Agenda item

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

Question from Councillor Mrs C A Godley to the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Councillor N J Guyatt

In response to a question regarding the implications of the car parking review on Bridge Place, Mill Yard and Park Lane car parks in Godmanchester, Councillor Guyatt explained that these locations had been included in a proposed Order to enable the car parks to be managed better but that otherwise there was no intention to charge for their use.

Question from Councillor R Powell to the Leader of the Council, Councillor D P Holley

In response to a question regarding the assistance available to users of wheeled bins, the Leader confirmed that the elderly and disabled would continue to receive help in the collection of refuse from their wheeled bins in the same manner as they had previously in the collection of their black refuse bags.

Question from Councillor I P Taylor to the Leader, Councillor D P Holley

In response to a question regarding the decision by Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership to increase the rent of garages which had resulted in a 110% rise for non HHP tenants and the implications for health and safety and on-street parking which might result, the Leader advised that HHP was an independent  organisation over which the District Council had no control although representations could be made via the District Council’s representatives on the HHP Board should the questioner wish to draw the issue to their attention.

Question from Councillor Mrs B E Boddington to the Leader of the Council, Councillor D P Holley

In response to a question as to when residents would be able to dispose of kitchen waste in their wheeled bins, the Leader undertook to obtain the answer and circulate a copy to all Members of the Council.

Question from Councillor J J Dutton to the Leader, Councillor D P Holley

In response to a question as to whether the District Council or Churchmanor Estates would be liable in the event of an accident to a pedestrian on the sloped area of Chequers Court, the Leader undertook to clarify the land ownership issues at that location and to reply in writing to the questioner.

Question from Councillor G S E Thorpe to the Leader, Councillor D P Holley

In response to a question as to whether the possible capping of the Council’s expenditure in 2005/06 was the result of funding revenue expenditure from reserves, the Leader replied that he deeply regretted the decision of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to identify the District Council for possible capping, that a submission had been made to the ODPM in response to the threat, that the District Council continued to set a council tax level below the average for all Districts and that it was difficult for all authorities to budget accurately in the face of dramatic changes in local government finance from year to year.