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  (report to follow)

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor Sam Sandell

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

Leader - Councillor Stuart Dark

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Councillor Dark moved all the Cabinet reports en bloc.

Councillor Long responded to a question from Councillor Morley on governance review of the Council’s companies in that he was not driving the review but delivering homes through the company. 

Councillor Kunes responded to Councillor Kemp explaining that a scheme was being endorsed to register interest in solar panels which would go to auction and customers could choose whether to go ahead.

Councillor Long gave an update for Councillor D Tyler on the progress with the Howdale play area which had recently been installed with the last piece being received imminently. Councillor Long also acknowledged Councillor Bullen’s role in the renewals.

Councillor Blunt responded to a question from Councillor Parish and confirmed that the number of houses built had slowed for a number of reasons.

Councillor Sandell responded to Councillor Kemp’s question of how the Borough Council could assist Freebridge housing with their renovations.  She acknowledged that Freebridge were under a lot of pressure and asked Councillor Kemp to provide the detail of the property she was referring to.

In response to a question from Councillor Bower, Councillor Blunt confirmed he had asked officers to identify the issues with the Hunstanton Bus station development, along with solutions and ways forward.

Councillor Dickinson gave Councillor Ryves an update on the General Fund balance policy which was to keep them at a minimum of 5%, and she explained that due to the inflationary pressure over the coming years it was likely there would be nothing to draw on in 2025/26, with no indication from government that they would meet the additional requirements of councils.

Councillor Sandell gave Councillor Bower an update regarding the Hospital to Home project working with the hospital to assist with getting patients home.  She confirmed that its restart after covid was imminent with training being provided in the required processes for hospital staff.

Councillor Kunes confirmed to Councillor Rust that of the trees planted at Lynnsport around 50% were still alive, he acknowledged they had suffered in the drought  and heatwave, but they would be re-planted in the spring.

Councillor Sandell confirmed to Councillor Howman that Freebridge properties were being renovated in order to release more properties for those needing them.

Councillor Whitby thanked Councillor Kunes for the work carried out to close down the illegal tipping sites in Clenchwarton, He also asked about the work being done to provide solar panels.

Councillor Kunes acknowledged also Councillor Kemp for her tireless campaigning at the county council on the sites.  With regard to the solar panels he further referred to the Solar Together scheme which should held provide some discounts to homeowners through bulk buying.

Following a question from Councillor de Whalley on the release of sewage into water courses, Councillor Long gave an explanation on how the land flooding and coastal flooding bodies were working together to tackle the issue.

Councillor Nockolds asked Councillor Middleton if a meeting of the Guildhall Task Group was likely to be held to consider the terms of reference of the CIO for the Guildhall.  He confirmed that he would shortly be looking to call a meeting.

As the 3 hour timeframe for the meeting was imminent the Mayor asked if there were any proposals to continue to meet.  Councillor Kemp proposed to continue to meet for 15 minutes.  On being put to the vote this was lost and the meeting closed.