Agenda and minutes

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Council held a minutes silence in memory of former Mayoress Teresa Brandon and Honorary Alderman Ian Stockwell, both of whom had sadly passed away since the previous Council meeting.

Prayers were led by Rev Canon Ling.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 2 December 2021 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED: The minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2021 were agreed 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.

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The Mayor informed Council that he had attended the funeral of former Mayoress Teresa Brandon and intended to attend that of Honorary Alderman Ian Stockwell.  He had also attended a service for Sir Timothy Coleman.  He had attended the Holocaust Memorial Service.

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

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

cab92:           COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT - FINAL SCHEME FOR 2022-2023

CAB93:           APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS

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Councillor Dark proposed the recommendations to Council, seconded by Councillor Middleton.

In debating  CAB92:   COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT - FINAL SCHEME FOR 2022-2023the Labour Group confirmed that 84% was better than the previous 75%, but that they were working on a proposal to improve that.

The Leader was encouraged to lobby MPs to end the unfair legislation and to provide for those in need.  It was also requested that the scheme be overtly promoted.

In summing up the Leader confirmed the Administration had chosen to review the scheme in order to support those in need in the borough and was proud to have made a 9% increase in that support.

On being put to the vote the recommendations were approved.

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The recommendation for CAB93:       APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS was approved without debate.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 11 January 2022 be approved.

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 B Long

Environment - Councillor P Kunes

Development - Councillor R Blunt

Finance – Councillor A Dickinson

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor Sam Sandell

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

Leader - Councillor Stuart Dark

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The Mayor invited questions of members for Cabinet members.

In response to a question from Councillor Morley on the funding allocated to the Town Deal Youth and Re-training Pledge and the transparency of the business case, Councillor Blunt reminded Members that the lead on the scheme was the College of West Anglia’s principal officer. It had also been externally assessed and deemed as thorough.  He agreed to send a copy to the councillor.

Councillor Kemp asked if the Council’s skills shortages were being fed into the process.  Councillor Blunt confirmed they would be.

Following a question from Councillor Nockolds, Councillor Kunes confirmed that the major tree planting programme would commence shortly with 6500 trees at Lynnsport, 500 at King’s Reach along with other smaller schemes.

Councillor Holmes asked Councillor Sandell if the Council was associated and actively working with the Norfolk Domestic Abuse Service.  Councillor Sandell confirmed that the Council worked with and provided support for the Pandora domestic abuse organisation.  Details of the support available was on the Council’s web site with relevant contact details.  She agreed to send the Councillor the details.

In response to Councillor D Tyler’s question on CIL, Councillor Blunt confirmed the latest round of applications closed at the end of January.  He gave a summary of the types of applications received to date and confirmed the next round would be in July.

In response to a question from Councillor Parish on the number of planning officer vacancies within the authority, Councillor Blunt confirmed that the industry generally was employing people with planning experience resulting in officers leaving.  He confirmed that the council was looking at external support to help produce reports etc, but that corners would not be cut, which may result in it taking longer to process planning applications.

Councillor Kunes confirmed to Councillor Kemp that Winfarthing wood was no longer an allocated site, and that it would be looked at again in terms of tree planting.

Following a question from Councillor Nockolds on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Councillor Sandell confirmed that a small pot of money would be available within the community grants for that purpose.

Councillor Ryves asked Councillor Middleton in Councillor Dickinson’s absence questions on the proposed funding of the Guildhall.  Councillor Middleton confirmed that he was not able to comment on Councillor Dickinson’s view, and explained the background of the situation and that it was proposed that the May round of bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund was being aimed at.

Councillor Collingham asked what progress was being made on the plans to tackle fly tipping.  Councillor Kunes reported that following the Council decision a member of staff had been appointed and the vehicles ordered to commence work on the collection of and identification of fly tippers.  A prosecution had recently been made which resulted in a £2,000 fine.

Councillor Holmes asked Councillor Blunt what the latest Government Guidance on housing completion targets was.  Councillor Blunt explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:73

In accordance with Standing Order 11.2 (b), Members of the Council may ask any questions of the Chair of any Council Body (except the Cabinet).

There were no questions.