Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He advised that the meeting was being recorded and streamed via You Tube.

The Democratic Services Officer carried out a roll call to determine attendees.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lowe, Hudson and Kemp.

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

The minutes of the previous meeting 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 consider.

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 pusuant to Standing Order 34.

There was no Chair’s correspondence to report.

To receive an update on update on play areas within King’s Lynn.

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Nathan Johnson provided the Committee with an update on play areas within King’s Lynn.

Councillor Rust added that she had been part of the Informal Working Group who had reviewed the play areas within King’s Lynn but felt that there were still areas that could benefit from improvement.

Councillor Long, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services advised that if a review of play areas was undertaken then consideration should be given to the provision for older children.  He added that if the Committee made recommendations to Cabinet, then Cabinet would give consideration to those recommendations against the budgetary provision.

Councillor Rust added that the Committee did not have access to any funding. 

Councillor Wilkinson referred to the play areas on Fairstead which needed to be considered as it was not in a very good state. 

Councillor Long suggested that Councillor Wilkinson send details to the Leader, as he attended a Liaison Meeting with the Leader of Freebridge Community Housing together with the Chief Executives and could raise the issue at the next meeting.

N Johnson suggested that he would carry out a tour around the estate.  He also suggested that the Informal Working Group meet again and looked at a Ward at a time and formulate a plan.

By invitation of the Chair, Norfolk County Councillor Colwell addressed the Committee and made reference to the unadopted play areas in King’s Lynn, in particular King’s Reach.  He asked what the Borough Council was doing to put pressure on the developer.

N Johnson explained what the Borough Council expected to be able to adopt the play area.

Councillor Long added that under the planning permission granted play equipment had to be provided.  The liability would stay with the developer to make it safe, or they need to pay a commuted sum.  If the play area was not safe, then the developers were not meeting the obligation of the planning permission.

Councillor Rust added that this needed to be followed up by enforcement of the conditions.

The need for precise planning conditions when consent was granted was highlighted.

AGREED:       (1)        That the update be noted.

(2)        That a meeting of the Informal Working Group on Play Areas in King’s Lynn be arranged.

Inspector Ben Jarvis will provide the Committee with an update on Policing in King’s Lynn.

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The Chair welcomed Inspector Ben Jarvis and PC Paula Gilluley, Engagement Officer, to the meeting to give a presentation on Policing in King’s Lynn. 

Inspector Jarvis responded to questions in relation to:

·        The difference between domestic abuse and sexual offences

·        Neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.

·        People asking for money

·        Tolerance of cannabis

·        Scam emails, texts, etc

·        Bicycle theft

The Chair thanked the officers for attending the meeting.

To receive an update on the Parish Partnership award for 2022/23.

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The Democratic Services Officer advised the Committee that both schemes that had been put forward for Parish Partnership funding had been successful.  She also advised the Committee to start thinking of schemes for the next round of Parish Partnership Funding if the Committee was invited to submit bids.

Councillor Rust added that she would like some additional seating equipment at the Queen Elizabeth play area.  Councillor Mrs S Collop supported Councillor Rust on this.

AGREED:       That the update be noted.

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

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

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The Committee noted its work programme and the Cabinet’s Forward Decision List.

AGREED:        That the items be noted.

Monday 27 June 2022 at 4.30 pm in the Assembly Room, Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Committee would be held on Monday 27 June 2022 at 4.30 pm.