Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

The notes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

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 Members 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 an item or simply observing the meeting.

There was no pecuniary interest declared by Members present however Councillor Heneghan under Standing Order 34b commented some of the applications were for projects which were in her Ward. Councillor de Whalley commented he was the Portfolio Holder for West Lynn Ferry and LED Lighting upgrades.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100b(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was no urgent business to consider.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

Councillors de Winton, Morley and Lintern were present under Standing Order 34a.

Councillor Heneghan was present under Standing Order 34b on Teams.

The Chair, Councillor Moriarty advised he had received correspondence and would advise the Panel during applications if necessary.

The Chair, Councillor Moriarty introduced the first meeting of the new CIL spending panel format, outlining the strategic allocation of funds, the roles of Officers and Councillors, and the process for project selection and decision-making, with support from Officers.

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

The CIL Officer described the project selection process, stating that projects were chosen based on the current spending strategy, with input from finance and lead project officers, and that only infrastructure projects supporting new development were included.

The panel was informed that 80% of CIL funding was allocated to strategic Council plans and 20% to local projects, with the spending panel able to grant funds up to £100,000 with higher amounts requiring Cabinet recommendation.

It was highlighted that 13 projects requested a total of £5.5 million against an available £4.2 million, requiring prioritisation and running totals to be kept, with decisions on larger projects to be recommended to Cabinet.

Application 1 - Hunstanton Coastal Defence Capital Works Project

The Flood and Water Management Officer highlighted the urgency, funding structure, and implications of the £2.84 million request for the essential Hunstanton Coastal Defences project.

In response to a question from Councillor de Whalley, the Flood and Water Management Officer explained that the coastal defences were at the end of their expected life, with recent failures increasing the urgency for both emergency and capital works, and that delays could increase costs and risk to life.

Councillor de Whalley requested clarification on whether, when project funding was secured through external grants, the corresponding CIL allocation would be returned to the CIL funding pot.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer clarified that the only alternative to CIL funding was unsupported council borrowing, which would incur additional costs, and that any grant aid reclaimed for emergency works would not replenish the CIL fund.

Councillor Blunt queried the timeline given on the capital works expected to commence in Q3.  The Flood and Water Management Officer explained the urgency was for the emergency work which needed to be completed however the timeline for the capital works was dependent on planning applications and a Marine licence.

Under Standing Order 34a, Councillor Morley sought clarification on the figures. The Flood and Water Management Officer confirmed the £2.84 million request comprised £750,000 for emergency works and £2.09 million as match funding for the capital scheme, with the latter required to unlock 90% grant-in-aid funding under new rules.

The Chair, Councillor Moriarty proposed recommending the application for the full £2.84 million which was seconded by Councillor de Whalley.

RESOLVED: The Panel unanimously agreed to recommend the full £2.84 million request for the Hunstanton Coastal Defence Capital Works Project to Cabinet.

Application 2 - West Lynn Ferry – Infrastructure Improvements

Councillor de Whalley, as the Portfolio Holder supported the application and highlighted the ferry was essential infrastructure. He highlighted relevant parts of the Local Plan and outlined the West Lynn Ferry supported sustainable transport, local housing allocations, and the King's Lynn Master Plan, with risks of service suspension if not funded.

Under Standing Order 34b, Councillor Heneghan argued the application should be changed to essential and expressed the concerns of suspension of the service if funding was not secured.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed for the 22^nd June 2026 in the Council Chamber, Town Hall at 10am.