Agenda item

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Inspector Ben Jarvis gave the presentation to the Committee, a copy which is attached.

The Chair thanked Inspector Ben Jarvis for the presentation and invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Heneghan commented the Bus Station was requested to be made a priority at the Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel (SNAP) meetings. She sought clarification on how the perception could be changed on the Bus Station as the data suggested different to perception.

Inspector Ben Jarvis commented perception changes over time. He added different avenues were being explored to resolve the issues at the Bus Station. He commented further it was a priority.

Councillor Joyce commented the Bus Station was the gateway to the Town and therefore needed improvement such as to be cleaned, painted and signs. He added a police present was important. He agreed with Councillor Heneghan’s comments on the perception of the Bus Station. 

Inspector Ben Jarvis advised there were discussions about the visuals of the Bus Stations and improvements needed and key partnerships were working together.

Councillor Rust commented the Bus Station was the responsibility of Norfolk County Council and highlighted there was potential for a new travel hub. She commented there was currently work taking place and referred to the previous meeting where the Committee discussed the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Everett referred to the data provided in the presentation and sought clarification if the data included crimes that were reported and investigated or no further action (NFA).

Inspector Ben Jarvis confirmed it was all crime which had been reported therefore included NFA’s. He added there could be missing data when crime was not reported.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Everett queried further Inspector Jarvis’s thoughts on an old, vacant building as part of the Bus Station being used as an additional police station. He suggested further for Parking Attendants be CSAS trained as an additional presence or additional pair of eyes.

Inspector Ben Jarvis commented it would need to be considered realistically and Officer safety considered which could mean there was not enough resource, but the sentiment was good. He added, in relation to the Parking Operators, further information would be required with what their responsibilities were to assess risk.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp commented the layout and landscape allowed people to congregate and more needed to be done to change the culture of the Bus Station.

Inspector Ben Jarvis commented the Street Rangers were additional support but they had no police powers.

 In response to Councillor Kemp’s further question Inspector Ben Jarvis advised the data provided a challenge as even though the perception and local knowledge suggested otherwise until an increase in the data happens a project would be difficult to start.

Councillor Rust clarified the Bus Station was owned and maintained by the Borough Council and not by NCC as per earlier comments. The Chair, Councillor Bone thanked Councillor Rust for the clarification.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Colwell provided clarification on the works currently ongoing at the Bus Station which included digital signage and being painted but commented further work was needed. He expressed his concern that the King’s Lynn Bus Station had been forgotten and the next stage of the BSIP funding was needed for the Bus Station.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Everett provided further information on the work being carried out on the Bus Station.

Councillor Bone suggested a recommendation was made to either the Environment and Community Panel or the Regeneration and Development Panel for the Bust Station to be a project for the Borough Council.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Sayers and seconded by Councillor Ware.

RESOLVED: The King’s Lynn Area Committee recommended Bus Station improvements be added on to the Forward Work Programme of Environment and Community Panel or the Regeneration and Development Panel.