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 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 J Downes to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

Councillor Bates undertook to respond at the earliest opportunity to a question first asked by the questioner at the previous Council meeting in connection with the savings which had been achieved from the introduction of the doorstep collection of glass recyclables in the period 29th March - 4th May 2010.

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

In respond to a question regarding a requirement to review planning guidance on wind turbines and wind farms, Councillor Dew reported that it was not his intention to update the Council’s current policies given that policy CS1 relating to applications of this nature, contained in the District Council’s Core Strategy,  had been adopted in September 2009 and that supplementary planning guidance was published in 2006.  Both documents were available on the intranet/internet.

Question from Councillor M F Shellens to the Executive Councillor for Finance & Customer Services, Councillor T V Rogers

In response to a question regarding the Council’s position in the table of authorities with the lowest council tax level in England and Wales, Councillor Rogers replied that Huntingdonshire was placed in twentieth position with a band D council tax of £124.48 with West Dorset District Council in twenty-first place with a band D council tax of £124.42.

Question from Councillor R J West to the Deputy Leader, Councillor L M Simpson

In response to a question regarding the importance of Member development, Councillor Simpson concurred with the questioner and added that consideration was being given to extending the training available in those specialist areas expected of the role and responsibilities of a Councillor.

Question from Councillor M G Baker to the Chairman of the Council, Councillor J J Dutton

In response to a question regarding the content of an article contained in the periodical “Private Eye”, Councillor Dutton reaffirmed how privileged he felt to be able to fulfil the position of Chairman of the Council.

Question from Councillor B S Chapman to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding the level of investment recently made by the District Council in St Neots, Councillor Bates concurred with the questioner that recent investments had demonstrated the District Council’s commitment and that work would continue to address existing and emerging issues in the town.

Question from Councillor G S E Thorpe to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding support for farmers markets in Huntingdonshire, Councillor Bates replied that he would verify his understanding of the support given to farmers markets by both the District and Town Councils and town centre initiatives and respond to the questioner in writing.

Question from Councillor R J West to the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy & Transport, Councillor D B Dew

In response to a question regarding the benefit to Members of a training session on planning design and conservation issues, Councillor Dew undertook to look into the possibility of arranging such an event in the future.

Question from Councillor D M Tysoe to the Executive Councillor for Environment and Information Technology, Councillor J A Gray

In response to a question regarding the steps being taken by the District Council to expedite the connection of Hamerton village to main sewerage, Councillor Gray replied that he was aware that the existing system was not working satisfactorily but that the scheme of improvement was being progressed by a private company, albeit slowly, and that he and his colleague Executive Member, Councillor Dew, would seek to lobby for the scheme to be implemented as priority.

Question from Councillor M F Shellens to the Chairman of the Council, Councillor J J Dutton

In response to a question regarding the content of his letter to all Members dated 29th July 2010 concerning standards of behaviour and dress at Council meetings, Councillor Dutton confirmed that he had no intention of withdrawing the sentiments he had expressed in the letter at that time.