Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Kunes be appointed as Vice-Chair for the Municipal Year.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Beales.

To approve the minutes from the Environment and Community Panel held on 14^th April 2026.

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.

There was none.

For the Chair to sign the Scrutiny and Executive and Scrutiny and Audit Relationship Protocols.

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With the agreement of the Panel, the Chair signed the Scrutiny and Executive and Scrutiny and Audit Relationship protocols.

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The Senior Ecologist presented a comprehensive update on the progress of the Biodiversity Task Group’s recommendations, highlighting successful community projects, the appointment of a biodiversity ranger, the implementation of the pollinator action plan, and ongoing collaboration with local volunteer groups

The Panel also received a presentation from the Biodiversity Project Ranger which described several ongoing and completed projects, including the South Lynn Community Orchard, Howell Dale wildflower area, Heacham Ponds restoration, and the Willows Nature Reserve. The projects involved collaboration with local volunteer groups such as the Nature Volunteer Network and Downham Wildlife Group, and included activities like hedge planting, wildflower meadow creation, and pond restoration.

It was reported that large-scale ecological enhancements were implemented in residential developments, including the installation of swift boxes, bee bricks, and bat boxes, with specific mention of the Parkway and Lynnsport developments.

The Senior Ecologist reported on the council’s statutory duty regarding biodiversity net gain, noting the approval of 23 biodiversity plans between January 2024 and December 2025, with 17 delivering on-site biodiversity and 6 utilising habitat banks, nearly 60% of which were within the local authority area. The full statutory report was published in March 2026.

Several Members of the Panel thanked the Biodiversity Task Group for their work carried out and also the Senior Ecologist, The Biodiversity Ranger and the Open Space team for their work carried out in delivery of projects.

The Panel discussed challenges such as drought affecting plantings, theft and vandalism of habitat materials, and the need for ongoing management of open spaces. Future plans include expanding wildflower meadows, further community engagement, and using donor sites for green hay. The importance of embedding biodiversity priorities in the local plan and supporting nature recovery through policy was emphasised.

Councillor Long highlighted the threat posed by non-native invasive species such as mink and muntjac deer, noting their impact on local biodiversity and the need for control measures. They referenced ongoing schemes by local drainage boards to eradicate mink and expressed concern that current biodiversity efforts may be undermined without addressing invasive species.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor de Whalley clarified that the council’s obligation to manage invasive species was limited to its own land, but confirmed that reporting mechanisms were in place and that the public open spaces team had effectively removed reported invasive species, including Japanese knotweed.

Following a comment from Councillor Sandell, Claire Wiggs advised that a user-friendly newsletter or fact sheet for parish councils to support their biodiversity policies, including seasonal guidance and best practices for wildflower meadows and pollinator spaces was in the pipeline of being produced.

The Biodiversity Ranger advised that  he would be reviewing and implementing measures to prevent theft and vandalism of habitat piles and hibernacula at Florence Fen, including consideration of interpretation boards and physical deterrents.

In relation to community allotments and edible planting, consultation would take place with the public open spaces team regarding the feasibility of replacing some ornamental flower  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC88:

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The Interim Assistant Director for Leisure and Culture introduced report and explained that the proposal was for the development of a West Norfolk Racket and Community Hub at Lynnsport, comprising three covered padel courts, weatherproofed tennis courts and a multi-use games area (MUGA) to increase capacity, widen community access and create new opportunities for active wellbeing across the Borough.

It was noted that the hub should not be viewed solely as a sports facility, but as a long-term investment in healthier residents, stronger communities and improved life opportunities across West Norfolk.  Located to serve some of the Borough’s most deprived communities, the development would help to remove barriers to activities and facilities that had traditionally been unavailable or inaccessible to many residents.

It was explained that the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) had prioritised the scheme nationally as a pilot for a new, broader funding model supporting multi-activity community provision, placing West Norfolk at the forefront of the approach.

The total cost of the project was circa £2,200,000 including contingency.  The scheme addressed high demand, limited covered provision and indoor facilities operating at over 93% capacity.

It was explained that funding would be met through the most appropriate mix of the LTA low-interest loan option and PWLB borrowing to be determined by the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Overall, the proposal secured approximately 45% external funding (£1,000,000) and represented an opportunity to secure external investment, make better use of existing council assets, strengthen the long-term sustainability of the leisure portfolio, increase opportunities for residents to be physically active and support the Council’s wider ambitions around prevention, health inequalities, community wellbeing and economic growth. 

The Chair thanked the Interim Assistant Director for Leisure and Culture for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Moore referred to an email sent to the Panel which questioned the evidence supporting claims that the hub would benefit underrepresented groups and reduce health inequalities.

The Interim Assistant Director for Leisure and Culture asked Councillor Moore to send her the email, which she would respond to and referenced the Polinski report, strategic leisure analysis, and community outreach data, confirming that programming would ensure accessibility and targeted provision for deprived areas, with ongoing monitoring of key performance indicators.

Councillor Ring, Portfolio Holder added that evidence was always important.  He added that this would not just be padel courts as the LTA had accepted that the courts could be used for other things.

Councillor Long asked for assurances that the proposal would deliver a return for taxpayers. 

In response, it was explained thatthe proposal included a positive business case with a projected payback period of eight years and eight months, supported by a 45% funding contribution from the LTA and DCMS. Conservative financial assumptions were used, with a 13% contingency built in to mitigate risks. The project was expected to be self-funding and not  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC89:

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The Panel were invited to consider the status of its Working Groups and Task Groups and whether they continue to operate or be disbanded:

RESOLVED:

(1)   That the Cemetery Provision Informal Working Group continues to operate and the Panel confirmed Membership of the Group.

(2)   That the Climate Change Informal Working Group be disbanded as they have fulfilled their Terms of Reference, the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan has now been approved.  Six-monthly updates will be presented to the Environment and Community Panel along with briefings for all Members as and when required.

(3)   That the Homelessness and Housing Delivery Task Group be disbanded as they have fulfilled their Terms of  Reference and six-monthly updates will be presented to the Environment and Community Panel along with briefings for all Members as and when required.

Members of the Panel were reminded that an e-form was available on the Intranet which could be completed and submitted if Members had items which they would like to be considered for addition to the Work Programme.

The Democratic Services Officer agreed to re-send the e-form to the Panel and look at it to be included within the agenda going forward.

Councillor Ware requested that the biodiversity team provide a future update on the management of invasive species, referencing government and Forestry Commission reports and the significant impact of species like muntjac deer on local woodlands. The Chair advised submitting a formal request for this to be added to the work programme.

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 22^nd September 2026 at 4.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held on 22 September 2026 at 4.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.