Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that it was being recorded and streamed live to You Tube.  He then invited the Democratic Services Officer to carry out a roll call to determine attendees.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bambridge, Joyce and Lowe.

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

The minutes of the meetings held on 3 November 2022 and 7 December 2022 were agreed 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.

Councillor Kemp declared that she was a Member of the Youth Advisory Board who would be giving a presentation to the Committee at item 9 of the agenda.

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.

There was no urgent business to report.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman 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 Chairman.

There were no Members present pursuant to Standing Order 34.

There was no Chair’s correspondence to report.

Click here to view a recording of this item on You Tube.

The Chair introduced Tracy Brooker and Peter Gray to the meeting to give a presentation on the Refit Programme.

Tracy Brooker explained that she would be giving an update on the Refit Programme.  She advised that successfully introduced air source pumps had been fitted into several Council buildings.  Also, as part of Refit 2, air source pumps had been fitted into enterprise works, which was a multi-occupied building by a number of tenants – those were works were on schedule and should be completed by the end of March 2023.

In terms of street lighting, a survey of all Borough Council streetlights was being undertaken totalling over 995 individual streetlights within the Borough.  Some of these streetlights had been deemed as dangerous and had been replaced.  126 had been identified as dangerous and were going to be replaced with LED lighting.   A further report was being submitted to arrange for a 3-year rolling programme of LED replacement for the rest of the Borough and were investigating the possibility of introducing solar lighting for certain areas.

The Chair asked whether the positioning of lighting was correct.  In response, it was explained that a survey was currently being undertaken of all the Borough’s streetlights and the positioning was looked at as part of the survey, but some streetlights were the responsibility of Norfolk County Council.   It was also explained that some streetlighting had historically been put in strange locations and explained that some at Fairstead were in people’s rear gardens, which made it difficult to maintain them.  In those difficult to reach areas there was a rise and fall lamp which folded down and was easier to maintain and would not disturb residents with heavy plant and machinery.

The Chair asked what the procedure was for reporting a streetlight, which was the responsibility of Norfolk County Council, and was in a bad location or there was a problem with it.  It was reported that both Councils had reporting mechanisms on their website but there might be an economic reason why a lamppost could not be moved, so each case had to be considered on its own merits. 

It was explained that Norfolk County Council had originally been responsible for all streetlights but had handed them to the Borough Council and Freebridge, so there would be 3 columns of streetlights which belonged to different authorities.   The costs to relocate the power supply was outlined to the Committee. 

Councillor Mrs Wilkinson stated that one of the issues was that the lights could be shining into people’s bedroom windows. 

Councillor Rust added that one of the reasons that the Committee had asked for this update was that when looking at the Special Expenses for King’s Lynn there had been a significant increase in the charge for footway lighting, it seemed a lot for the number of lampposts in the King’s Lynn area.  With regards to Freebridge, she asked who paid for those, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Click here to view a recording of this item on You Tube

Nathan Johnson-Hales reported that within King’s Lynn there were 146 litter bins.  If a replacement bin was required, then this could be requested through Clean-up.  If an additional bin was required again Clean-up should be notified and they will monitor the area to see if an additional bin was required.

With regards to the alleyways at North Lynn it was explained that the Council was carrying out a piece of work on how to address the issues being experienced.

With regards to the provision of a bin at Gaywood Community Centre, Councillor Rust suggested that they should be encouraged to buy one.  N Johnson-Hales advised that this could easily emptied if the Community Centre provided the bin.

In relation to recycling in bins, it was explained that this had been tried in the Walks but had been unsuccessful due to the recycling becoming contaminated.

The Chair thanked Nathan Johnson-Hales for the update.

Click here to view a recording of this item on You Tube

The Committee received a presentation from Lexy, Tion, Kathryn and Daisy (Youth Commissioners) from the West Norfolk Youth Advisory Board on the provision of accessible play equipment.

The Committee congratulated all the Youth Commissioners on a very detailed and excellent presentation which was supported by the Committee.

Members of the Committee urged the Youth Commissioners to take the presentation / petition to Parliament to get the law changed and to get in touch with the local MP and local Borough Councillor.

Nathan Johnson-Hales explained to the Committee that the Walks was owned by the Borough Council and was Grade II listed.  The current play equipment was ROSPA inspected annually.  He advised that accessible equipment had been installed at a new scheme in Downham Market.  He suggested that Planning Guidance could be looked at and Borough Council developments could be made to include accessible equipment.   He did point out that the equipment was very expensive.  He advised that himself and his team were available to offer advice. 

The Assistant Director added that there might be funding opportunities available in relation to the benefit of physical exercise through the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Board and suggested that having a ‘shovel-ready’ scheme would be advantageous.

It was suggested that this should be considered by Cabinet and that a recommendation be made from the Committee to Cabinet.

The Chair thanked Lexy, Tion, Kathryn and Daisy (Youth Commissioners) and Eloise and Noel from the Youth Advisory Board for attending the meeting and bringing the issue to the attention of the Committee.

RECOMMENDED:

(1)             Cabinet be invited to support a shovel ready scheme for the provision of accessible play equipment in the Walks should an opportunity for funding become available.

RESOLVED:

(2)             That the KLAAC Play Areas Informal Working Group, in partnership with the Youth Advisory Board, help to prepare a ‘shovel ready’ scheme that could be submitted for funding when the opportunity arises.

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.

Click here to view a recording of this item on You Tube

The Committee considered its work programme and the Cabinet Forward Decision List

That the following items be added to the Committee’s Work Programme:

·         Bus Shelters

·         West Lynn Ferry

The next meeting is scheduled for 20 March 2023.

The next meeting of the Committee would be held on Monday 20 March 2023 at 4.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.