Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies of absence

An apology of absence was received from Councillor J Moriarty.

Councillor Beales commented regarding Councillor Blunt’s previous query on whether it was the Borough Council or Norfolk County Council who would be the planning authority for the STARS scheme and confirmed that Officers have not yet confirmed this. 

RESOLVED: The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

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.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on any 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 Chairman proposed to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972

There was no urgent business under Standing Order 7.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman

Councillor A Kemp and Councillor A Ware were present under Standing Order 34.

There was none.

Councillor Morley asked if there was any progress on the lease of the Custom House. Councillor Ring advised he would raise this with the Interim Assistant Director for Property and Projects.

The Board had no further comments or questions on the Action Log

P-21.02 - EZ NORA Infrastructure

P-21.05 - Parkway (Florence Fields)

P-21.08 - Southend Road

P-21.09 - West Winch Growth Area

P-21.10a - Southgates Place Making

P-21.10b -STARS

P-21.11 - Guildhall

P-21.12 - ACC

P-21.14 - Riverfront

P-21.15 - Rail to River

P-21.16 – MUCH

P-23.08- Lynnsport 1

Click here to view the recording of the item on YouTube.

EZ NORA Infrastructure

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place highlighted to Board a significant overspend from Norfolk County Council. He added most of the work was completed however minor works were outstanding.

Councillor Ring sought clarification on the travel hub to be built as planned.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place confirmed the final report had not yet been received however it was positive as there was concern this aspect of the project was jeopardized.

Councillor Ring questioned further if the active travel hub was to go ahead, would this fit the Neighbourhood Board time frames for spending.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place confirmed it would fit the time frame and requirements of the Neighbourhood Board to be in contract by March 2026, not to have spent the money by this date. He added the timeline was tight and therefore a risk.

Councillor Long raised a concern of the access road being gated and questioned if there were any future plans for this to be opened to allow access for fire emergency vehicles to access Nar Ouse Way and the A47.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised he was unable to confirm but would raise with Norfolk County Council.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp commented discussions had been had regarding this matter and added this would be useful for fire emergency vehicles.

Parkway (Florence Fields)

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised there had been good progress however sales slower than anticipated. He advised arrangements were being reviewed and housing research had been conducted to identify prospective purchasers.

The Chair, Councillor Beales highlighted site progress was going well.   The deputy mayor had recently undertaken a site visit who was particularly interested in the environmental aspects. The Chair confirmed that a site visit for members would be arranged and mentioned that the show home showed the modern construction methods in use, in clear and easy to understand detail.  He referenced the projected 55% saving in energy costs. He brought to the Board’s attention work going on to enable information to be more accessible to members without compromising commercial sensitivity. 

Councillor Ring commented the housing research reinforced the reason for building the developments and who the interested and prospective purchasers are.

The Chair, Councillor Beales highlighted a report was to go to the Corporate Performance Panel to provide an overview of the major housing programme.

In response to Councillor Kemp the Chair, Councillor Beales confirmed the technical risks had been resolved and outlined that works in connected with the attenuation tanks were progressing well.

Councillor Morley commented that overall the major housing programme was on target with the budget.  The Chair, Councillor Beales agreed there was realistic forecasting.

Southend Road

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised the Board, the project was near completion however the project had exceeded the target completion date with Homes England.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Click here to view the recording of this item on YouTube.

The Project Officer gave a presentation to the Board on the Guildhall.

The Chair thanked the Project Officer and invited questions and comments from the Board.

Councillor Long referred to the gap between full scheme budget and the funding secured and questioned if the gap was widening or not. He added that he felt some members of the public could not see the benefit of the project yet. 

The Chair, Councillor Beales commented the initial budget grew as knowledge has grown about the building. He advised there had been recent additions including the £2 million reallocated from Devil’s Alley project.

The Project Officer commented the tender figures are still awaiting therefore the gap could change however the funding which had already been secured remains. He referred to the Cabinet Report from summer 2024 which had identified a £11.3 million shortfall.

Councillor Ring commented that not only cost inflation had applied to this scheme, but the scope and aspirations had inflated too, particularly following discoveries made at the site which had previously not been fully known about. He explained there was movement on the funding gap from the Neighbourhood Board and potential to utilise the future devolution programme. He commented it was difficult to provide the public with information due to the sensitivity but highlighted the historical discoveries made. He added that the building had been at the heart of King’s Lynn since 1420 and this project would evolve but it will help to promote the area.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place understood the frustration with limited detail being shared however this was essential at this stage of the project. He commented work was going to continue beyond the end of the Towns Fund monies; the focus currently is on working with the new charity and looking at funds which had not yet been explored. He also mentioned the Plan for Neighbourhoods fund and the future Norfolk and Suffolk Investment Fund.

Councillor Long thanked Officers and Councillor Ring for the further information and raised concern on the accessibility for deliveries down King’s Street once work commences. He commented operational risk needed to be minimised.

The Project Officer advised Officers were aware of challenges that the contractors will have, and the most efficient way of using the space was being considered. He added the contractors would have a management plan which would include operating and loading and access times.

Councillor Morley commented he believed the timescales were optimistic and the project was complex. He commented as the tender process closed; a design would be offered against the RIBA 4 requirements. He added there was currently £10.5 million allocated and further funding was needed. 

The Project Officer commented the nature of the project was not underestimated. He explained the project team including the consultant and the procurement team had allocated time to review the responses to the tender. He added the timescales were tight however achievable and deliverable.

Under  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Click here to view the recording of this item on YouTube

The Programme Management Office Manager provided the Board with an update. She advised recruitment was successful and a PMO Officer and PMO Co-Ordinator had been appointed and were in post. She informed the Board that two further PMO Officer roles had been approved as part of the transformation programme.

The Board noted the Officer Major Project Board Minutes.

For Members to consider items to be added to the Work Programme for 2025/2026

The Programme Management Office Manager highlighted to the Board the Standing Items coming forward as part of the work programme. She advised the Salters Road Presentation would be moved to the September meeting.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing and Place advised a detailed West Winch update would be given at the September meeting.

Councillor Beales, the Chair commented a STARS update would hopefully be given at the next meeting once a decision had been made by Norfolk County Council. The Chair commented further if there were any updates on projects which needed a deeper dive to put forward as items on the work programme.

8th September 2025 at 9:30am in the Council Chamber,Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn,

8^th September 2025, 9:30am in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Councillor Ring provided the Board with an update on Southend Road.

The Assistant Director for Housing, Regeneration and Place provided a further update to the Board.

Members of the Board asked questions and made comments on Southend Road.