Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Beal.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

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Councillor Bambridge asked if the minutes from the previous meeting had been forwarded to the Towns Board.  The Assistant Director confirmed that he would ensure that they were raised at the next Programme Board.

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.

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The Chair indicated that she had an item to consider under Urgent Business which was Alternative Site for the Proposed Hub.  This item was to be considered in exempt session at the end of the meeting.

RESOLVED: The Panel agreed for this item to be considered in exempt session at the end of the meeting.

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 Nockolds, Kemp, Squire and Ryves.

If any.

There was none.

To receive a presentation from officers.

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The Chair raised concerns that Southgates proposals had been discussed numerous times in the past and hoped that the previous comments and discussions from the Panel had been incorporated.  The Assistant Director explained that this review that had been commissioned and built upon what had been discussed in the past.

In response to a question from Councillor Morley it was explained that the consultancy work to produce the Masterplan was following the approval of Cabinet in June 2021 and that decision included a percentage of funding to be used for consultancy work.  Councillor Morley requested a breakdown of the funds used for the consultancy work.

Councillor Jones hoped that previous comments from the Panel had been taken into consideration in preparing the Masterplan and the Assistant Director explained that this would be covered in the presentation.

Officers and the consultants provided the Panel with a presentation on options for the Southgates area, as attached.

The Assistant Director introduced the item and explained that this was part of the Future High Streets submission which was not successful, but had been identified in the Town Investment Plan for future funding.  However the area was an important gateway into the town and it was important to look at opportunities for the area so that there were proposals ready to be submitted for future funding opportunities.

Members were informed that they had further opportunity to put their views forward in a questionnaire, which would be circulated to Members after the meeting.

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

Councillor de Whalley was concerned about the potential loss of green space and commented that any loss needed to be mitigated.  He also commented that promoting active travel was important.  He asked if King’s Lynn Bicycle User Group had been consulted as they would be able to provide valuable input.

Councillor Bone commented that any proposals should not be to the detriment of local businesses when it came to parking spaces.  He also made reference to the importance of retaining and extending green spaces.  It was also clarified that the pub mentioned in the presentation was the one on the roundabout.

Councillor Morley explained that, to secure future funding, any projects needed to be practical and he supported the phasing of development. 

The Chair, Councillor Collingham explained that the key was funding and commented that the proposals needed to be adaptable to any funding opportunities and it was important for the three scenarios mentioned in the presentation to be built upon. 

Councillor Bambridge commented that Local Councillors had not yet been engaged in the stakeholder’s process and she hoped that local residents would also be included.  She raised concern relating to development on contaminated land, traffic management and manholes under the park.  She also made reference to the surrounding side streets and hoped that these would not be forgotten.

Councillor Moriarty  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD97:

This item was deferred.

Questions should be submitted to the Democratic Services Officer in advance of the meeting.

No questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Bambridge requested an update on Conservation Areas be added to the Work Programme.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is a Joint Meeting with the Corporate Performance Panel and is scheduled to take place on 30^th March 2022 at 2.00pm.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be a joint meeting with the Corporate Performance Panel and would be held on 30^th March 2022 at 2.00pm in the Assembly Room, 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”.

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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 paragraph 3 of Part 1 to Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Assistant Director provided an update on the Riverfront which included:

-       Town Deal Board

-       Custom House and surrounding area

-       Potential projects and opportunities

-       Purfleet area

-       Working with partners

-       Public Realm opportunities

-       Cycling and walking links

-       Leisure opportunities.

The Assistant Director responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

The Chair presented this item which she had added to the Agenda as urgent business.

The Vice Chair outlined the options for an alternative location which it was suggested that officers and Members look at as a matter of urgency.

The Panel discussed alternative locations to the proposed hub and were unanimously in favour of looking at this specific site.