Agenda and minutes

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

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

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Sampson, Kirk and Squire.

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 an 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 proposed 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.

There was none.

To consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

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

The Chief Executive presented the Cabinet report which set out proposals for creation of a 3G pitch at River Lane.  She explained that the summary of funding had changed slightly since the report had been written.  An application for CIL funding had been submitted and if successful the funding from the Borough Council included in the report would not be required.  It was also highlighted that the project was subject to an application to the Football Foundation and would also be subject to Planning Permission.

Tommy Goode from Alive West Norfolk provided the Panel with detail on the work carried out with Norfolk Football Association and local clubs and it had been highlighted that within local football facilities plans, King’s Lynn was low on provision.  He highlighted the funding available from the Football Foundation if the application was successful.

Details of the Fields in Trust status was provided, and it was explained that there was a formal process to go through to change the area to a 3G pitch.

Tommy Goode provided detail of the benefits of the 3G pitch which included better facilities, increased capacity and tackling antisocial behaviour.

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

Councillor Kemp raised concern about the level of public consultation, and it was explained that local Football clubs and users had been consulted on the process.  Residents would be consulted as part of the planning application process.  Tommy Goode also explained that currently people paid to use the existing pitches, and this was an additional provision to increase capacity.

Councillor Rust commented that she did not see the level of antisocial behaviour in this area that officers were using to justify the proposal.  She also referred to Fields in Trust and that the project would remove space from public use.  She was also concerned about noise and light pollution and the increased traffic at Beulah Street.  She felt that removing green space was not inclusive and there was a lack of green and amenity space in the area.  Councillor Rust also commented that many people would be unable to afford to use the space, which was currently free to use, it wouldn’t help the health and wellbeing of local people and it was just a way for the Council to make money.  Tommy Goode explained that discount for local residents was being looked at and a lot of free space for things such as recreation and dog walking would be retained.  It would only be the 3G pitch area that would be fenced in.  He made reference to other work being carried out in North Lynn to support residents and increase activity in the area.  He explained that Dutton Pavilion would service the field and staff presence in the area should positively impact antisocial behaviour.

The Chair, Councillor Bower asked for detail on the 3.8 ha mitigation area referred to  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC34:

To consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

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

The Environmental Health Manager presented the report which presented the service plan for the commercial team and highlighted the work of the team.  It was noted that Food authorities were required by the Food Standards Agency to set out a scheme for the planning and delivery of food law enforcement and that the service plan had to be formally adopted by the Council.

The Chair thanked the Environmental Health Manager for her report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Rust commended the team on their hard work, especially during the pandemic.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that additional staff had now been recruited.

In response to a question from Councillor Devereux, the Environmental Health Manager explained that hospitality and catering had been hit hard by the pandemic, there were problems with staff shortages, and this had sometimes resulted in corners being cut, especially with regard to cleaning and hygiene.  Inspections were still being carried out.

The Environmental Health Manager also explained that food hygiene costs were down due to staff vacancies.

In response to a question from Councillor de Whalley it was explained that when dog breeders were identified, the Environmental Health team worked with Planning Control to ensure that all the necessary permissions were in place.

RESOLVED: That the Environment and Community Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as follows:

That the Council approves the Commercial Team Service Plan.

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

The Chair invited Councillor Bullen, Chair of the Urban Wildlife Informal Working Group to present the report to the Panel.  Councillor Bullen provided detail of the work of the Group and their proposals.  He highlighted the support from external organisations and that Downham Market had now established a Wildlife Group.

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

Councillor Bubb commented that caution needed to be exercised if nest boxes were being advertised as a trail so that they did not get vandalised or removed.  Councillor Bullen explained that the nest boxes were often inaccessible or high up.   Councillor Bubb also commented that planting of ‘bee friendly’ flowers should be promoted on council owned open spaces.  Councillor Bower commented that a lot of pollinators were already used, certainly in Hunstanton where there were bee trails in place.

The Panel considered the recommendations put forward by the Informal Working Group and agreed that recommendation two be amended to include encouraging the planting of wildlife seeds in our own communities.

The Panel also noted that the Informal Working Group would like to remain established and offered their support to Cabinet if the recommendations were to be taken forward by the Cabinet.

RESOLVED: That the Environment and Community Panel support the recommendations from the Informal Working Group as set out below and that the recommendations be presented to the Cabinet in the future.

1.     Encourage the use of bird boxes, bat boxes, bee highways and hedgehog highways in new and existing Borough Council properties.

2.     The Council to investigate providing wildflower seeds for redundant allotments and community orchards/gardens and encourage the planting of wildlife seeds in the community.

3.     The Council to encourage bird feeding stations and nest boxes in schools.

4.     Support of a Nest Box Trail in King’s Lynn.

5.     Produce literature advising how residents can help support their urban wildlife and promoting the nest box trail in King’s Lynn.

6.     Engage with local groups to participate in urban wildlife and the creation of bee highways.

7.     Encourage Councillors to promote Urban Wildlife in their Wards and Parishes.

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

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

The Chair invited Members of the Panel to ask questions to the Portfolio Holders which had been submitted in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Bubb asked Councillor Kunes, Portfolio Holder for Environment about the new waste contract and that he thought there was to be normal collections on Bank Holidays, as this was preferred by the operatives.  However, this had not appeared on the date lists.  Councillor Kunes explained that he was still awaiting a response from officers and would report back as soon as the information was available.

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

RESOLVED: That the following nominations be presented to Council for approval:

1.     Norfolk County Council – Norfolk Countywide Community Safety Partnership Scrutiny Sub-Panel (substitute) – no nomination made by the Panel so the appointment would be made by Full Council.

2.     Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor de Whalley (substitute)

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

Councillor Kemp informed the Panel that she had send some questions to Norfolk Constabulary about measures for the safety of women and girls and of people with learning disabilities in commercial settings.  She had also copied Members of the Panel into the questions and would share the response once received.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 9^th November 2021.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel was scheduled to be held on Tuesday 9^th November 2021 at 4.30pm in the Assembly Room, Town Hall, King’s Lynn.