To receive petitions and public questions in accordance with Standing Order 9.
Minutes:
The Mayor invited the following questioners forward to ask their submitted public questions, the responses to which were given as shown:
Question from Wendy Woo
Can the Council tell me how many refugees from the Syrian crisis it has offered to take for the King’s Lynn area, and what stage in the arrangements for effecting this has currently been reached?
Councillor Long gave the following answer:
“Following The Prime Minister’s commitments made in September 2015 it was agreed that Norfolk County Council would take the lead on a county wide response to the national ‘Syrian Vulnerable persons Resettlement scheme’ (VPR) - a voluntary scheme. Representatives from a range of relevant services across the public sector formed a task group to prepare some proposals to submit to the Home Office. BCKLWN participated in the work of this group in relation to the accommodation aspects of the proposals.
A proposed approach is set out in a Norfolk County Council document titled ‘Syrian Vulnerable Person’s Refugee Scheme for Norfolk’. This document has been consulted on earlier this year and its content discussed with Home Office representatives. The proposal sets out arrangements to re-settle 50 refugees (12-15 families). Assumptions are made with regard to the need for education, specialist health and support services, with cost estimates included. The task group advised that the 12 -15 families are located in the same community rather than be separated across the county. For many reasons including: access to worship opportunities (Sunni and Shia mosques); access to social integration initiatives; voluntary and community support; and employment opportunities Norwich was deemed to be the most appropriate location.
The Norfolk County Council’s ‘Full Council’ will make a decision on whether to participate in the Syrian Vulnerable Person’s Refugee Scheme for Norfolk at its meeting of the 25 July 2016.”
Question from Robert Raab
What is the total number of houses the borough council wants to be built in the King’s Lynn area and the Borough area ?
Councillor Blunt responded:
“The Local Development Plan currently in its final stages of approval states that 16,500 homes are proposed for the King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough of which 7,500 are for King's Lynn and by King's Lynn I mean the King's Lynn unparished area, West Lynn, North & South Wootton, Knights Hill and West Winch/North Runcton.”
As a supplementary question Mr Raab asked how much of an increase in infrastructure had been approved, where would the Council get the money needed for the infrastructure when the Government money had been cut. He considered that without guaranteed increases to the NHS additional houses should not be built.
In response, Councillor Blunt informed Mr Raab that for all planning considerations infrastructure and sustainability were considered and consulted upon and considered on their merit.
Question from Joanne Rust
The Discovery Centre in North Lynn has played a large and positive part in that community and the wider community as a whole; from after school and holiday activities at affordable prices to NEET engagement courses for young people. The local community what exact steps has the council taken to safeguard its future for the growing number of young people who need its services?
In response, Councillor Lawrence stated that “between April 1999 and May 2016 the Council have paid the Discovery a total of £1,252,469. However, some of this is third party funding which the Council has assisted with and contributed to in some cases in the region of £830,129.
The amount directly from Borough Council funds is £422,340, and there was a Service Level Agreement for £30,000 pa paid in 4 instalments.
This is in addition to a number of hours of Borough Council officers time to assist the Committee with its governance arrangements. It is a fantastic organisation which does a lot for young people”
As a supplementary, Mrs Rust asked that as he was a committee member what had changed at the centre so they were no longer offering the activities to young people.
Councillor Lawrence informed Ms Rust that he was no longer on the Committee, but she should address her questions to the Chairman directly.
Question from Sue Bruce
It has been reported that developers are having to pay almost £340,000 to provide nearly 30 extra primary school places in Hunstanton if they want to build up to 120 new homes in the resort. As the Borough Council are the developers of the Lynnsport development where at least 397 dwelling are planned and Marsh Lane where 130 dwellings are planned what provision are they making for children to be able to attend schools in these areas?
In response Councillor Beales explained that as with all planning applications there was a proper process which had to be entered into and consultation with the County Council regarding school places in line with other infrastructure requirements including the new road and sporting facilities etc. The Borough Council was working closely with the County Council discussing a new school site for which the land would be transferred to the County Council at no cost, therefore being a significant contribution.
By way of supplementary Mrs Bruce referred to the current level of vacant spaces in schools how could the Council show that with the proposed developments the public that their child would be able to be accommodated in school.
Councillor Beales explained that it was a County Council function but the Borough worked closely with the County regarding the required school places with any proposed developments.