Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Colwell and Beales.

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 no urgent business.

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 Ware and Councillor Bullen were present under Standing Order 34, on Zoom.

If any.

There was none.

RESOLVED Councillor Kunes was appointed Vice-Chair for the Municipal Year 2025/2026

Recommendation: The Environment and Community Panel to note the report.

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The Corporate Performance Officer presented the report to the Panel.

The Chair thanked the Officer for the report.

There were no questions or comments from the Panel.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the report.

The Panel has established the following groups:

·         Homelessness and Housing Delivery Task Group

·         Climate Change Informal Working Group.

Recommendations:

1. That the Homelessness and Housing Delivery Task Group continues to operate, and the Democratic Services Officer be instructed to seek Membership of the Task Group from the Group Leaders for the 2025/2026 municipal year.

2. The Climate Change Informal Working Group continues to operate, and the Panel appoints Members to serve on the Group.

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The Panel considered the appointment of Members to serve on the Informal Working Groups and Task Groups for the municipal year 2025/2026.

RESOLVED: 1. That the Homelessness and Housing Delivery Task Group continues to operate as a 7 Member Task Group and the Democratic Services Officer be instructed to seek Membership of the Task Group from the Group Leaders for the 2025/2026 municipal year.

2. The Climate Change Informal Working Group continues to operate, and the Panel appoints Councillor Bubb, Kunes, Kemp, Devulapalli and Heneghan as members.

For information, details of the Outside Bodies and Partnerships are listed below;

·         Borough Council/College of West Anglia Liaison Board

·         King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee

·         King’s Lynn Football Club Board

·         Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·         West Norfolk Community Transport

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The Panel were invited to nominate representatives to participate in the outside bodies and partnerships which fall within the remit of the Panel.

The panel noted that nominations would be present to Full Council for consideration.

RESOLVED: That the Panel submit the following nominations to Council: 

1.    Borough Council/College of West Anglia Liaison Board - Councillor Osborne

2.    King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee - Councillor Bubb, Bland and Non-Councillor Bill Davison

3.    King’s Lynn Football Club Board - Councillor Bland

4.    Norfolk Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Devulapalli and Councillor Kemp (Substitute)

5.    West Norfolk Community Transport- Councillor Everett

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Members of the Panel were reminded that if they had items which they would like to be considered for addition to the Work Programme to complete the appropriate form. It was agreed the Democratic Services Officer would circulate the form.

Councillor Long suggested the Panel received a performance update on Serco.

Councillor Kemp referred to West Lynn Ferry landing stage and expressed the importance of the Panel considering this item.

Councillor de Whalley provided an update to the Panel that work was ongoing to get the West Lynn Ferry back in operation.

Councillor Kunes sought clarification from Councillor de Whalley if there was a report in progress for changing the vehicle fleet to electricity. Councillor de Whalley confirmed it was in the stages of being prepared and released.

The Panel discussed care homes and monitoring of residents in care homes. The Panel received clarification of the services Norfolk County Council provided and the services the Borough Council provided.

It was agreed the Democratic Service Officer would circulate information previously sent to the panel which outlined the relevant bodies and their contact details. The Panel were asked if there was a specific organisation further details and information was needed to contact the Democratic Service Officer.

The Assistant Director reminded the Panel of the Services which the Lily department provide at the Borough Council.

Councillor Devulapalli asked if the Borough could participate in World Car Free Day. Councillor de Whalley confirmed he would look into this.

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 8^th July 2025 at 4:30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held on 8^th July 2025 at 4:30pm in the Council Chamber, Town Hall.