Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

8.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr A Fitch-Tillett.

The Assistant Director for Sustainable Growth also submitted his apologies.

9.

Minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18th May 2022.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held 18th May were approved as a correct record

10.

Declarations of Interest

Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests that they may have in any of the following items on the agenda. The Code of Conduct for Members requries that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (see attached guidance and flowchart).

Minutes:

None received.

11.

Items of Urgent Business

To determine any other items of business which the Chairman decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

12.

Project Update Reports

To receive updates on ongoing major projects and to make recommendations to Cabinet, if required.

 

1. North Walsham Heritage Action Zone

2. Fakenham Roundabout

3. Local Plan

4. Net Zero Strategy and Action Plan

 

A verbal update will be provided for the following project:

1. The Reef, Sheringham

 

13.

Project Update Reports

Minutes:

1.    North Walsham Heritage Action Zone Project

Cllr R Kershaw, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth, introduced this item. He began by saying that the project had now entered Phase 2, with work starting on the Market Place. The plans for the market place had been redrawn to reuse materials which would save money and time and reduce any inconvenience caused. Church Approach was now looking very smart with the benches installed and only a few snagging issues to resolve. Business in the new market had held up well and he said that the time had come to be more positive about the project. It was important to start promoting the wider beneficial impact of the work that was being undertaken and the improvement to the town. He said that he was pleased with the project but he felt that it was now time to focus on positive promotion and move forwards with a proactive communications campaign. He added that once the work on Church Approach was complete, he would like to see a report setting out the timeliness of it and where improvements could have been made.

 

The Chairman asked about the impact of cost inflation on the price of materials purchased for the project and whether the Portfolio Holder and officers were happy with the communications push in advance of the planned work – particularly regarding access to the shops and parking. Cllr Kershaw replied that he felt an opportunity had been missed, particularly regarding parking and that more signage could have been out in place. Regarding the cost of materials, he said that thanks the work done by the Project Manager in early January to purchase materials in advance, there was some protection from inflation. It was on the risk register and would be closely monitored.

 

The Project Manager agreed, adding that she had tried to mitigate against rising materials costs when it became clear several months ago that prices were rising rapidly. The issue now was getting supplies delivered on time, even if they had been ordered 3-4 months ago. She said that there was a huge amount of work going on now in terms of communication and an article on the project was in the September issue of ‘Just North Walsham’. There was a challenge in terms of cross-messaging but a clear route for messaging had been established and it was hoped that communication would remain positive and consistent going forwards.

 

The Chairman asked whether signage for the car parks had been resolved. Cllr Kershaw replied that this was still being resolved.

 

The Chief Executive said that he agreed with the comments so far. It was a huge project and it had been very farsighted to pre-order materials to mitigate against inflation. He said that he agreed with Cllr Kershaw that it was time to be openly proud of the scheme and the investment made by the Council. He added that there should be a focus on setting out the wider context of the future growth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

To pass the following resolution:

 

“That under Section 100A(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 they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs _ of Part I ofSchedule 12A (as amended) to the Act.”