Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: Councillor Bone was appointed Vice Chair for the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Blunt, Dickinson and Heneghan.

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.

Assistant Director Duncan Hall declared an interest in RD87: Acquisition of Homes as he was a Director of West Norfolk Housing Company.

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 Heneghan (remotely) and Kemp.

If any.

There was none.

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

The Assistant Director presented the report which provided an update on the Lynnsport 1 development and sought final approval to proceed with the scheme.  A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Crofts commented that the Internal Drainage Board Easement Strip was wider than he expected, and the Assistant Director explained that this was at the request of the Internal Drainage Board.

In response to further questions from Councillor Crofts relating to air source heat pumps, the Assistant Director explained that technology had improved, and they required the same amount of maintenance as a gas boiler.  He explained that retrospective installations could be problematic, but they were generally fine in new builds.  He explained that modern air source heat points were virtually silent.

Councillor Colwell asked about piling foundations and the impact on residents and the Assistant Director explained that a different type of piling would be carried out which was quieter.  Inspections and reports would also be carried out as required.

In response to a further question from Councillor Colwell, the Assistant Director explained that a traffic management plan would be adopted for the site and the plan for Marsh Lane would also be implemented at the same time.  Councillor Colwell asked if the Panel should consider a recommendation to Cabinet for a second raised table in the area and additional traffic calming measures.  The Assistant Director explained that a request could be made to Norfolk County Council Highways.

Councillor Collingham asked who would be responsible for ensuring the site was complete and the Assistant Director explained that the Council had a Clerk of Works who regularly inspected to ensure all was up to standard and it would be up to the Council, as the developer, to ensure that the site was complete and that the necessary adoptions were in place.

In response to a question from Councillor Collingham it was explained that the proposed large windows may have to be reduced in size to comply with Building Regulations.

Councillor Bone asked what would happen to excess energy generated through the solar panels, would there be battery storage opportunities, and who would get the revenue from any energy transferred back into the national grid.  The Assistant Director explained that battery storage had not been considered at this stage and storage of energy would depend on regulations.

In response to questions from Councillor Bubb it was explained that there was a connecting route through the site, and areas which were not adopted would be subject to a management agreement which transferred to property owners who would pay a company for maintenance.

The Assistant Director explained that work was carried out with schools on street naming.

Councillor Colwell referred to flood risk concerns from surface water and it was explained that an additional pumping station had been provided which  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD82:

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

It was suggested that a briefing on Planning Policy be presented to a future meeting of the Panel.

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 20^th February 2024 at 6.00pm in the Town Hall, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be held on Tuesday 20^th February 2024 at 6.00pm in the Town Hall.

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(4)(A) 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 Panel discussed the Exempt Appendix as contained in the report which related to the revenue and capital budget and costs.

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

Cabinet resolves:

1. To proceed with the Lynnsport 1 development to deliver 96 homes with Lovell Partnership Limited (LPL) under the Major Housing Partnership Development Management Agreement (30^th April 2015).

2. That the Executive Director (Place), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business and Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to approve the final terms of a Project Partnering Contract (PPC) 2000 with LPL to deliver this project.

3. That the Council shall dispose of the properties in accordance with the tenure mix as set out in Table 2 of the report.  In line with the corporate strategy.

4. Pending the transfers referred to at resolution 3 above, the affordable and private rented tenures may be leased to WNHC and WNPL respectively.

Recommendation to Full Council.

5. To approve the Capital budget estimate as detailed in section 5 and appendix 2 of the report.

The Housing Services Manager presented the report as included in the Agenda.

Assistant Director Duncan Hall declared an interest in this item as a Director of West Norfolk Housing Company.

The Panel was advised that an amended version of the report had been circulated to the Panel and the Housing Strategy Manager provided information on the amendments.  She also explained that there was an error in the recommendations and that the reference to Executive Director (Regeneration, Housing and Place), should be amended to Executive Director (Place).

The Housing Services Manager responded to questions relating to the sale price of the homes, interior specifics, to which it was confirmed that the interiors such as floors would be appropriate and specific for purpose, that the properties would be mainly used for families and would be subject to a management agreement.

The Portfolio Holder for People and Communities, Councillor Rust commented that she supported the proposals to assist in meeting the Councils housing needs for temporary accommodation and reducing the use of bed and breakfast accommodation.

RESOLVED: That the Regeneration and Development Panel supported the Cabinet recommendations as set out in the amended report.