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 Sam Sandell

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

Leader - Councillor Stuart Dark – report to follow

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Councillor Dark moved the Cabinet Members reports en bloc.

Cabinet Members responded to questions on the following:

Councillor Long responded to a question from Councillor Morley on the Business Plan for Alive West Norfolk.

Councillor Long responded to a question from Councillor Kemp on the issue of a drain cover and drew attention to the Internal Drainage Board presentations at the Environment and Community Panel meetings.

Councillor Middleton responded to a question from Councillor Nockolds on an email re consultation with stakeholders on the Guildhall proposals.  He confirmed that he had provided a response and that further consultations would take place.  He also confirmed that minutes being referred to were in draft form, and were amended on approval.

Councillor Kunes responded to a question from Councillor Moriarty on when the additional services on the recycling round would be available.  He confirmed that pressure was being brought to bear to bring it to fruition.

Councillor Sandell requested Councillor Jones email with the question regarding Homechoice.

Councillor Blunt gave an update on CIL following a question from Councillor Crofts. 

Councillor Middleton undertook to provide a response in writing to Councillor Ryve’s question on the reason for the increase in income anticipated for the Guildhall since April.

Councillor Kunes undertook to provide a written response to Councillor Howland on whether there were any electric charging points planned in Downham Market.

In response to a question from Councillor Bower, Councillor Sandell explained that the Integrated Care System  was funded from the Covid recovery fund.

In response to a question from Councillor Parish, Councillor Blunt confirmed the Hunstanton Bus Station project was being reviewed.

Following a question from Councillor Kemp, Councillor Middleton confirmed that the view of the County and Borough Councils was that the Carnegie library would be for community use, and that it was for the County Council to make it ready for Community use. 

Councillor Blunt responded to a question from Councillor Devereux on the spec building being built on the NoraEZ which were receiving a lot of interest.

Councillor Lawrence confirmed to Councillor Morley that the tenants of the Princess Theatre were being consulted regarding the roof repairs.

Councillor Nockolds asked what benefit In Bloom brought to the Borough, Councillor Long confirmed the wide benefits to the community and individuals well being of who work voluntarily in a number of areas for In Bloom. 

Councillor Kunes responded to Councillor Rust on the cost of running and maintaining air source heat pumps.  He referred to the lack of CO₂ produced by them, and also that the boilers at Enterprise works were due for replacement.

Councillor Kemp asked Councillor Kunes what the progress was with the community orchard in south Lynn which she was using her Councillor fund to support.  Councillor Kunes confirmed there were no objections to this. 

Following a question from Councillor Collingham, Councillor Dickinson gave an update on the fuel subsidy distribution the deadline for which was 4 September.

Questions to the Leader

Councillor Dark responded to Councillor Kemp regarding inadequacy of the Medway statement of consultation, in that the Planning Committee would be considering the statement.

In response to Councillor Parish’s question on collaboration with the County Council on large projects and any mitigation the Borough was taking to ensure any cuts the County Council made did not impact on those projects, Councillor Dark confirmed that the Council had supported the schemes, and their support to the borough was appreciated.

Councillor Moriarty asked the Leader to ensure that any devolved money from government came to the Borough, he also asked that the Guildhall Task Group be invited to contribute to the Guildhall CIO and governance matters. The Leader confirmed that discussions were ongoing between council leaders on preliminary discussions.

Councillor Rust raised the issue of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the movement of Ministers, Councillor Dark confirmed he had contacted all new Ministers regarding the situation with the decision process for the replacement of the hospital.

The Leader confirmed to Councillor Devereux that the Jubilee celebrations across the borough were excellent, communities, volunteers and borough officers worked hard on the celebrations. He thanked the Chief Executive and staff who worked on them.

Councillor Dark confirmed to Councillor A Tyler that the detail of any new hospital agreed would be down to the experts delivering the services, but he would support them in the process.