Agenda item

The Committee noted the Cabinet’s Forward Decision list and Committee Work Programme.

Councillor Mrs Collop stated that at the last meeting the Committee considered a report regarding the installation of a bus shelter at Tesco’s Gaywood and asked what the current situation was in relation to it.

The Assistant Director advised that he would consult with Property Services and his response would be sent to the whole Committee.

Councillor Ware advised that she had a photograph of the design of the new bus shelter and handed it round to the Committee to view.

Gaywood River and the Middleton Stop Drain

The Chair explained that communication had been received from the Environment Agency in relation to the Middleton Stop Drain and Gaywood River. 

Councillor Colwell referred to the information provided from the Environment Agency and commented that the state of the local rivers should be one of the key issues which the Council was considering so that commitment and concerns could be placed on record and those responsible agencies could do more to help.  He hoped that the Council could bring the necessary agencies together so that a positive future plan could be achieved.  He added that Gaywood River ran through the town centre and should be one of the highlights of the town / Walks, instead he received comments / letters from concerned residents about the state of the water.

Councillor Kemp stated that the wildlife was not in the river as it should be which also ran at the end of Sydney Street and the Southgates Park, and was green and full of algae. She added that it should be a live running stream again.

Councillor Heneghan added that it appeared that everyone was in agreement that something needed to be done.  The Chair suggested that it should be passed to the E&C Panel for consideration with the Committee also invited to attend.

Councillor Colwell stated that he had the names of two people who would like to talk to the Committee / E&C Panel:

·        Andy Millar - was the newly appointed Nature Recovery Partnership Manager for Norfolk & Suffolk County Council.

·        Dr Sarah Taigel – was a GIS and fluvial specialist and helping develop citizen science projects on the Gaywood river. 

AGREED:       That the item be placed on the E&C Work Programme.

The following items were identified to be added to the work programme:

·        Litter / Dog Poo Bins – how to obtain them / how much was spent in the area.

Councillor Colwell requested a map which showed litter / dog poo bins for the area.

Councillor Colwell also requested that Changing Place toilets be added to the work programme, as he was concerned that the Borough had fallen behind other areas. The only place which he was aware of was Tesco at Gaywood and there were none in the town centre.   He understood that the Changing place planned for Lynnsport was not now going ahead. 

Councillor Jones stated that there was some budget for the Council to provide 3 changing places – 1 in King’s Lynn, 1 in Hunstanton and 1 in Downham Market.  The one for King’s Lynn was proposed to be put into the MUCH.  Councillor Jones had raised the issue of providing one at the Bus Station.