Agenda item

In accordance with Council procedure rule 8, to receive reports from Cabinet Members to be moved en bloc.  Members of the Council may ask up to four 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, then non aligned members, 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 60 minutes for all Cabinet Members and the Leader

Climate Change and Biodiversity – Councillor M de Whalley

Culture and Events – Councillor S Lintern

Planning and Licensing – Councillor J Moriarty

Environment and Coastal – Councillor S Squire – TO FOLLOW

Finance – Councillor C Morley

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Parking and Open Spaces – Councillor P Bland

Deputy Leader and Business – Cllr S Ring

Leader – Councillor A Beales

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Councillor Beales moved the Cabinet Members report en bloc.

Councillor de Whalley provided a verbal updated to his report stating that a Biodiversity Project Officer had been appointed.

He also announced that the Ferry Service would reopen at 7am on 11^th August.  He thanked all those involved in the Ferry repairs and urged people to return to using the facility to ensure long term sustainability.

Councillor Rust provided a verbal update on the work of the Energy Efficiency Officer and the Housing Standards Team’s Beat the Bills events.

Council adjourned for a comfort break from 6.49pm to 6.57pm

The Mayor invited questions to Cabinet Members.

In response to a question from Councillor Crofts, Councillor Lintern commented that coast parking facilities in the town centre would be looked at within the Car Parking Strategy and the King’s Lynn Masterplan.

In response to a question from Councillor Everett, the Leader explained that the Norfolk County Council claims regarding the proposed three Unitary model were unfounded and all financial assessments would be robust and would only be moved forward if sustainable.

Councillor Kemp was relieved that the Ferry service would reopen soon and referred to improvements to be made.  Councillor de Whalley commented that they were in the early stages of reviewing designs and options.

In response to a question from Councillor Parish, Councillor Moriarty explained that officers were liaising with Anglian Water regarding sewage treatment works and water quality and if developers requested pre-application advice then the risk to the local environment was highlighted if appropriate.

Councillor Blunt referred to the New Homes Building challenge and the government housing targets and asked how the Local Plan Task Group would be involved and if consideration could be given to establishing a further Task Group to monitor housing targets.  Councillor Moriarty felt that the Local Plan Task Group would be the correct forum for monitoring Housing Targets, and he agreed to keep Council updated on the government requirements as required.

Councillor Bone referred to Government funding for Social Housing and Councillor Beales confirmed that the Council would look at opportunities as they became available.

In response to a question from Councillor Kemp, Councillor Beales agreed to provide a written response on the use of Hardings Way by taxis.

Following the meeting the below response was received from Councillor Beales:

The possibility of taxi access to Hardings Way was raised by Cllr. Andrew Jameson in a meeting of the West Norfolk Transport & Infrastructure Steering Group. As you will all be aware, Norfolk County Council is the highways authority and Cllr. Jamieson raised this matter as an elected member, and Deputy Leader of NCC. Borough representatives pointed out the sensitivities of the area, particularly for residents and raised a number of questions about any forthcoming proposal. It was confirmed that the NCC local member (Cllr. Kemp) would be consulted should NCC move the process forward. I am not clear whether NCC do intend to move this matter forward and suggest that, at this point, the local NCC member is best placed to question NCC about that.

In response to a question from Councillor Sayers, Councillor Lintern commented that opportunities to publicise the new coastal pathway from Weybourne to Hunstanton would be looked at by the Tourism Department.

In response to a question from Councillor Kunes relating to loss of Car Parking following the sale of land in Hunstanton, it was confirmed that the car parking would have been considered as part of the proposal and was detailed in the Cabinet Report.

In response to a question from Councillor Heneghan, Councillor Lintern confirmed that the Tourism Officer did consider and promote the whole Borough.  Councillor Ring commented that a Marketing Strategy was in the process of being produced and there would be extensive marketing of the Guildhall.

In response to a question from Councillor Kemp, Councillor Beales reminded Council that they would be considering the Local Government Reorganisation Business Case in September.

In response to a question from Councillor Sayers, Councillor Beales confirmed that the Council would be subject to restrictions as set out in the Public Involvement in Health Act relating to the protection of public assets, once a decision on Local Government Reorganisation had been made by Government and until that stage it was business as usual.

In response to a question from Councillor Blunt, Councillor Lintern explained the reasons for the cancellation of the Mini Meet event and she hoped that it would be reinstated the following year, however it needed support from the car clubs.  Councillor Lintern confirmed that all of the car clubs had been written to, to ask for their support.

Councillor Kemp referred to the new Health Hub and Councillor Rust agreed to find out more information and report back on why there had been a quiet opening and if there were other services to be opened up within the facility.

Following the meeting, Councillor Rust provided a response to Councillors which set out the general practice services within the site, occupancy and that an opening even would be held once all services were within the building.

Councillor de Winton referred to Anglian Water and sought assurance that there would be no changes to the way that Planning Applications were determined until there had been direct instruction from Government.  Councillor Moriarty outlined the stance of Anglian Water and reminded Council that they were not statutory consultees on planning applications.  He explained that officers were in regular discussion with the MHCLG on this issue and would keep the Council updated as required.

Councillor Coates referred to fixed penalty notices for dog breeders and asked what further action council could take to find unlicensed breeders.  Councillor Moriarty explained that unplanned visits did take place if issues arose, and he outlined the work carried out in this area, highlighting successful prosecutions which had taken place.

In response to a question from Councillor Sayers, Councillor Beales confirmed that the Borough Council had engaged with Norfolk County Council and the other Norfolk Local Authorities with regard to Local Government Reorganisation.

Councillor Long thanked Councillor Lintern for following up with the Mini Meet arrangements and asked her to give consideration to liabilities if organisations were being asked to help with arrangements for the event.

In response to a question from Councillor Crofts, Councillor Ring provided Council with an overview of joint working with King’s Lynn Football Club, confirming that they did pay for use of Alive facilities.