Agenda and minutes

Prayers were led by Rev Canon Ling

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 13 July 2023 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:  The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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.

Councillors J Ratcliffe and A Ware declared non pecuniary interests in CAB30 and 32 as Council appointed Directors on the West Norfolk Housing Company Board.

Councillor Bone declared a non pecuniary interest in the Notice of Motion 12/23 on the Pride event, as secretary of the event.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

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The Mayor reported receipt of an email from Councillor Squire explaining that it transpired that Cllr Ring was not a member of Hunstanton Advisory Group as she had believed was the case.  She confirmed that she didn’t intend to mislead the council as she had made the comment in good faith.

To receive any items of business which in the opinion of the Mayor are urgent. 

None

To receive petitions and public questions in accordance with Standing Order 9.

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1)            The Mayor invited Ms Julia Irving to ask her public question as follows:

“It is now almost universally acknowledged, that most of the trees planted in spring 2022 at Lynnsport are, in fact, not 'dormant ‘ , but dead ; what are the councils plans to make use of this space and do these plans enhance and preserve the established ecology of the area in the most environmentally and socially responsible manner?”

Councillor de Whalley gave the following response:

“Thank you for your question and justifiable concern regarding the Lynnsport trees. I, along with two other fellow cabinet members, met with community representatives earlier in the summer to discuss the future of the site. After careful consideration, it has been agreed that additional replacement tree planting has been stopped as survival rates are too low to be viable. Living trees will be maintained. Dead whips will be tidied up with tree guards recovered and stored for future use. The remaining wildflower meadow is now doing well and will be managed as such with mowing and removing taking place later this year.

This winter the Council is concentrating on a smaller scale project to plant a Community Orchard off Wisbech Road and Winfarthing Avenue.

The Council is reviewing its tree planting strategy in light of the lessons learnt and I am seeking Forestry Commission support and guidance to identify and plant more suitable sites in the future.”

The Mayor invited any supplementary question.

Ms Irving asked that given the failure of the planting what were the plans for the next tree planting adheres to the woodland strategy (policy TP9)  to ensure that careful attention is given to site provision for newly planted trees have a sustained programme of maintenance.

As there was difficulty hearing the question Councillor de Whalley undertook to answer the question in writing.

Questions of Chairs - except Cabinet

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Council was invited to ask Questions of Chairs - except Cabinet for the period up to the previous Council meeting.

There were no questions.

(Members are reminded this is a debate, not a question and answer session)

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB26:                       Staff pay award 2023-24

CAB28:                       Appointment of representatives to inquorate parishes

CAB30 and 32:           Local Authority Housing Fund – Round 2

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Councillor Parish proposed the recommendations from Cabinet on 1 August 2023 separately.  These were seconded by Councillor Moriarty.

CAB26:                       Staff Pay Award 2023-24

Councillor Joyce proposed the following amendments to CAB26:

1b) For those earning up to and including the equivalent of £38,500, a flat rate non-consolidated cost-of-living payment of £750pa (pro rata for part time employees) to be paid to all permanent employees and temporary staff (with a contract specifying a duration of 12 months or more) who were in post on 1st April 2023; with an amount tapering from £750 down to zero to be paid to those earning between £38,501 and £53,500; and for those earning £53,501 or above to not receive any of the non-consolidated amount. This payment to be paid in 12 monthly instalments with effect from April 2023.

c) Refer the following to the next Corporate Performance Panel for further investigation: The top points of all grades (not individual salaries) are increased by the maximum applicable percentage increase (10.38%) with effect from 1st October 2023. This will not have an immediate financial impact but will assist with future recruitment and retention.

Councillor Joyce spoke in support of his amendment explaining that he felt the amendment would assist with the recruitment and retention of staff.  He considered that senior staff would prefer to lose the one off £750 payment in order to pay the lower paid staff.  He commented that there was a shortage of some staff with a number of vacancies being carried.

Councillor Dark seconded the amendment.  He drew attention to the meeting of Corporate Performance Panel which had considered the matter.  He commented that whilst the Panel did not have many members present at the end they agreed unanimously to vote against the recommendations. He considered that the real money gap between grades was increasing.  With regard to the £750 one off payment he considered that the senior staff did not need the additional payment as he considered it was increasing the differential between grades.  He did not agree with the increase of the top of senior grades as he considered there was not sufficient evidence presented. 

Councillor Parish did not accept the amendment and suggested that the amendment could have been submitted as 2 separate amendments.

Councillor Ryves stated that as all staff worked together as a team they should get the same reward.  He didn’t believe that the recommendations from the Panel were discussed by the cabinet.

Councillor Rust stated she would vote against the amendment as she felt it was demeaning to the work of senior staff, and said they were not worthy of a pay rise.  She reminded members that peoples pay was commensurate with the work carried out and the qualifications held for those roles.  She reminded members that there was difficulty recruiting to senior staff positions in particular.

Councillor Beales commented that he was surprised that the Labour and Conservative Leaders were speaking  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:38i

i)      To consider the following Notice of Motion (11/23), submitted by Councillor Everett

This Council notes the Department of Transport and train operators are pushing ahead with plans to close local Railway Station ticket offices.

This Council further notes a rail prospectus carried by Norfolk County Council indicated for many people the absence of station staff and ticket offices acted as a barrier to using the railway.

This Council shares the concerns of Norfolk County Council that these closures could affect the most vulnerable people in society, who rely on ticket office staff to help them and who could struggle to use ticket machines.

Therefore, this Council agrees to lobby all local Members of Parliament to stop the closure of local ticket offices and to support Norfolk County Council in lobbying to stop the closure of all ticket offices in Norfolk.

ii)         To consider the following Notice of Motion (12/23), submitted by Councillor Osborne:

This Council believes in equality for all regardless of natural or cultural origin, and supports equality, diversity and inclusion being at the heart of its policies and procedures.

This Council seeks to support all organisations that share these same values.

And the Borough to include promotions of Pride events alongside others held in West Norfolk annually.

iii)         To consider the following Notice of Motion (13/23), submitted by Councillor Kemp:

Getting It Right in West Norfolk

Strategic Infrastructure in West Norfolk Motion 

This Council believes in the right infrastructure, in the right place, at the right time.  More than 13,000 new homes will come forward in the Local Plan, 4,000 in West Winch, West Norfolk's largest ever development.

So, this Council affirms its responsibility and intent, to do its utmost to influence and achieve timely delivery of the right strategic infrastructure underpinning new development, including doctors and dentists surgeries, sufficient hospital beds in the new QEH rebuild, necessary roads and cycle paths, energy efficient homes and Biodiversity Net Gain.

The Council will write to the Highways Authority to request a strategic highway assessment of the impact of new development on the circulation of traffic around King's Lynn and West Norfolk, including the A10 and the A149. 

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i)      Councillor Everett proposed the following Notice of Motion (11/23), seconded by Councillor Dark.

This Council notes the Department of Transport and train operators are pushing ahead with plans to close local Railway Station ticket offices.

This Council further notes a rail prospectus carried by Norfolk County Council indicated for many people the absence of station staff and ticket offices acted as a barrier to using the railway.

This Council shares the concerns of Norfolk County Council that these closures could affect the most vulnerable people in society, who rely on ticket office staff to help them and who could struggle to use ticket machines.

Therefore, this Council agrees to lobby all local Members of Parliament to stop the closure of local ticket offices and to support Norfolk County Council in lobbying to stop the closure of all ticket offices in Norfolk.

In proposing his motion Councillor Everett spoke in support of his Motion drawing attention to the much used and popular service which did more than just selling tickets, and the fact that its proposed closure was discriminating against those who were not able or willing to use the ticket machines. He drew attention to the complexity of the ticketing machines. Ticket office staffing was not regulated so rail companies were reducing those costs and leaving vulnerable people without their assistance.

In seconding the motion Councillor Dark spoke in support of the motion and drew attention to the fact that the County Council had taken a view on the proposed closures.  He hoped all would get behind the Motion.

Councillor Bone drew attention to the fact that the ticket staff made the rail service much more accessible to all and were a vital service as the electronic was of booking seats was very complex.

Councillor Rust encouraged people to participate in the campaign to save the ticket offices and respond to the consultation.  She considered that the rail company had not done its equality impact assessment on the proposals, as their removal impacted on the safety of lone women and vulnerable passengers, and the elderly.  She raised that the office was being closed by stealth as when staff were sick or had left the job they closed them rather than replacing them.  She drew attention to the fact that the Council had already issued a statement in support of the ticket offices.

Councillor Long as Chair of the Norfolk Rail Group at the County Council condemned the timing of the consultation in the middle of the summer holidays, he explained that there hadn’t been time to call a meeting of the Group, but that a response had been sent by the County Council in line with this motion submitted.  He suggested that Parliament and the Minister be lobbied on it.

Councillor de Whalley drew attention to the requirement to shift from cars from a carbon reduction point of view.  He considered that by shutting ticket offices it  ...  view the full minutes text for item C:39

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

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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.