Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Collingham.

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.

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Councillors Heneghan and Beales declared an interest in RD108 as Members of the King’s Lynn Town Deal Board.

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.  

Councillor Colwell was present remotely under Standing Order 34.

If any.

There was none.

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The Planning Control Manager presented the Cabinet Report.  It was noted that the CIL Spending Panel had delegated powers to approve and sign off applications up to £50k and those over £50k fell to Cabinet to decide.  There was one application over £50k during this round for Cabinet to consider, which was Terrington St John Parish Council – Purchase of former church as Village Hall.  £150,000 had been requested.

The Chair thanked the Planning Control Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Vice Chair spoke in support of the application and that it would be a welcome resource for the community.  In response to a question the Planning Control Manager confirmed that the Parish Council had supported the scheme with match funding.

The Chair supported the application and stated that a Village Hall Committee had been set up in 2004 and worked hard to raise funds.

In response to a question from Councillor Bone, it was confirmed that the asset would belong to the Parish.

Councillor Crofts noted that there wasn’t a village hall in the Village so the application should be supported.

Councillor Blunt asked if there would be any extra costs and it was explained that a reserve fund had been allocated as part of the project.

Councillor Kemp indicated her support for the application, but felt that more should be done for the West Lynn Footpath.

RESOLVED: That the Panel supports the recommendation to Cabinet as set out below:

That Cabinet consider and confirm the applications for CIL Infrastructure Funding.

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The Chair informed the Panel that he would like to set up an Infrastructure Informal Working Group.  Draft Terms of Reference would be worked up and presented to the Panel in due course.  The Informal Working Group would link in with the King’s Lynn Transport Strategy and future plans relating to Rail and Housing need.

Councillors indicated their interest in sitting on the Informal Working Group and the Chair explained that any other Members, not on the Regeneration and Development Panel who would like to be involved should contact him.

The Assistant Director commented that the session the Panel had previously, brainstorming ideas, had been useful and comments had been passed onto Norfolk County Council to feed into the King’s Lynn Transport Strategy.  He welcomed this Informal Working Group to focus on strategy and aspirations for Transport and Infrastructure.

The Panel considered the Work Programme and Forward Decisions List.   Councillor Bone asked for an update on Alive West Norfolk proposals to come to the Panel and it was explained that a report was scheduled to be presented to Cabinet in June and the Panel Chairs would decide between them which Panel would be best suited to consider the report. 

Councillor Dickinson referred to the ‘to be scheduled’ items on the Work Programme and asked if these could be programmed in.  The Chair agreed to look at this with officers at the sifting meeting.

Councillor Kemp commented that the forthcoming Economic Strategy needed to include Broadband provision and referred to a review of Broadband being carried out by BDUK.  The Assistant Director agreed to pass her comments onto the relevant officers and it was noted that the Panel were due to receive an update on the Economic Strategy at their meeting in June.

RESOLVED: 1. That the Regeneration and Development Panel establish an Infrastructure Informal Working Group comprising of Councillors Bearshaw, Bubb, Blunt and Kemp.  The Democratic Services Officer to arrange the first meeting of the Group and officers to work with the Chair of the Panel to produce draft Terms of Reference.

2. The Panel’s Work Programme for 2024/2025 was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 5^th June 2024 at 6.00pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be held on Wednesday 5^th June 2024 at 6.00pm in the Town Hall.

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The Assistant Director presented the Panel with information on the Riverfront RIBA Stage 3.  A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Assistant Director explained that the projects included in the presentation were Town Deal funded projects.  Project objectives and constraints were highlighted as part of the presentation along with information on how the proposals had been developed in response to feedback.

It was noted that RIBA stage 2 was the concept and RIBA stage 3, which was now being presented to the Panel, contained more detail, but was still subject to further consultation and refinement.

Custom House and Purfleet Quay

After receiving information from the Assistant Director on this element of the project, the Chair invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Chair commented that the use of natural light was good.

Councillor Bone commented that some of his residents were outraged by the use of glazed units and felt that this type of restoration was close to vandalism.  He commented that the best use of the Customs House was as a Tourist Information Centre, and this could be enhanced with an additional onsite offer such as retail. He also commented that making the building accessible was a positive, but questioned the removal of historical elements of the building to instal a lift.  Councillor Bone also did not feel that the design improved the Purfleet Quay and removed some of the historical assets.  The Assistant Director commented that resident and local business consultation events had taken place and there were quite a lot of dividing views and opinions.  He explained that discussions were still ongoing with Historic England on the design and pre-app advice had been sought.

In response to questions from the Vice Chair, Councillor Heneghan, it was explained that seating would be installed along the Purfleet and would be considerate of the event space.  The Anchor and Chain was still under discussion.

Councillor Beal commented that a food and beverage offer at the Custom House would ensure it was sustainable and it would be a desirable location for people to visit.  The Assistant Director agreed that it was a perfect area to sit and enjoy food and drinks, but ventilation, extraction and installation of a commercial kitchen was difficult for the Grade 1 Listed Building.

In response to a question from Councillor Bubb, it was explained that the Council did not own the Customs House, but had a lengthy lease, which would be renegotiated and extended as required.  It was explained that the owners of the building were supportive of the proposals as they wanted to see the site put to the best use.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Biodiversity, Councillor de Whalley asked what was envisaged for flood defences and it was explained that the design would ensure that the defences were not worse than before.

Councillor Crofts commented that the Customs House was suited for a food  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD108: