Agenda and draft minutes

Prayers were led by Reverend Jon Price.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beales, Bhondi, Colwell, Dark, Humphrey, Lawrence, Lowe, Ratcliffe, Ryves and Spikings.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 27 March and Annual Council on 15 May 2025.

Councillor Kemp requested that names be attributed to questions asked of Cabinet Members at the March meeting.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on 27^th March 2025 and 15^th May 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.

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Public Question from Julia Irving

“Last year the world passed the lamentable milestone of becoming 1.5 0c warmer than the average temperature in preindustrial times.

Our government and this local government and many others declared a climate emergency, but failed to act with appropriate urgency and so we pass the temperature level, which the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Charge warned, would precipitate unpredictable climate changes .

The natural systems of our home are out of balance and the effects of this are being felt here and around the world, with droughts, flooding, forest fires and degradation of food supplies affecting millions in the global south.

Britain is not protected from these consequences. It is predicted that power failure and food insecurity will be some of the soon felt consequences in the global north as crops fail and power plants are hit by unpredictable and severe flooding. I am sure we all recognise that West Norfolk and The Fens are especially vulnerable to floods as transport, food production and energy supplies are at risk in low lying areas.

Given this is where we are; what steps are the council taking to try to mitigate the consequences of these dire challenges? Is there a committee which is tasked with facing and planning for food insecurity long term power failures and mass evacuations?”

Councillor de Whalley responded to the question as set out below

“Thank you for the question which covers a number of important local issues.

Climate change is a global challenge, and the threats and risks identified will not solely be resolved by local action. Collaborative action is required, the council is a contributor to the Future Fens Integrated Adaptation (FFIA) programme (https://awinnovationhub.co.uk/project/future-fens-integrated-adaptation-ffia/ and Fens 2100 project.

The FFIA brings together key partners such as the Environment Agency, Water Resources East, the Peterborough and Cambridge Combined Authority, Lincolnshire County Council, Norfolk County Council and many district and borough councils. This collaboration is essential for adapting to many challenges including climate change.

The Tyndall Centre, University of East Anglia were commissioned by the FFIA to prepare a recently published climate change risk assessment for the Fens area ( https://tyndall.ac.uk/news/new-climate-report-finds-time-running-out-to-save-the-fens/). This report will inform future programmes and action.

The Environment Agency is leading on the Fens 2100 project which is considering the impact of climate change on the Fens and how we manage this going forward. Details are here https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/fens2100

Fens 2100 is a pioneering collaborative programme and has developed a Fens-wide flood resilience investment strategy that achieves long-term value for money and generates regional and national benefits. It is being developed with, and for, Flood Risk Management Authorities so they can plan for the next 20-25 years of flood risk management. This work is attracting investment that safeguards land and property from flooding but there is much more to do.

DEFRA would lead on food security issues, and they recently published their Food Security Report 2024 on 14  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:23

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Council was invited to review its proportionality following the recent by-elections.

Councillor Ring proposed the recommendations, and in doing so welcomed the two recently elected Councillors to the Chamber.

Councillor Long seconded the recommendations, and outlined concerns he had relating to the calculations.  He hoped that further discussions could be held with Group Leaders and a further review conducted.

Councillor Joyce commented that, as a non-aligned Member, he received no places on Committees, but still agreed with the recommendations as set out in the report.

In summing up, Councillor Ring acknowledged the concerns raised by Councillor Long and confirmed that a review would be carried out and Group Leaders kept informed.

RESOLVED: That the review of proportionality was agreed as set out in the report.

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

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Councillor Ring, seconded by Councillor Rust, proposed the below recommendations from the 15^th April and 10^th June Cabinet meetings en bloc, with the exception of CAB12:Appointment of Honorary Alderman, which would be considered separately.

CAB171: Code of Corporate Governance

CAB173: Corporate Enforcement Policy

CAB174: Review of Outside Bodies

CAB10: Corporate Debt Recovery Policy

RESOLVED: The above recommendations from the 15 April 2025 and 10 June 2025 Cabinet meetings were approved.

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Councillor Rust proposed CAB12: Appointment of Honorary Alderman.  She commented that she was proud to propose this recommendation and spoke in support of the award of Honorary Alderman status to former Councillor Margaret Wilkinson.  She commented that Mrs Wilkinson was one of the longest serving Councillors, had held many positions within the Council and worked hard for her Ward. 

Councillor Everett seconded the proposal, praising the work carried out by Mrs Wilkinson to her residents and the Council and thanking her for her dedication.

Councillor Joyce supported the proposal and made reference to Mrs Wilkinson’s upbringing and the challenges she had faced.

Councillor Ring commented that this award was well deserved and justified and thanked Mrs Wilkinson for all her hard work.

Councillor Long supported the proposal and reminded Council that Mrs Wilkinson had retired rather than resigned from her position as Councillor.  He thanked her for all her work over the years.

Councillor Kemp fully supported the proposal and commented that Mrs Wilkinson had done so much for the Borough, was approachable, kind and treated everyone equally.

Councillor Kirk fully supported the proposal and praised Mrs Wilkinson for the work she carried out during her year as Mayor.

Councillor Bone commented that this was a fitting award and Mrs Wilkinson was an amazing woman.  He reiterated the comments made by Councillor Long that she had not resigned, she had retired.

In summing up, Councillor Rust commented that it was wonderful that Mrs Wilkinson would be recognised for all her hard work and was touched by the warmth and affection of the Chamber.

RESOLVED: The award of Honorary Alderman status to Mrs Margaret Wilkinson was unanimously agreed.

None.

None.

In accordance with Council procedure rule 8, to receive reports from Cabinet Members to be moved en bloc.  Members of the Council may ask up to four 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, then non aligned members, 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 and the Leader

Climate Change and Biodiversity – Councillor M de Whalley

Culture and Events – Councillor S Lintern

Planning and Licensing – Councillor J Moriarty

Environment and Coastal - Councillor S Squire

Finance – Councillor C Morley

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Deputy Leader and Business – Cllr S Ring

Leader - Councillor A Beales

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Councillor Ring moved the Cabinet Members reports en bloc.

Councillor Lintern provided a verbal update to her report, reflecting on the Hanseatic Watersports Festival and the unfortunate incident which had taken place resulting in a participant being air lifted to Hospital.  She stated that her thoughts were with the skier, their family and the other competitors.  She praised the work of the Emergency Services and other organisations involved.  Councillor Lintern also thanked the Members of the public for showing respect during the accident.

Councillor Lintern condemned the press outlet which had posted a video of the accident and had refused to remove this.  She respected the other media outlets who had shown respect by not publishing the video.

The Mayor invited questions to Cabinet Members.

In response to a question from Councillor Long relating to fly-tipping and untidiness around the Southgates, Councillor Ring explained that the team had been instructed to start work on the area and were committed to getting it cleared.

In response to a question from Councillor Heneghan, Councillor Rust praised the work of the RISE project and agreed that there was value in rolling this out wider, however it would need to be tailored to specific areas.  Councillor Rust praised the work of Councillor Jones and commented that he had been nominated for an LGA Councillor of the year award.  Councillor Rust also highlighted the work of the Youth Advisory Board, some of which were present observing the meeting.  Councillor Rust commented that Councillor Jones was a role model and also commended the work of Reverend Jon Price, his wife and all others involved in the Beacon Project.

Councillor Kemp referred to the cost of an Alive Card, which was required in order to benefit from free half term activities and felt that this was a barrier to access services.  Councillor Ring commented that he would look into ways to encourage participation and make young people feel as if they were a part of the Borough.

Councillor Joyce referred to flyposting and rubbish and asked Cabinet if they were aware of the excellent job that the clean up team had done along Wisbech Road.  Councillor Ring commented that removal of the brambles had really smartened up the area and acknowledged that more work was required.

In response to a question from Councillor Parish, Councillor Moriarty explained that he would formulate a response and share with Councillors, his concerns with Anglian Water and potential objections to future planning applications.

In response to a question from Councillor Sandell, Councillor Moriarty provided an update on the announcement that funding to support Parishes going through the Neighbourhood Plan process would be removed by Government.  He explained that Parish Councils were being kept informed as required and discussions were ongoing with officers.

Councillor Everett made reference to the Leader of Norfolk County Council and social media posts.  Councillor Ring commented that this was a matter for fellow County  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:27

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.