Issue - meetings

In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Section 8.3) of the Council’s Constitution to receive oral questions from Members of the Council.

In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Section 8.3) of the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman proceeded to conduct a period for oral questions addressed to Executive Councillors and Panel Chairmen as follows:-

Question from Councillor J M Souter to the Leader of the Council, Councillor D P Holley

In response to a series of questions about a proposed post of Overview and Scrutiny Adviser not being included in the Medium Term Plan 2004-2009, the value of scrutiny in the decision making processes of the Council and the attendance of Executive Councillors at meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels, the Leader replied that he agreed with the importance of Executive Councillors attending meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels when invited to do so, that the overview and scrutiny process was a vital part of the democratic procedures of the Council and that, given the Council’s budgetary commitments and the support already provided to the scrutiny function, it had been decided not to fund a post of Overview and Scrutiny Adviser.

Question from Councillor Mrs D C Reynolds to the Leader of the Council, D P Holley

In response to a question as to the existence of studies on public support for Regional Assemblies, the Leader replied that the Local Government Association had commissioned independent surveys, the results of which were available on the Association’s website.

Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Leader of the Council, D P Holley

In response to a question regarding consultation by the Electoral Commission on the frequency of local government elections, the Leader replied that the Elections Panel would consider the issue at their next meeting and report to Council accordingly.

Question from Councillor R G Tuplin to the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Councillor N J Guyatt

In response to a question requesting details of the cost to the Council thus far of the decision to refuse planning permission for development on Alconbury Airfield, Councillor Guyatt estimated that these had exceeded £2m but that he would confirm the precise figure in writing to the questioner.  In terms of the conditions which had been attached to the consent granted by the Secretary of State on appeal, Councillor Guyatt suggested that these were of greater stringency than could have been applied by the District Council.

Question from Councillor A Hansard to the Executive Councillor for Housing Strategy, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question about a recently publicised homelessness initiative by Cambridge City Council to distribute travel warrants to the homeless to encourage them to leave the city, Councillor Bates reported that he was not aware that this had had any impact on the District Council’s housing register but that he would confirm his understanding and notify Members accordingly.

Question from Councillor W T Clough to the Leader of the Council, Councillor D P Holley

In response to a question regarding progress of the Member led review of the District Council’s base budget approved by the Council at their last meeting,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56