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) Potential use of Zinc Arts, Ongar for Homeless Accommodation
Councillor P Keska asked the Housing Portfolio Holder whether the potential use of Zinc Arts, Ongar for homeless single people or a single parent with a child would be temporary and whether she could give any information on the long term arrangements.
Councillor S Stavrou advised that Zinc Arts had approached the Council regarding the 25 units, which had proved hard to occupy and the recent planning permission that had been acquired for the educational block to become residential flats. The Council had been pleased to receive the offer, as there was a nationwide shortage of homeless accommodation although to commit to placing 25 individuals or single parent families within one area had to be investigated by officers. Therefore to comply with the national guidelines to remove homeless households from bed & breakfast accommodation, the Council would embark upon a limited trial for 3 months with three household or individuals. The Council would not be committed to either taking up the remaining units or extending the commitment. She advised that other authorities could take up these opportunities if the Council did not and the homelessness applicants could be placed on licence, which allowed for them to be moved on within 7 days or if they were causing a nuisance within 24 hours, therefore allowing the Council control.
(b) Squash Courts - Epping Leisure Centre
Councillor J H Whitehouse asked the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder whether she was aware that following the reduction in courts from four to two at Epping Leisure Centre, the Epping Squash Club currently had 7 teams in the Essex League, a growing junior section which coached 20-30 young players every Saturday during term time and the effect it would have.
Councillor H Kane advised that the new leisure contact with Places for People intended to covert two of the four courts at Epping Sports Centre, to meet with the demand for wider health and fitness use. She had met with the Squash Club to discuss their concerns and would give a detailed response in the Members Bulletin.
(c) Civil Enforcement Officers
Councillor C C Pond asked the Safer, Greener & Transport Portfolio Holder whether that now the Council had taken on the Off Street Parking, if he knew how many Civil Enforcement Officers would be on duty in the district on a normal working day, Sunday’s and evenings.
Councillor G Waller advised that the Council’s car parks were being run more effectively and efficiently than before with enforcement being carried out more regularly in line with the charges adopted two years ago. He advised that enforcement had been taking place at weekends and would do so in the evenings too, as resources provided and although he could not advise an exact figure, it would be certainly be more than in the past.
(d) Green and Open Spaces
Councillor S Murray asked the Planning Policy Portfolio Holder whether the controversial proposals in the Local Plan around Jessal Green and Rochford Green, in Loughton were at odds with a Conservative leaflet advising that they would protect open spaces.
Councillor J Philip advised that green open spaces across the district would be protected as much as possible. The aim of the Local Plan was to provide the amount of housing required and no more than absolutely necessary, whilst allowing the Council to be in control, in terms of planning in the district.
(e) Anti-Social Behaviour - Epping
Councillor N Avey asked the Safer, Greener & Transport Portfolio Holder about the continued reports of anti-social behaviour in Epping High Street.
Councillor G Waller advised that anti-social behaviour had been considered at the last meeting between the Community Safety Team and the Police, where there had been a reported 90% fall in anti-social behaviour in Epping High Street. Although he advised that this generally created displacement with more anti-social behaviour occurring. Reports had been received concerning the grounds of St Margaret’s Hospital and recommendations from the Community’s Safety Team had been given to the Hospitals Estate Manager. Further anti-social behaviour had also been reported in Coopersale, Epping and he advised that the Community Safety Team had been working closely with the Police to try to resolve the issues.
(f) Potential Use of Zinc Arts, Ongar for Homeless Accommodation
Councillor B Surtees asked the Housing Portfolio Holder whether she was aware of the disquiet by some Ongar residents regarding the proposal of 25 units to accommodate homeless individuals at Zinc Arts site in Ongar. Residents felt that this had been a change of use and asked what the management strategy would be in place, to ensure that the needs of different users of the site would be met.
Councillor S Stavrou advised that the management structure was not under the Council’s control due to the building and facilities not being owned by the Council, but the pilot scheme would allow the Council to monitor the situation.
(g) Swimming pools
Councillor R Brookes asked the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder whether she could confirm in writing the guaranteed times for swimming pool use at the Loughton, Ongar and Waltham Abbey swimming pools for swimming clubs.
Councillor H Kane advised that she would.
(h) Flowers
Councillor D Wixley advised that he had received favourable comments about the flowers beds in Loughton and he would like those comments to be passed onto the relevant department.
Councillor W Breare-Hall advised that the Grounds Maintenance Department were responsible and worked very hard to make the district an attractive place and he would pass on the comments.
(i) Steam Room at Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre
Councillor R Butler asked the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder whether considerations had been made for a steam room and sauna in the new Waltham Abbey Sports Centre.
Councillor H Kane advised that she was aware of residents concerns and negotiations were taking place in the planning of the sports centre.
(j) Business Rates for Local Businesses
Councillor J M Whitehouse asked the Finance Portfolio Holder to consider the allocation of grants for business rates, in particularly for local retail businesses that played an important role in the community as local services and also to start up businesses that were not expecting the big rate rises that had occurred.
Councillor G Mohindra advised that the Council was a major land owner and would ensure that the retail units would be fully supported as in previous years.
(k) Increase in Fly Tipping
Councillor J Knapman asked the Environment Portfolio Holder that whilst he understood the changes made to the recycle centres in the district meant that they were no longer accepting household DIY waste, would he agree that there had been a significant increase in fly tipping. In particular, that the savings incurred by Essex County Council (ECC) were now a burden to this Council.
Councillor W Breare-Hall advised that there had been an increase in fly tipping in the District and County wide. He indicated that he was not in a position to make a direct link between ECC’s decision and the increase in flying tipping, although it was being monitored. He advised that both himself and other counterparts were working closely with the ECC to try and address the problem. If a link was discovered, the County had committed to review the policy after a 3 month period.
(l) Ongar High Street
Councillor B Surtees asked the Safer, Greener & Transport Portfolio Holder whether he was aware that a highways assessment vehicle had been seen reversing onto the Ongar High Street; and whether he agreed that the poor state of the road which was rapidly reaching crisis point, was a major safety issue especially for pedestrians and two wheeled vehicles.
Councillor G Waller advised that he had not been aware of the highways assessment vehicle reversing onto Ongar High Street. He had been aware of the roads state and fully recognised the danger to pedestrians, cyclist and motor cycles. He stated that the road surface had been put down some years ago and Essex Highways were considering the best way forward to repair the surface, as it was major works and would cause traffic problems, diversions and disturbance to residents. He advised that Essex Highways were dealing with the issue and he would support any member in pursuing this matter.