Agenda and minutes

Council held a minutes silence in memory of the Late Councillor John Collop who had sadly passed away.

Prayers were led by Rev Canon Ling

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 14 July 2022  (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 14 July 2022 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. 

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RESOLVED:  That proportionality be amended by the change of  seats as follows:

That Independent lose 1 seat from the Licensing Committee and 1 seat from Corporate Performance Panel.

That those 2 seats go to the Conservative Group

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

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB47: CONTAMINATED LAND STRATEGY

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Councillor Dark proposed and Councillor Kunes seconded the recommendation from the Cabinet meeting on 2 August 2022: CAB47 Contaminated Land Strategy.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendation be approved.       

1)    To consider the following Notice of Motion (8/22), submitted by Councillor A Kemp:

Tourism and Heritage Assets 

This Council supports King's Lynn's heritage that defines  Lynn  as an international tourist destination. The Carnegie Library is one of Lynn's most prominent heritage assets that was built by the Council,  on land belonging to the Council, on Tower Field near the Greyfriars Tower, in 1904 in Tudor Gothic architecture, with a turret that was used as an observation tower in the First World War and which houses the town's two book collections dating from Medieval Times.

Head Librarian Ray Wilson's book, History of Lynn Library,  says : The site was excellent for library purposes, being situated centrally in the town, amongst Medieval surroundings, with ease of access from all parts of the town and the outlying Districts.

The previous Administration formed  a plan to move the library to the old Argos shop.

The Library was acquired by statute by Norfolk County Council under local government reorganisation in 1974.

The County Council intends to consult the community for a community function for the building.

However, if community groups do not come forward that can afford to buy the Carnegie, or take on a full repairing lease, NCC says it would reassess the  situation. This would put the future of the Carnegie at risk as a public building open to all.

If the library moves out of the Carnegie, Norfolk County Council will cease to fund its upkeep and repair.

If NCC declare the building is surplus to service requirements, the Council policy is disposal.

The law says disposals of local government property should be at market value, and leases are at full market rent.

NCC recently expressed the intention to save holt Hall Education Centre for a community use, but then sold it off to the highest bidder for private use.

This Council does not want to Lynn to lose a key heritage asset open to the public, residents and tourists and asks the Cabinet to make a formal agreement with Norfolk County Council to safeguard its future as a heritage asset.

2)    To consider the following Notice of Motion (9/22), submitted by Councillor  A Tyler

‘This Council is very saddened by the recent loss of John Collop, an effective, principled and long-standing councillor and friend to many here. 

Therefore, at the first formal Council meeting since his untimely passing this Council initiates a lasting and befitting tribute to pay our respects to him and his family and give thanks for his years of service to the people of West Norfolk.  

This Council therefore agrees steps will be put in place to ensure that one of the roads, community recreation or green spaces on a new Council related development in or near the ward he served so well coming forward will be named in his honour as a lasting tribute and reminder for all’ 

3)    To consider the following Notice of Motion (10/22), submitted by Councillor Sandell:

‘Like many other organisations, this  ...  view the full agenda text for item C:36

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Council agreed to take Notice of Motion 9/22 first.

1)     Councillor  A Tyler proposed the following Notice of Motion (9/22), seconded by Councillor Dark:

“This Council is very saddened by the recent loss of John Collop, an effective, principled and long-standing councillor and friend to many here. 

Therefore, at the first formal Council meeting since his untimely passing this Council initiates a lasting and befitting tribute to pay our respects to him and his family and give thanks for his years of service to the people of West Norfolk.  

This Council therefore agrees steps will be put in place to ensure that one of the roads, community recreation or green spaces on a new Council related development in or near the ward he served so well coming forward will be named in his honour as a lasting tribute and reminder for all.”

Councillor Tyler spoke in support of the Motion and fondly about the late Councillor John Collop and his roles and life which Councillor Tyler had been closely associated with.

Councillor Dark also spoke in support of the motion and drew attention to the fact that the Council buildings had been lit in red and the flags lowered as a mark of respect for John.  He also informed Council that as a mark of respect to John Collop the Conservative Group would not be calling for a by election to fill his vacancy or if one was called would not be putting a candidate forward at this stage.

Councillor Joyce, as a long standing friend and colleague also paid tribute to Councillor Collop. A number of other Councillors including the Mayor and Deputy also paid tribute to him, and confirmed that his funeral had been touching and meaningful.  A vote was taken on the Motion which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be approved.

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2)    Councillor A Kemp proposed the following Notice of Motion (8/22), seconded by  Councillor de Whalley:

“Tourism and Heritage Assets 

This Council supports King's Lynn's heritage that defines Lynn as an international tourist destination. The Carnegie Library is one of Lynn's most prominent heritage assets that was built by the Council, on land belonging to the Council, on Tower Field near the Greyfriars Tower, in 1904 in Tudor Gothic architecture, with a turret that was used as an observation tower in the First World War and which houses the town's two book collections dating from Medieval Times.

Head Librarian Ray Wilson's book, History of Lynn Library, says: The site was excellent for library purposes, being situated centrally in the town, amongst Medieval surroundings, with ease of access from all parts of the town and the outlying Districts.

The previous Administration formed a plan to move the library to the old Argos shop.

The Library was acquired by statute by Norfolk County Council under local government reorganisation in 1974.

The County  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:36

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  (report to follow)

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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Councillor Dark moved all the Cabinet reports en bloc.

Councillor Long responded to a question from Councillor Morley on governance review of the Council’s companies in that he was not driving the review but delivering homes through the company. 

Councillor Kunes responded to Councillor Kemp explaining that a scheme was being endorsed to register interest in solar panels which would go to auction and customers could choose whether to go ahead.

Councillor Long gave an update for Councillor D Tyler on the progress with the Howdale play area which had recently been installed with the last piece being received imminently. Councillor Long also acknowledged Councillor Bullen’s role in the renewals.

Councillor Blunt responded to a question from Councillor Parish and confirmed that the number of houses built had slowed for a number of reasons.

Councillor Sandell responded to Councillor Kemp’s question of how the Borough Council could assist Freebridge housing with their renovations.  She acknowledged that Freebridge were under a lot of pressure and asked Councillor Kemp to provide the detail of the property she was referring to.

In response to a question from Councillor Bower, Councillor Blunt confirmed he had asked officers to identify the issues with the Hunstanton Bus station development, along with solutions and ways forward.

Councillor Dickinson gave Councillor Ryves an update on the General Fund balance policy which was to keep them at a minimum of 5%, and she explained that due to the inflationary pressure over the coming years it was likely there would be nothing to draw on in 2025/26, with no indication from government that they would meet the additional requirements of councils.

Councillor Sandell gave Councillor Bower an update regarding the Hospital to Home project working with the hospital to assist with getting patients home.  She confirmed that its restart after covid was imminent with training being provided in the required processes for hospital staff.

Councillor Kunes confirmed to Councillor Rust that of the trees planted at Lynnsport around 50% were still alive, he acknowledged they had suffered in the drought  and heatwave, but they would be re-planted in the spring.

Councillor Sandell confirmed to Councillor Howman that Freebridge properties were being renovated in order to release more properties for those needing them.

Councillor Whitby thanked Councillor Kunes for the work carried out to close down the illegal tipping sites in Clenchwarton, He also asked about the work being done to provide solar panels.

Councillor Kunes acknowledged also Councillor Kemp for her tireless campaigning at the county council on the sites.  With regard to the solar panels he further referred to the Solar Together scheme which should held provide some discounts to homeowners through bulk buying.

Following a question from Councillor de Whalley on the release of sewage into water courses, Councillor Long gave an explanation on how the land flooding and coastal flooding bodies were working together to tackle the issue.

Councillor Nockolds asked Councillor Middleton if  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:37