Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

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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 an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

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To receive any Chair’s correspondence.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Stuart Dark back onto the Cabinet in his new position as Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Stuart Dark back onto the Cabinet in his new position as Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Public Protection.

To note the names of any Councillors who wish to address the meeting under Standing Order 34.

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 A Holmes, C Morley, A Ryves and M de Whalley attended under standing order 34.

Councillors A Holmes, C Morley, A Ryves and M de Whalley attended under standing order 34.

To report on any Cabinet Decisions called in.

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To receive any comments and recommendations from other Council bodies which meet after the dispatch of this agenda. 

The Regeneration and Development Panel had received a briefing on the items on the agenda.

The Regeneration and Development Panel had received a briefing on the items on the agenda.

To receive a verbal update on the Plan and Town Board

Councillor Middleton introduced the Town Board and the work which it had undertaken to produce the King’s Lynn Town Investment Plan.

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Councillor Middleton introduced the Town Board and the work which it had undertaken to produce the King’s Lynn Town Investment Plan. He explained that the document which had been put together by the Board which consisted of representatives from local businesses, COWA and the Hospital, would define the future of King’s Lynn town centre.

The Assistant Director Regeneration, Housing and Place explained that the Town Board, which had carried out extensive engagement with businesses and community groups, was in the best position to secure Government Funding.  The Plan set out opportunities for 5-10 years.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Ryves addressed the Cabinet commenting that he considered the Plan to be anodyne and officer led.  He considered it could be more commercial and concentrate on the town’s assets and links with other places.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Holmes asked if the equality impact assessment should read negatives or neutral for many of the groups shown.  It was confirmed that these should be showing as neutral, not negative.   Whilst confirming that he considered the proposed outcomes aspirational he also questioned if there was the capacity to deliver the schemes set out in the report and considered that the cases for affordability were weak.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Morley commented that he felt it was a pragmatic package of improvements for King’s Lynn, he was pleased to see improvements for youth and retraining included but disappointed that the CITB would not be involved.

Under standing order 34 Councillor de Whalley expressed concern about the lack of consultation with  West Winch and the Woottons parishes.  He expressed concerns about the sustainability of the proposals.

Councillor Long responded to the points made explaining that the submission to Government had to be made in a specific way and would be returned if not.  With regard to the affordability, he commented that if successful for any of the proposals finances would have to be made available.  It was also confirmed that CITB was well outside of the area for the scheme and that the parishes would be involved as schemes moved forward. 

Councillor Middleton in responding to comments reminded members that the Plan was not officer led but was put together and endorsed by the Town Board. 

Councillor Dark drew attention to the ambition in the document and Councillor Nockolds commended the number of businesses who had been involved and the consultation carried out.

The Cabinet is asked to consider excluding the public from the meeting under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 for consideration of the items below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

PRIVATE ITEM

Details of any representations received about why the following reports should be considered in public will be reported at the meeting.

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 items 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.

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 items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

To consider the exempt report

RESOLVED:   1)         That the Town Investment Plan as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be endorsed.

2)               That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business Development to agree the final submission of the Town Investment Plan by the deadline on 30 October 2020

3)               That the short list of projects seeking Town Deal Funding support as detailed in section 3 of the report be endorsed.

4)               That the prioritisation and funding arrangements for projects submitted under the Future High Streets Fund as part of the Town Investment Plan long list as detailed in section 4 & 9 of the report be agreed.

5)               That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business Development and to agree the Heads of Terms with government and the Town Deal Board based on the priorities set out in the TIP.

6)               That the continuation of the King’s Lynn Town Deal Board as the public – private partnership to support delivery of the shared vision and objectives set out in the TIP be supported.

7)               That the Council underwrites the match funding commitment required for St George’s Guildhall restoration project in order to give it the best chance of meeting the FHSF gateway criteria for funding.

Reason for Decision

To allow the Council to secure grant funding stream to deliver the investment priorities in the Town Investment Plan for King’s Lynn, contribute to the Recovery Plan in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the long term economic prosperity of the town.

Councillor Middleton presented the exempt report.  Patrick White from Metrodynamics gave an update on the work carried out to reach this stage and gave an overview of the schemes put forward which he felt were deeply ambitious and credible.  It was confirmed that it was trying to create a good environment for young people’s future.  

The Assistant Director reminded members that the plans were embryonic at this stage, and the community had been involved at the start of the process. 

Members were also reminded that the projects put forward all linked with other programmes.

Under standing order 34 Councillors Ryves addressed Cabinet and encouraged  the redevelopment of key areas. 

Under standing order 34 Councillor Morley made reference to a good pragmatic package which he felt some tweaks would be of benefit.

Under standing order 34 Councillor de Whalley raised some concerns about match funding, and a potential plan B if the Guildhall proposal was unsuccessful.

Councillor Middleton summed up and Councillor Blunt considered it was ambitious but achievable and deliverable.

The Leader made an amendment to recommendation 5 so that the delegation was to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio holder.  This was agreed.

RESOLVED:   1)         That the Town Investment Plan as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be endorsed.

2)               That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business Development to agree the final submission of the Town Investment Plan by the deadline on 30 October 2020

3)               That the short list of projects seeking Town Deal Funding support as detailed in section 3 of the report be endorsed.

4)               That the prioritisation and funding arrangements for projects submitted under the Future High Streets Fund as part of the Town Investment Plan long list as detailed in section 4 & 9 of the report be agreed.

5)               That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business Development and to agree the Heads of Terms with government and the Town Deal Board based on the priorities set out in the TIP.

6)               That the continuation of the King’s Lynn Town Deal Board as the public – private partnership to support delivery of the shared vision and objectives set out in the TIP be supported.

7)               That the Council underwrites the match funding commitment required for St George’s Guildhall restoration project in order to give it the best chance of meeting the FHSF gateway criteria for funding.

Reason for Decision

To allow the Council to secure grant funding stream to deliver the investment priorities in the Town Investment Plan for King’s Lynn, contribute to the Recovery Plan in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the long term economic prosperity of the town.

The Assistant Director Regeneration Housing and Place presented the report which explained that the Borough Council had been offered the opportunity to become a High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) by Historic England. This followed a successful expression of interest submission made in 2019.

Using other direct investment and complementary funding, the HSHAZ programme had the opportunity to deliver £1.8m of investment to support repurposing of the town centre on the High Street and Norfolk Street. The HSHAZ programme also included up to £120k additional funding, accessible to develop a Cultural Programme within King’s Lynn.

The report set out the programme for the HSHAZ and the commitment required from the council to enter the scheme with Historic England.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Ryves supported the project.  Councillor Holmes made reference to being conscious of some elements of the town. Councillor Morley sought clarification on partner funding.  Councillor de Whalley welcomed the proposed improvements which would show off the good architecture above the ground floor.

RESOLVED:1) That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Project Delivery sign the partnership contract and any necessary legal documentation required for the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.

2) That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director to recruit a 3.5 year fixed term HS HAZ Project Officer to manage delivery of the programme.

Reason for Decision

To allow the Council to access a major grant funding stream in line with the corporate strategy to support the vibrancy and viability of King’s Lynn’s town centre and contribute to the Recovery Plan in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.