Agenda item

i)              To consider the following Notice of Motion (8-21), submitted by Councillor A Ryves:

 

“This Council recognises that the retail sector has been particularly badly hit by the pandemic.

 

This Council wishes to play its part in retaining an active local retail sector.

 

Therefore, this Council agrees that all car parks and on road parking spaces owned by this Council in Hunstanton and King's Lynn will operate a system of free parking from the hours of 9.00 AM to 5.00PM on each Sunday in the month of December and the first Sunday in January.”

 

ii)             To consider the following Notice of Motion (9-21), submitted by Councillor A Kemp

 

This Council is committed to making its services as accessible as possible. The trend for transferring applications for more and more services, like Homechoice, online, is a barrier for people who  most need them, but who are digitally excluded,  whether through cost or disability.  

 

The Council used to supply computers for public access in King’s Court, but these have been taken away.  Residents come into King’s Court regularly, who are Homechoice clients, and want to check their benefits online, but are unable to do so. Residents are not permitted to use the computers near the Council reception that belong to the DWP. 

 

Council will consider the benefit of recommending  the reintroduction of computers for public use for specified purposes in the Council reception at King’s Court, for inclusion within the forthcoming budget.

 

Minutes:

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i)             Councillor A Ryves proposed the following Notice of Motion (8-21), this was seconded by Councillor Joyce:

 

In proposing the Notice of Motion Councillor Ryves spoke in support of the motion informing Council that he had been in contact with the BID who had confirmed retailers would support the free parking.

 

“This Council recognises that the retail sector has been particularly badly hit by the pandemic.

 

This Council wishes to play its part in retaining an active local retail sector.

 

Therefore, this Council agrees that all car parks and on road parking spaces owned by this Council in Hunstanton and King's Lynn will operate a system of free parking from the hours of 9.00 AM to 5.00PM on each Sunday in the month of December and the first Sunday in January.”

 

Council debated the motion it was pointed out that the proposal had not been costed and the implications for the authority not taken into account. It was noted that in the run up to Christmas the car parks would be busy anyway, and when the implications for the town of less car parking income were explained there was greater understanding of the need for the income.

 

Councillor Nash, seconded by Councillor Parish proposed an amendment to the Motion that the free parking on Sundays proposed above take place in January or February.  Councillor Ryves accepted the amendment.

 

A debate was then held on the substantive.  Attention was drawn to the additional footfall events brought to the town centre, comments made on the fact that relying on car parking income was outdated and other options such as visitors tax should be considered.  It was suggested that a  cost benefit analysis should be carried out.  The effect the internet was having on retail was referred to and the fact that the Council relied on business rates.  Attention was drawn to the fact that the corporate business plan intended to help boost the economy.

 

The fact that the proposal had not been discussed at Cabinet or Panels or costed was drawn attention to, if the free spaces were taken all day by the same cars it did not permit a high turnover.  The incentive for people to come to town in the quiet winter months was drawn attention to.

 

In summing up Councillor Ryves drew attention to the reserves held  and commended the proposal to Council.

 

On being put to the vote the Motion was lost.

 

RESOLVED: The Motion was lost.

 

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ii)            Councillor A Kemp proposed the following Notice of Motion (9-21), seconded by Councillor de Whalley

 

In proposing the Motion Councillor Kemp drew attention to the fact that a number of households had no access to computers or phones and needed the computers to be able to access services.

 

This Council is committed to making its services as accessible as possible. The trend for transferring applications for more and more services, like Homechoice, online, is a barrier for people who most need them, but who are digitally excluded, whether through cost or disability.  

 

The Council used to supply computers for public access in King’s Court, but these have been taken away.  Residents come into King’s Court regularly, who are Homechoice clients, and want to check their benefits online, but are unable to do so. Residents are not permitted to use the computers near the Council reception that belong to the DWP. 

 

Council will consider the benefit of recommending the reintroduction of computers for public use for specified purposes in the Council reception at King’s Court, for inclusion within the forthcoming budget.”

 

In responding to the proposer Councillor Dark clarified that the computers were removed due to the covid risk originally, but that the DWP computers were now spaced out into the area, but officers had offered phone support to anyone with housing queries in the office, when it was safe to do so they would be re-installed.

 

Council debated the motion where support for their reintroduction was made, along with encouragement for those coming into the building unable to access with computers to take up the option of phone assistance or if required appointment system, along with reassurance that they would be re-introduced in due course when space and safety permitted it to do so.  Suggestions were made for the use of tablets and security wiping down keyboards.

 

Councillor Kemp summed up stating that she considered there was sufficient space and they were an important service for those seeking homes.

 

On being put to the vote the motion was lost.

 

RESOLVED: The motion was lost.