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 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.

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 were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposed 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.  

There was none.

If any.

There was none.

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

The Managing Director, Alive West Norfolk, provided the Panel with an update on Alive West Norfolk.  A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Chair thanked the Managing Director for the update and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Managing Director explained that social distancing arrangements would be put in place as required.  The Corn Exchange Cinema was scheduled to open mid-September and would adhere to the guidance relevant at the time.  Leisure Centres would operate at a reduced capacity, there would be hand sanitising stations throughout the facilities and additional cleaning would take place.  The Managing Director explained that the facilities would adhere to guidance from governing bodies and all plans would be signed off by the Council’s Health and Safety Team.

In response to a question regarding the Tourist Information Centre, the Managing Director explained that this was operated by Alive West Norfolk, but the location of the Tourist Information Centre would be a matter for the Council.

It was also explained that acts booked for the Corn Exchange had been rescheduled to next year.

It was noted that swimming attendance was down, and it was explained that this was a trend across the Country, prior to the Covid crisis.  Once facilities could be reopened, ways to encourage people back into swimming would be looked at.

The Managing Director explained that he would promote the refit project and its benefits as appropriate.

In response to questions about Downham Market Leisure Centre, the Managing Director explained that it was a very popular facility but was rarely at capacity.  Ways to improve the offer could be looked at in the future.

With regard to Members who had cancelled their Memberships recently, it was felt that this was because Members may have been unsure if their Memberships would be frozen and it was hoped that they may re-join once the facilities were open again.

It was also explained that fitness classes would need to be booked online due to reduced capacity and a timetable would be drawn up.  Members were reminded that the authority to reopen had only just been announced, so lots of planning was ongoing on how to do so safely.

A decision had not yet been taken about the Panto at the Corn Exchange and options and potential alternatives would be looked at when necessary.  Information would be communicated to the public via social media and press releases as and when decisions were made.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

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

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 Senior Policy and Performance Officer was asked if the long waiting list for Disabled Facilities Grants was because of a lack of resources and if additional resources were required and if there were additional figures available on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s).  The Senior Policy and Performance Officer agreed to provide the Panel with more information on the amount of HMO’s in the Borough and how many were licensed.

It was also suggested that an update on HMO’s  be added to the Panels Work Programme.

Questions were asked about the amount of brown bins and it was explained that the targets were for the year 2019/2020, so did not cover the Covid-19 pandemic period.  It was explained that there had been an increase in the amount of brown bins requested and there had also been a problem with the software used previously, which had resulted in some incorrect figures being reported.

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

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

The following items were suggested for inclusion on the Work Programme:

·         Update on HMO’s

·         Update on Flood Defences, soil erosion and water retention.

·         Presentation from the IDB on their role and function.

·         Peat bogs and C02 emissions.

·         Housing Standards in the Borough’s Housing Stock, with a link to child poverty.

·         Urban Wildlife

·         Anti Littering Campaign

·         Together for Rivers Campaign.

·         Wild East Nature Recovery Programme.

·         Modern Slavery.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 8^th September 2020 at 3.00pm.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held o Tuesday 8^th September 2020 at 3.00pm.