Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 September 2023   (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider any business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposes to accept, under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

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Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

Councillor Dark declared a non pecuniary interest as a County Councillor and Town Board Member in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Boost Project, and as a County Councillor on the Norfolk County Deal item.

Councillor Dark declared a non pecuniary interest as a County Councillor and Town Board Member in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Boost Project, and as a County Councillor on the Norfolk County Deal item.

To receive any Chair’s correspondence.

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To note the names of any Councillors who wish to address the meeting under Standing Order 34.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

Councillors Blunt, Dark, Dickinson, Joyce and Sandell attended via zoom

Councillor Kemp attended in person.

Councillors Blunt, Dark, Dickinson, Joyce and Sandell attended via zoom

Councillor Kemp attended in person.

To report on any Cabinet Decisions called in.

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A copy of the Forward Decisions List is attached

The Forwards Decision list was noted.

The Forwards Decision list was noted.

To receive any comments and recommendations from other Council bodies which meet after the dispatch of this agenda. 

Recommendations from the Environment and Community Panel meeting held on 3^rd October 2023 are attached.

The Environment and Community Panel meeting on 3 October commented on and supported the following items:

EC44: Cabinet Report – Care Leavers Covenant

EC45: Cabinet Report – UKSPF 24/25 – Continuation and Expansion of Boost Project and West Norfolk Training Grants

Ec49: - Exempt Cabinet Report – Mart Agreement

The Corporate Performance Panel on 16 October 2023 commented on and supported on the following items:

CP64: Cabinet Report: Corporate Strategy 2023 to 2027

CP65: Cabinet Report: Norfolk County Deal Response

The Environment and Community Panel meeting on 3 October commented on and supported the following items:

EC44: Cabinet Report – Care Leavers Covenant

EC45: Cabinet Report – UKSPF 24/25 – Continuation and Expansion of Boost Project and West Norfolk Training Grants

Ec49: - Exempt Cabinet Report – Mart Agreement

The Corporate Performance Panel on 16 October 2023 commented on and supported on the following items:

CP64: Cabinet Report: Corporate Strategy 2023 to 2027

CP65: Cabinet Report: Norfolk County Deal Response

RECOMMENDED:     That Council adopts the attached corporate strategy with the following amendments:

Under Protect our environment:  add to the last bullet point – “and rivers and streams”  before the word “quality”.

Under efficient and effective delivery of our services:

Add a penultimate bullet point  - “Bring forward proposals to enable the King’s Lynn Area Consultative Committee to be revised into a decision making body.”

Add at the start of the last bullet point “Consider appropriate resources and then”, before the “investigate the creation of a town council”

Reason for Decision

To establish the council’s policy framework for the term of the current administration, showing how the council will focus its resources over the next four years. The key priorities will be: • Promote growth and prosperity to benefit West Norfolk • Protect our environment • Support our communities • Efficient and effective delivery of our services

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Cabinet considered a report appending the new corporate strategy for the period to the next local elections in 2027. It sets out the priorities of the new administration and how the achievement of these priorities and objectives would be monitored.

Following the Joint Panels meeting the Chair proposed that the following additions be made to the Plan, these were accepted by the Cabinet:

Under efficient and effective delivery of our services:

Add a penultimate bullet point  - “Bring forward proposals to enable the King’s Lynn Area Consultative Committee (KLACC) to be revised into a decision making body.”

Add at the start of the last bullet point “Consider appropriate resources and then”, before the “investigate the creation of a town council”.

The Chair also drew attention to the comments of the Joint Panels meeting which considered the document.

Councillor Squire sought confirmation of a definition of a decision making body, to which the Monitoring Officer confirmed that the King’s Lynn Area Consultative

Committee would receive decision making powers, the parameters of which would have to be investigated and the Constitution changed to permit it.

Councillor Morley drew attention to the need to include:

Under Protect our environment:  add to the last bullet point – “and rivers and streams”  before the word “quality”.  This was agreed by the Cabinet.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Dark asked if the addition of the delegations for the KLACC were in place of the potential for a town council.  Councillor Parish confirmed this was not the case.  Councillor Dark also made comments on deliverability of the plan and detail to back up the Plan in practice.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Sandell asked if a review of the Parking Strategy was due to take place.  Councillor Moriarty reminded members that the comment had not been introduced during the Panel consideration.  The Chair commented that the Cabinet would be looking at income generation.

RECOMMENDED:      That Council adopts the attached Corporate Strategy with the following amendments:

Under Protect our environment:  add to the last bullet point – “and rivers and streams”  before the word “quality”.

Under efficient and effective delivery of our services:

Add a penultimate bullet point  - “Bring forward proposals to enable the King’s Lynn Area Consultative Committee to be revised into a decision making body.”

Add at the start of the last bullet point “Consider appropriate resources and then”, before the “investigate the creation of a town council”

Reason for Decision

To establish the council’s policy framework for the term of the current administration, showing how the council will focus its resources over the next four years. The key priorities will be: • Promote growth and prosperity to benefit West Norfolk • Protect our environment • Support our communities • Efficient and effective delivery of our services

RESOLVED:     1)         That the continuation and expansion of the BOOST project for young people across West Norfolk as per section 6, table 2, option 2 be endorsed.

2)               That the allocation of UKSPF ‘People & Skills’ funding for the Boost project for 2024/25 as set out in section 7, table 3 of the report be approved.

3)               That the continuation and expansion of the West Norfolk Training Grant into 2024/25 as per section 13, table 6, option 3 of the report be endorsed.

4)               That the allocation of UKSPF funding for the West Norfolk Training Grant project for 2024/25 as set out in section 12 Table 5  be approved.

5)               That the delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director for Regeneration, Housing & Place in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business to agree delivery arrangements and any changes to ensure the efficient delivery of the Boost and West Norfolk Training Grant projects for 2024/25.

6)               That Officers provide an annual report on the progress and performance of the projects to the Corporate Performance Panel.

Reason for Decision

To ensure smooth delivery of two projects in line with West Norfolk Investment Plan and Corporate Business Plan objectives. Approval of 2024/25 UKSPF investment for these projects will ensure continued delivery of packages of support which can maximise their reach to benefit residents across the Borough. Both projects will contribute towards the West Norfolk achievement of UKSPF objectives to build pride in place, facilitate high quality skills training, supporting pay, employment, productivity growth and increasing life chances.  The recommendations are agreed with a view to the leverage of funding for its future delivery.

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Cabinet considered a report which explained that the Council was allocated £1.8m from UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) for the period 2022-2025 across 3 investment themes. In February 2023, the Council approved the programme for 2022-24 for two investment priorities: Communities & Place and Local Businesses. The report detailed the proposal to continue funding support for the Boost project and West Norfolk Training Grants (WNTG) initiatives under the Borough Council’s UKSPF allocation for 2024/25 until a longer-term sustainable funding solution is determined for these vital projects for residents and businesses in West Norfolk.

The report was being taken forward ahead of a full UKSPF 2024/25 programme report to Cabinet due in January 2024, for projects to be delivered in 2024/25 under the investment priorities Local Businesses and People and Skills to ensure smooth transition and continuation of existing projects which currently only had funding approved until March 2024.

Councillor Rust commended the proposal to assist those in the town to date and welcomed the fact that the project was extending throughout the Borough rather than just within the confines of King’s Lynn for the future year.

Councillor Morley welcomed the proposal and asked that the County Council be requested to support the scheme in the future with sufficient funding being leveraged to continue to run the scheme.  It was confirmed that the County Council could not commit to further funding at this stage but discussions were ongoing for the future. 

Councillor Beales commended the report and the proposals and agreed to the support the fact that it would potentially leverage future funding from the County Council.

The Chief Executive confirmed that the UKSPF  came to an end on 2025 after which it would fall under the auspices of any County Deal agreed.  She confirmed that officers were continuing to discuss the project with the County Council.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Dark, in supporting the proposals referred to Town Board updates given on the project at meetings he had attended and  commented that it was a positive project they had delivered.  He made reference to the importance of working with partners. He made reference to the library service being provided in the town.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Kemp commended the project and urged members to get behind it to get funding beyond 2025.

In commending the scheme the Chair reminded members that the wider issue of education  generally lay with the County Council but there should be a plan for the future funding of such schemes.

RESOLVED:   1)         That the continuation and expansion of the BOOST project for young people across West Norfolk as per section 6, table 2, option 2 be endorsed.

2)               That the allocation of UKSPF ‘People & Skills’ funding for the Boost project for 2024/25 as set out in section 7, table 3 of the report be approved.

3)               That the continuation and expansion of the West Norfolk Training Grant into 2024/25 as per section 13,  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB53

RESOLVED:            That the Council commits to taking action to meet the requirements of the Care Leavers Covenant.

Reason for Decision

To recognise the challenges faced by young people leaving/having left care and to take action which will have a positive impact on the quality of life for these residents in west Norfolk.

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Cabinet was presented with a report which explained that local authorities had a legal obligation to support care leavers under the Children & Social Work Act 2017.  The Care Leavers Covenant had been developed in response to the Government’s 2016 policy document “Keep on Caring” to support young people from care to independence.  Agreeing that the Council should undertake action to meet the requirements of the Care Leavers Covenant would provide a framework for developing the Council’s offer to Care Leavers in west Norfolk and demonstrate  commitment to helping those leaving/having left care to live independently.

Councillor Rust commended the report and referred to the fact that care leavers often ended up in the judicial system and weren’t in the position to have familial support when things got tough.

Councillor Squire commended the report and made reference to her earlier role on the Children’s Services Committee at the County Council commenting that care leavers were often vulnerable to being made homeless.  Councillor de Whalley commented that their challenges were multiplied since the pandemic.

Councillor Morley suggested a younger person means of contacting care leavers. 

Under standing order 34, Councillor Dark commented that he believed there would be a united view on care leavers and the challenges they faced.  He reminded members that previously at 18 care leavers were dropped by the system, which had now changed to continued involvement until 25.  He fully supported the proposal.

Under standing order 34, Councillor Kemp commented on the support needed for care leavers by the housing department and the need for general support and advice in a corporate parenting role.

RESOLVED:               That the Council commits to taking action to meet the requirements of the Care Leavers Covenant.

Reason for Decision

To recognise the challenges faced by young people leaving/having left care and to take action which will have a positive impact on the quality of life for these residents in west Norfolk.

RECOMMENDED:        That the Leader and Chief Executive continue to engage in the County Deal discussions with NCC on behalf of BCKLWN with a focus on

-        this council’s powers and sovereignty remain undiminished;

-        West-Norfolk will have a fair say in the priorities being set for any new funding under the ‘deal’

-        West-Norfolk will have a fair opportunity to access such funding to secure the best deal for west Norfolk

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• That BCKLWN gives it’s support to NCC to negotiate with Government to secure the best deal for Norfolk subject to 1. above

Reason for Decision

To respond to the Motion agreed at the Council meeting on 30 March 2023 (Minute 6/23).

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A report was presented which reminded Cabinet that the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (BCKLWN) agreed at the Council meeting on 30 March 2023 to make a clear public position on the County Deal for Norfolk before Norfolk County Council (NCC) made a final decision at the NCC Council meeting on 12 December 2023. 

In commenting on the issue, Councillor Beales reminded members that the council did not have a vote on the matter and all it could do was encourage the County Council to try to get a better deal.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Dark commented that the motion had asked officers to check to see if the proposed Deal would effect the Council’s sovereignty or power, which it didn’t.  He commented that if the Deal was agreed the County Council would have a considerable amount of money going forward, so the council should continue to engage as much as possible and allow officers to continue to negotiate.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Kemp did not support the County Deal, she commented that it brought no funding to the Borough and took some power away from the Districts.  She considered that with the issues the District councils were facing it would not help the long term funding issues as the fund was not sufficient.

Councillor de Whalley shared those concerns.

Councillor Morley commented on the lack of financial support from the Government, and the council did not want to be disadvantaged by any inability to raise money.

Councillor Rust commented that devolved responsibility brought additional work to organisations.  She commented that money received for the UKSPF was the equivalent of what would previously have been sought and supplied from the EU.

Councillor Squire commented that if she were being asked to support the County Deal she would not, but  reminded members that this report was about ensuring the borough was there to discuss issues going forward.

The Chair reported that no District leader was happy with the proposal or had a vote on it, but he was being pragmatic about it as it was not about whether this council like it or not..

RECOMMENDED:      That the Leader and Chief Executive continue to engage in the County Deal discussions with NCC on behalf of BCKLWN with a focus on

-        this council’s powers and sovereignty remain undiminished;

-        West-Norfolk will have a fair say in the priorities being set for any new funding under the ‘deal’

-        West-Norfolk will have a fair opportunity to access such funding to secure the best deal for west Norfolk

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• That BCKLWN gives it’s support to NCC to negotiate with Government to secure the best deal for Norfolk subject to 1. above

Reason for Decision

To respond to the Motion agreed at the Council meeting on 30 March 2023 (Minute 6/23).

The Cabinet is asked to consider excluding the public from the meeting under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 for consideration of the items below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

PRIVATE ITEM

Details of any representations received about why the following reports should be considered in public will be reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business  on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

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RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business  on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RESOLVED:1)         That the requirement for a supervised crossing at the junction of the Tuesday Market Place and King Street for the duration of the opening hours of the Mart be re-affirmed.

2)            That the Showmen’s Guild (Eastern Region) be encouraged to review its opening hours to ensure its own future viability

3)            That a 5 year contract from 2024 be agreed with authority for the operating days and resultant costs to be amended as a variation to the contract.

Reason for Decision

To support the ongoing delivery of the Mart from 2024.

The Cabinet considered a report seeking a decision on the renewal of the contractual arrangements for the delivery of the Mart for 2024 and onwards.

Under standing order 34 Councillor Dark spoke in favour of the recommendations.

RESOLVED:    1)         That the requirement for a supervised crossing at the junction of the Tuesday Market Place and King Street for the duration of the opening hours of the Mart be re-affirmed.

2)               That the Showmen’s Guild (Eastern Region) be encouraged to review its opening hours to ensure its own future viability

3)               That a 5 year contract from 2024 be agreed with authority for the operating days and resultant costs to be amended as a variation to the contract.

Reason for Decision

To support the ongoing delivery of the Mart from 2024.