Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Barclay and Sandell.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 25^th February 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.

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 Collop and Councillor Bullen was present under Standing Order 34 on Zoom.

If any.

There was none.

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The representatives from Freebridge Community Housing provided an update on Diary Way and Wave 3 Funding.

The Chair thanked the representatives from Freebridge Community Housing and invited questions and comments from the Panel, a summary which is set out below.

The Chair, Councillor Devulapalli asked if the land at Dairy Way was to be accessible to the public.

The Head of New Homes and Commercial explained this was Biodiversity Net Gain credit site with neutral grass land with a therefore the intended use was to retain the wet land which would be restrictive to the public, but the consultation would identify different uses.

Councillor Colwell commented this was an exciting project and asked if pre discussion to the consultation were being had with Atkins Realis who are undertaking a flood management assessment in conjunction with King’s Lynn Internal Drainage Board. Councillor Colwell offered to liaise with Freebridge Community Housing and these third parties to ensure they are included in the consultation. He added there was a nervousness from residents about protecting the existing wildlife.

Under Standing Order 34 on Zoom, Councillor Bullen commented it was encouraging existing wildlife was protected and the consultation was important for residents to have their input.

The Head of Communications and Marketing confirmed the Norfolk Wildlife Trust had provided an overview of the existing wildlife on the site.

Councillor Heneghan sought clarification on the background of the site and if Freebridge Community Housing would be responsible for maintain this site.

The Head of Communications and Marketing explained the site was unused land which was purchased by Freebridge Community Housing for the community and not for future housing developments. She confirmed they would be responsible for maintaining the site.

Councillor Kemp congratulated Freebridge Community Housing on their achievements for improving EPC ratings which contributes to making King’s Lynn a Marmot place.

Councillor Colwell sought clarification on the percentage of their Housing Stock with an EPC rating of C.

The Energy and Sustainability Manager confirmed it was estimated 60 to 65% of stock would be EPC C rated by 2028 however this was dependant on other funding received.

In response to a further question from Councillor Colwell, the Energy and Sustainability Manager confirmed they are actively exploring additional funding.

Councillor Kunes echoed the congratulations to Freebridge Community Housing and commented on a resident who had an air source heat pump and solar panels fitted and this has improved their quality of life.

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Rust congratulated Freebridge Community Housing on their achievements and asked how many properties had low EPC ratings. She sought further clarification, if there was any prioritisation for houses with damp and mould issues.

The Energy and Sustainability Manager explained houses with lower EPC ratings were assessed and discussions were being have in terms of profitability and investment of these properties. He added a number of properties had low number of improvements to bring them up to the standard they needed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC86:

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The Housing Standards Officer gave a presentation to the Panel.

The Chair thanked the Housing Standards Officer and invited questions and comments from the Panel, a summary which is set out below.

Councillor Heneghan thanked the Housing Standards Officer for the regular updates and recognised the achievements of all the work Housing Standards do.  She referred to the schemes which were means tested and commented it was encouraging to see the threshold had been raised and more households are now eligible. She sought clarification on schemes which were not means tested. She asked further if there were ways further advertisement and promotion could be done.

The Housing Standards Officer confirmed there were primary schemes as mentioned however there were additional branch off schemes for households with and EPC rating D to G in Council Tax Bands A to D. He explained these schemes relating to the Great British Insulation Scheme were restructure but with similar criteria. He added further the Housing Standards team work closely with the Communications Team to promote this via social media.  

Councillor Kunes commented he had received a grant which was easy to apply for by completing a questionnaire.

The Housing Standards Officer explained big energy companies had an obligation and commitment to pay for energy efficiency improvements in dwellings across the country.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Bullen asked if tenants could contact the Housing Standards directly or if these needed to be done through the Landlord of the property.

The Housing Standards Officer explained tenants of privately rented properties could contact the team and they would then liaise with the landlord however they would recommend with social housing, for tenants to contact their landlords directly.

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Rust took the opportunity to remind members to contact the Lily team to help residents and highlighted the household support fund was still available. She commented the Alive Leisure facilities could be used for Warm Welcome Centres.

Councillor Kemp thanked the Housing Standards team for their work and highlighted the importance of the household support fund and the Warm Welcome Centres.

In response to the Chair, Councillor Devulapalli, the Housing Standards Officer explained the thermal imaging camera in further detail, highlighting the darker the image the more insulation. He added the public are not able to borrow the thermal imaging camera but advised the team could attend and assess the property for them.

The Chair, Councillor Devulapalli highlighted the Warm Welcome Centres were more focused in King’s Lynn and if there were ones being held in other parts of the Borough.

The Housing Standards Officer advised the Warm Welcome Centres were focused more in the town centre as the Borough was rural. He explained Beat the Bills events were arranged with Parish Councils to fulfil rural parts of the Borough.

Portfolio Holder, Councillor Rust explained there were no funding for the Beat the Bills events therefore if there were costs involved, for example the cost  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC87:

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.

The Panel discussed fly tipping, and it was agreed this item would be scheduled for the July meeting.

The Assistant director for Operations and Commercial reminded the Panel there was a form on the website to report fly tipping.

Councillor Bullen provided an update on Florence Fields and the Urban Wildlife Working Group.

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 3^rd June 2025 at 4:30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held on 3^rd June 2025 at 4:30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.