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 Councillor P D Reeve to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding the District Council’s approach to the coalition government’s preference for localism in the delivery of services, Councillor Bates confirmed that although supporting the principles involved in “localism”, the Council would not consider placing a burden on parish councils.  However, Councillor Bates added that parish councils did have the opportunity to raise additional resources by increasing their precepts, that the council tax levels of parish councils were not subject to capping and that in the circumstances he would ask Members to encourage their parish councils to consider taking on additional responsibilities.

Question from Councillor M F Shellens to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question which suggested that parish councils would not have sufficient expertise to undertake additional responsibilities, Councillor Bates replied that parish councils could work in partnership with each other to share expertise and knowledge.

Question from Councillor P R Ward to the Executive Councillor for Operational & Countryside Services, Councillor C R Hyams

In response to a question regarding the implications for the District Council should the Government propose that local authorities return to weekly household waste collections, Councillor Hyams reminded Members that the Council already collected waste on a weekly basis albeit different bins were collected on alternative weeks.  He indicated that the Operations Division would consider the implications of any new legislation should this be published.

Question from Councillor C M Saunderson to the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being), Councillor S J Criswell

In response to a question regarding car parking charges at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Councillor Criswell confirmed that despite ongoing discussions between the hospital administrators and the District Council, the decision had already been taken to raise charges for car parking in the hospital car parks.

Question from Councillor P L E Bucknell to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question suggesting that the District Council should abandon the public consultation on the allocation of land for gypsy and traveller sites given the abolition of the Regional Spatial Strategies, Councillor Bates reported that he had written to the Member of Parliament for the North West Cambridgeshire Constituency, Shailesh Vara, MP to explain the reasons why the District Council were continuing with the consultation process.  Councillor Dew added that despite the abolition of the RSS, the District Council still required an evidence-base upon which to formulate a policy against which future applications could be determined.

Question from Councillor R S Farrer to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question seeking justification for proposed expenditure of an estimated £3m for a multi-storey car park in Huntingdon, Councillor Bates replied that the facilities were part of proposals for the development of Huntingdon town centre and featured in the Action Plan for Chequers Court which had been in place for some time.  Councillor Bates indicated that once constructed the car park could provide a source of income and that should a similar opportunity arise for St Neots in the future this also would be considered favourably.

Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Executive Councillor for Operational & Countryside Services, Councillor C R Hyams

In response to a question on progress towards the introduction of glass collections in blue bins, the economic impact and future cost projections of the new arrangements, Councillor Hyams undertook to provide a written reply to the questioner.

Question from Councillor G S E Thorpe to the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy & Transport, Councillor D B Dew

In response to a question regarding the action being taken by the Council to prevent further deterioration of the Old Falcon Public House, St Neots, Councillor Dew replied that he was aware that the Old Falcon was a fine and imposing listed building that made a significant contribution to the historic character of the Market Square and that in the past Planning Services had provided design and conservation advice to potential interested parties.  However, this pro-active approach had not yet produced any positive results.  He added that the building was on the Buildings at Risk Register and that the Planning Conservation Team was actively in the process of pursuing the owners regarding its condition and future well-being.  He indicated that he would ensure that the questioner was kept informed of progress with regard to its condition.

Question from Councillor Mrs K E Cooper to the Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health, Councillor A Hansard

In response to a question which suggested that the Residents’ Association at Loves Farm Development, St Neots might be experiencing some difficulty in continuing to operate, Councillor Hansard assured the questioner that the District Council would continue to monitor the situation and take any action necessary should it appear that the Association continued to experience difficulties.

Question from Councillor T D Sanderson to the Executive Councillor for Operational & Countryside Management, Councillor C R Hyams

In response to a question regarding the District Council’s proposals to improve the play facilities at Coneygeare, Huntingdon, Councillor Hyams replied that discussions over plans for the site were underway in which local ward councillors had been involved.

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

In response to a question regarding the objections received to the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) on sites for gypsies and travellers, Councillor Bates assured the questioner that all responses received would be treated sensitively.

Question from Councillor M F Shellens to the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy & Transport, Councillor D B Dew

In response to a question regarding the Princes Street car park in Huntingdon, Councillor Dew replied that the Council had a responsibility as a employer to have regard to the needs of its employees, that there was a maximum of fifteen places that were made available for staff in the car park who might have mobility problems and that these were allocated to staff on the advice of an occupational health specialist and reviewed on a three monthly basis.  He added that this did not apply to staff who were blue badge holders and had exemptions under the Car Parking Order.