Agenda item

In accordance with Standing Order 11, to receive reports from Cabinet Members moved en bloc, under Standing Order 11.2 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 non-aligned Member and finally 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 50 minutes for all Cabinet Members, excluding the Leader.

The period of time for putting questions and receiving responses to the Leader shall not exceed 15 minutes.

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

Corporate Services - Councillor B Long

Environment - Councillor P Kunes

Development - Councillor R Blunt

Finance – Councillor A Dickinson

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor S Sandell

Deputy Leader and Business, Culture & Heritage – Councillor G Middleton

Leader - Councillor S Dark

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Councillor Dark moved the following Cabinet Members reports en bloc:

Corporate Services - Councillor B Long

Environment - Councillor P Kunes

Development - Councillor R Blunt

Finance – Councillor A Dickinson

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor S Sandell

Deputy Leader and Business, Culture & Heritage – Councillor G Middleton

Leader - Councillor S Dark

In the question time for Cabinet Members the following were responded to:

Councillor Lawrence  responding to a question from Councillor Howman on the buy back of land sold at Fairstead – that it would have to go to Cabinet.

Councillor Kunes in responding to Councillor S Collop confirmed that some food waste had been put into back bins, and the operatives had been informed not to do so.

Councillor Kunes responded to a question from Councillor Devereux on the actions being taken to address carbon reduction across the rest of the borough.  He confirmed that the Council’s web site was being updated, and an exhibition was planned in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and the LEP in the spring in the Corn Exchange to raise awareness of and sell products to reduce emissions.  Keynote speakers would be invited to present.  Businesses which were the major sources of pollution in the Borough were also being contacted to discuss their plans going forward.

Councillor Dickinson, in responding to a question from Councillor Morley on whether a priority based budget based on the corporate plan, was not aware of such a policy, as it was incumbent to prioritise statutory areas first.  She agreed to look into the subject.

Councillor Blunt responded to a question from Councillor Crofts on the complexity of CIL.  He explained he had been looking at the process which he was looking to simplify.   Paper was to be taken to the CIL Spending Panel before its route through to Cabinet.  He encouraged all members to remind their parishes and wards that they needed to be ready for the next round of bids.

Councillor Dickinson responded to Councillor Ryves regarding the target for reserves in that by the end of the four year period reserves would be diminished to the minimum advisory level, and there may be a deficit on the revenue budget.

Councillor Dickinson requested that Councillor Jones email the detail of the case of taking a long period of time to receive test and trace payments.

Councillor Lawrence answered Councillor Whitby’s question regarding the level of occupation of Council owned premises by confirming that all food and retail units and kiosks were occupied, with the exception of one, which was in the process of being advertised.

In response to a question from Councillor Lawton regarding an email regarding having trees available to plant whereas the trees may not be suitable for small gardens Councillor Kunes explained that the email was from the County Council not the Borough.

Following a question from Councillor A Tyler, Councillor Middleton confirmed he would absolutely encourage people to attend the weekends activities in King’s Lynn.

Councillor D Tyler asked for views on the accelerated construction programme on NORA 4.  Councillor Blunt firstly congratulated South Wootton Parish Council on their CIL funded project.  He then confirmed he had visited the site and explained the new construction method being used to bring down the build time.  He explained that the cost factors were still to be confirmed but they would be on the market by the end of the year.

Councillor Morley asked whether Councillor Kunes would look into the petitioning of the Government by parishes on the preference for off shore transmission networks from wind farms, as opposed to over land cables.  Councillor Kunes undertook to investigate, but confirmed he had some cables installed close to his house which did not cause a lot of disruption.

Councillor Sam Sandell responded to a question from Councillor Nockolds on work carried out by Alive West Norfolk over the summer period with children and activities.  She acknowledged that 18,500 children had attended schemes, with 26,460 attended activities overall.  She concurred that they were doing an excellent job.

Following a question from Councillor Ryves on the County Wildlife Team on the Parkway site, Councillor Kunes reported he had not received a reply from the person dealing with it.

In response to a question from Councillor Morley on the future of a TIC in Hunstanton, Councillor Middleton acknowledged that CPP had asked him to speak to people in Hunstanton, he confirmed he would need clarification of what was being asked of him.

In response to a question from Councillor Lowe, Councillor Middleton listed the events which had been and were due to take place in the town centre and thanked officers for engaging with partners to make them happen.

Councillor Long responded to Councillor Ryves question of whether parking incentives could be offered to encourage people to come into town, in that incentives had been tried in previous years but it was apparent that putting events on in the town attracted more visitors to the town centre. 

The Leaders Question was as follows:

Councillor Kemp asked what steps were being taken to ensure the Queen Elizabeth Hospital got its funding.  Councillor Dark responded that the key thing was to assist, not to hinder it.  He had met with the previous Health Secretary highlighting the urgency, and the QEH was giving councillors an update on their situation on 22 September 2021.

As the length of the meeting was reaching 3 hours, Councillor Long proposed that the meeting not continue.  This was seconded by Councillor Patel.  On being put to the vote the proposal was carried and the meeting ended.