Agenda

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 31 October 2024 (previously circulated).

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.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

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

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

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

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

CAB70:             Gambling Act 2005 – Statement of Principles

CAB71:             Council Tax Support – Final Schene 2025-26

CAB72:             Bio Diversity Task Group report

CAB74:             Constitution Update

To consider the following Notice of Motion (6 /24 ), submitted by Councillor Kemp

Saving Burman House Care Home 

Norfolk residents rate exceptionally highly, the care, compassion and commitment of all the Norsecare staff, who run Burman House Dementia Care Home. Our residents are pleading with their Borough Councillors, to do all we can, to save Burman House from impending closure by the County Council company Norse.

This Council is committed to supporting its residents and the Local Health and Care Economy in West Norfolk.

The closure of Burman House could see the loss of up to 30 local jobs, and worsen the shortage of Care Home, Respite and Convalescent beds in West Norfolk, placing additional pressure on the QEH.

Burman  House, in Terrington St John,  is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. The residents benefit from the lovely gardens next to their rooms, which are all on the ground floor, in their unique rural setting. 

Burman House is owned by Norfolk County Council which has contracts with NorseCare.

This Council will therefore write to Norfolk County Council to ask it to intervene and permanently halt the closure of Burman House. 

It is understood  that a reason given for closure, is the dimensions of the rooms. So the addition of modular bathroom extensions  to each room, or other appropriate investment could be made.

It is understood that some residents are being planned to move to other NorseCare Homes, where the rooms are no bigger. This Council is aware a Care Home closure should only be a last resort as it causes such needless distress to residents. Our residents deserve better.

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 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.)

Climate Change and Biodiversity – Councillor M de Whalley – TO FOLLOW

Planning and Licensing – Councillor J Moriarty

Environment and Coastal - Councillor S Squire

Finance – Councillor C Morley

Events and Open Spaces– Councillor B Anota

People and Communities – Councillor J Rust

Deputy Leader Business and Culture – Cllr S Ring

Leader - Councillor A Beales

In accordance with Standing Order 11.2 (b), Members of the Council may ask any questions of the Chair of any Council Body (except the Cabinet).