Agenda item

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.)

Corporate Services - Councillor B Long

Environment - Councillor P Kunes

Development - Councillor R Blunt

Finance – Councillor A Dickinson

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor Sam Sandell

Deputy Leader and Business, Culture & Heritage – Councillor G Middleton

Leader - Councillor Stuart Dark

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Councillor Dark moved Cabinet Members reports en bloc.

In response from a question from Councillor Rust about pop up shops, Councillor Middleton confirmed he had spoken to the Vancouver quarter regarding the use of a disused building.  He would get an update from Ms Etheridge on what could be done, he also confirmed the proposals with the Town Fund to repurpose empty shop space.  He undertook to give an update when he had more information available.

Councillor Blunt confirmed his meeting listed was the West Norfolk Housing Company, not a West Winch meeting. 

Councillor Sandell, in responding to Councillor Nockolds gave an update on the work of the Housing Team working in partnership with the hospital to get necessary works completed to permit patients to return home from hospital.

In response to a question from Councillor Morley, Councillor Kunes gave an update on work progressing to apply for funding to add charging points on council owned car parks in King’s Lynn and Hunstanton.

Following a question from Councillor Squire, Councillor Kunes commented that he believed a task group looking at biodiversity had been taking place with the Environment and Community Panel.  He updated that a number of trees which had been planted had been vandalised but were looking to be replaced, and the planning plan for Lynnsport was for early spring.

Councillor Blunt, in response to a question from Councillor Spikings on the timetable for CIL awards, explained that the process was being simplified, and bids would be accepted in January and July.  Parishes would be notified.

In response to a question from Councillor Parish asking of the current housing allocations were sufficient so not requiring an increase in the numbers allocated, Councillor Blunt reminded members that it boiled down to the number of properties which were built, and that the Government made the rules regarding the number of houses required. 

Councillor Dickinson confirmed to Councillor S Collop that the Independent report into members allowances had been received. 

Councillor Ryves referred to parking offers given at Christmas by other authorities and asked that they be introduced.  Councillor Middleton reminded Members of the different schemes run in the past, including the scheme which had been run on Boal Quay to encourage shoppers, but the spaces had been used by people working in the town.  He drew attention to the events put on all year round with the current arrangements.

In response to a question from Councillor Rust asking for an enhanced role for King’s Lynn councillors with the Town Fund, Councillor Middleton confirmed that the King’s Lynn Town Centre Members were involved, and the set up was as agreed with the Government.

Councillor Morley asked if governance could be included into some cabinet members reports.  Councillors Blunt and Middleton undertook to look into it.

Following a question from Councillor Kemp regarding the consultation process for the Town Fund, Councillor Middleton confirmed consultation had been carried out when the bid was put together, and that consultation on the multi user hub was imminent.

Councillor Lawrence in responding to Councillor Morley confirmed there was interest in the NORA development

Questions to the Leader

In response to Councillor Ryves question on the Member Major Projects Board meetings, Councillor Dark confirmed that they would be seeing the list of projects at its next meeting.

Following a question from Councillor Parish regarding the number of press statements being released in line with the additional staffing for that team, Councillor Dark confirmed that no additional staff had yet been appointed, but that the press releases were drawing attention to good work done.  He acknowledged the issue with planning enforcement resources and confirmed it was being looked at.

Councillor Dark also responded to Councillor Kemp that areas with challenges and staffing issues were being looked at, and did not require another Board to consider them.

Councillor Bower drew attention to the work being carried out to the roof of the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton,  Councillor Dark confirmed that a defibrillator was also being added to it, he also drew attention to the underwriting of the fireworks in Hunstanton.  Councillor Beal also thanked the Leader for the work being carried out to the Princess Theatre as landlords, he drew attention to the good work of the current occupants in running the theatre.