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

Open Space and Parking – Councillor P Bland

Planning and Licensing – Councillor J Moriarty

Environment and Coastal - Councillor S Squire

Finance – Councillor C Morley

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Deputy Leader and Business – Cllr S Ring

Leader - Councillor A Beales

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Councillor Ring moved the Cabinet Members reports.

Councillor Long referred to the Sports Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategy and asked Councillor Ring if he agreed that the work of consultants should be cross checked for inaccuracies and highlighted concerns that had been raised with him by residents.  By way of response Councillor Ring stated that the report had been commissioned in 2021 and things had moved on since then, so the information included should have been updated, but this had not been the case.  He explained that further consultation and liaison with the relevant bodies would now take place to ensure that the information included in the strategy was up to date.

Councillor Heneghan referred to the Notice of Motion that she had previously submitted to Council relating to Gambling Reforms and asked the Portfolio Holder for an update.  Councillor Moriarty provided an update and read out an update from the lead lobbying authority which set out Government plans to change the law and provide new powers to Councils relating to gambling premises and vape shops, including the potential to introduce cumulative impact policies.  Councillor Moriarty thanked Councillor Heneghan for bringing the Notice of Motion forward.

Councillor Kemp referred to the Sports Facilities and Playing Pitches Strategy and asked that consideration be given to keeping a pool in the current location at St James so that it was more accessible.  Councillor Ring explained that St James was an aging facility and costly to maintain and alternative locations needed to be considered so that there was a facility available at all times.  Redeveloping the current site would mean that there would be no pool provision for a number of years.  Councillor Ring highlighted that the swimming club supported the proposals with the additional facilities that would be available at Lynnsport and that it was a requirement to have sufficient and regular access for children.

Councillor Nash asked about the EV vehicle fleet review and information on the makes, models, term of ownership and projected mileage of the vehicles along with details of the companies to be used.  Councillor de Whalley explained that this piece of work was ongoing and demonstration work would provide the information Councillor Nash had asked for and would be available in due course.  Councillor de Whalley agreed to provide Councillor Nash with details of the companies that were being used to take this piece of work forward.

Councillor Parish asked for an update on Heacham Beach Huts, informing Council that there had been a petition and there was no local appetite for selling these.  Councillor Ring stated that an asset management review was being undertaken to ensure best value for the tax payer.  Given the views of owners and that the beach status was improving, it had been decided to offer a one year licence to the beach hut owners whilst the right long term approach was considered.

Councillor Long called for a point of order asking for questions and answers to be succinct.

Councillor Crofts referred to the Southend Road development at Hunstanton and comments made by Councillor Rust in her report, and asked for an update on the conditions attached to the properties.  Councillor Rust stated that there was originally a local connections condition attached, but this had made it hard for potential purchasers to get a mortgage and also had implications should the properties be resold.  Councillor Rust agreed to provide an update on progress and marketing of the properties.

Councillor Heneghan referred to the summer events programme and asked how King’s Lynn was being promoted beyond the Borough.  Councillor Lintern commented that she was shortly to attend an LGA Culture and Tourism Conference which would present ideas for wider marketing and she was also making contact with her counterparts in other Local Authorities.

Councillor Fry referred to St James and asked what would happen to the site once the swimming pool had been relocated to Lynnsport.  Councillor Ring explained that the site would be an investment opportunity.

Councillor Kemp referred to proposals for improvements to the Ferry and Councillor de Whalley explained that some improvements had been made to enable the Ferry to reopen and further work was now being carried out to look at longer term solutions.

Councillor Sayers asked Councillor Rust if she agreed that it was important to treat all with respect and fairness and Councillor Rust confirmed that it was.

Councillor Long was concerned with proposals to reduce funding available to the RFCC and asked Councillor Squire for an update.  Councillor Squire confirmed that she too was concerned as there was likely to be a significant funding shortfall and priority would need to be given to what could be funded.  She explained that this would need to be raised with Government going forward as residents, homes and businesses needed to be protected.

Councillor Parish asked Councillor Bland if he would be meeting with Heacham Parish Council to discuss car parking.  Councillor Bland explained that work was still ongoing to upgrade car parking software, so there was no update for the Parish Council at this time.

Councillor Crofts asked if there were any plans to reinstate the Allotment Competition and Councillor de Whalley agreed to look into this.

Councillor Everett asked Councillor Rust what was being done to encourage Freebridge Community Housing to turn around void properties.  Councillor Rust shared Councillor Everett’s concerns but acknowledged that there were issues and challenges with voids.  She explained that  Freebridge Community Housing had indicated that they were working to improve void levels and had adjusted standards from Gold to the basic standard with funding being provided to residents to redecorate themselves.

Councillor Kirk asked if it was time to rethink the Council’s stance on net zero as it was an expense to residents and unnecessary.  Councillor de Whalley stated that the Greenhouse effect had been proven and why would we want to risk West Norfolk which was low lying and coastal and at risk from the effects of climate change.  He felt that Councillor Kirk’s comments were irresponsible.

In response to a question from Councillor Kemp, Councillor de Whalley confirmed that village green status for Doorstep Green was being progressed.

Councillor Ware asked what ‘out of season’ events had been planned for the area and Councillor Heneghan highlighted Myths and Legends, Hunstanton Observatory and that she was looking to strengthen the year round offer in Downham Market and Hunstanton.

Councillor Spikings referred to coastal properties which had a mix of tenures and asked if there were any plans to extend tenures for the whole year.  Councillor Squire explained that the reason for restrictions was because of the high risk of winter storms, but acknowledged that work could be done to bring all tenures in line to ensure consistency.

Councillor Hodson referred to the recommendations made by the Panels in relation to Heacham Beach Huts and Councillor Ring explained that a range of options would be considered, but noted that a ten year lease would incur significant additional costs.

Councillor Kemp asked about Dentistry provision and training and Councillor Rust acknowledged that there was a lack of dental provision, which was concerning.  Discussions had been held with the UEA to see if collaborative training was an option.  It was noted that the local College did provide some dental training.

Councillor Devulapalli asked that the concerns raised regarding the Lynnsport proposals and the Sports Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategy would be taken seriously.  Councillor Ring referred Councillor Devulapalli to his response to the public question answered earlier on in the meeting.

Councillor Long noted that a social influencer had been brought in to promote tourism and asked for assurance that they would promote the right places and ensure that they were promoting sustainable tourism.  Councillor Lintern confirmed that they would be respectful of the environment.