Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bower and Beal.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of 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 simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There was none.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair 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 Chair of their intention to do so and what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.  

Councillors Kemp, Hudson and Nockolds.

If any.

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The Chair explained that she had been passed correspondence from Hunstanton Town Council, James Wild MP, the Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Finance and the Chair of Hunstanton Advisory Group, all expressing their support for the Levelling Up Fund Bid in relation to the Hunstanton Oasis.

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Norfolk County Council officers presented the report which provided an overview of Norfolk County Council’s proposed application under the Transport strand of round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund and set out the proposed scheme to be submitted by 6 July 2022.  The Borough Council were being asked to indicate their support for the application.

It was noted that the project was still in its early stages of development.

A copy of the presentation is attached.

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

Councillor Bone made reference to the Ford Garage and asked why this was planned to be retained.  Officers explained that the project was still in its early stages and could be subject to change.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Gidney made reference to Hardings Way and how drivers could get frustrated when they were stuck in traffic and this route was not being used.  He also made reference to air quality and that the architecture of the area.

Councillor Jones commented that cyclists need to be accommodated and he had concerns regarding the safety of the proposed route.  The Panel was reminded that plans and drawings were indicative at this stage.  Key user groups and stakeholder groups would be involved in the development process as required.

Councillor Moriarty made reference to air quality and hoped that the areas included in the proposals would be monitored now, so that when schemes were put in place the areas could be compared.  He also made reference to an error within the Equalities Impact Assessment Form within the report, which would be corrected.  Officers explained that Norfolk County Council and the Borough Council would work together to look at air quality issues and monitoring.

Councillor de Whalley referred to West Norfolk Bicycle User Group and expressed some of their concerns relating to crossings, junctions, and the area around the Cattle Market car park.  Officers explained that these issues would be looked at as the scheme was developed.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  She felt that the Southgates area was an accident black spot and any proposals needed to ensure safety for cyclists.  She made reference to additional traffic which would be associated with the West Winch development, the importance of clean connectivity and the importance of the Ferry as a route into the town centre.

Councillor Hudson addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  She commented that if the Ford Garage was demolished this would provide additional space to increase the width of the road and add cycle lanes.

In response to a question from Councillor Humphrey, it was explained that detailed costings would be looked at, along with contingency plans.  It was explained that the proposed land contribution from the Borough Council was subject to further development work and would come back to the Cabinet for approval.

RESOLVED: That the Regeneration and Development Panel  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD26:

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Officers presented the report which had been included in the agenda and summarised the business case for St George’s Guildhall and Creative Hub project for approval by Cabinet in the Council’s capacity as the “Accountable Body” to MHCLG and as part of the Council’s role on the Town Deal Board.

A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Guildhall Complex and Creative Hub Task Group had met the day before this meeting to consider the Business Case.  The Chair of the Task Group, Councillor Nockolds provided a summary of the Task Group discussion, which had also been circulated to the Panel in advance of the meeting.  She explained that the Task Group generally supported the proposals, with their main concern being that more detail of the Creative Hub needed to be included in the Business Case.

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

Councillor Morley who was on the Task Group commented that the main issue was the visibility of the Creative Hub within the Business Case.  He also felt that a letter of support from the College of West Anglia would be beneficial to support the educational packages.  Councillor Morley also highlighted the financial risk to the Borough Council should the CIO fail.

The Assistant Director explained that more information on the Creative Hub could be included in future documents.

Councillor de Whalley who was on the Task Group explained that he had raised concern with the visitor numbers, timescales, and the future of the Creative Hub.

In response to questions from Councillor Moriarty, it was explained that the nature of the site meant that it could be developed in phases and the project could be scaled down if full funding was not awarded.  Other funding opportunities would also be explored.  It was explained that the Business Case had been presented for Independent Assessment, which had come back as satisfactory.  The Town Deal had also agreed the draft business case.

In response to a question from Councillor Jones, it was explained that a variety of groups would be engaged in activities.

Councillor Nockolds, Chair of the Task Group, informed the Panel that once the CIO had been established they would have the opportunity to bid for funding which was only available to Charitable organisations.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  She supported the project which would benefit residents of the Borough, raised concerns about finances and commented that improvements to the Ferry landing was required.  It was confirmed that improvements to the Ferry were not part of this project and there was a local assurance framework process which had to be signed off by the S151 Officer.

Councillor Hudson addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and was informed that revenue detail was included in the paperwork.

The Chair commented that she was keen for the project to include activities for  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD27:

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The Chief Executive presented the item and thanked officers from Norfolk County Council who had assisted in preparing the application.  It was explained that the preferred scheme, which was a replacement leisure centre in Hunstanton, would be subject to more development work and due diligence.

Officers presented the report which provided an overview of the government’s Levelling Up Fund round two prospectus and requirements and opportunities for the Borough Council to submit an application, as a category, location by 6^th July 2022.  There were two options which had been considered, with the Hunstanton Oasis being the preferred option.

A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Chair thanked officers for their report and invited questions and comments from Members, as summarised below.

In response to a question from Councillor Crofts, it was explained that the running of the facility was not a consideration in this application and Members were reminded that the project would be subject to development work.

Councillor Morley favoured the Oasis option and asked if it would impact car parking and other projects in Hunstanton.  The Chief Executive explained that this project would not impact on the redevelopment of Hunstanton Bus Station and the library.  The site proposed for the Oasis was currently under the Council’s control, but other sites would be looked at as part of due diligence.

Councillor de Whalley made reference to the NORA proposal and officers explained that there were likely to be other funding opportunities available to take this project forward at a later date.

In response to a question from Councillor Bone, it was explained that the existing facility would be kept open whilst new facilities were developed and then opportunities for the current Oasis site would be looked at.  It was hoped that the new proposed facility would appeal to visitors and residents.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and commented that she supported the proposals for Hunstanton and asked if there would be discounts for residents.  Officer explained that Alive West Norfolk currently had concession schemes, a GP referral scheme and worked in the community across the Borough.

In response to a question from Councillor Moriarty, it was explained that the budget being asked for would come from the reserves and would be used for due diligence and exploratory work.  Should the application fail, then this work would be ready for any other potential funding opportunities. 

The Chair commented that it was important that something was done with the Oasis site if it became vacant as it was a prime seafront site.

RESOLVED: That the Regeneration and Development Panel supports the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below.

CABINET RECOMMENDATION:

1.     To approve submission of the Oasis project under round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund as set out in the report.

2.     Delegated authority is granted to the Chief Executive and S151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader and Portfolio  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD28:

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on Thursday 21^st July 2022 at 4.30pm in the Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel was scheduled to take place on Thursday 21^st July 2022 at 4.30pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.