Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.  

There were no apologies for absence. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on the 13^th November 2025 were approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on the 13^th November 2025 were approved as a correct record.

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.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

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Councillor Rust declared she was an organiser of Pride and secretary of King’s Lynn and District Trades Union Council.

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Councillor Rust declared she was an organiser of Pride and secretary of King’s Lynn and District Trades Union Council.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

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RESOLVED: That under Standing Order 7.2, Bus shelters for possible replacement under BSIP be considered as Urgent Business at this meeting.  It is required to be taken as an urgent decision due to the deadline in responding to Norfolk County Council being the end of January 2026.

RESOLVED: The King’s Lynn Area Committee delegate authority to the Chair, two Members of the Committee; Councillor J Rust and Councillor A Kemp and the Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection to determine the work and approve the spend out of King’s Lynn Area Committee’s budget for the improvements

REASON FOR DECISIOIN: To delegate authority due to time constraints and to allow Officers and Members to work and approve details of the improvements.

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RESOLVED: That under Standing Order 7.2, Bus shelters for possible replacement under BSIP be considered as Urgent Business at this meeting.  It is required to be taken as an urgent decision due to the deadline in responding to Norfolk County Council being the end of January 2026.

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection outlined that Norfolk County Council proposed replacing nine bus shelters in King's Lynn, requesting a contribution of approximately £16,770 from the committee, with the total project cost around £80,387. A copy of the list of the nine bus shelters is attached. The urgency was due to a response deadline of 31 January, and the expenditure would need to be processed through the capital programme.

The Chair invited questions and comments from the Committee as summaries below.

Councillor Collop questioned the removal of a bus shelter along Gayton Road, outside the Medical Centre. Councillor Colwell, under Standing Order 34 explained the shelter was removed from the cycle path due to its size, with ongoing efforts to install a smaller replacement. Councillor Colwell noted additional shelters in Gaywood funded separately, and ongoing requests to Norfolk County Council for appropriate installations.

Councillor Rust explained that the new shelters would reduce ongoing costs, including electricity, ad hoc repairs. In response to a question from Councillor Sayers, business rates previously incurred due to advertising, potentially recouping the committee's contribution within three years. The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection cautioned that these figures were indicative and required further validation. He explained the process which included the decision be subject to the call-in period and internal governance.

The Committee debated whether to make an immediate decision or delegate authority due to limited information. Councillor Kemp proposed the to not delegate authority and to accept the proposal for scheme along with the approved spend however the proposal was not seconded.

Ultimately, they agreed to delegate authority to the Chair, and two Members of the Committee along with the Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection, ensuring urgent action while allowing for further detail to be gathered before final approval.

The Committee agreed the two Members of the Committee which authority was delegated to was Councillor Rust as Portfolio Holder and Councillor Kemp.

RESOLVED: The King’s Lynn Area Committee delegate authority to the Chair, two Members of the Committee; Councillor J Rust and Councillor A Kemp and the Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection to determine the work and approve the spend out of King’s Lynn Area Committee’s budget for the improvements

REASON FOR DECISIOIN: To delegate authority due to time constraints and to allow Officers and Members to work and approve details of the improvements.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chair.

Councillors Colwell, Bone, Fry and Moore were present under Standing Order 24 on Teams.

Councillors Colwell, Bone, Fry and Moore were present under Standing Order 24 on Teams.

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The Chair informed the Committee of his recent visit to the City of Lynn, MA, USA and his intention to explore twin ship.

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The Chair informed the Committee of his recent visit to the City of Lynn, MA, USA and his intention to explore twin ship.

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RESOLVED: The Committee noted the information presented to them.

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Inspector Ben Jarvis from Norfolk Police gave a presentation, a copy which is attached.

The Environmental Health Manager presented further information on this item to a committee. A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Chair thanked Officers for the presentation and invited comments and questions from the Panel as summarised below.

Councillor Heneghan thanked Inspector Jarvis and Officers for the presentations and highlighted she was pleased to see perception had been considered. She highlighted to the Committee; it was a multi-agency collaboration and provided an example of this with an authority up north funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Inspector Ben Jarvis agreed it was a multi – agency approach and encouraged resident to report incidents of crime to the Police.

Councillor Ware raised questions about the causes of negative perceptions, the role of social media, the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms, and the potential for additional enforcement powers. Inspector Jarvis responded by emphasising the importance of accurate reporting, the limitations of current accreditation schemes, and the need for balanced, partnership-driven solutions.

In response to the Vice – Chair, Councillor Jones, the Business Operations Manager explained as an organisation, the Council was accredited with CSAS scheme with Norfolk Constabulary. He explained the police had not extended the powers beyond taking control of traffic and taking names and address for traffic offences. He explained further, extended powers to deal with Anti-Social Behaviour had been asked for however the Police had not allowed this through the CSAS Scheme.

Inspector Ben Jarvis added this was not something accredited within Norfolk or granted place by place. He added further the data doesn’t support the need for further accredited CSAS powers.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Rust commented she would not feel comfortable with Officer of the Borough Council acting with the powers of the Police and being put at risk of violence. She added an external organisation would assess and produce a report on the perception of the areas which was useful.

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection highlighted a risk assessment would need to be undertaken for Officers which are CSAS accredited to have further powers. He added there was further work needed to determine if this was appropriate and explained there was further work to be done on the perception of the area.

Inspector Ben Jarvis brought to the Committee attention, the survey which had previously been carried out on perception within North Lynn.

Councillor Heneghan commented the addition of the Street Rangers was beneficial for King’s Lynn but perception was key.

Inspector Ben Jarvis recommended the use of online reporting systems and the 101-telephone line for non-emergency incidents, clarifying that 101 operates 24/7. They acknowledged that digital exclusion remains an issue for some residents and reaffirmed the importance of telephone access.

In response to a question from the Chair, the Environmental Health Manager explained the Council was consolidating multiple Public Space Protection Order, (PSPOs) into a single  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

The Committee is asked to consider items for a future Work Programme for

The Committee is also asked to consider the Cabinet’s Forward Decision List.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Decision List.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Decision List.

19^th March 2026 at 5:15pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall

The next meeting was scheduled for the 19^th March 2026.

The next meeting was scheduled for the 19^th March 2026.