Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Beales, N Daubney, M Hopkins (T Bubb substitute), M Howland, A Tyler, M Tilbury.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the Joint Panel Meeting held on 24^th June 2015 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

Those 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 simple observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There was none.

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 none.

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 was none.

If any.

There was none.

None.

There was none.

To receive an update on the work of the Leisure Trust.

(i) Alive Leisure

The Chief Executive of Alive Leisure presented the Panel with information on the first seven months operation of the Trust.  The arrangements had been put in place in order to deliver significant financial savings to the Council.  Those present were reminded that a lot of work had been involved in setting up the complex arrangements.  Alive Leisure was an independent Trust and a Charity.  The arrangements also involved Alive Management Limited and the Borough Council.

Alive Leisure went live on 1^st September 2014 and as part of the contractual arrangements Alive Leisure was required to present to the Panel twice a year.

The Chief Executive of Alive Leisure explained that a Trust Board had been established, made up of volunteers which were bound by Articles of Association.

The Panel was provided with an overview of the Alive Leisure Board structure.  The Trust had established several Committees, including Governance, Audit and Strategy Committees, all which reported to the Alive Trust Board of Directors.

The Chief Executive explained that a lot of work had been carried out since the arrangements went live, which included the development of various policies and plans.  Those present were reminded that Alive Leisure’s Business Plan had previously been presented to the Regeneration, Environment and Community Panel.

The Trust was a Charity and therefore had established charitable objectives as follows:

·         To promote for the benefit of the public, particularly in West Norfolk, activities regardless of age, ability, infirmity, financial hardship, social or economic circumstances.

·         An active and healthy lifestyle.

·         Advancement of the arts, culture or heritage, drama, creative dance, movement, music for everyone.

To meet the charitable objectives of the Trust, various initiatives and activities had been provided, such as the Alive Leisure Card, inclusive activities and a GP referral programme.

The Chief Executive of the Trust provided detail of the Trust’s performance for the first seven months of operation.  A surplus of £154,000 had been achieved.  In accordance with agreed arrangements the first £50,000 of the surplus went to Alive Leisure with the rest of the surplus being split 50/50 between the Council and Alive Leisure.  A recent meeting between Alive Leisure and Alive Management had been held and both Boards of Directors had agreed to reinvest part of their share of the surplus and proposals on how to reinvest were being considered.  The remaining surplus available to the Leisure Trust would be used to build up their reserves. 

The Chief Executive of Alive Leisure explained that there had been some challenges since the arrangements went live.  Dealing with three different entities had been challenging as this involved three sets of bank accounts, auditors etc.  There had also been some issues with IT services and the provision of an online booking system and delays in the production of the accounts, due to the complexity involved, but issues were in the process of being resolved.

Those present were provided with statistics relating to Key Performance Indicators which had been set up by the Trust.  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD&EC36

The above report is on the Cabinet Forward Decision List for 28 July 2015 and has been identified by the Chairman for consideration by the Panel.

The Panel are requested to consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager and the Regeneration Project Officer presented the Cabinet report which detailed the Stage 1 approval from the Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People funding programme for the Seafront gardens and associated open spaces of the Green in Hunstanton.

The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager explained that the project would involve a comprehensive restoration of the seafront area to celebrate the original vision of Hunstanton.  The project would include activities and training events to engage local people and increase the awareness of the heritage of the town.

The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager informed those present that representatives from the Heritage Lottery Fund had visited the project area.  A stage 2 bid would now be put together and submitted and, if successful, the Heritage Lottery Fund would contribute 80% of the project cost - £656,600.  The Council would fund the remaining 20% - £164,145.  Those present were provided with a breakdown of how the money would be spent which included capital works and activities.  Activities included the recruitment of two apprentices, training for volunteers and other awareness raising activities.

The Regeneration Project Officer informed those present that the Stage 2 submission would be put together and submitted in February 2016.  It was hoped that a decision on Stage 2 would be available in June 2016 and then works could be planned to start out of season in late 2016.

The Chairman thanked the officers for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Chairman commented that she was not unsupportive of the scheme, but suggested that the project could be perceived as a lot of money to be spent on a Green Space area.  She asked how consultees would be engaged in out of season periods.  The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager explained that the consultation period would be ongoing throughout the Stage 2 bid development process and as soon as the initial concept was available consultation on the scheme would commence.  The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager explained that the Heritage Lottery Fund had given Stage 1 approval to the scheme meaning that they felt that it would be a worthwhile and beneficial scheme which they were prepared to potentially award funding to.

The Executive Director explained that the money would be used for much more than just the Green Space area and would improve shelters, fencing, paths etc.  The Executive Director explained the potential award of funding would enable the Council to carry out works to future proof the area and any future capital funding required in the area would be reduced.

Councillor Mrs Bower commented that tourism was very important for Hunstanton and the areas included in the project were well used by visitors, but were in need of attention.  She commented that the project would be a very good investment for the Council as if tourism grew, so would the local economy.

Councillor Mrs Watson reiterated the comments made by Councillor Mrs Bower.  She explained  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD&EC37

To receive information from the Policy and Partnerships Manager on the project.

The Policy and Partnerships Manager presented those present with information on the successful application of £272,606 for funding to deliver an innovative behaviour change programme to increase recycling rates.

The project would support people in permanently changing their habits around how they handled waste in the home.  It would be carried out on the basis of establishing behavioural change.

Work would be carried out to engage the community.  An engagement specialist would be recruited and Time Credits would be used as an incentive to become community recycling champions.

Preparatory work was underway for the two year project.  Data on recycling levels was being prepared and collated and information on the project had been provided to the media and Councillors through the Members Bulletin.  Once all the preparatory work  and procurement processes had been completed it was hoped that the project would commence in the autumn.  The Policy and Partnerships Manager agreed to come back to the Environment and Community Panel in approximately six months to provide an update on the project.

The Chairman thanked the Policy and Partnerships Manager for his presentation and invited questions and comments from both Panels, as summarised below.

Councillor Mrs Watson commented that it was important to work with children in schools and educate them on the benefits of recycling.

Councillor Moriarty referred to reference of Section E in the report, which had been omitted.  The Policy and Partnerships Manager apologised for the error and explained that section E was a reference to the original bid and set out the details of tonnages collected and the amount of contaminates.  He agreed to circulate the information to the Panel.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Long commented that although the Borough Council was one of the first to bring in and promote recycling, there was still a lot of educating the public to be carried out.  He agreed that work in schools to educate children should be carried out and awareness of what could be recycled and why items were recycled should be carried out.

In response to a question from Councillor Smith, the Policy and Partnerships Manager explained that the online programme provoked the user to carry out different activities and then feedback through the system.  The project team would also work to engage with users of the programme in developing it.

The Policy and Partnerships Manager referred to working with school children.  He explained that the Policy and Partnerships team already engaged with local schools and would utilise their existing links with the schools to promote this project.

RESOLVED: (i) The Regeneration & Development and Environment & Community Panel supported the Recycling Project.

(ii) That an update on progress be presented to the Panel in approximately six months.

To consider the attached Work Programme for 2015/2016.

In considering the draft Work Programme Members’ attention is drawn to the Cabinet Forward Decisions List.

The Chairman invited Members of both Panels to contact her if they had any items which they would like to add to the work programme.

Councillor Crofts referred to the next update from the Leisure Trust which was scheduled to take place in November.  He asked if prior to the meeting, a tour of Lynnsport could be conducted.

Councillor Shorting asked if an update on the effect of wind turbines in the Wash on the fishing industry could be provided at a future meeting.

RESOLVED: (i) The work programme and forward decision list was noted.

(ii) That the above items be considered for inclusion on the Panel Work Programme.

To note that the next Joint meeting of the Regeneration & Development and Environment & Community Panel is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 2 September 2015 at 6.00pm in the Committee Suite, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.

The next joint meeting of the Regeneration & Development and Environment & Community Panel was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 2 September 2015 at 6.00pm in the Committee Suite, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1EX.