Minutes:
In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Paragraph 8.3 of the Rules), the Chairman proceeded to adopt a period of Oral Questions addressed to Executive Councillors and Panel Chairmen as follows:-
Question from Councillor P D Reeve to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to questions regarding the use of stickers on the Council’s wheeled bins to promote the speed watch operation, Councillor Ablewhite replied that “speed watch” was an essential deterrent in seeking to prevent speeding, as anti-social behaviour, particularly in the rural areas of the District. As relevant Executive Councillor, Councillor J A Gray added, in response to a suggestion from Councillor Reeve, that there was no evidence that speed watch stickers on the Council’s wheeled bins had influenced the speed at which cars travelled through the rural towns and villages. However, he added that, in his view, the placing of stickers on wheeled bins was inappropriate, distracting to motorists and not conducive to a harmonious street scene and he encouraged Speed Watch representatives to discuss more appropriate means of influencing traffic speed with the Head of Operations.
Question from Councillor R S Farrer to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the scheme of car parking charges at St. Neots Riverside Park and the suggestion that current arrangements were a cost to the Council, Councillor Ablewhite responded that it was his intention to review car parking charges and that he would welcome the views of the Councillors in St. Neots on this subject at the appropriate time.
Question from Councillor Mrs M Banerjee to the Deputy Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, Councillor N J Guyatt
In response to a question regarding alleged social issues at the Loves Farm development in St. Neots, Councillor Guyatt replied that although he had spoken to Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association, as landowners, at Loves Farm about the appearance of the development, the Council had no control over the management of the housing scheme.
Question from Councillor P D Ward to the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being), Councillor S J Criswell
In response to a question regarding the ability of Circle Health, recommended bidder for Hinchingbrooke Hospital, to be able to meet the financial demands arising from the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Agreement undertaken to provide for the construction of the hospital’s treatment centre, Councillor Criswell replied that he had no knowledge of the arrangements but he undertook to raise the matter at a future Panel meeting and inform the questioner of the outcome.
Question from Councillor S Greenall to the Executive Councillor for Resources and Customer Services, Councillor T V Rogers
In response to a question regarding the use of mobile telephones and the level of expenditure in 2011/2012 given the budget suggested that only £11,000 of an estimated outturn of £49,000 currently had been spent, Councillor Rogers requested his successor, Councillor J A Gray to respond to the questioner in writing.
Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the decision making process for the remainder of the LPSA Reward Grant, Councillor Ablewhite explained that whilst the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council as responsible authority, had taken a decision to use the grant to enhance access to super fast broad band in Cambridgeshire, those voluntary and other organisations who had incurred expenditure in supporting projects under the LPSA arrangements would be reimbursed. He added that he endorsed any action to help business interests in the District.
Question from Councillor P Godley to the Executive Leader, J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the potential effect of the development at Bearscroft Farm, Godmanchester on the local road infrastructure, Councillor Ablewhite indicated that, whilst he did not wish to comment on quasi judicial matters, he accepted that the A14 was an issue and would continue to be so until it was upgraded and that the Council would continue to do its upmost to lobby support for proposed improvements to the A14 and road infrastructure locally.
Question from Councillor M F Shellens to the Deputy Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, Councillor N J Guyatt
In response to a question regarding a series of large housing schemes proposed locally, Councillor Guyatt agreed that there were significant infrastructure issues to overcome if development at Alconbury and Bearscroft Farm, Godmanchester were to proceed and that the District Council would welcome discussions with developers and other partners to seek solutions to the problems envisaged.
Question from Councillor A Jennings to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a further question regarding car parking at the Riverside Car Park in St. Neots, Councillor Ablewhite assured the questioner that the environmental impact of additional congestion in St. Neots by increased use of the town centre car parks would be taken into consideration during the review of car parking charges.
Question from Councillor P G Mitchell to the Executive Councillor for the Environment, Councillor J A Gray
In response to a question regarding the introduction of kerb side glass recycling and the effect this decision had had on income received by the Council from glass recyclables, Councillor Gray undertook to respond to the questioner in writing
Question from Councillor S M Van DeKerkhove to the Executive Councillor for the Environment, Councillor J A Gray
In response to a question regarding the use of mobile telephony and blackberrys by employees, Councillor Gray explained that a review of such use had been undertaken and that Heads of Service would continue to assess whether or not it was appropriate for staff to be issued with these devices.
Question from Councillor C R Hyams to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
Regarding the Godmanchester Flood Prevention Scheme, Councillor Ablewhite thanked Councillor Hyams for his past contribution, on behalf of the Council, to discussion on the scheme and indicated that he was content to endorse the nomination of Councillor P Godley as the District Council’s new representative in these matters.
Question from Councillor R J West to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
Councillor Ablewhite endorsed the sentiments of the questioner in terms of the appreciation he had expressed for the support and assistance offered to all Members by the Democratic Services Team.