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 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.)

Climate Change and Biodiversity – Councillor M de Whalley

Planning and Licensing – Councillor J Moriarty

Environment and Coastal - Councillor S Squire

Finance – Councillor C Morley

Events and Open Spaces– Councillor B Anota

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Deputy Leader Business and Culture – Cllr S Ring

Leader - Councillor A Beales

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Councillor Beales moved the Cabinet Members reports en bloc.

Councillor Morley gave an update on his report following the publication of the 2023/24 statement of accounts. 

In Councillor Anota’s absence Councillor Long asked for all councillors to be briefed on the situation with the borough’s cemeteries filling up or not being able to be used and the implications for the council.

Councillor Squire responded to Councillor Collop’s question on the implications for fly tipping of the NCC introduction of time slots for the delivery of waste or recycling to centres around Norfolk.  Councillor Squire responded that the level of fly tipping would be closely monitored and the matter raised at the Fly Tipping Group she attended.  She encouraged people to contact the county council to express its dissatisfaction with the decision.

In response to a question from Councillor Kemp on the report drawn up on the West Lynn Ferry, Councillor de Whalley explained that it had yet to be received, but when it was the he would report the key recommendations.

Councillor Devulapalli asked for some information on the Re-fit programme issues which were mentioned in the report.  Councillor de Whalley responded that Ameresco were having to revisit the heat pumps installed to some buildings as they weren’t meeting expectations.

Councillor Bubb asked whether the survey of the ferry terminal had considered disabled access, to which it was confirmed that the feasibility study didn’t look at alternative landing points as any added journey times would make it unviable. 

Councillor Ware asked what was being done to ensure the vital homelessness budgets were protected.  Councillor Rust responded that the funding provision in the borough was not impacted hugely because the council had registered providers which could also access other areas of funding, but the NCC cabinet was considering a consultation item in January on support schemes.

Councillor Bearshaw invited Councillor de Whalley to the meeting of the Transport Informal Working Group which was looking at the Ferry.

Councillor Blunt asked whether there would be formal consultation on the Grimsby to Walpole Grid through the Local Plan Task Group.  Councillor Moriarty confirmed had would come back on a vehicle to be able to do this.

In responding to Councillor Osborne’s question on solar panels on car parks, councillor de Whalley responded that the issue would be considered alongside the car park strategy review in the near future.

Councillor Kemp asked if the Ely junction upgrade was being pressed with the Government.  Councillor de Whalley confirmed it was. 

Councillor Moriarty undertook to liaise with Councillor Coates regarding the level of planning appeals allowed.

In response to a question from Councillor Everett, Councillor de Whalley confirmed that he was continuing to lobby for a further rail station at south Lynn.

Councillor Heneghan in congratulating Councillor Jones and Bone and colleagues on their 100 mile walk in aid of the Pizza Project, asked Councillor Rust if the project would be supported across the borough.  Councillor Rust responded that it was an NCC project, but that Councillors Everett and Wilkinson had also supported the project with their councillor funding for Fairstead.  She reminded Members that this was the sort of project KLAC could look to support going forward.

Leaders’ questions

In response to a question from Councillor Long, Councillor Beales confirmed the joint group leaders meeting taking place the following week.

Councillor Beales confirmed that following the item of urgent business taken at the recent Cabinet meeting for the purchase of property, the exchange had now taken place.  He also reported that following a discussion with Councillor Kunes regarding cemeteries, his suggestion was being progressed.  With regard to Devolution, Councillor Beales confirmed that he had met with Norfolk Leaders on the issue, and the County may sign a lower level 2 tier deal, but it was too early for any decisions to be made on the matter, but that he would update Council when possible.

Councillor Bone asked what advice could be given to support pensioners with pension credit deadlines coming up.  Councillor Beales suggested that Councillor Rust would be best placed to provide a written answer on the subject.

Councillor Kemp asked if the Leader had raised the issue of funding for the west Norfolk Community Transport bus from south Lynn to the new doctors surgery.  He undertook to do so.

Councillor Kemp also asked whether discussions on a dental school in the county were including the college of west Anglia as there was a real need in the area for it.  In confirmed there was a real need for it in this area, Councillor Beales referred it to Councillor Rust to respond in writing as she was involved in the subject.

In response to a comment from Councillor Bubb on the sound in the room, Councillor Beales explained that with the financial challenges the council was facing different options and re-organisations were being considered, and urged the council to “make do” until final decisions had been taken.  He drew attention to the fact that an AI camera had been trialled which worked in the council chamber, but not in the Assembly room.

In response to a question from Councillor Everett on the issue of buses from South Lynn and the Drs surgery and how the Leader was raising the profile and encouraging the county council to fund earlier or later services in the borough, Councillor Beales informed members that the council had hosted a strategy meeting at the town hall with Norfolk Leaders and raised the profile of the needs of the area including improvements to the gyratory system, as the borough was not the transport authority.

Councillor Lintern asked how affected parishes could benefit from the solar farms being developed in the area.  Councillor Beales acknowledged that if the schemes were going to get approval, the companies must engage with local communities who must see some benefits in them.  He encouraged parishes to ask them to mitigate their impact on local communities.