In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Section 8.3) of the Council's Constitution, to receive oral questions from Members of the Council
Minutes:
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 I J Curtis to the Executive Councillor for Environment, Councillor D M Tysoe
In response to a question regarding recycling bins, Councillor Tysoe acknowledged that there were anomalies in the current scheme which he envisaged would be resolved following a review of the policy on collection which was to be discussed by the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) shortly.
Question from Councillor M F Shellens to the Executive Councillor for Customer Services, Councillor B S Chapman
In response to a question regarding the likely financial impact on the Council of the reform of welfare and council tax support and the probability of an increased incidence of arrears and court actions, Councillor Chapman assured the questioner that a project team was looking at the consequences of the changes to seek to minimise the impact of the reform and avoid, as far as possible, an increase in the number of residents likely to default in their payment of council tax and rent.
Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Executive Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question suggesting the existence of a criteria for the allocation of Council’s resources, Councillor Ablewhite assured the questioner that funds were directed to whichever part of the District was in most need and that the distribution of resource was not based upon the political allegiance of the ward Councillor.
Question from Councillor P D Reeve to the Executive Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question which expressed concern regarding progress on the establishment of future transport policy for Cambridgeshire and the impact this might have for Huntingdonshire, Councillor Ablewhite assured the Council that he took every opportunity to make representations in this respect at meetings of District and County Leaders and with Partners to seek to secure the best arrangements for the District.
Question from Councillor M G Baker to the Deputy Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Planning & Housing Strategy, Councillor N J Guyatt
In response to a question regarding the up and coming expiry of temporary planning permission for a traveller’s site in Ellington Ward, Councillor Guyatt replied that responsibility for enforcement action would lie with the District Council in the event that an application for permanent planning permission was not forthcoming.
Question from Councillor S Greenall to the Executive Councillor for Resources, Councillor J A Gray
In response to a question regarding the use of offshore accounts, Councillor Gray replied that he was not aware that allowances or salaries due to any Member or employee were paid into offshore accounts to mitigate the levy of income tax either in the past or currently but that he would make enquiries to verify this fact and respond to the questioner in writing after the meeting.
Question from Councillor R S Farrer to the Deputy Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Planning & Housing Strategy, Councillor N J Guyatt
In response to a question relating to the progress of the review of Car Parking charges, Councillor Guyatt reported that a revised policy currently was in preparation drawing on the responses made by Members to a survey undertaken earlier in the year and that the draft policy would be subject to further consultation.
Question from Councillor Mrs M Banerjee to the Executive Councillor for Customer Services, Councillor B S Chapman
In response to a question regarding the readiness of the District Council to respond to the implications of the Housing Welfare Act when it takes effect from 1st April 2013, Councillor Chapman confirmed that a great deal of preparatory work had already been undertaken to identify the most vulnerable and that the District Council would be ready to support those residents in most need.
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With the permission of the Chairman, Councillor P Kadewere invited Members to participate in the annual event entitled ’Unity For Community’ which was to be held at the Huntingdonshire Regional College on 14th July 2012 between 11 am - 3 pm.
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