Agenda and minutes

The Chair informed the Panel that the meeting was being broadcast live on You Tube.

The recording of the meeting is available at WestNorfolkBC on You Tube.

The Democratic Services Officer conducted a roll call to confirm attendees.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There was none.

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 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 was none.

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

Members thoughts and suggestions on Town Regeneration

The Chair had asked Members of the Panel to give consideration to Town Regeneration prior to the meeting. 

The Chair presented her thoughts on short, medium and long term issues.  A copy of her presentation is attached.

Councillor Collingham then invited Members of the Panel to feedback their suggestions on Town Regeneration, focussing on the short term.  Feedback from Members is attached.

RESOLVED: The comments and suggestions of Members would be considered in future proposals as relevant.

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 Bubb – RD106

Councillor Hudson – RD99

Councillor Moriarty – RD102

Councillor Ryves – all items.

If any.

There was none.

To include:

-       The impact on the Work Programme.

-       Town Investment Plan

-       Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (note attached).

-       Future High Streets.

The Assistant Director provided an update on the work officers had been doing which would have an impact on the Panel’s Work Programme and the overall work being undertaken by the Borough Council, which included:

·         Towns Fund guidance which detailed what should be included in the investment plan, the strategic vision for the next five years and deadlines for the Towns Fund cohorts.

·         Future High Streets final submission.

·         Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for his update and invited questions and comments from Members.  A summary of questions and responses are set out below:

·         The importance of linking walking and cycling and the possibility of park and ride.  It was explained that one of the proposals within the King’s Lynn Transport Study related to park and ride feasibility.

·         Councillor Moriarty addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  He asked for clarification on the timings of the feasibility study for parking and walking.  The LDF Manager explained that Norfolk County Councillor officers were working on this feasibility study.  Timescales were unknown at this stage, as funding had only just been agreed.

·         Consideration to be given to cycles and scooters in pedestrian areas and safety considerations.  It was explained that this would be considered in the feasibility study and issues arising from the King’s Lynn Transport Study.

·         Social distancing in the town centre and how barricading could be used.  Councillor Middleton, Portfolio Holder for Business Development explained that this was a new way of arranging the town and the model would evolve.  He welcomed any feedback from Members on issues they had with the layout of the town centre with regards to barricades and signage and suggestions for town centre.

·         Comments were made that the Vancouver Quarter needed to give further consideration to more signage.

·         Local Walking and Cycling infrastructure should be considered across the Borough, not just King’s Lynn. 

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

The Senior Policy and Performance Officer presented the report.  He explained that there was no actions within the report as all indicators had met target for Quarter 3.  He also explained that for Quarter 4 some of the indicators had not met target and this was mainly down to the impact of Covid-19.  There were 6 indicators that did not meet target at the end of Quarter 4.

RESOLVED: The Panel reviewed the performance monitoring report.

The Principal Project Surveyor provided an update on the Corn Exchange Cinema and highlighted the following:

·         Phase 1 which was the initial works to refurbish the toilets and to separate the cinema area had been completed on time.

·         Phase 2 of the project commenced in March, however progress on site had been hampered by lockdown.

·         The original completion date was May 2020 for an opening in June 2020.  This had now been delayed by three months and currently the works were scheduled for completion in August 2020 with opening in September 2020, subject to the lifting of government restrictions on the operation of Cinemas.

·         It was thought that the cinema could be opened with social distancing measures in place.

·         The Principal Project Surveyor outlined the risks going forward, which included the continuing impact of the lockdown restrictions.

·         Financial arrangements with the contractor had been agreed.

The Chair referred to the Guildhall.  It was noted that an update on the Guildhall would be presented to the next meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

To include:

-       Opportunities presented by High Street HAZ for residential conversion.

-       Council Car Parks and potential for housing development

-       Modular Housing Development.

The Assistant Director provided the Panel with an update on Future Housing Plans, which included:

·         High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme.

·         Residential conversions above shops.

·         Chapel Street Car Park development.

·         Housing for people who were rough sleeping or homeless.

A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director for his presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel.  A summary of questions and responses is set out below:

·         Councillor Bambridge explained that she was a Member of the Heritage Action Zone Informal Working Group and felt that the design of Chapel Street was different to what had been discussed by the Group and that it should be more in keeping with the surrounding area.  The Assistant Director agreed to look into this and update the Panel.

·         The Assistant Director explained that the temporary accommodation housing provision responded to the general homelessness picture, which was more than just rough sleeping and could include families.  He explained that options for those who were in temporary accommodation during the lockdown, needed to be looked at.

·         The number of units for West Norfolk had not been allocated, and the Council would have to bid into a fund.

·         The Assistant Director explained that town centre development would reflect the needs of the housing needs assessment.  There would also be affordable housing opportunities and rented accommodation.

·         An empty shop levy to discourage vacant units in the town centre.

·         The Council was working to make properties available for shared accommodation which was a short to medium term plan. 

·         The Council was also working with Norfolk County Council to ensure that people who were rough sleeping were provided with the necessary support to ensure that they did not end up back on the streets.

·         The Assistant Director explained that it was a huge challenge to ensure that people who were currently accommodated at the Travelodge to have somewhere to move to, once the contract with the Travelodge had ended, and options were being looked at.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

The LDF Manager presented the Panel with information on CIL Governance and Spending.  A copy of the presentation is attached.

Councillor Parish, Chair of the CIL Governance Task Group, provided the Panel with information on what CIL was and outlined the work of the Task Group.

The CIL Officer provided the Panel with information on the online application process.

The Panel discussed the importance of ensuring that Parish Council’s were aware of the opportunities available to them and it was explained that once the Governance Arrangements had been agreed by Cabinet, officers would at how opportunities could be promoted to parishes and unparished areas.

RESOLVED:

1. The Panel agreed the final version of the CIL Governance and Spending document from the Task Group.

2. The Panel recommends the adoption of the content/process to the Cabinet.

The following items had been identified for consideration on the Work Programme:

-       Parkway – Councillor Ryves.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on 21^st July 2020 at 3.00pm via Zoom and streamed on You Tube.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be held on Tuesday 21^st July 2020 at 3.00pm on Zoom and available to view on You Tube.