Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: Councillor Michael Howland was appointed Vice Chairman for the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs E Nockolds and Mrs A Wright.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the previous meeting 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 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 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.

The Regeneration Programmes Manger explained that the workshop would look at activity on the River Ouse.  She reminded those present that the Panel had received information and been involved with the Riverfront Masterplan and explained that through consultation on the Riverfront it had become apparent that additional activity on the River may be supported.  She asked Members to put forward their aspirations and ideas and then suggestions could be looked at.  The Panel was reminded that the River was under the jurisdiction of the Conservancy Board.

Captain Patrick Jary, Harbourmaster, was present at the meeting and he explained that he was willing to work with the Council and looked forward to hearing Members thoughts and ideas on encouraging activity on the River. 

The Agenda provided information on existing uses and activities on the River and potential future uses.  The Panel was reminded that previous use of jet skis on the River had resulted in complaints from local residents.

The Chairman thanked the Harbourmaster for attending the meeting and invited questions and comments from the Panel, to the Harbourmaster and officers, as summarised below.

The Panel discussed the Pontoons and the Harbourmaster explained that he would be prepared to discuss with the Council the future management and operation of the Pontoons, but highlighted that Management of the Pontoons would be resource intensive.  Those present discussed potential improvements that could be made to the Pontoons in the future.

The Panel was informed that a project had previously been developed to tidy up the Fisher Fleet, however it would require a Harbour Revision Order and funding for the project would be required.

It was suggested that a footbridge could be installed across the River.  The Harbourmaster explained that safety issues would need to be considered, for instance it would need to be far enough away from any berthed boats in case they were swept down river by a bore tide.

Members broke out into workshop sessions to look at River activity on the great Ouse.  The following suggestions and ideas were put forward:

·        Expansion of the Pontoons was generally supported with a mix of permanent and residential berths.  Improvements could be made to the facilities available for example toilets and showers.

·        Continue to be involved in Sail the Wash and look at promoting the Wash further afield, for instance Holland.

·        The Ferry was an important resource for visitors and commuters to the town.  Consideration to be given to increasing car parking facilities on the West Lynn side.

·        River cruises and fishing trips.

·        Events including kite festivals, rowing club events, regattas, floating festivals and fireworks.

·        The Panel supported the continued use of the River for the Hanse Water Ski race and it was suggested that more events like this could be put on during the year.

·        Improvements to slipways.

·        Ensure that the TIC promoted the Pontoons.

·        Improvements to lighting along the Riverfront to give it more of a promenade feel.

·        King’s Lynn should be facing the River and not have its back to it.  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD48:

Members thanked the THI Project Officer for the tour of the Townscape Heritage Initiative area which had been conducted prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED: A further tour be arranged for approximately six months’ time so that Members could see the progress which had been made.

Executive Summary is attached, or the full strategy can be viewed at http://www.newanglia.co.uk/new-economic-strategy/

The Regeneration, Heritage and Economic Development Manager presented the Norfolk and Suffolk Economic Strategy which had been created by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.  He explained that it was a Government requirement for Local Enterprise Partnerships to provide an Economic Plan which would be used to guide its work and investment up to 2036.

The Regeneration, Heritage and Economic Development Manager reminded the Panel that the document had been created by the Local Enterprise Partnership, not by the Council, but the Council attended several stakeholder engagement meetings at Member and officer level.  Cabinet would be asked to endorse the document at their next meeting.

The Chairman thanked the Regeneration, Heritage and Economic Development Manager for the information and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

Councillor Collingham felt that the document was good, but asked where the funds would come from for all the improvements required to the railway and roads.  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Long explained that it was a Government requirement for the Local Enterprise Partnership to create the Strategy, which would be used to bid for funding and identify the priorities for the area.  He felt that the improvements to the Ely North Junction were a high priority for the whole of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership area.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Leader explained that the Local Enterprise Partnership was mindful that if jobs were created and there was additional economic activity, this would have an impact on housing requirements.  He explained that the strategy also referred to the benefits of tourism.

RESOLVED: The Regeneration and Development Panel noted the Strategy.

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 paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”.

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 items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Corporate Project Officer provided Members with detail on proposals on how the Council could enable stalled sites in the Borough to be developed (as attached).  Detail was provided on the process for determining a stalled site, development appraisals and the delegated powers which would be required.  The draft Policy would be subject to a future Cabinet report.

The Chairman thanked the Corporate Project Officer for his presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel.  The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Projects and Assets explained that he had asked for this policy to be developed to address difficult sites.  He explained that work would be carried out with the Derelict Land and Buildings Group and that the Council would also take into consideration any risks, such as dealing with contamination issues.

The Leader of the Council encouraged Members to pass on details on any sites in their Wards which caused dis-amenity or antisocial behaviour to see if they would fit into the scheme.

The Panel acknowledged that the internal resources available would determine how many sites could be progressed through the Policy.

RESOLVED: The Regeneration and Development Panel supported the Policy for enabling stalled sites across the Borough to be developed.

The Performance and Information Officer provided the Panel with an update on One Public Estate – Hunstanton Regeneration (as attached).  The Panel was informed that all relevant sites would be subject to normal planning rules including gaining Planning Permission if required.

The Chairman thanked the Performance and Information Officer for her presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel.

The Panel was informed that meetings had been held with the Borough Councillors and County Councillor representing Hunstanton and Hunstanton Town Council.  All parties were generally supportive of the proposals. 

RESOLVED: The Regeneration and Development Panel noted the update.

Members of the Panel were reminded that an eform was 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: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 12^th December 2017 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be held on Tuesday 12^th December at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.