Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J Lowe.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J Lowe.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on 25^th September 2025 were approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on 25^th September 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Vice Chair.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillor Rust and Bone mentioned a non-pecuniary interest relating to the security company used for the King’s Lynn Pride event.

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

There was no urgent business.

There was no urgent business.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman.

Councillors J Fry, A Kemp and A Moore were present under Standing Order 34 on Teams.

Councillors J Fry, A Kemp and A Moore were present under Standing Order 34 on Teams.

There was none.

There was none.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the presentation on the Car Parking Strategy.

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The Regeneration Programmes Manager and the Regeneration Programmes Officer gave a presentation.

The Chair invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Bone sought clarification on whether  the figures considered parking on adjacent streets. He highlighted the impact on residents and questioned if the side streets were policed.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager confirmed the data did not include residential parking as this was car park focused. She added the feedback on residential parking could be reflected on and could be followed up by Highways at Norfolk County Council and included as a recommendation as part of the strategy. She added there was previous consultations and permit schemes on Waterloo Street which had been taken forward.

Councillor Bone commented that a survey within the organisation would be worthwhile to find out where Officers used for car parking.

Councillor Heneghan referred to the Nar Ouse Travel Hub and asked how many car parking spaces were to be available there and if there was capacity to expand if successful.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager confirmed 50 spaces but there was scope and design to include 236 car parking spaces.

Councillor Heneghan encouraged cycling and use of buses and sought confirmation of plans for bus and cycle lane from the travel hub.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager explained there was good cycling infrastructure including Harding’s Way and joint ticketing with bus operators was being explored to encourage use.

In response to Councillor Rust, the Regeneration Programmes Manager commented that a plan of cycle routes could be shared and recommend the best routes to be taken. She added Norfolk County Council were working on the gyratory and local cycling and walking infrastructure plans which would also improve the walking and cycling routes.

In response to a deeper dive requested by Councillor Sayers, the Regeneration Programmes Officer summarised key findings, including peak demand in December, the popularity of the Tuesday Marketplace car park, the prevalence of short-term parking, and the existence of spare capacity except during peak periods, while also noting a 9% increase in cashless payments and a 7% increase in income since 2018.

In response to Councillor Sayers further question on EV charging and disabled parking; the Regeneration Programmes Officer confirmed that increasing EV charging points and reviewing disabled parking provision were explicit recommendations, with ongoing efforts to ensure car parks met accessibility needs.

Councillor Colwell raised concerns about parking charges as a 'tax', and the Regeneration Programmes Manager supported by the Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer, explained the need to balance accessibility, revenue generation, and the encouragement of alternative transport modes, noting benchmarking against similar towns.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp asked about travel plans for businesses and bus service improvements, the Regeneration Programmes Manager detailed ongoing travel plan work with major employers such as Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mars and Greenyard and collaboration with the County Council and bus operators to align services with the park and ride initiative.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

RESOLVED:  The Committee established an informal working group to discuss and review Special Expenses including identifying savings.

The Committee endorsed the proposed Special Expenses charge for 2026/27 as set out in section 2.2 of the report

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION: Making recommendations on the utilisation of Special Expenses for King’s Lynn was within the original terms of reference of the Committee.

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The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer presented the report. He also advised that there had been many enquiries in relation to the costs that make up this budget. As a result, proposed that the Council’s Finance Team review costs and income streams and make proposals back to the Committee during 2026/27 on key opportunities to reduce subsidisation by the Borough Council and improve understanding for the Committee, where they can impact the costs and income in the Special Expenses budget.

The Chair invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Sayers sought clarification on bus shelters and asked if the figures were net costs or gross costs and there was no revenue against it.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer confirmed it was net costs and highlight the income received had reduced as a contractor had dropped out but highlighted there was an opportunity for other advertisement which needed to be explored.

Councillor Bone commented there was inconsistency around the figures not aligning to his expectations as the budget for toilets cost less than dog waste bins. He outlined his support for the Council Tax Support Scheme. He questioned where the efficiencies and savings were to come from.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained the priority was the three/four areas which were better opportunities for promoting greater use and income streams – exploring pavilions and liaising with leisure services to generate additional income. He added that supply of utilities at community centres and exploring LED lighting and could be considered for reducing costs and accessing more preferable contracts. He commented further that high transport costs for maintenance of Public Conveniences could be explored with the operations team.

Councillor Joyce commented that the finance team needed to liaise with members of King’s Lynn Area Committee to bring forward ideas to reduce costs and the Special Expenses overall. He suggested an informal working group could be created.

Councillor Collop referred to the Gaywood Remembrance Service and the changes in figures – increase of £250 for first aiders. She questioned if King’s Lynn, Downham Market and Hunstanton also paid for first aiders.

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection advised that  first aiders were required at public events and in regard to Downham Market and Hunstanton these events were organised in the same way in which the Gaywood Remembrance Service was. He confirmed that he would provide further details back to the Committee.

Councillor Bone provided knowledge on the cost of the quote for first aid and confirmed the need along with an event management plan and highlighted St Johns Ambulance were used for the Tower Gardens service.

Councillor Heneghan requested a financial breakdown including what was covered for the costs for Open Spaces.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained Open Spaces was an area which was prioritised for a deeper dive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

RESOLVED: The Committee

1. Approved, subject to budget availability, the costed scheme.

2. For approved schemes that the sponsoring Councillor submits the bid to Norfolk

County Council.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the highways improvement schemes in the unparished area of Kings Lynn can be submitted to Norfolk County Council.

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The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection presented the report with Councillor Jones providing further detail on his application.

The Chair invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Colwell expressed his support for this parish partnership scheme bid and referred to the success of similar cameras in Gaywood. He questioned the proposed location of the camera which was a raised junction and sought clarification on the advice from the Highways Engineer.

Councillor Jones provided assurance that the Highway Engineer had no issues where the cameras were proposed to be placed.

Councillor Bone supported the application for the bid and the match funding from the Committee’s budget. He commented on Councillor Bambridge’s concerns as the County Councillor on the replacement and maintenance of the batteries. He questioned if the school nearby would contribute to this work.

Councillor Jones provided information on who would  be responsible for the maintenance and replacement of the batteries which was set out in the application and report.

Councillor Heneghan questioned how mobile the proposed cameras were. She commented further how this answered issues from residents on speeding within the North Lynn area.

In response, Councillor Jones explained the camera was portable and was to be fixed to a lamppost as located in the map set out in the report. 

The Chair, Councillor Everett supported the bid as this would help reduce speeding in the area.

RESOLVED: 1. The Committee approved, subject to budget availability, the costed scheme.

2. For approved schemes that the sponsoring Councillor submits the bid to Norfolk

County Council.

RECOMMENDATION: The Committee approved the creation of a KLAC support officer. The post to be for an initial two-year period for 14.8hrs per week.

REASON FOR DECISION: To provide the necessary officer resource to support KLAC.

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The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection presented the report.

The Chair invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Joyce questioned if there was scope for flexible working and if the job was to be advertised external or internal. He questioned if members from the Committee would sit on the panel for interviews.

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection explained the job had been costed at 2 days a week however it was down to the Committee to decide if that was sufficient. He added he would speak to HR in regards to Members being on the interview panel.

Councillor Heneghan supported the KLAC Officer role to make them more effective and agreed with Councillor Joyce with Members of the Committee having an input on selection and recruitment.

Councillor Bone expressed his support for the role and support Members with Parish Partnership Bids. He commented that he thought there would be peaks within the work of the support officer.

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection commented the position could work within the flexible working policy as the individual would explore other grant funding for the Committee.

In response to Councillor Fry, under Standing Order 34, the Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection clarified the post would be short term for two years which would come out of the budget allocated to the Committee.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Fry commented she felt Members should not be involved in the interview process.

Councillor Bone sought confirmation of the salary being proposed

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection highlighted section 5 of the report which identified £16,000 a year.

Councillor Heneghan commented if there was flexibility within the role this could be reviewed and increased if necessary.

RECOMMENDATION: The Committee approved the creation of a KLAC support officer. The post to be for an initial two-year period for 14.8hrs per week.

The Committee is asked to consider items for a future Work Programme for

The Committee is also asked to consider the Cabinet’s Forward Decision List.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Decision List.

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It was agreed the Special Expenses Informal Working Group was to be added to the Committee’s Work Programme.

The committee discussed future agenda items, including antisocial behaviour hotspots, collaborative approaches with partner agencies, and the status of the accessible playground project, with members suggesting joint campaigns and outreach to address issues such as cycling without lights and youth congregation.

RESOLVED: The Committee noted the Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Decision List.

The next meeting was scheduled for the 15^th January 2026.

The next meeting was scheduled for the 15^th January 2026.