Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Morley.

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.  

Councillor Nockolds.

If any.

There was none.

To give the Panel the opportunity to comment on the Town Centre Repurposing and Public Realm proposals.

To receive information on:

-        Results of the pop up survey (attached)

-        Trends Analysis

-        Towns Fund Public Realm proposal.

Vicky Etheridge from the King’s Lynn Business Improvement District has also been invited to the meeting for this item.

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

The Regeneration Programmes Manager presented the results of the Pop-Up Survey, which had been included in the Agenda and explained that the results would be used to inform future Towns Fund Business Cases and assist with the Community Renewal Fund project work.

Vicky Etheridge from the Business Improvement District provided the Panel with details of the successful bid to the Community Renewal Fund which would fund pop up space, business support and digital media skills for business.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager provided detail of the Town Centre Public Realm Business Case.  Information was provided on the Green Book Appraisal process, finances, and the Strategic Case.  It was also highlighted that the project was informed and co-produced by the Town Deal Board Sub-Group which included the Ward Members.

The proposed project included finger post directional signage, Artwork Trail, outdoor seating, tree planters, digital signage, and improvements to the street scene at Purfleet Street.

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

Councillor Jones commented that he liked the proposals for Purfleet Street and felt that this was a good way to promote the area.

Councillor Holmes referred to the Business Confidence Survey which had been carried out in 2020 and asked if this would be re-run.  The Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that there were no immediate plans to re-run this survey, but targeted surveys and engagement would be carried on going forward.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Gidney asked how the project would be managed and the Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that the workstreams would be part of the Regeneration Team workload and include input from the Tourism and Commercial Services Team.  For the Artwork Trail, discussions were being held with Norfolk Museums Service.

It was also noted that this was a small-scale project compared to some of the other projects included in the King’s Lynn Town Deal and larger projects may require specialist and external support.

The Chair, Councillor Collingham highlighted the challenges to bring footfall into the town and felt that it was good to have a balance between online and in person sales. 

Councillor Bower thanked officers for the positive presentation and hoped that it could be replicated in Hunstanton.

RESOLVED: That the Panel supported the proposals prior to them being presented to the Town Deal Board.

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Vicky Etheridge from the Business Improvement District provided an update on the Christmas Market in King’s Lynn. 

There would be 25 stall holders and the market would take place inside the vacant Argos building in the Town Centre.

Posters, banners, online and newspaper advertising had been carried out and leaflets had been distributed.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

To consider the proposals and make any comments prior to consideration by the Cabinet.

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The Principal Project Manager and Housing Development Officer presented the report which set out a proposal to deliver custom and self-build development on council owned land at Bradfield Place, Stoke Ferry.  Officers gave a presentation to the Panel, as attached which included a background to Custom and Self Build and details of the proposals for the site at Bradfield Place, Stoke Ferry which had been worked up by the Custom and Self Build Task Group.

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

Councillor Crofts referred to Stoke Ferry Neighbourhood Plan and affordable housing.  It was explained that options for affordable custom build housing would be explored and initial discussions had been held with Stoke Ferry Parish Council.  It was noted that half of the site was allocated for housing within the Local Plan.

In response to a further question from Councillor Crofts, it was explained that issues such as maintenance of open spaces would be looked at in more detail as part of the planning application process.

In response to a question from Councillor Bambridge it was explained that the Council would procure an enabler through a tender process.  It was also confirmed that heating options would be considered and would be down to the individual custom builder.

Councillor Holmes made reference to consultation processes and plot passports.  It was explained that these would be dealt with during the planning application process.

In response to questions from Councillor de Whalley it was explained that council policies such as energy efficiency and climate change would also need to be considered as part of the custom build process.

It was also explained that the role of the enabler would be to advise on lenders and ensure that the purchasers had adequate finance in place.  The affordable housing provision could include shared ownership and various options were being investigated.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Gidney commented that a development theme was required, and continuity of design was important.

RESOLVED:

1. The Cabinet consider the comments made by the Regeneration and Development Panel on the Custom and Self Build Proposals for Council owned sites.

2. The Regeneration and Development Panel supported that a report be presented to Cabinet seeking delegated authority to procure the services of a Custom Build enabler to project manage the delivery of the site as custom and self-build housing.  The project to be reviewed at a certain point prior to any construction work being carried out to ensure that delivery of the site is viable.

At the last meeting Members were tasked with looking at the individual town centres in the Borough.  This is an opportunity to feedback to the Panel.

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The Chair invited feedback from Members of the Panel on developing a vision/strategy for Town Centres.  Discussions on encouraging coach trips to King’s Lynn and Town Centre caravan sites were also considered as part of this item.

King’s Lynn

Councillor Jones had circulated a document to the Panel in advance of the meeting relating to King’s Lynn.  He made reference to the benefits a University would bring to the town centre economy.

The Chair referred to short term goals such as improving hotels and restaurants, overcoming barriers to coach travel and joint offerings with Sandringham.  She hoped that the College of Nursing and the prospect of a new hospital could improve the local economy.

Councillor Jones also made reference to the night-time offering in the town centre.   

Councillor Bambridge referred to previous breakout sessions held by the Panel which looked at how people could be encouraged into King’s Lynn and she highlighted some of the ideas that the Panel had explored previously.

The panel discussed how to encourage bus trips to King’s Lynn and Councillor Nockolds, who was present at the meeting under Standing Order 34, explained that this was being looked at in conjunction with Vision King’s Lynn.

Hunstanton

Councillor Bower presented information on Hunstanton explaining that it had suffered during the Pandemic and new approaches and adaptations was important.  Tourism needed investment and pop-up shops for Hunstanton would be beneficial.  Suggestions were made such as improvements to the Promenade, fountains, outside exercise equipment and children’s play areas.

Councillor Beal commented that internet sales had affected the high street and other attractions were required to bring people into the town centre.  He hoped that events would be brough back into the town centre as they had in King’s Lynn.

Downham Market

The Chair presented information on Downham Market, as attached.

All questions to be submitted to the Democratic Services Officer in advance of the meeting.

No questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting.

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 18^th January 2022 at 4.30pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be held on 18^th January 2022 at 4.30pm in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall.