Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

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 de Whalley, Beales, Collingham and Colwell were present under Standing Order 34.

If any.

There was none.

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The Assistant Director for Property and Projects presented the report.

The Chair thanked the Officer for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel.

The Vice – Chair, Councillor Osborne sought clarification on section 7 and how was “affecting one third of resident of a ward” determined and judged.

The Assistant Director for Property referred to the Council’s Constitution and Scheme of Delegation but confirmed he would provide further clarification.

Councillor Crofts commented on allotments included in the policy and sought clarification in what was meant by “without the consent of the Secretary of State”. He added untenanted allotments such as North Lynn and West Lynn, could be used by the Borough Council for other uses.

The Assistant Director for Property explained there was a process within the Allotment Act 1925 along with statutory safeguards and commented there was no current plans for allotments. He advised he would provide further detail to the Panel.

Councillor Bone questioned the complex pieces of land which were owned by the Borough Council which did not have much sale value but valuable to residents as used for parking. He highlighted this was a revenue opportunity and supported deposing assets but raised concerns some land was valuable to residents.  He commented ward members needed to be informed of potential land sales to determine social value of assets with their area.

The Assistant Director for Property highlighted the criteria for property disposal which meant any land which had the potential to generate revenue may not be included or considered a surplus asset. He referred the Panel to the social value section within the policy and explained assets were to be debated as social value was difficult to be measured. 

Councillor Bubb sought further details on an acquisition policy along with the property disposal policy.

The Assistant Director for Property confirmed once the property disposal policy was agreed and implemented, and acquisition policy would be prepared as part of the wider asset management plan.

Councillor Blunt questioned what the intention for land owned by the Borough Council but leased to Parish Councils was for allotments. He questioned if this was classed as outside the policy.

The Assistant Director for Property referred to the criteria in the policy and clarified it was dependent on if this was a community asset transfer. He added this may not qualify as a surplus asset.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Ring, confirmed the acquisition policy would be coming forward but the property disposal policy was the first step of the asset management plan. He referred to Councillor Bones comments and agreed all Councillors needed to be involved as each Member knew their ward area. He commented the land on Reid Way was a good example and had been offered to a housing association for development. He commented on the importance of having an asset register and it needed the community and social value of assets to be determined.

Councillor Ratcliffe  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD61:

Prior to the Panel meeting, members discussed the role of the Panel and future items to be added to the work programme. The Democratic Services Officer confirmed a revised work programme and forward decision list would be circulated.

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 10^th February 2025 at 6:00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be held on 10^th February 2026 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place.

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 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 Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place introduced the item.

The Housing Services Manager gave a presentation on the emerging Draft Housing Strategy as included in the agenda.

The Panel asked questions and comments on the Draft Housing Strategy to which the Housing Services Manager responded.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the update.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager and Officer introduced the item.

The Master Planner and Urban Designer gave a presentation to the Panel on the Draft Hunstanton Masterplan as included in the agenda.

The Panel asked questions and commented on the masterplan and Officers responded.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the update.