The Council Rules provide for questions by any member of the Council to the Leader or any Portfolio Holder, without notice on:
(i) reports under the previous item; 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 Rules provide 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 Rules, a time limit of thirty 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 at their discretion.
Minutes:
(a) Impact of rents for social housing on local authorities house building programmes
Councillor S Murray asked the newly appointed Housing Portfolio Holder, whether she had been aware of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the Chartered Institute of Housing, publishing a joint report early in July 2016, which assessed that the current impact of the Government’s policy on rents for social housing, would cut the ability of local authorities to build houses by 92%, a drop from half a million to 45,000 new homes. Councillor S Murray also asked the Portfolio Holder what possible effect this would have on the Councils ability to sustain the Council house building programme.
Councillor S Stavrou advised that she had not read that particular report and since being appointed, had met with many Officers and covered a vast array of information but would be establishing a more in-depth analysis of the Portfolio. She would supply a detailed report to Councillor S Murray regarding his question.
(b) Business Rate Relief for the Food Bank
Councillor B Surtees asked the Finance Portfolio Holder whether the Food Bank newly located in the District, could benefit from some sort of business rates relief as a charitable status.
Councillor G Mohindra advised that he would investigate this matter.
(c) The Effects of the Section 278 Works around Langston Road, Debden
Councillor C C Pond asked the Asset and Economic Development Portfolio Holder whether she would consider rent abatements for the Council’s commercial units in the Broadway, following concerns from traders and the notification of Section 278 Works for the Langston Road development, if a decline in trading was proved and justified.
Councillor A Grigg advised that in relation to the Section 278 Works in that area, as much as possible was being done throughout the evenings until 5.30 am, although it could take longer than originally thought. She understood the views of the traders and would certainly look into it, although could not guarantee anything and asked the traders to put together their case.
(d) Fly Tipping on Housing Land
Councillor D Wixley asked the Environment Portfolio Holder whether the Councils approach to flying tipping on Council owned land could be treated by one system, after a request to the Neighbourhoods Team to removed fly tipping from the garage site 109-127 Pyrles Lane, Loughton, resulted in the request being referred to the Housing Management team to authorise and it was still there.
Councillor W Breare-Hall advised that he would look into the flying tipping at the garage site immediately. Although with regards to the broader issue of fly tipping, he advised that the responsibilities to clear the fly tipping and the cost involved with it had to be attributed to the relevant service area.
(e) Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Scheme Reductions
Councillor J M Whitehouse asked the Safer, Cleaner & Transport Portfolio Holder whether the reduced list of TRO schemes in the District had incorporated all representation made by Ward Members and if not, would he make sure that the list was circulated before the next submission to the North Essex Parking Partnership meeting in October 2016.
Councillor G Waller advised that reduction had been made to make the number of schemes more manageable. He assured that where there was support by members, the scheme would be kept on the list and he aimed to give as much priority as possible to those schemes.
(f) Starting Blocks at Loughton Swimming Pool
Councillor R Brookes asked the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder whether the starting blocks at the Loughton swimming pool could be replaced due to them being broken and not fit for purpose.
Councillor H Kane advised that she would investigate this issue and would discuss the problem after the meeting for further details.
(g) Off Road Motor Cyclists
Councillor L Girling asked the Environment Portfolio Holder whether he would consider approaching the police to establish hotspot reference points for reporting off road motorcyclists causing nuisance and whether there was anything further the Council could do in fining these offenders.
Councillor W Breare-Hall advised that this problem was of great concern and he would be more than happy to take the suggestions further and advise Councillor L Girling of the outcome.