Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Colwell and Portfolio Holder, Councillor Ring.

To approve the minutes from the Environment and Community Panel held on 2^nd September 2025.

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 Long advised that in relation to item 7, he was a Norfolk County Council representative on the Anglian Great Ouse Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and if there was a vote, he would abstain.

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.

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The Environmental Health Manager presented an update on the Hunstanton Sea Defences which detailed ongoing erosion issues, recent geotechnical survey findings, planned repair and monitoring activities and the involvement of stakeholders.

The Chair, Councillor Collop thanked the Environmental Health Manager for the presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

Councillor Heneghan asked whether more attractive materials could be used and it was confirmed that there would be an opportunity to explore options during the design phase.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Squire reassured Councillor Heneghan that the design and materials would be considered.

In response to questions from Councillor Kemp relating to the cost and durability of the materials for the repairs and improvements to the promenade, it was explained that the main funding source would be the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Defence Grant in Aid, but no applications could be made until the feasibility study and design were completed.  With regard to the durability of materials, it was explained that this would be considered at the detailed design stage.

Councillor Long commented that in his ten years on the Flood and Coastal Committee, it had never faced greater financial constraints.  He explained that whilst the Flood Defence Grant in Aid was available, a local levy could also be used for smaller projects and stressed the importance of getting the basics right and putting defences in place.

The Assistant Director for Environment and Planning reported that there had been good news with the announcement of potential funding of up to 90%, but as more projects could bid for that money, he highlighted there would also be greater competition to bear in mind.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Squire advised they would report back to the Panel at a future meeting once things had developed and when they had further updates.

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The Regeneration Programmes Manager presented the report on the King’s Lynn Pride in Place Programme and outlined the objectives, governance structure, community engagement process and investment priorities.

The Chair, Councillor Collop thanked the Regeneration Programmes Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

In response to questions from Councillor Heneghan, the Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that ultimately, the Neighbourhood Board decided on which specific projects would be funded.  She added that a couple of Board Members had recently left and they were looking at how they could bring more community voice in at the Board level.

Councillor Heneghan commented that the area had a growing elderly population and felt that the report did not address how more could be done to tackle social isolation and loneliness which were significant issues for older residents.

In response to questions and comments from Councillor Long, the Regeneration Programmes Manager commented that they hoped the programme would allow investment in bigger schemes which would ultimately make a longer term impact but to also provide opportunities to do smaller schemes.  She went on to explain that the development of the regeneration plan was created by the Regeneration department with all of the different consultation and engagement and had no involvement from consultants.

Councillor Kemp referred to the amount of empty spaces within the town centre and commented that the two market squares in King’s Lynn were not being utilised as markets.  The Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that under section 215 orders, there was a new regulation relating to high street rental auctions which was being considered and would be coming forward to Cabinet in due course.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel supported the following recommendations to Cabinet:

Cabinet resolves:

1.   Endorse the Regeneration Plan comprising the Ten Year Vision as detailed in Appendix 1 and the Four Year Investment Plan as details in Appendix 2.

2.   Delegate authority to the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Neighbourhood Board to sign off the final submission of the Regeneration Plan by the deadline on 28 November 2025.

3.   Endorse inclusion of the Council led projects by the KLNB as outlined in 7.2.

4.   Endorse council officer support in administering, overseeing and monitoring delivery of the PiPP programme including recruitment for additional officer support if required during the development of the programme, to be met from the PiPP funding, as set out in section 11.

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The Licensing Service Manager presented the report as included in the agenda and highlighted minor updates, consultation outcomes and compliance requirements.

The Chair, Councillor Collop thanked the Licensing Service Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

In response to a question from Councillor Kemp, the Licensing Service Manager explained that selling alcohol to intoxicated individuals was illegal and enforcement action would be taken such as written warnings to the premises and involvement of the police.

Councillor Long raised concerns around unlicensed premises selling alcohol and the Licensing Service Manager commented that she was not aware of any and advised Members of the Panel to let her know of any.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel supported the following recommendation to Cabinet:

Cabinet resolves:

That the Council be invited to adopt the revised Statement of Licensing Policy in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

Recommendations to Full Council:

That the Council be invited to adopt the revised Statement of Licensing Policy in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

Councillor Barclay left the meeting at 5.47pm.

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The Principal Planner and Planning Policy Manager presented the report as set out in the agenda.  This was presented as a draft Cabinet report for 11^th November 2025.  The report would be finalised as soon as the published Norfolk Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) became available on 31^st October 2025.

The Chair, Councillor Collop thanked the Principal Planner and Planning Policy Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel as summarised below.

Councillor Ratcliffe referred to the process of consultation and asked whether the Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) had been invited to respond to any of the consultation stages.  The Planning Policy Manager explained that the IDBs would have been consulted and highlighted that the document specifically listed the Southery and District IDB.

Members of the Panel raised concerns that they had not received sufficient time to view the Norfolk LNRS document and the Chair, Councillor Collop asked whether the item could be deferred to a later Cabinet meeting.  The Planning Policy Manager confirmed it would not be possible to defer the item due to the required timetable for the Council to adopt the LNRS by the end of December 2025.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor de Whalley stated that he would contact the Leader and ask if Members of the Environment and Community Panel could attend the Cabinet meeting on the 11^th November 2025 to put forward any questions and feedback before final approval.  The Portfolio Holder, Councillor de Whalley commended the work of officers.

The Principal Planner highlighted to Members of the Panel that full documents would be available as appendices to the Cabinet report.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel supported the following recommendation to Cabinet:

Cabinet resolves:

To recommend adoption of the Norfolk Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) by the Council.

Recommendations to Full Council:

Adoption of the Norfolk Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

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The Democratic Services Officer presented the report as set out in the agenda.

The Assistant Director for Operations and Commercial clarified the burial capacity at Gayton Road Cemetery, explaining double-depth burial practices and the implications for future space availability.

Members of the Panel raised a number of concerns with the first recommendation which was to formulate a counter recommendation at this meeting to be submitted back to Cabinet and instead were in favour of setting up an Informal Working Group.

Councillor Kunes suggested inviting the Environment Agency to one of the meetings of the Informal Working Group.

The Democratic Services Officer confirmed she would arrange the dates and times of the two meetings of the Informal Working Group.

RESOLVED:

1.   Establish an Informal Working Group and agreed its Terms of Reference as “To consider the request from Cabinet to undertake further Scrutiny of the Cemeteries Provision Cabinet Report and formulate recommendations for Cabinet to consider.”

2.   Councillors Collop, Heneghan, Kemp, Kunes and Ware sit as Members of the Informal Working Group.

3.   The Informal Working Group to undertake further scrutiny, engaging with relevant officers, the Portfolio Holder and external stakeholders as appropriate.

4.   Require the Informal Working Group to report back to the Panel in January 2026 with draft recommendations for onward submission to Cabinet.

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Members of the Panel were reminded that if they had any items which they would like to be considered for addition to the Work Programme to complete the appropriate form.

Councillor Long commented that for future meetings, officers should be asked to attend the meeting in person to present their reports.

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

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is scheduled to take place on 6^th January 2026 at 4.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel was scheduled to take place on 6^th January 2026 at 4.30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.