Council Procedure Rule 12.6 provides for questions by any member of the Council to the Leader or any Portfolio Holder, without notice on:
(i) reports under item 7 above; or
(ii) any other matter of a non operational character in relation to the powers and duties of the Council or which affects all or part of the District or some or all of its inhabitants.
Council Procedure Rule 12.7 provides that answers to questions without notice may take the form of:
(a) direct oral answer from the Leader or, at the request of the Leader, from another member of the Cabinet;
(b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication;
(c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner; or
(d) where the question relates to an operational matter, the Leader or a member of the Cabinet will request that a response be given direct to the questioner by the relevant Chief Officer.
In accordance with the Council Procedure Rule 12.8, a time limit of twenty minutes is set for questions. Any question not dealt with within the time available will receive a written reply. The Chairman may extend this period by up to a further 10 minutes to ensure that all political groups and independent members may have their questions answered.
Minutes:
(a) Leisure Strategy
Councillor J H Whitehouse referred to the written report of the Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder regarding the Leisure Strategy and asked whether the Strategy would involve just the leisure centres or the wider leisure needs and if the latter how the public would be consulted.
Councillor Webster, Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder stated that the Leisure and Cultural Strategy was in its early stages and that it would cover all aspects of leisure and cultural provision. Currently officers were gathering information and that consultation with the District’s residents would be required. Councillor Webster advised that a Portfolio Holder Decision had been signed to establish the Advisory Group on Leisure and Culture Strategy.
(b) Mobile Homes presentation evening on 3 October 2013
Councillor Rolfe referred to the success of the information evening regarding the Mobile Homes Act 2013 and asked if this method of communication would be used in relation to updating residents.
Councillor Stallan, Housing Portfolio Holder advised that the evening had received positive feedback from all involved parties. Even though the subject matter was at times a little heavy, it was felt that further consultation and information on agreements between mobile home owners and site owners could be organised.
(c) Car Park Tariffs
Councillor Jacobs asked whether the Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder would consider differentiating the car park tariffs across the District and with this in mind consider not increasing the first half an hour or first hour tariff.
Councillor Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder advised that the consistent approach of the car parking tariffs across the District would become a more demand led tariff structure, dependant on the situation in each location. Parking would become the priority as a lack of parking could damage high streets. He advised members that he would keep them updated with the situation and welcome members’ comments on future proposals.
(d) Increase of Business Rate
Councillor J M Whitehouse asked the Asset Management and Economic Development Portfolio Holder which section of the economy she thought would provide the greatest growth and what action she would be taking to make these areas flourish.
Councillor Grigg, Asset Management and Economic Development Portfolio Holder advised that the Council was working towards an Economic Strategy that was a key objective, and she was awaiting evidence from a consultant, which would then be brought forward to the Cabinet. With regards to the conversions of business units to residential units, the Cabinet had brought forward the decision to purchase the Bridgeman House in Waltham Abbey and looked to keep business units. She advised that to offset the businesses moving to the Enterprise Zone in Harlow, the Council had identified a number of viable business sites in the District and would be looking to increase employment on the Airfield following the Cabinet’s decision.
(e) Green Deal
Councillor Jenny Hart asked whether the Council would be signing up to the Green Deal provider, so that the finances could be accessed by residents.
Councillor Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder advised that the Council had not yet signed up to the Green Deal, as it had not lived up to expectations and there were many uncertainties. He would keep the Green Deal under constant review.
(f) Highways Panel Funding
Councillor Leonard asked the Leader of the Council what could be done about the half a million pounds that had been reallocated from the Local Highway Panel for the provision of white lines and foot way repairs in other areas of the county.
Councillor Whitbread, Leader of the Council advised that he would prefer to see the funding spent within the District, although it was the responsibility of the County Council.
By invitation of the Council, Councillor Knapman, Chairman of the Local Highway Panel advised that there had been a year and half delay in the spending the 2011/12 funding, which had thirty projects approved by the Epping Forest Local Highway Panel. The funding from these projects would be what was being spent in the other areas of the county for white lines and footways, although the County Councillor responsible for Highways had agreed that the Council would receive some of the funding within the District.
He continued that the next tranche of funding had been made available and would implement the previous years projects, which would start in January 2014.
(g) Parking Issues
Councillor Markham referred to a resident in Clifton Road, Loughton that had to purchase a parking permit from North Essex Parking Partnership for carers who visited her husband with a terminal illness. Councillor Markham asked the Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder to approach the Partnership to change this policy.
Councillor Waller, Portfolio Holder for Safer, Greener and Transport stated that he was sorry to hear of the circumstances of that resident but that Civil Enforcement Officers were not able to make concessions themselves. He said he hoped the Partnership would view this matter sympathetically and he would be gladly liaise with the Partnership on this and similar issues in the future.
(h) Waste Contract
Councillor Angold-Stephens asked the Portfolio Holder for Environment whether he agreed that the minutes of last Cabinet meeting, regarding the Waste Contract which had made reference to a third wheeled bin should also have referred to the Council giving the consideration for an ‘opt in or out’ arrangement for a significant minority of residents with terrace houses or small gardens.
Councillor Breare-Hall, Portfolio Holder for Environment agreed that the ‘opt and in and out’ option had been mentioned at the meeting and would be considered in the completive dialogue stage of the waste procurement contract. He said in order to comment on whether this should have been minuted, he would have to review the proceedings.
(i) Broadway Parking
Councillor Jennie Hart asked the Portfolio Holder Safer, Greener and Transport whether the Broadway Parking Review was any closer and if so, could he advise of a date.
Councillor Waller, Portfolio Holder for Safer, Greener and Transport advised that the Broadway Parking Review would take place after the Buckhurst Hill Parking Review had been completed. He advised that they were making good progress with the Buckhurst Hill Review and he was helpful the first part would be completed early in 2014. The forecast for expenditure was not likely to over run and there should be sufficient funds to complete the both reviews.
(j) Major Contracts and Leases - Broader Impact on Reserves
Councillor Watson thanked the Finance and Technology Portfolio Holder for the written reply to the question she has asked at the last Council meeting regarding the account of the North Weald Airfield market operator. She pointed out that income streams were reducing which would put a strain on the Council’s reserves. In light of this she asked the Portfolio Holder if anything was being done to look at the financial soundness of the market operator and others with whom the Council had a major contract or lease and if so, what impact this might have on the Council’s reserves.
Councillor Stavrou, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Technology advised that the reserves and revenue were reviewed continuously, along with the external factors that could affect them. She offered to provide more detailed information to councillor Watson outside of the meeting.
(k) Sainsbury’s Redevelopment
Councillor Knapman referred to the derelict condition of the area in the vicinity of the Sainsbury’s store at The Broadway. He said he was aware plans were being discussed for refurbishment works including a new Sainsbury’s store, demolition of other lock-up shop units and a new car park. He asked the Asset Management and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, if she could take steps to speed up the process
Councillor Grigg the Portfolio Holder for Asset Management and Economic Development stated that Stobarts (agent for the leaseholder of the site) had closed several shops in the area with a view to redeveloping the site. She said she understood Stobarts had agreed terms with Sainsbury’s for the proposals outlined by Councillor Knapman and confirmed that Council officers were having discussions regards regarding the matter. She said she anticipated submitting a report to members before the end of the year.