In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Section 8.3) of the Council’s Constitution to receive oral questions from Members of the Council.
Minutes:
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, the Leader explained that this could not commence until determination of the Council tax level and budget for 2004/2005 later in the meeting.
Question from Councillor J W Davies to the Executive Councillor for Housing Strategy, Councillor I C Bates
In response to a question regarding flood prevention works in the Hemingfords and similar work in St Ives, Councillor Bates explained that the Environment Agency had given a presentation to the Parishes of Hemingford Abbotts, Hemingford Grey and Fenstanton and that he could not foresee any reason why this could not be extended to St Ives Town Council.
Question from Councillor Mrs M Banerjee to the Executive Councillor for Housing Strategy, Councillor I C Bates
In response to a question regarding replacement arrangements for Local Authority Social Housing Grant which had been discontinued by the Government in 2003, Councillor Bates replied that the District Council’s submission for funding for social housing development to the East of England Regional Housing Board had been unsuccessful and that the Council would continue to work with registered social landlords locally to endeavour to secure affordable housing on new development sites.
Question from Councillor C W Looker to the Leader, Councillor D P Holley
In response to a question seeking clarification of the Council’s position in respect of the balancing of funding consultation paper issued by the Government, the Leader explained that the Cabinet favoured the retention of a national property based tax with transitional benefits that did not penalise low income households or those with personal savings, that local authorities should be permitted to set their own parameters in their own localities and that sufficient funding should be made available by the Government to meet the cost of those functions allocated to local authorities that are subject to central direction.
Question from Councillor M G Rainer to the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Councillor M J Guyatt
In response to a question, Councillor Guyatt acknowledged the extension by the Government of the housing/transport corridor from Stansted to Peterborough and the potential implications that the announcement would have for the District.
Question from Councillor A B Hulme to the Executive Councillor for Housing Strategy, Councillor I C Bates
In response to a suggestion that the newly appointed Police Community Support Officers were using their own mobile phones for communication purposes, Councillor Bates replied that there would be an opportunity to raise issues of concern regarding the operation of the PCSOs at the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Planning and Finance) in March and that although he was not aware that Officers were using personal phones during the course of their duties he would investigate the matter and advise Members accordingly.