Agenda and draft minutes

Prayers were led by Bishop Norman Banks.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings of the Council held on 13 and 27 February 2025 (previously circulated) and 19 March 2025 to be circulated.

RESOLVED:   The Minutes of the meetings held on 13 and 27 February 2025 and 19 March 2025 were approved 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

None

To receive any items of business which in the opinion of the Mayor are urgent. 

None

To receive petitions and public questions in accordance with Procedure Rule 20.

Public Question from Mary Davies

“I have recently had the distressing experience of my sister being moved into a Care Home against her will, and as a direct result of me raising serious concerns about her Rights and Care, the Home banned me from visiting her. Broken hearted, her health rapidly deteriorated and she died in the Home.

Along with the associated anguish and stress which affected my own health too, it was extremely challenging trying to obtain active support and guidance.  I felt isolated and powerless whilst my sister pleaded my help in her vulnerable situation.

The Care Quality Commission was recently described as “not fit for purpose” by Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting.   Every year, over two and a half million elderly people in the UK are affected by abuse in one form or another, in their own homes or in Care Homes, but these issues are shockingly overlooked.  West Norfolk has a high and increasing proportion of elderly residents.

TheBorough LILY service provides support to help tackle Loneliness and Social Isolation in our community, but what vital support can the Borough Council provide to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the elderly and residents of Care homes, to support those of us who have concerns for our loved ones in care and to ensure protection for anyone in similar circumstances to which I have referred.

Supplementary Question

The Borough Council is to be commended for signing up to the White Ribbon Promise to prevent men’s violence against women and girls

I am now an active supporter of Hourglass, the UK-wide charity dedicated to protecting older people and building a safer ageing society.

Will the Borough Council also sign up to the Hourglass Oath to fight against the abuse, harm, exploitation and neglect of older people?”

Councillor Rust gave the following response:   

“I am so sorry to hear of your distressing and upsetting experience.  I offer my sincere sympathy at the distress that you went through after your sister was moved.  I actually sent your question to the cabinet member at Norfolk County Council because it is a county function to fund provision of care homes for residents who are eligible.  It does not fall under the remit of the borough.  The Care Quality Commission (CQC), regulates and monitors care homes and they are meant to ensure that they meet quality and safety standards.  The CQC use something called Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs) to monitor a service and they focus on Safety, effectiveness, care, responsiveness and leadership.  Their inspection reports are public, meaning that members of the public can access them to help them make informed choices about care services.  If the standards are not met the CQC can take enforcement action.  So while our Lily service, who do amazing work over a variety of different areas, including reducing social isolation and loneliness, they wouldn’t be able to offer specific advice on concerns over the care provided by a care home.  If you called  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:110

Council was invited to make nominations to the Southery, Stringside and Stoke Ferry Internal Drainage Boards.  No nominations were received.

No nominations were received for the William Cleave Educational Foundation.

Council was invited to make nominations for 2 positions on the King’s Lynn Conservancy Board.  Councillor de Whalley, seconded by Councillor Moriarty proposed Councillor Bearshaw and Jill Bennett.  Councillor Long, seconded by Councillor Blunt proposed Councillor Bubb, Councillor Rose, seconded by Councillor Kemp, proposed Councillor Kemp.

Members were invited to complete the voting slips provided and hand back to S Winter at the end of the meeting.  The results of the ballot would be reported the following day.

Following the count on Friday, councillor Bearshaw and Jill Bennett were elected to serve on the King’s Lynn Conservancy Board.

RESOLVED:   1)          That Councillor Bearshaw and Jill Bennett be appointed as representatives to serve on King’s Lynn Conservancy Board

2)             That no nominations be made for the Southery, Stringside and Stoke Ferry Internal Drainage Boards.

3)             That no nominations be made to the William Cleave Educational Foundation.

Councillor Long presented his annual report from the Corporate Performance Panel.

RESOLVED:                That the report be noted.

(Members are reminded this is a debate, not a question and answer session)

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB136: Planning Member Code of Practice

CAB138: Appointments Board/ IDC Terms of Reference

Councillor Beales proposed the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 4 March 2024, seconded by Councillor Ring.

CAB136: Planning Member Code of Practice

CAB138: Appointments Board/ IDC Terms of Reference

RESOLVED:   That the recommendations from 4 March 2025 be approved.

Recommendations to follow.

CAB Local Plan 2021- 2040 Proposed Adoption

CAB Redundancy and Pay Policy Review  (Exempt Report)

Councillor Moriarty proposed the CAB159: Local Plan 2021- 2040 Proposed Adoption, seconded by Councillor Blunt.  Councillor Moriarty thanked all the members, officers and the public who had contributed to the local plan in order to get it to this stage following and long process by the Local Plan Task Group, through Cabinet and a rigorous Examination process by the Inspectors.

Council debated the recommendations and on being put to the vote it was agreed.

Councillor Beales proposed CAB161: Redundancy and Pay Policy Review (Exempt Report), seconded by Councillor Ring. It was noted that once the policy was approved it would become a public document.  On being put to the vote the recommendation was approved.

RESOLVED:   That the recommendations from Cabinet on 20 March 2025 be approved.

In accordance with Council Procedure 8, to receive reports from Cabinet Members moved en bloc, under Council procedure 8 Members of the Council may ask questions of Cabinet Members on their reports and Portfolio areas. The order of putting questions shall commence with a Member from the largest opposition group, proceeding in descending order to the smallest opposition group, followed by a Member from the ruling group. This order shall repeat until the time for questions has elapsed or there are no more questions to be put. 

The period of time for putting questions and receiving responses shall not exceed 60 minutes for all Cabinet Members.

(Councillors are reminded that this is a question and answer session not a debate.)

Climate Change and Biodiversity – Councillor M de Whalley

Planning and Licensing – Councillor J Moriarty

Environment and Coastal - Councillor S Squire

Finance – Councillor C Morley

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Deputy Leader Business and Culture – Cllr S Ring

Leader - Councillor A Beales – A verbal update will be given at the meeting.

Councillor Beales moved the Cabinet Members reports and gave an update on Local Government Review including a letter from the Minster which set out that the LGR would have an outline of a support plan going forward. The final submission would be made in September.

Councillor Ring gave an update on the award of the Rural Prosperity Fund which showed a 40% drop on the previous year.  The King’s Lynn SPF also showed a 50% drop on previous years.

Councillor Squire gave an update on the contamination being washed ashore on the west Norfolk beaches following the ship collision in the Channel.  A large quantity of plastic nurdles were washing up and were being cleared by a joint task force, including the Borough Council.  She explained that there would be an option for volunteers to get involved in due course. She praised the work being carried out.  In response to a question, she confirmed a claim would be made to the insurers of the ships.

Councillor de Whalley gave an update on the Ferry where officers continued to work with the contractors to bring it back into use.  He thanked the officers and the operators for their continued diligence.

Councillor Moriarty gave an update on a letter received from the Minister for Housing and Communities regard the Planning Housing Delivery Test figures which had been challenged by the authority as incorrect.  The letter now acknowledged that the figure issued by the Ministry was incorrect and the Council’s figures had been re calculated.

Cabinet Members responded to questions on the following subject areas:

·         The further engagement of key people and groups on the issue of the riverfront redevelopment.

·         The work going on to re-open the ferry for business

·         The potential for the imposition of a condition on licensed premises regarding Crime and Disorder, which could be requested for consideration by a Panel.

·         The potential for the transfer of council assets into the new authority once agreed, which it was pointed out were in public ownership, but along with all other issues would need to be looked at in due course.

·         The increase in costs of dog bins in parishes which was notified after the budgets were set, following which it had been agreed to distribute a draft figure in future years.

·         The next steps to combat the health inequalities in King’s Lynn, to which it was explained that the gaps in health inequalities were being identified and a raft of measures already in place were being identified linking with Marmot Place work.

·         Update on the Youth Council was that a recent meeting was held with the Youth Advisory Board where a number of queries had been raised, with a further one the following week.

·         Following the Heathrow substation fire incident, whether there was an emergency plan in place should something happen with the Walpole sub station.  The Leader undertook to ascertain what plans were in place.

·         Any conditions being imposed on The Garage taking over the lease of the Carnegie  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:114

In accordance with Procedure rule 9, Members of the Council may ask any questions of the Chair of any Council Body (except the Cabinet).

There were no questions.