To receive petitions and public questions in accordance with Standing Order 9.
Minutes:
The Mayor invited the following posers of Public Questions to come forward to ask their question:
1) Question from Diane Westwood.
I would like to request that the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk follow the example of other councils throughout the UK banning the release of balloons and sky lanterns on their land and urge other councils and landowners to do the same.
Balloons have caused the deaths of many species of wildlife. Turtles eat balloons because when deflated they resemble jellyfish or squid. Dolphins and a pygmy sperm whale have been killed by balloons off the US coast.
Discarded latex balloons can take months or years to biodegrade. Foil balloons may never biodegrade.
Animals can choke or become blocked by ingesting balloons, or starve when the stomach becomes clogged with balloon waste. Balloon ribbons can cause entanglement and kill birds.
Strong coastal winds can carry balloons to farmland. A farmer 50 miles from London lost a bullock when the animal choked on a balloon that was released from a school in the city as part of a charity fundraiser. The farmer won compensation from the school.
Sky lanterns are a threat because of the amount of wooden buildings and caravans in the area, but animals have died from these too. Animals have died from accidental ingestion of wire from lanterns and birds have been killed. Lanterns have landed on animals with devastating results.
Balloon and sky lantern releases are opposed by the RSPCA, Marine Conservation Society and the National Farmers Union.
In response, Councillor Pope said: “Although I cannot recall there being any specific requests from individuals or organisations to release balloons and lanterns from Borough Council owned land, I would imagine that this has happened on occasions without consent. I believe that this is an important issue for West Norfolk owing to the agricultural nature of the area and the existence of the Wash estuary which is an important wildlife area, particularly for migrating birds.
I am happy to discuss this issue with my Cabinet colleagues to see if it is feasible for us to put in place some control measures, at least on Council owned sites. Once I have had the opportunity to look into this matter I will come back to you with my thoughts. Thank you for raising this with me.”
2) Question from Joanne Rust
Although the Borough Council passed over its housing stock to Freebridge Housing Association in 2006 and no longer owns these properties, it does retain the responsibility for housing residents in need in our area. Housing associations are aware that right to buy and universal credit will have an impact on their viability. Through the Borough Council Liaison Group or any other such means, what discussions have taken place between the two organisations to assess the impact and the necessary mitigation when Freebridge is forced to sell off housing stock.
In response Councillor Lawrence said:
“The Right to Buy enables people to get onto the housing ladder. It is the Council’s intention to continue to work closely with FCH to identify opportunities to develop or re-develop to ensure net increases in the number of affordable homes. I confirm the Council has been talking to Freebridge and other providers about Universal Credit and the 1% p.a. rent reduction announcement last year. Whilst some plans and projects will be changed there is a commitment to new development as in 2014/15 – 16 were sold whilst 27 were built and 2015/16 24 were sold and 40 new builds. Freebridge are well ahead at the moment and the Council will continue to talk to them.”
By way of supplementary, Mrs Rust asked : “Homelessness was a growing problem in the area and she had passed 3 homeless persons in the town today, the benefit cap would see more people on the streets, what assessment had the Council made of these things?”
Councillor Lawrence explained that people were made homeless for a variety of reasons and the Borough along with other organisations work to do the best for them. He encouraged people to get the homeless to contact the Council or the Purfleet Trust so they can be helped. At the same time he made reference to the fact that some people did say they were homeless when they weren’t which the Council was trying to sort out.