Issue - meetings

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 H Humphrey

Environment - Councillor P Kunes

Development - Councillor R Blunt

Finance – Councillor A Dickinson

Property – Councillor A Lawrence

People and Communities – Councillor S Sandell

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

Leader - Councillor S Dark

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Councillor Dark moved the Cabinet Members reports en bloc.  This was seconded by Councillor Middleton.

Councillor Kunes responded to a question from Councillor Holmes regarding EV charging points in the south of the Borough where it was explained the car parks weren’t owned by the Borough Council.

Councillor Parish’s asked Councillor Blunt if consideration had been given to starting the local Plan again.  Councillor Blunt confirmed that all options had been considered and legal advice taken and the route taken in the recent cabinet report.

Councillor Kemp  asked Councillor Blunt if he had considered a new Garden city instead of the proposed development at West Winch.  Councillor Blunt reminded members that the Inspector had sought the evidence used to justify the numbers proposed at West Winch, not the sustainability of the site which had been in the Plan for a number of years, and a lot of work had been carried out in preparation for the new road.

Councillor Long asked if it was possible to provide the figures for the carbon emissions and money saved with the Refit programme.  Councillor Kunes confirmed that one a year of operation had been in place it would be possible to calculate those savings.

Councillor Sandell responded to Councillor Squire’s question on whether giving financial advice at the foodbank would discourage people from using it by undertaking to provide a breakdown on the numbers  and queries.

In response to a question from Councillor Joyce on why the sites given permission over the years have not yet been delivered, Councillor Blunt reminded Members that the sites were privately owned and could not be forced to be developed.

Councillor Kemp asked what was being done to assist Freebridge bring forward their empty homes for renting.  Councillor Sandell explained that several meetings had been held with them and they were trying to bring their stock back on line.

Councillor Long asked Councillor Humphrey if there was a decision on future Councillor’s IT equipment.  Councillor Humphrey informed members that if they preferred to keep their Ipad they may, if not a laptop would be provided.

Councillor Rust asked Councillor Blunt if the Council was able to shape the governance arrangements of the Town Deal Board so the Council was more influential on it. Councillor Blunt reminded members that he was a Council representative on the Board which he considered to be open it its dealings .

Councillor Joyce asked if landowners and developers didn’t come forward with their sites if another should replace it.  Councillor Blunt confirmed that landowners were asked what their intentions were with sites.

Councillor Crofts asked for an update on CIL applications from January.  Councillor Blunt confirmed there had been 45 infrastructure project applications made to the value of £700,000.  He gave an update on some of the applications made.

Councillor de Whalley asked if in the Town Deal updates could be changed to give a red/green status and provide assurances  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82