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 (paragraph 8.3 of the Rules) the Chairman proceeded to conduct a period of oral questions addressed to Executive Councillors and Panel Chairmen as follows:-

Question from R G Tuplin to the Executive Councillor for Leisure, Councillor Mrs D C Reynolds

In response to a question regarding the progress of negotiations to secure a service level agreement between Sawtry Community College and Sawtry Leisure Centre, Councillor Mrs Reynolds confirmed that negotiations were continuing between the Headmaster of the Community College and the General Manager, One Leisure and that the issue had been discussed more widely at the Council's Active Leisure Forum.

Question from Councillor P D Reeve to the Leader, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding the proposed closure of public conveniences in Ramsey, Councillor Bates replied that the questioner would be welcome to attend the meeting of the Cabinet when the report regarding the proposed closures would be considered further.

Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Executive Councillor for Environment and IT, Councillor J A Gray

In response to a question regarding the outcome and timescale for progressing issues that had arisen from the Council's debate on reducing the carbon footprint, Councillor Gray replied that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-being). 

Question from Councillor A N Gilbert to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding the ponderous procedures for the appointment of Panels and Committees at the Annual Council meeting, Councillor Bates replied that consideration would be given to the methodology for appointments to ensure a more conducive and efficient use of Members' time and resources.

Question from Councillor Mrs P E Shrapnel to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding the number of fixed penalty notices issued by the Council's Dog Warden under the relevant regulations, Councillor Bates replied that he would respond to the questioner in writing with the information requested. 

Question from Councillor P G Mitchell to the Executive Councillor for Operational and Countryside Management, Councillor C R Hyams

In the absence of Councillor Hyams and in response to a question regarding the future of the financial contribution made to Parish Councils for use of bottle banks given the recent introduction of doorstep glass collections, Councillor Bates replied that the use of bottle banks in mini recycling centres would continue and that parish councils would be consulted as part of any future review of their provision.

Question from Councillor R J West to the Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health, Councillor K J Churchill

In response to a question regarding the level of attendance during the second round of the Neighbourhood Forums, Councillor Churchill thanked Councillor Reeve for his support of the initiative and added that he was pleased to report that attendance at recent forum meetings was encouraging with 37 attending in St. Neots, 50 in St. Ives, 60 in Huntingdon, 57 in North-West Huntingdonshire and 76 in Ramsey making an overall total of 270 residents and interested parties. The forums had generated interest in a wide variety of community matters and that attendance levels were higher than experienced at the former policing panels.

Question from Councillor Mrs B E Boddington to the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, Councillor D B Dew

In response to a question regarding an update on the proposed widening of the A428 from Caxton Gibbet to the A1 and the impact of additional traffic generated by the Loves Farm development in St. Neots, Councillor Dew assured the questioner that he considered this scheme to be a priority in future infrastructure programmes and that he took every opportunity to raise the issue with partner agencies and at meetings with Cambridgeshire Horizons and South Cambridgeshire District Council.