Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sandell, Hodson and Kunes.

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.  

Councillor Beales and Kemp (on Zoom) were present under Standing Order 34.

If any.

There was none.

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The Senior Housing Manager presented the report and outlined the reason and need for procuring two services for a minimum of three-year period to help with the delivery of the council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy: Ending Homelessness, Person by Person.

He explained to the panel the services were an Intensive Support Service and an Early Intervention Service. He brought to the attention of the Panel there were seven bids for the invitation to tender. He confirmed a contractor had been selected and the pre contract process had begun.

The Senior Housing Manager highlighted there were no direct financial implication for the Council as there were existing reserves from previous central government grants which were ringfenced by Central Government for the prevention and relief of homelessness.

The Chair thanked Officers for the report and invited questions and comments from the panel.

Councillor Heneghan asked if this service was cheaper to deliver in house.

The Senior Housing Manager commented he could not advise if the services were cheaper to deliver in house but believed the services would be more effective when delivered in partnership. He added the Council had strong partnerships with specialised services within West Norfolk. He added further if there was a cost saving with the services being inhouse this would be outweighed by the existing partnerships.

Councillor Heneghan sought clarification on funding and asked if we were waiting to find out about additional funding.

The Senior Housing Manager clarified; the funding available was from reserves which had previously been granted by Central Government which were ringfenced for the prevention and relief of homelessness. He added there was funding for 2025/26 through MHCLG’s rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant.

Councillor Heneghan sought clarification on the impact of devolution on the three-year contracts being proposed.

The Senior Housing Manager advised the Council would not be the first Local Authority to enter a contract such as this and go through devolution. He provided an example of Somerset Council went through this process.

The Housing Services Manager confirmed the included in the contract was standard clauses such as funding, changes in legislation and statutory requirements.  She added devolution would be covered in these clauses in the contract and for now the services needed to continue.

Councillor Rust, Portfolio Holder for People and Communities advised of the importance of these services and the families which are homeless needed to be supported. She added the external partnership are different to the relationships clients have with the Council and encouragement engagement with all parties. She added further with devolution, the services need to be delivered and the three-year contract provides reassurance to the external partnerships.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel supports the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below:

1.    to agree that £756,600 of funding, ringfenced for homelessness services, should be spent on the procurement of an Intensive Support Service and an Early Intervention Service.

2. to agree that the spending on  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC63:

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The Senior Licensing Officer presented the report to the Panel.

He brought to the Panel’s attention legislation requires fees to be agreed by Full Council in accordance with the Local Authority Functions and Responsibilities Regulations 2000. He added the new figures and charges had been established with consideration of fees of neighbouring authorities, case law, CIPFA regulations and assessing the time spend on each aspect of the specific licensing functions. The Senior Licensing Officer explained the current fees and charges were last revised and approved on the 26^th November 2015 and came into effect from 1^st December 2015. He advised failure to set fees to a level that ensures full cost recovery could result in a deficit of funds for services provided. The Senior Licensing Officer outlined to the Panel a consultation was held between 25^th September 2024 to 18^th December 2024 where Members of the licensed trade were invited to attend meetings with Officers and Councillor Moriarty, Portfolio Holder.

The Chair thanked the Senior Licensing Officer for the report and invited questions and comments from the panel.

Councillor Colwell commented the response from the consultation acknowledged and accepted the need for the fees and charges to be increased and renewed. He sought clarification in the difference of fee between Private Hire and Hackney Carriage.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed process of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage were different as Hackney Carriages are provided r more services as part of the licence therefore there were higher costs. He added the initial process was the same however the ongoing costs are different due to the additional services.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Devulapalli commented the Council should not have to subsidy the costs of licences. She asked how our fees compare to neighbouring areas. She sought further clarification on the difference in fees between licensing one vehicle opposed to multiple vehicles.

The Senior Licensing Officer responded to Councillor Devulapalli and advised our fees were average compared to neighbouring authorities. He explained to the Panel the fee for Private Hire Operator with multiple vehicles was higher as there are more checks and further administration and it was based on the number of records which had to be checked.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp on Zoom sought clarification on the affect and impact on disability vehicles and asked if there was a reduction or exemption on the fees.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed there was not a reduction or exemption but an additional cost of £32.00 to test a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle at the first licence but this was not chargeable at the renewal of the licence.

The Assistant Director for Operations and Commercial clarified further the fee of £32.00 was a single cost and was unlikely to cause an impact but it would encourage further Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.

Councillor Moriarty, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Licensing commented further, there was additional checks which was therefore safer and more  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC64:

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The Senior Licensing Officer presented the report to the Panel and explained the current Hackney Carriage Licensing Procedures and Conditions were approved by Council on 25^th April 2022. He highlighted to the Panel the Department for Transport had published Statutory Standards in July 2020 and new Best Practice Guidance in November 2023 which were now incorporated in the revised procedures and conditions. The Senior Licensing Officer outlined to the Panel a consultation was held between 25^th September 2024 to 18^th December 2024 where Members of the license trader were invited to attend meetings with Officers and Councillor Moriarty, Portfolio Holder.

The Chair thanked the Senior Licensing Officer for the report and invited questions and comments from the panel.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp on Zoom asked if disability training was being offered and mandatory. She sought clarification in cross border regulations and commented drivers are going to surrounding areas such as Wisbech to obtain their licence.

The Senior Licensing Officer clarified there had not been a problem with cross border vehicles and confirmed several of the current drivers had completed a disability awareness course with Norfolk County Council. He confirmed there was proposed changes in the procedures and conditions that all new drivers were to undertake a disability awareness course and pass the assessment before becoming licenced.

Councillor Colwell referred to 2.15 and 2.16 of the report and sought clarification on the knowledge test and commented they were only allowed three occasions to try and pass the assessment. He sought further clarification on the uptake on learning British Sign Language as mentioned in the report.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed the reason with bringing the three attempts on the Knowledge Test was to ensure drivers were learning and understanding the conditions rather than just taking the test several times in the hope of passing the assessment. He added in regard to British Sign Language this was a recommendation in the Department of Transport guidance however this was not being adopted by the Council.

Councillor Moriarty, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Licensing commented he was impressed with the working relationship between Members of the Trade and Officers.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel supports the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below:

That Council approves the new hackney carriage and private hire procedures and conditions document.

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The Vice-Chair, Councillor Devulapalli gave a presentation to the panel on the Biodiversity Competition. She explained the purpose of the competition to promote the value and increase awareness of Biodiversity. She brought to the Panels attention the number of species which were rapidly declining and becoming endangered.  She highlighted the difference in this competition to existing projects within the Borough as it targets individual households.

Councillor Devulapalli commented the competition was being advertised from March 2025 in the bin calendars, local community places such as Town Halls, Churches, and Libraries along with it being published on the website. She outlined the criteria to the Panel and advised the competition will be open from May to July 2025 with the closing date of 1^st August 2025. She encouraged participation including prizes from local businesses.

The Chair thanked Councillor Devulapalli and invited questions and comments from the Panel.

Councillor Spikings commented Norfolk County Council sell owl and bat boxes as well as a Parish Councillor in Upwell makes bird/bat boxes. She suggested money from Councillor Community Grants to be used as prizes for the competition instead of relying on businesses in the private sector.

Councillor Bullen commented he wholeheartedly supported this initiative and even a window box could make a difference. He brought to the Panels attention a Wildlife event called Wild Downham Market being held on Saturday 1^st February at Downham Market Town Hall from 10am to 2pm which allowed everyone to be involved.

Councillor Heneghan commented it was a great initiative and asked if there was a category for community groups.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Devulapalli confirmed this had been considered and would be incorporated in the future once the competition was established further.

Councillor Colwell offered the bird boxes left over from the Men’s Shed project to help as advertisement and encourage individuals to participate.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Beales supported the initiative and commented Councillor Spikings suggestion of using the underspend of the Councillor Community Grants was supported and if the Panel made a formal request this would help launch the competition.

The Chair, Councillor Collop suggested a potential way of advertisement which we could consider to promote Biodiversity.

Councillor De Whalley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Biodiversity commented the competition came from the work carried out by the Biodiversity Task Group. He thanked Councillor Bullen, Devulapalli, volunteers at Nature Network and the Senior Ecologist for all their work surrounding the Biodiversity Competition. He added this competition supported our corporate strategy.

Councillor Spikings proposed the underspend of the Councillor Community Grant Scheme was to be used to fund prizes for the Biodiversity Competition.

Councillor Devulapalli seconded the proposal.

RESOLVED: The underspend from the Councillor Community Grants Scheme from 2024/25 be used to fund prizes for the Biodiversity Competition.

Members of the Panel were reminded that an eform 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.

Councillor Colwell sought clarification on plans relating to the Parkway development which included land to be used as Wildlife site. He asked for an update and if this would still be going ahead.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Beales confirmed he would provide an update in his report to Council.

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 25^th February 2025 at 4:30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held on 25^th February 2025 at 4:30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.