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 C R Hyams to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the prospect of finding a long-term solution to the current difficulties experienced by Huntingdonshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Councillor Ablewhite empathised with the questioner adding that he too had been shocked by the closure of the CAB especially at a time when their service and advice was most needed. He added that discussions had continued with a view to finding a remedy which would retain the volunteers and their experience in the period to April 2013 before a long-term solution and a new service either through the CAB or another provider could commence in the Spring. In this respect, Councillor Ablewhite advised Members that he had offered assistance by suggesting that accommodation might be made available for a new service in the Council’s offices. Councillor Ablewhite also indicated his wish to place on record his gratitude to Huntingdonshire CAB for their service to District residents over many years.
Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the reasons for the closure of the Huntingdonshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau and given his understanding that these related to the under-funding of the local government pension scheme, Councillor Ablewhite assured the questioner that this would not affect the District or County Council’s involvement in the LGPS and was due to management decisions taken by the CAB in recent years.
Question from Councillor R G Tuplin to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the procedure for CIL or Section 106 funding towards secondary or academy schools in Huntingdonshire, Councillor Ablewhite assured the questioner that governance arrangements would be put in place such that local education establishments would have the opportunity to benefit from CIL or Section 106 monies.
Question from Councillor Mrs P J Longford to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the current position in respect of civil parking enforcement, Councillor Ablewhite concurred with the questioner that the issue required to be addressed but that responsibility for implementation lay with the County Council. He understood that this would commence with a pilot scheme in a selected area.
Question from Councillor C R Hyams to the Executive Councillor for Healthy and Active Communities, Councillor T D Sanderson
In response to information presented to the Council from the questioner regarding the successful outcome of prosecutions undertaken by Environmental Protection Officers which had resulted in fines totalling £3,015, Councillor Sanderson undertook to congratulate the Environmental Protection Team, on the Council’s behalf, for their efforts in bringing these offences to court and for protecting residents on food hygiene and health and safety issues.
Before the meeting closed, Members were invited to attend a meeting of the Cabinet of Cambridgeshire County Council which was to take place at 10.00am in the Priory Centre, St. Neots on 2nd October 2012. The meeting would be followed by public question time.
The meeting ended at 9.55pm.
Actions:30 minutes