Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anota, Collingham and Ratcliffe.

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.

The Chair advised that there was a matter arising from the previous minutes.  He reminded the Panel that at the last meeting, it had recommended an addition to the Adoption of Property Disposal Policy.  He explained that the Policy had since been considered by Cabinet and the Corporate Performance Panel following the call-in, and that full details would be available in the Corporate Performance Panel minutes.

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 were no declarations of interest.

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.  

There was none.

If any.

The Chair reported that there was no Chair’s correspondence but clarified that the meeting time had reverted to 6.00pm as the planned reception at the Town Hall had been cancelled.  He confirmed that all future meetings of the Regeneration and Development Panel were scheduled for 6.00pm.

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The Regeneration Programmes Officer gave a presentation to the Panel on the King’s Lynn Masterplan as included in the agenda.

The Regeneration Programmes Officer highlighted that the subsequent round of public consultation would be brought forward to April 2026.

The Chair, Councillor Parish thanked the Regeneration Programmes Officer for the presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

Councillor Colwell expressed concern about the low level of online engagement with the public consultation.  Councillor Colwell reported that residents were disappointed by the limited number of evening sessions and suggested that the follow?up consultation scheduled for April 2026 be held in the evening.

Councillor Colwell referred to comments received through the public consultation and noted the desire for additional green spaces.  Councillor Colwell commented that he would like to see green space introduced between the Town Hall and the Minster on the Saturday Market Place, given its role as a public realm area.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place explained that the weather had affected the public consultations and confirmed that the points raised by Councillor Colwell would be taken forward.

Councillors Bubb and Bone expressed their disappointment at the low number of consultation responses and Councillor Bubb stated that it should have been better publicised.

Councillor Crofts stated that King’s Lynn town was not promoted fully as it should be.  Councillor Crofts suggested that coach companies should be encouraged to promote excursions and proposed using the Tuesday Market Place as a central coach parking area to attract visitors.  He also believed that funding associated with the Shakespeare Barn had been intended to provide coach parking for visitors.  In response, the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business confirmed that this was addressed within the King’s Lynn Masterplan.

Councillor Colwell proposed several strategies to increase public engagement in future consultations, including hosting online video consultations to improve accessibility, engaging with community groups, and holding consultation stalls at local events and in supermarkets.

Councillor Colwell suggested that Borough Councillors be invited to future consultations to engage with residents.

The Chair, Councillor Parish, suggested holding an event in the new library and added that it would help to promote the facility.

Councillor Colwell emphasised the importance of improving transport links and highlighted the need for enhanced evening bus services, which he felt should be an aspiration within the King’s Lynn Masterplan.

The Chair, Councillor Parish, thanked officers for their work.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the presentation on the King’s Lynn Masterplan.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme and the Forward Decisions List was noted.

Councillor Colwell requested an item be added to the Panel’s Work Programme to consider authorised stop-off sites for travellers, including available facilities and potential site options.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on 2^nd March 2026 at 6pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel was scheduled to take place on 2^nd March 2026 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.