Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beal, Dickinson and Moriarty.

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 Chair.

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.  

There was none.

If any.

There was none.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

The Panel was provided with an update on work to date carried out by the Informal Working Group.  The External Facilitator provided information on the thematic sessions that had been planned and how the outcomes from the sessions would be used to form an action plan, which would be presented to the Regeneration and Development Panel in due course.  A copy of the presentation is attached.

It was explained that the West Norfolk Tourism Development Plan 22-26 had been published and was available to view at https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/downloads/download/119/west_norfolk_tourism_strategy_documents. Agendas and Minutes from the Tourism Informal Working Group Meetings were also available for Members to view on the Mod Gov Intranet.

The Assistant Director explained that it was important for Members to understand the background and the work carried out to date by the Group and suggested that a session be arranged to look back at the work carried out, what had been distilled from the working group sessions and common themes which could then be reviewed by Members.  The Chair agreed that this should be presented to a future meeting of the Panel for consideration.

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

Councillor Crofts commented that work needed to be done to encourage coach trips into King’s Lynn.  He suggested that research should be carried out on why King’s Lynn was not a destination for coach trips.  He commented that coach parking should be made available on the Tuesday Market Place so that facilities were nearby.

Councillor Kemp commented that the promotion of tourism was important as well as maintaining the Listed Buildings that King’s Lynn had, including the Carnegie Library and the Old Post Office Building.  She also commented that improvements were needed to the West Lynn Ferry to encourage visitors.  Councillor Kemp stated that she had been made aware of a roof leak at the Carnegie Library and had spoken to Norfolk County Council on this issue, but had not been able to access the latest structural survey.

Councillor Bone commented that the whole of the Borough needed to be considered, not just King’s Lynn.  He supported Councillor Croft’s comments relating to encouraging coach trips to King’s Lynn and building a package for coach operators.  Councillor Bone also referred to the importance of bringing leisure into the town centre to provide a combined offer of leisure and retail.  He also commented that more areas in the town centre should be pedestrianised.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Biodiversity, Councillor de Whalley commented that modal shift was important to reduce congestion in the town.

Councillor Ryves felt that King’s Lynn was not perceived as a good place to visit and issues needed to be addressed.  He felt that car parking was an issue along with a lack of accommodation, meaning that only day trippers visited and overnight stays should be promoted.  He also asked if  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD34:

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager provided an update on the Southgate’s Regeneration Area and Ian Parkes from Norfolk County Council provided an update on the STARS project.  A copy of the presentation is attached.

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

The Vice Chair, Councillor Heneghan asked for consideration to be given to tidying up the areas surrounding the Southgate’s roundabout and the realignment of Hardwick Road.  She also commented that there was a problem with congestion around Vancouver Avenue and London Road and that pollution levels needed to be considered.  The Assistant Director explained that funding was currently awarded for the STARS scheme and other funding opportunities to carry out the work set out in the Masterplan would be explored.

Councillor Bone raised concerns relating to safety around the Schools and asked if consideration could be given to making some roads one way to reduce congestion and traffic.  He welcomed the introduction of green spaces in the area and hoped that the existing park, and the historic importance of it would be retained.  Officers explained that the presentation showed the areas which were covered by the overall Masterplan and the areas that were covered by the funded STARS scheme.  The park and landscaping across the masterplan area would be enhanced and archaeological assessments were being carried out as required.  Ian Parkes explained that the proposals would go through safety audits and Norfolk County Council would look at the best way to manage traffic.

Councillor Kemp referred to comments that the work would cause more congestion at certain times and she felt that improvements to footpaths and the West Lynn Ferry would help to alleviate traffic.  She also asked for guarantees that residents would have safe access from driveways and that any plans needed to be accommodating to businesses and residents in the area.  The Assistant Director commented that this was a place making scheme to improve the area and it was inevitable that the improvement works would cause some inconvenience but it was hoped that work would start to change the behaviours of peoples movements around the town centre.

Councillor Colwell referred to the public consultation which proved that people wanted to see a change in this area.  He hoped that consideration would be given to the safety of people walking down London Road and ensuring that there were proper cycle routes and links to the Quay.

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Marketing and Events, Councillor Ring welcomed the comments put forward by the Panel and acknowledged that the proposals would increase congestion during certain times, but would bring many other long term benefits.

Councillor Kemp commented that walking and cycling should be encouraged along Harding’s Way.

Councillor Ryves explained that the Masterplan could not be looked at in isolation and car parking needed to be considered.  He also felt that improvements should be made to Hardwick  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD35:

Any questions should be submitted to Democratic Services in advance of the Meeting.

No questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

Councillor Kemp requested that an update on the future of the Carnegie Library be presented to a future Panel meeting.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Decision List was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 17^th October 2023 at 6.00pm.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be held on 17^th October 2023 at 6.00pm in the Town Hall, King’s Lynn.

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”.

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube.

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.

The Chair explained that he would like the Panel to consider the long term plans for the area in relation to transport and traffic.

The Panel held a discussion on the possibility of a parkway rail station and the potential benefits this could bring to King’s Lynn especially with the additional housing which would be required to meet the housing needs assessment and future development.  The Assistant Director explained that lots of options were being explored and a representative from Norfolk County Council could be invited to hold a discussion with the Panel on future opportunities.

Information was provided and questions were responded to by officers present at the meeting from the Borough Council and Norfolk County Council relating to the development of the Car Parking Strategy and Transport Strategy for King’s Lynn over the coming months.