Agenda and minutes

The Chair informed the Panel that the meeting was being broadcast live on You Tube.

The recording of the meeting is available at WestNorfolkBC on You Tube.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There was none.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of 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.

Those 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.

There was none.

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

There was none.

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

Councillor Ryves.

If any.

There was none.

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The Senior Policy and Performance Officer presented the report which contained information on the corporate performance monitoring undertaken during 2019-2020.

The Chair thanked the Senior Policy and Performance Officer for the report, and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Chair asked if the Stamp Duty Holiday which had been announced by Government had had a positive impact on house sales.  The Senior Policy and Performance Officer commented that he hoped it would, and he explained that house sales had been progressing and now that lockdown measures had been eased the completion progress was happening quicker.

It was also confirmed that there were a range of options available to support tenants who were finding themselves in arrears. 

RESOLVED: The Panel reviewed the performance monitoring report and agreed the actions outlined in the Action Report.

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The Regeneration Project Officer provided the Panel with an update and highlighted the following:

·         The Sail the Wash project was fully funded.

·         It included extension of the pontoons and a marketing package for leisure sailors using the Wash.

·         The project was in partnership with Fenland and Lincolnshire Council.

·         Work should start on the King’s Lynn side on 10^th August 2020 to extend the Pontoons and increase the berths.

·         There was still some work to do to get the necessary agreements in place and ongoing discussions were taking place regarding the landside facilities.

The Chair thanked the Regeneration Project Officer for the update and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Regeneration Project Officer provided detail of the land facilities which would be used and the options available.

The Regeneration Project Officer explained that the facility would operate at a loss, but it was important to look at the wider benefits and spending power that it brought into the town.  It was also confirmed that ongoing discussions were being held with the Conservancy Board.

The Panel was also informed that although the work was taking place in peak season and could result in a loss of bookings, the savings that were being gained from the contract outweighed the loss of income.

It was explained that the Environment Agency were working on a project for Inland Waterways and this would link with the Sail the Wash Project as appropriate.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

The Panel considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Regeneration & Development Panel is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 1^st September 2020 at 3.00pm.

The next meeting of the Regeneration and Development Panel would be held on Tuesday 1^st September 2020.

To consider passing the following resolution:

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

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

Members discussed the necessity of going into exempt session for the Towns Fund and Future High Street Update.  The Panel was advised that commercially sensitive information would be presented to the Panel.

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 item of business son the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 A to the Act.

To include:

-       Business and Enterprise

-       Guildhall Complex and Creative Hub

-       Stakeholders

-       Investment Plan

-       Emerging Projects

The Regeneration Programmes Manager provided the Panel with an update on the Future High Streets Fund and Town Deal.

The Assistant Director provided information on the process of the Towns Fund, which included an overview of progress, things that had been agreed and the processes which would need to be followed regarding timescales and financial packages.  He also outlined further funding packages which could be available to the Council.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager provided the Panel with a presentation on the Towns Fund, Future High Streets Fund and Public Engagement.

The Panel also received information from Michelle Gant from Engaging People, who provided further detail on public engagement and consultation.

The Chair thanked the officers for their presentation and invited questions and comments from Members.  Officers responded to questions on the following:

·         The Regeneration Programmes Manager responded to questions regarding to the Multi User Community Hub and the Chapel Street Car Park.

·         There was information available on the Vision King’s Lynn website including information on the projects and public consultation exercises.  Key Stakeholders had also been kept up to date as appropriate.

·         Information on the Guildhall was provided to the Panel.

·         The importance of public engagement and consultation as appropriate.

·         Training and a skilled workforce.

·         Support to businesses during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

·         Walking and Cycling.

·         The Town Board and engaging key stakeholders.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.