Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Crofts.

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.

There was none.

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.  

Councillors Kemp and Parish.

If any.

There was none.

Representatives from Norfolk County Council will be present at the meeting to provide information to the Panel.

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Officers from Norfolk County Council attended the meeting and gave a presentation on the Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Plan.  A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Chair thanked officers for the presentation and the early engagement with the Panel.  The Chair invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Colwell asked for consideration to be given to energy infrastructure to support ultra-rapid charging stations and it was confirmed that the need for infrastructure would be investigated as part of the plan.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Everett asked about sources of funding and if public and private partnerships would be considered.  It was confirmed that a variety of options would be considered spanning a range of funding opportunities, so that Norfolk and Suffolk was not just reliant on Government funding.

Councillor Blunt referred to the Walpole sub-station and the need to ensure consultation with residents and local people as there were disruptions during construction.  He also commented that facilities seemed concentrated in certain places and asked that the effect on local people be considered.  Officers from Norfolk County Council explained that projects came forward where capacity existed and were decided on by Government, however Local Authorities could scrutinise schemes.  It was explained that the purpose of the Norfolk and Suffolk plan was to form a strategic approach and evidence base to influence future decisions.

In response to a question from the Chair, officers explained that the project was being taken forward to ensure that Norfolk and Suffolk had a sufficient energy supply and were not reliant on energy coming in from outside the area.  The project would look at supply and demand, substation constraints and locally produced energy.

In response to a further question from the Chair it was clarified that locations would be considered through the plan and Norfolk County Council would use the Borough Council’s Local Plan to build the evidence base,

Councillor Bubb asked if the plan would result in a reduction in householder bills and officers from Norfolk County Council confirmed that this would form part of the investigation, including looking at sustainable solutions and flexible schemes.

The Vice Chair referred to energy poverty and the need to get bills down and hoped that schemes would not result in an increase in standing charges.  Officers explained that a variety of investment schemes would be looked at, so it would not necessarily be the energy providers funding the schemes.

In response to a question from the Chair it was confirmed that there would be engagement with neighbouring local authorities as required to influence discussions with the National Grid and Government.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and hoped that there would be a benefit to local communities.  She referred to heat and wave networks and hoped that these would be considered.  It was confirmed that a range of energy solutions would be explored.

Councillor Parish addressed the Panel under  ...  view the full minutes text for item RD94:

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Officers presented the briefing note, as included in the Agenda which provided information on the UK Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods and the next steps required to secure funding.  The Panel were reminded that they had previously been kept up to date on the Local Term Plan for Towns, which had now been replaced by the Plan for Neighbourhoods.

The Chair thanked the Regeneration Programmes Manager for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 asking how Local Members would be kept involved in the projects.  The Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that extensive consultation and Member engagement was carried out last year and all the feedback was now being considered and more targeted engagement with Councillors and the community would take place on specific potential projects.  Further updates would also be provided to the King’s Lynn Area Committee and the Regeneration and Development Panel as required.

The Portfolio Holder for Business reminded the Panel that this was a follow on from the Long Term Plan for Towns and provided information on the Neighbourhood Board who would be taking plans forward.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

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Officers presented the Riverfront Regeneration Project Highlight report, as included in the Agenda.  A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Chair thanked officers for the update and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Collingham referred to previous Panel engagement with the consultation on plans for the Customs House and asked if the comments and suggestions made by the Panel were still being considered.  It was explained that the feedback from the Panel had been used to create a brief to develop the Business Case to secure funding, which had now been approved.  The scheme to be delivered was now being developed and it was noted that due to the historic nature of the building there were a number of constraints that needed to be considered.  Officers explained that the purpose of the scheme was to bring the building back into use and build on telling the story of the towns maritime heritage and history.

The Portfolio Holder for Business, Councillor Ring commented that although the Council did not own the building, it had a commercial long term lease.  He commented that the Customs House was the most iconic building in King’s Lynn and the ambition was to open it up to everyone.  He referred to the benefits opening the building up would have on other historic buildings in the area by relaunching the maritime and trading history of King’s Lynn.

Councillor Blunt referred to the plans for Devils Alley and it was explained that alternative funding opportunities would be explored in order to take redevelopment of this area forward.

The Assistant Director explained that there was ambition to enhance the whole of the Riverfront and the King’s Lynn Masterplan, which was to be considered by the Panel, would help to attract investment and funding opportunities.

Councillor Colwell commented that the waterfront needed to be attractive and accessible and shouldn’t just be a car parking area.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and hoped that regeneration of the West Lynn Ferry would be considered in any waterfront redevelopment plans.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the report.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme and Forward Decisions List was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on 4^th June 2025 at 6pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel was scheduled to take place on 4^th June 2025 at 6.00pm in the Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

To consider passing the following resolution:

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press

and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item 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

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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 item 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.

Officers provided an update on the King’s Lynn Masterplan and responded to questions and comments from the Panel.

It was explained that the purpose of the Masterplan was to bring everything together into one cohesive plan.  The Panel were provided with information on the Masterplan area, recommended areas of change and timeframes.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and officers explained that the Masterplan referred to the adopted Local Plan and allocated sites.

The Portfolio Holder for Business, Councillor Ring stressed the importance of the Masterplan and how it would align existing work, identify opportunities and link with the adopted local plan.

The Panel were asked to consider the recommendations set out in the Cabinet report, which had been circulated as a supplement to the Agenda.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet be informed that the Regeneration and Development Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet, as set out in the report.