Council Procedure Rule 10.6 provides for questions by any member of the Council to the Leader, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee or any Portfolio Holder, without notice on:
(i) reports under item 5 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 10.7 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) direct oral answer from the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee or, at their request, from another member dealing with that issue as part of an Overview and Scrutiny review;
(c) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication;
(d) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner; or
(e) where the question relates to an operational matter, the Leader, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 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 10.8, 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) Heritage Lottery Fund Application
Councillor Watts referred to the written report of the Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder regarding the submission of a first stage application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Town Heritage Initiative and invited the Portfolio Holder to join him in welcoming this as a unique opportunity to harness some £2 million with the aim of creating Waltham Abbey as a first class visitor centre and visitor experience, building on existing attractions and acting as a stimulant and catalyst for the redevelopment/regeneration of the area.
Councillor Mohindra, Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, agreed that this presented an exciting opportunity. The £10,000 per annum part funding of the Olympic Regeneration Officer could result in potentially in excess of £2 million investment in the area with this Council’s contribution being some £600,000 not necessarily in cash but support in kind. Councillor Mohindra continued that the Cabinet was fully aware of the legacy issues and advised that he would be working closely with Councillor Watts and other local members to secure a successful bid.
(b) Merger of Hospitals
Councillor Johnson asked the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to confirm that accident and emergency services would not be affected by the proposed merger of Barts and The London, Whipps Cross and Newham NHS Trusts.
Councillor Bassett, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, confirmed that this was the case.
(c) Olympic Games – Parking Issues
Councillor Jon Whitehouse referred to the reference in the written report of the Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder to the proposed restrictions on parking within the Waltham Abbey area during the Olympic Games next year and asked if any steps were being taken to alleviate possible parking issues which would arise in the District as a result of the public travelling to the Olympic site in Stratford on the Central Line.
Councillor Gadsby, Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder, advised that she would publish a written response to this question in the Council Bulletin.
(d) Leisure/Sports Facilities
Councillor Grigg asked the Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder for details of the 2010/11 income share amount agreed with SLM and how this compared to the amount paid to the Council in 2009/10.
Councillor Gadsby, Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder, advised that she would publish a written answer to this question in the Council Bulletin.
(e) Council Website
Councillor Jennie Hart asked the Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder if there would be different areas within the new website enabling residents to select different parts of the District in order to find out information about shops and what was on offer.
Councillor Mohindra, Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, advised that he had a meeting the following week with officers following which he would be able to update members on the proposals.
(f) Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Panels to Council Dwellings
Councillor Jacobs referred to the oral report given by the Housing Portfolio Holder regarding the Government proposals to reduce the amount of Feed In Tariff payable to those who installed solar PV to generate electricity and asked the Portfolio Holder if it would be possible to bring forward proposals in order to take advantage of current tariffs.
Councillor McEwen, Housing Portfolio Holder, advised that she would discuss this possibility with officers but doubted whether it would be possible in the timescale available.
(g) Ongar Recycling Centre
Councillor Jacobs advised that it was his understanding the relevant County Council Portfolio Holder had made a decision to close the Ongar Recycling Centre and asked if there was any further information available about a possible alternative which had been mentioned by this Council’s Environment Portfolio Holder at the last meeting of the Cabinet.
Councillor Wagland, Leader and Legal Portfolio Holder, in the absence of Councillor Knapman, stated that this was a decision for the County Council and it was her understanding that this was not a matter for the District Council or Town/Parish Councils. However, she undertook to investigate the position further and to publish an item in the Council Bulletin.
(h) Loughton Leisure Centre – Public Swimming
Councillor Brookes asked the Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder if she would investigate the possible increased use of both pools at Loughton Leisure Centre for public swimming.
Councillor Gadsby, Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder, advised that she would consider this suggestion.
(i) North Essex Parking Partnership
Councillor Markham asked the Safer, Greener and Highways Portfolio Holder if the Council would receive a better service as a result of the North Essex Parking Partnership and whether the Council would still be able to take decisions regarding free parking in its car parks on Saturdays leading up to Christmas and the provision of parking restrictions.
Councillor Smith, Safer, Greener and Highways Portfolio Holder, advised that she had attended a meeting of the Partnership the previous week at which there had been a discussion on the issue of parking charges. The Portfolio Holder reported that it was the long term intention of the Partnership to harmonise pricing across the Partnership area but that in the foreseeable future, each district would retain its own parking charge levels. She continued that the Partnership would be maintaining separate links on its website for the various member authorities so that the public could access information about their local areas. She also advised that steps were being taken to introduce payment on line for a one day pass. Councillor Smith advised that the Partnership’s website was Parkingpartnership.org.
(j) Olympic Games – Letting of Properties
Councillor Stallan advised that a number of residents were considering letting their properties for the duration of the Olympic Games. He continued that some councils had warned their residents that such lettings would require permission and some London Borough Councils had quoted a charge of £335 for a change of use permission whereas others were taking a more relaxed attitude. He asked what this Council’s policy would be in relation to this matter.
Councillor Philip, Planning and Technology Portfolio Holder, stated that it was his understanding the charges were being made for subletting council property only. However, he said that he would investigate the position further and would publish the outcome of this investigation in the Council Bulletin.
(k) Loughton Leisure Centre – Air Conditioning and Poolside Showers
Councillor Barrett asked the Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder if she agreed with him that work undertaken in relation to the air conditioning and the poolside showers had resulted in a great improvement.
Councillor Gadsby agreed and thanked Councillor Barrett for his comments.
(l) North Essex Parking Partnership – Free Parking in Car Parks and Current Contribution
Councillor Whitbread asked the Safer, Greener and Highways Portfolio Holder if the Council would continue this year to support local shopkeepers and residents by providing free car parking in Council car parks on Saturdays in the lead up to Christmas. He also referred to the fact that this Council’s parking budget had been in surplus prior to the North Essex Parking Partnership and he asked what was the current cost of the Partnership to this Council and if this Council was subsidising other authorities in the Partnership.
Councillor Smith, Safer, Greener and Highways Portfolio Holder stated that the Partnership was currently in a strong financial position and that this Council was not subsidising to an extreme level the other partners. She said that she did not have the figures with her but the Partnership was being supported during the next year or so by a £100,000 contribution from the County Council. The Portfolio Holder assured Councillor Whitbread that officers were scrutinising the financial arrangements of the Partnership on a regular basis. Councillor Smith continued that the Council would continue to support local businesses and residents with free parking on Saturdays in the lead up to Christmas 2011.