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 P Kadewere to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question seeking the support of the Executive Leader for a proposal to change the use of a public open space to provide a car parking area in Essex Road, Huntingdon to meet the wishes of local residents, Councillor Ablewhite was unable to make any commitment without further details and requested that the questioner advise him of the background to his request after the meeting.
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Question from Councillor P Kadewere to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the future operation of the Huntingdon Community Service, Councillor Ablewhite advised the questioner to raise his concerns with the Leader of the Labour Group on Cambridgeshire County Council so that the matter might be raised with the appropriate Authority.
Question from Councillor R Harrison to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the possibility of the Council providing assistance and support to the community convenant as a way to increase its impact, Councillor Ablewhite replied that he was disappointed that the initiative had not gained more support and momentum and that he would discuss the matter with his counterpart at the County Council to seek to encourage that Authority to take further action but that he was content for the District Council to support the initiative albeit within current budget constraints.
Question from Councillor M F Shellens to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the investment by the District Council in the proposed multi-storey car park in Huntingdon and the potential for compensation to be paid should Churchmanor and Sainsburys choose to withdraw from their commitment to the Town due to the current economic downturn, Councillor Ablewhite assured the questioner that it was essential to encourage vibrancy in Huntingdon and that this scheme provided an opportunity to work with partners to achieve this objective. He added that preparations for the scheme continued to progress and that he was hopeful of a start on-site early in the New Year.
Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the closure of the Huntingdonshire CAB, Councillor Ablewhite admitted that he too was hugely disappointed at the closure of the CAB in November but he assured the Council that he was working to secure resources which might achieve an interim solution in the short term.
Question from Councillor R J West to the Executive Councillor, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the success of the Huntingdonshire Matters Conference and its contribution to partnership working, Councillor Ablewhite confirmed that the initiative was gaining momentum and interest and represented a positive example of how to deliver localism in practice.
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