have opened their homes and hearts to the 400 refugees who have settled in West Norfolk and the staff of our reception centre and partner agencies who have worked so hard to support them. We also recommit our condemnation of the war, call for its cessation and withdraw of the invading forces and our support to the Ukrainian people for as long as is needed.

ii)             To consider the following Notice of Motion (5/23), submitted by Councillor Dark

The Medworth Incinerator, Wisbech is currently at the ‘interested party’ submission hearing stage. This application is continuing to be brought forward causing concern to residents, despite in principle opposition from this council, Norfolk County Council and several other councils. It is now several months since our earlier widely supported motion stating our council’s opposition to this scheme. At this important stage we clearly re-state our opposition to reassure residents of our consistency in this and instruct officers to continue this approach in their submissions and interactions on this issue.

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i)                 Councillor Dark proposed the following Notice of Motion (4/23), seconded by Councillor Middleton.

Councillor Dark spoke in support of the Motion which he considered was still as meaningful as it had been a year ago. He acknowledged that the support given by the Council its Partners and the people of west Norfolk had gone from strength to strength and he wanted the message of support to be re-iterated:

One year on from the Putin regime’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine that has caused intolerable death, destruction and misery this council thanks all those locally who have opened their homes and hearts to the 400 refugees who have settled in West Norfolk and the staff of our reception centre and partner agencies who have worked so hard to support them. We also recommit our condemnation of the war, call for its cessation and withdraw of the invading forces and our support to the Ukrainian people for as long as is needed.

Councillors Joyce, A Tyler and Rust spoke in favour of the motion and on being put to the vote it was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED:   That the Motion be agreed.

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ii)                Councillor Dark proposed the following Notice of Motion (5/23), seconded by Councillor de Whalley. 

Councillor Dark spoke in support of the motion reminding members that as well as this Council other surrounding authorities and their MPs were in opposition to the proposal.  He expressed the wish to show continued opposition to the incinerator:

The Medworth Incinerator, Wisbech is currently at the ‘interested party’ submission hearing stage. This application is continuing to be brought forward causing concern to residents, despite in principle opposition from this council, Norfolk County Council and several other councils. It is now several months since our earlier widely supported motion stating our council’s opposition to this scheme. At this important stage we clearly re-state our opposition to reassure residents of our consistency in this and instruct officers to continue this approach in their submissions and interactions on this issue.

In debating and supporting the Motion Councillor Long spoke in support of it, drawing attention to the direction of the plume across the Borough and into the Wash.

Councillor Kemp spoke in support of the motion drawing attention to the potential harm to public health and the fact they were aiming to build the incinerator in an area of deprivation.

Councillor Joyce reminded members of the 93% of voters who voted against the proposed incinerator in South Lynn, which was no different to the current situation where all respondents were saying no.

Councillor Rust supported the motion reinforcing the opinions on incineration.

Councillor Parish spoke in support of the motion stating incineration wasn’t wanted anywhere.

Councillor Crofts spoke in support of the motion reminding members that the decision would be taken by the Minister.

Councillor de Whalley spoke in support of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:82ii

In accordance with Standing Order 11, to receive reports from Cabinet Members moved en bloc, under Standing Order 11.2 Members of the Council may ask questions of Cabinet Members on their reports and Portfolio areas. The order of putting questions shall commence with a Member from the largest opposition group, proceeding in descending order to the smallest opposition group, followed by a non-aligned Member and finally a Member from the ruling group. This order shall repeat until the time for questions has elapsed or there are no more questions to be put. 

The period of time for putting questions and receiving responses shall not exceed 50 minutes for all Cabinet Members, excluding the Leader

The period of time for putting questions and receiving responses to the Leader shall not exceed 15 minutes.

(Councillors are reminded that this is a question and answer session not a debate.)

Corporate Services - Councillor H Humphrey

Environment - Councillor P Kunes

Development - Councillor R Blunt

Finance – Councillor A Dickinson

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor S Sandell

Deputy Leader and Business, Culture & Heritage – Councillor G Middleton

Leader - Councillor S Dark

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Councillor Dark moved the Cabinet Members reports en bloc.  This was seconded by Councillor Middleton.

Councillor Kunes responded to a question from Councillor Holmes regarding EV charging points in the south of the Borough where it was explained the car parks weren’t owned by the Borough Council.

Councillor Parish’s asked Councillor Blunt if consideration had been given to starting the local Plan again.  Councillor Blunt confirmed that all options had been considered and legal advice taken and the route taken in the recent cabinet report.

Councillor Kemp  asked Councillor Blunt if he had considered a new Garden city instead of the proposed development at West Winch.  Councillor Blunt reminded members that the Inspector had sought the evidence used to justify the numbers proposed at West Winch, not the sustainability of the site which had been in the Plan for a number of years, and a lot of work had been carried out in preparation for the new road.

Councillor Long asked if it was possible to provide the figures for the carbon emissions and money saved with the Refit programme.  Councillor Kunes confirmed that one a year of operation had been in place it would be possible to calculate those savings.

Councillor Sandell responded to Councillor Squire’s question on whether giving financial advice at the foodbank would discourage people from using it by undertaking to provide a breakdown on the numbers  and queries.

In response to a question from Councillor Joyce on why the sites given permission over the years have not yet been delivered, Councillor Blunt reminded Members that the sites were privately owned and could not be forced to be developed.

Councillor Kemp asked what was being done to assist Freebridge bring forward their empty homes for renting.  Councillor Sandell explained that several meetings had been held with them and they were trying to bring their stock back on line.

Councillor Long asked Councillor Humphrey if there was a decision on future Councillor’s IT equipment.  Councillor Humphrey informed members that if they preferred to keep their Ipad they may, if not a laptop would be provided.

Councillor Rust asked Councillor Blunt if the Council was able to shape the governance arrangements of the Town Deal Board so the Council was more influential on it. Councillor Blunt reminded members that he was a Council representative on the Board which he considered to be open it its dealings .

Councillor Joyce asked if landowners and developers didn’t come forward with their sites if another should replace it.  Councillor Blunt confirmed that landowners were asked what their intentions were with sites.

Councillor Crofts asked for an update on CIL applications from January.  Councillor Blunt confirmed there had been 45 infrastructure project applications made to the value of £700,000.  He gave an update on some of the applications made.

Councillor de Whalley asked if in the Town Deal updates could be changed to give a red/green status and provide assurances  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:82iii

In accordance with standing order 11.2 (b) Members of the Council my ask any questions of the Chair of and Council Body (except Cabinet).

The were no questions.