Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Suite, King's Court, Chapel Street, King's Lynn. View directions

Contact: Rebecca Parker, Democratic Services, 01553 616632 

Items
No. Item

RD55:

Apologies for absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Crofts.

RD56:

Minutes pdf icon PDF 78 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: The minutes from the Regeneration and Development Panel meeting held on 30th August 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

RD57:

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Bambridge – RD65: A letter had been circulated to the Panel from St Margaret’s and St Nicholas Forum of which she was a Member.

RD58:

Urgent Business

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.

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

RD59:

Members Present Pursuant to Standing Order 34

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Bubb – RD61 to RD68

Councillor Pope – RD61 to RD68.

RD60:

Chairman's Correspondence

If any.

Minutes:

The Chairman had received correspondence from Mike Barker, thanking him for the opportunity to come and speak to Members about the essential benefits of trees.

 

The Chairman had responded to the email and thanked Mike Barker for his presentation.

RD61:

A Tree Strategy for West Norfolk

Richard Morrish from Richard Morrish Associates will be attending the meeting.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman explained that he had added this item onto the Agenda following discussions with Members of the Green Infrastructure Co-ordination Group and had invited Rick Morrish to the meeting to provide detail on how a Tree Strategy for West Norfolk could be put in place.

 

The Chairman welcomed Richard Morrish to the Meeting.  Richard Morrish explained that he was a Landscape Architect, Member of the Civic Society and sat on the Green Infrastructure Co-ordination Group.

 

Richard Morrish circulated his review of the existing Borough Council Policies relating to Green Infrastructure and Trees and how he thought they could be improved.  He felt that a clear strategy for trees was the missing link.  He explained that there was a tree crisis with some species being lost to diseases and provided detail of other environmental factors which had an impact on trees.  He also acknowledged that resources and funding for Local Government were stretched already.

 

Councillor Mrs Spikings commented that she did not feel that this was the right way to have this dialogue and perhaps this matter, in its initial stages, should be discussed by the Local Plan Task Group, the relevant Portfolio Holder and officers.  The Site Allocations and Development Management Policies had been found Sound by the Inspector.

 

Richard Morrish felt that the Council’s vision needed to be clearer in relation to Green Infrastructure.  He commented that a simple goal or pledge should be introduced, such as, increasing the amount of trees in the Borough by 10% by 2026.  Richard Morrish commented that he would be available to assist the Council, if required, to develop a Tree Strategy and would do so on a voluntary basis, as he felt that this was a very important issue in the Borough.

 

The Chairman thanked Richard Morrish for attending the meeting and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

 

In response to a question, Richard Morrish explained that surveys would have to be undertaken to ascertain how many trees there were in the Borough so that the 10% increase could be calculated.  The Executive Director explained that the Borough Council had an Arboriculturalist Officer who inspected trees on a regular basis and maintained a tree register.

 

Reference was made to the historic nature of King’s Lynn and the mediaeval drains and tunnels which ran under the town centre.  Richard Morrish acknowledged that some Conservation Areas may not be suitable and planting would need to be targeted.

 

Comments were made relating to areas around the Hardwick Industrial Estate and how tree planting was not appropriate in some areas because of highways safety and visibility.

 

Councillor Mrs Spikings explained that she was the Chairman of the Planning Committee and felt that it was unfair to say that the Council did not have enough regard to trees.  She explained that the Planning Committee took a serious view on applications which would involve tree felling and had refused some applications on this basis when they felt that it was important for trees  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD61:

RD62:

Feedback from the Talk on the Essential Benefits of trees.

Minutes:

The Chairman reminded those present that he had arranged a talk on the essential benefits of trees which Members, officers and Parish Councillors had been invited to attend.  The Chairman invited feedback from the Panel.

 

The general consensus of the Panel was that the presentation raised many issues.  The Panel acknowledged the importance of trees, but felt that the presentation did not serve a purpose and it was noted that the presentation had been provided by a Commercial business.

 

The Vice Chairman commented that the Panel should concentrate on issues that they could influence and policy development.

 

The Chairman accepted the comments of the Panel and explained that he felt trees were an important topic and he could look at different ways of working in the future.

 

Councillor Mrs Spikings, in her capacity as Chairman of the Planning Committee, suggested that consideration be given to linking with Planning Committee training.  She explained that the Planning Committee regularly received training from officers which was very useful.  If the training related to the work of the Regeneration and Development Panel as well, they could be invited to attend.

 

The Leader of the Council commented that he welcomed that the Chairman was being proactive and looking at taking the Panel in a different direction, however, there needed to be a worthwhile outcome.  He felt that discussions had been useful and tree planting would be looked at in new developments.  He explained that the Green Infrastructure Coordination Group would be taking forward the Green Infrastructure Policy.

RD63:

Leader Programme Update - Presentation from Norfolk County Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Andrew Thorpe from Norfolk County Council was present at the meeting.  He reminded the Panel that representatives from Norfolk County Council had attended the meeting a year ago to provide an update on the Rural Development Strategy and Leader Funding.  Andrew Thorpe provided an update on the work of the Leader Programme as attached.

 

The Chairman thanked Andrew Thorpe for his presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

 

Andrew Thorpe responded to questions and explained that some of the individuals involved in the project were social services referrals or job centre referrals.  He explained that they were not paid employees, but the opportunity could enhance their chances of moving onto employment. 

 

He explained that once the UK left the European Union, other sources of funding would need to be looked at.  He confirmed that all projects which had been contracted before the UK left the EU would be safe until the end of the project.

 

Andrew Thorpe confirmed that the Funding was available to Charities, not for profit organisations and social enterprises.

 

The Panel was informed that stringent checks were carried out before any funding was awarded.  The organisation had to prove a need and prove that the project was sustainable.  Cash flow projections were required and it was confirmed that some applications had been rejected as they could not satisfy that there was a real demand for the project or that it would be sustainable.

 

The Chairman thanked Andrew Thorpe for attending the meeting.

 

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

RD64:

Principle behind the Capital and Investment Strategy

Members of the Corporate Performance Panel are invited to attend for this item.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Assistant Director presented the Panel with information on the Capital and Investment Strategy.  A copy of the Assistant Director’s presentation is attached and the following points were highlighted:

 

·         The last review was carried out in 2009.

·         It was hoped that the revised strategy would afford more flexibility.

·         The Strategy would be presented to Cabinet in January 2017 and any comments received by the Panel would be incorporated into the Cabinet report.

 

The Chairman thanked the Assistant Director for her presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

 

Investment in the local area was supported and it was requested that consideration be given to the rural areas.  Investments should not just focus on the Town Centres of King’s Lynn, Downham Market and Hunstanton, but also in the wider rural areas.

 

The Assistant Director explained that the Council had funds invested in assets already.  The intention was to look at funds which were currently invested in traditional counterparties.  She explained that investment opportunities would only be looked at if they fitted in with the Council’s Corporate Priorities and were advantageous to the Council.

 

The Leader of the Council explained that the investments in banks were earning little interest and if there was an opportunity to yield more it should be considered.

 

The Assistant Director confirmed that if the Panel would like to make any further comment on the Policy that they could email her.

 

RESOLVED: The comments of the Panel would be taken into consideration.

RD65:

St George's Guildhall Complex pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel received a report which detailed progress with proposals for the St George’s Guildhall Complex and the submission of a grant to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 

The Executive Director reminded the Panel that they had received information on the project and this was an update before the Heritage Lottery Fund Stage 1 application was submitted.  He explained that since their last update a consultation exercise had been carried out, the results of which had been included in the agenda.  He highlighted that there had been some negative responses to the consultation, predominantly relating to the seating numbers for the Guildhall.  The Executive Director explained that meetings had been held with representatives from the main user groups which had been beneficial in setting out proposed options for seating arrangements.  The favoured option which was being looked at was to have half of the auditorium as fixed tiered seating and half with removable seating.  This option would provide the seating capacity requested by the user groups as well as the flexibility to offer different seating arrangements for smaller performances.  The flat floor area would give much greater flexibility in use of the Guildhall particularly for daytime activities.

 

The Executive Director referred to the report which provided details of previous studies on the Arts Centre over the last 17 years.  He explained that it was unnecessary to bring in more consultants to carry out work which had already been done, so elements of previous studies had been incorporated into the scheme.

 

The Principal Project Surveyor provided the Panel with details of the project and proposed plans.  He explained that an initial project enquiry had been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund and favourable feedback had been received.  Historic England had also been consulted on the project.  The Panel was informed that the project included installation of a lift and a glass structure to link all of the spaces.  Options for the White Barn would also be looked at, although this was outside of the Heritage Lottery Fund application.

 

The Principal Project Surveyor explained that the next steps would be for the Project Team to work up the proposals and the Stage 1 Heritage Lottery Fund Bid.  It was hoped that the Bid would be submitted by the November deadline and if successful delivery of the project could commence in early 2019.  The Panel was informed that it was important that the Bid was of a high standard and included all the necessary detail.  If it was not possible to pull all of the information together by the Heritage Lottery Fund deadline it would have slip to the next deadline.

 

The Executive Director explained that officers had met with the Heritage Lottery Fund and Heritage England and received positive feedback.  Architects had also met with the Quantity Surveyors and estimated costs drawn up.  An estimated cost of £3m for the Capital works of the project had been calculated.  The activity plan cost would be approximately £300,000.  Work was still ongoing on costs as  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD65:

RD66:

Exclusion of Press and Public

To consider passing the following resolution:

 

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RD67:

EXEMPT - Asset Management - Council Development Sites

Minutes:

The Panel received a report from the Property Services Manager on proposals for development sites owned by the Borough Council together with options for the Cabinet to consider.

 

The Cabinet report and covering Panel report had been included in the Agenda.  The Property Services Manager explained that this report linked in with the Capital and Investment Strategy which the Panel received information on earlier in the meeting.

 

The Chairman thanked the Property Services Manager for his report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

 

·         It was important to be proactive and not miss opportunities because of the sometimes slow Democratic process.

·         More information how the changes would fit in with the Democratic process would be required.

 

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet be informed that the Regeneration and Development Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report.

RD68:

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 69 KB

Minutes:

The Panel discussed the items which had been considered at this evening’s meeting.  It was requested that the Panel focus on Policy Development and things that they could influence, rather than receiving presentations and reports to note which could take up a lot of time at the meeting.

 

The Panel discussed the items on the Work Programme for the next meeting and it was suggested that items which were for noting purposes be removed and just a couple of items be considered at each meeting so that the Panel could have a detailed debate and make valuable contributions.

 

Items which were just for noting purposes could be presented to Members via other means, such as a pre-council briefing or an item in the Members Bulletin.

 

Members of the Panel were reminded that there was an eform available on the intranet which could be completed and submitted if Members had items which they would like to be considered for addition to the Work Programme.

 

RESOLVED: (i) The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

(ii) Items to be considered at future meetings be determined on how the Panel could have valuable input and how the Panel could assist in Policy Development.

(iii) The amount of items on the Agenda which were just for noting purposes be reduced.

(iv) That an item be added to the Agenda for the next meeting on the structure of the meetings and items for consideration.

RD69:

Date of the next meeting

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 30th November 2016 at 6.00pm in the Committee Suite, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1EX.

Minutes:

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 30 November 2016 at 6.00pm in the Committee Suite, King’s Court, Chapel Street, Kings Lynn.