Issue - meetings

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 non-aligned Member and finally 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 27 minutes (time from the previous 2 meetings).

(Councillors are reminded that this is a question and answer session not a debate.)

Business – Councillor A Beales

Climate Change and Biodiversity – Councillor M de Whalley

Environment and Coastal - Councillor S Squire

Finance – Councillor C Morley

Property & Corporate Services – Councillor B Anota

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Tourism Events and Marketing – Cllr S Ring

Deputy Leader Development and Regeneration – Councillor J Moriarty

Leader - Councillor T Parish

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Council was reminded that at the previous meeting Councillor Parish had proposed the Cabinet Member’s and Leader’s reports en masse.

Councillor Anota in responding to Councillor Blunt’s question regarding a Car Parking strategy, confirmed it was a priority.

In response to Councillor Bullen’s question regarding policies relating to the West Norfolk part of the Wash coastline, Councillor Squire listed the areas of the Shoreline Management Plan and gave an update on the current work programme.  She offered to give a further update if members requested it.

Councillor Sandell asked Councillor Rust for an update on her role as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Governor.  Councillor Rust informed members that she had tendered her resignation to it so she could continue her role as a campaigner for the hospital.

Councillor Ryves asked Councillor de Whalley his view on the Cranswick large farm planning application bearing in mind the work being done to reduce the carbon footprint.  Councillor de Whalley undertook to respond in writing.

Councillor Kunes asked when the carbon audit would be published, Councillor de Whalley confirmed it should be within the next few months.

Councillor Ratcliffe drew attention to the benefits Downham Market Heritage Centre was drawing from West Norfolk Wins Lottery.  She asked Councillor Morley how the review of it was progressing.  Councillor Morley commented that he was unaware of it previously, but was looking at it with the promoter and also to link with the Norfolk Community  Foundation who dealt with grant applications.

Councillor Joyce asked if there were any potential benefits with the relaxation of rules on on- shore windfarms.  Councillor de Whalley responded that the Council would look at potential  site selections, and he hoped Companies would look to offer incentives to those affected by them. 

Councillor de Winton asked how much Councillor Morley had been consulted on the staff pay increases and whether he had agreed with it.  Councillor Morley undertook to respond in writing.

Councillor Kemp asked Councillor Rust how the Borough could help to remedy the state of dentistry in the Borough.  Councillor Rust informed members that whilst the Council didn’t control dentistry, she had submitted a motion for the next Council meeting to try and influence the provision going forward.

In response to a question from Councillor Kunes, Councillor de Whalley confirmed that he was reviewing the Climate Change Strategy.

Councillor Lintern asked that as Freebridge were carrying out a stock survey to see which of their empty homes were viable to update, what were the Council doing to encourage empty homes to be brought back into use.  Councillor Rust confirmed that discussion had been held with Freebridge on this challenge, and help offered, but the Council would continue to work with them going forward.

Councillor Blunt asked for views on second home owners and their relationship with tourism and the local economy. Councillor Ring drew attention to the difference of second homes which were rarely visited leaving the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45

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 non-aligned Member and finally 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.)

Business – Councillor A Beales

Climate Change and Biodiversity – Councillor M de Whalley

Environment and Coastal - Councillor S Squire

Finance – Councillor C Morley

Property & Corporate Services – Councillor B Anota

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Tourism Events and Marketing – Cllr S Ring

Deputy Leader Development and Regeneration – Councillor J Moriarty

Leader - Councillor T Parish

Click here to view the recording of this item on You Tube

Councillor Parish presented the Cabinet Members reports en masse.

Councillor Squire gave an update on the fly tipping in the Borough which showed it was up by 12 %.  The Clean Neighbourhood Officers had since taken up posts. She reported on a fly tipping incident where the innards from suspected illegally butchered and possibly rustled cattle was dumped along the A17.  She confirmed there was a multi-agency approach to investigating the incident.

Councillor Joyce drew attention to the level of meat shoplifted.

As the meeting had reached its 3 hour point, the Mayor closed the meeting.