Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kirk and Wilkinson.

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.

Councillor Kunes declared an interest in EC47: Gambling Act Statement of Principles as he was a shareholder in a company that ran casinos and bingo halls.

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.  

Councillor Kemp.

If any.

The Chair informed the Panel of a change of order to the Agenda.

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

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The Environmental Health Manager presented the Cabinet report and explained that the Gambling Act 2005 required every local authority to publish a statement of principles each three year period.  The current policy was approved by Full Council on 29^th November 2018.  This report updated the Statement of Principles in line with the consultation process and amendments to the statutory provisions and guidance issued by the Gambling Commission.

The Chair thanked the Environmental Health Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel.

Councillor Joyce referred to fixed term betting odds terminals and highlighted that the reduction in stake had helped.  He was disappointed that no response to the consultation had been received from the Chief of Police.

The Environmental Health Manager explained that the lack of consultation response could be because consultees had no comments to add and were satisfied with the Statement of Principles as amended.

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

That the Council be invited to adopt the Statement of Principles in accordance with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.

The Chair will invite Councillor Ryves to present his item (5 minutes).

Councillor Ryves was not present at the meeting so the item would be considered at a future meeting.

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The Environmental Health Manager and Climate Change Officer provided the Panel with an update on the Carbon Audit and Climate Change Work as attached.

The Chair thanked the officers for the update and invited questions and comments, as set out below.

Councillor Devereux informed the Panel that at COP26 there had been mention of the Future of the Fens Project and he asked if there had been any feedback on this.  The Environmental Health Manager agreed to find out and let Members know if required.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  She made reference to heat networks and community energy incentives.  She asked for information on timescales for accessing funding for heat networks.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that this work was currently in the early stages and more details would be available in due course.

Councillor Kemp also asked if King’s Lynn would be prioritised for community energy initiatives because of fuel poverty in the area.  It was explained that work would be prioritised by looking at concentration of housing, other public sector and commercial/industrial requirements.

Councillor Bullen asked if Electric Vehicle Charging points would be considered for Downham Market.  It was explained that the Borough Council did not own any car parks in Downham Market, however the Town Council were looking at potential grant applications for this.

Councillor de Whalley referred to the Norfolk Climate Change Partnership and asked when the action plan would be published.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that it was in the process of being agreed by Members of the Partnership and would then be published on the website.

In response to a question from Councillor Bubb it was explained that there were websites and apps available that told users where Electric Vehicle Charging points were situated and if they were available such as www.zap-map.com

Councillor Squire asked if tree planting would be considered outside of King’s Lynn.  It was explained that Lynnsport had initially been chosen as it was a large piece of land and other areas would be looked at as part of the strategy.  The strategy would also include the planting of hedges.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

Members of the Homelessness and Housing Delivery Task Group have also been invited to the meeting for this item.

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Members of the Homelessness and Housing Delivery Task Group had been invited to the meeting for this item.

The Assistant Director and Housing Strategy Officer provided Members with an update on Homelessness and the Action Plan, as attached.

The Chair thanked the officers for the report and invited questions and comments.  He also thanked all those involved in the service for a fantastic job.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  She made reference to barriers to housing, mental health issues and justice leavers.  She also hoped that the computers in Kings Court would be reinstated to assist people in making an application for housing.  The Assistant Director explained that work was being carried out with Norfolk County Council on a long term strategy for key groups including those with mental health issues.

Councillor Rust, Member of the Homelessness Task Group commended the support provided, congratulated officers and felt that there was now much less disconnect between organisations.  She explained that there were still homeless people in the town centre and she asked how long it took from people presenting as homeless to them being accommodated.  The Housing Strategy Officer explained that the Council worked with Purfleet Trust and the aim was to arrange accommodation within three days, however it was done quicker where possible and emergency accommodation was used at the weekend.

Councillor Rust referred to the waiting list for the night shelter and it was explained that people were prioritised based on risk.  There were only nine beds available at the night shelter as each unit was separate due to Covid.  Previously 23 beds had been available.  It was noted that the waiting list was the night shelter waiting list and not the Council waiting list.

Councillor Bambridge, Member of the Homelessness Task Group commended the work being carried out and noted that it was good to see Housing Associations involved.  She asked what happened to people who were non UK residents and did not have settled status and justice leavers.  The Assistant Director explained that Housing Associations had been a key part of the response and solution and had been very supportive.  He noted that non UK residents was an emerging issue and public funding could not be used to support this, however charitable and voluntary organisations could assist.  The Housing Strategy Officer informed the Panel that funding had been received for a support worker to support Justice leavers to help access accommodation and the post for support worker had been commissioned to Shelter.

Councillor Bullen thanked officers for their work and made reference to cross authority border issues and people presenting as homeless from other areas.  The Housing Strategy Officer explained that mainly people who presented as homeless were from the Borough, but there had been a small increase of people from outside the Borough.

In response to a question from Councillor Bullen it was explained that if Councillors were aware  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC50:

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

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Officers presented the report which looked to prioritise and improve the response to dumped waste along with improving the education of residents and visitors, supporting community litter-picks and other initiatives, whilst dealing firmly with those who were intent on illegally discarding their waste through enforcement.

The Chair thanked officers for the report and invited questions and comments as summarised below.

Councillor Bubb asked if there would be a small charge for removal of items larger than black sacks.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that the ability to remove larger items for a charge would be considered during the future development of the scheme.

Councillor Bambridge asked what the situation was for end of tenancy clearances and the Waste and Recycling Manager explained that this was considered to be commercial waste.

Councillor Devereux welcomed the proposals and referred to the removal of dead seals which had previously caused problems due to land ownership.  He also asked if work would be carried out with farmers to make waste disposal easier.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that the ability to offer chargeable services to farmers and land owners would be considered as part of the future development of the proposals.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that the Council also participated in the Rural Crime Network which involved meetings with land owners.

Councillor Bullen referred to education and asked what work would be carried out.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that additional resources would be provided by the Communications Teams and the new posts for this service would also include the need to engage the public formally and informally.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  She welcomed the proposals and hoped that they would tackle problematic areas such as an area in Poppyfields, West Lynn near the bus stop.

Councillor Joyce cautioned the use of charging and noted that not all could afford the bulky waste collection service.  It was explained by officers that this charge would need to be considered during the budget and fees and charges setting process, but cautioned that if there was not a charge for the service more people would use it instead of taking items to the Household Recycling Centre and then additional resources would be required.  The Waste and Recycling Manager reminded those present of the red tag scheme which cost £2 and would allow an extra black bag to be collected.

Councillor Squire referred to the financial implications as set out in the report and the percentage allocated to community engagement.  The Assistant Director explained that some of the work would be shouldered by the Communications Team and the budget allocated in the report was for more specific items.

Councillor Squire also asked about other enforcement issues such as burying of waste and building sites.  The Assistant Director encouraged Councillors to report any specific issues to the Enforcement Team.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Panel support the recommendations  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC51:

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 4^th January 2022 at 4.30pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held on Tuesday 4^th January 2022 at 4.30pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.