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) Mobile Homes Act and Park Homes Sites
Councillor Rolfe asked about how and when changes would be communicated regarding the legislation.
Councillor Stallan, Housing Portfolio Holder, advised that the recent legislation should be welcomed by both residents and site owners. There would be a discussion at an information evening held at the Civic Offices with representatives of Park Homes, ward members, local MPs and legal representatives being invited. The meeting would be webcast for other residents to view.
(b) Petition regarding extra CCTV Provision at Limes Farm Estate
Councillor Lion stated that there had been a rise in burglaries in the Limes Farm estate area and a petition had been received with 250 signatures requesting an increase in the number of CCTV cameras in the estate area. He asked for an update on the position.
Councillor Waller, Safer, Cleaner, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder said that he had visited this estate that afternoon where he’d been briefed by the Safer Communities Team. There were currently over 30 cameras on the estate, but he felt that this may not necessarily be the best means of stopping anti social behaviour. He advised that a further two cameras were installed recently and they probably gave some reassurance to the public.
The Portfolio Holder stated that the Safer Communities Team were working very closely with both Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police and they would respond positively to any requests from residents.
(c) St. John’s Road, Epping
Councillor J H Whitehouse referred to the proposed development of the St. John’s Road area in Epping and asked how Epping ward councillors would be kept informed of progress.
Councillor Grigg, Asset Management and Economic Development Portfolio Holder replied that she had been liaising with Epping Town Council and would keep District Councillor informed via the Bulletin.
(d) Temporary Traffic Lights, Roding Lane
Councillor Spencer asked when the bridge strengthening works in Roding Lane would be completed and the temporary traffic lights removed.
Councillor Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder advised that he had not been informed of the timescale by Essex County Council but said that he would liaise directly with Councillor Spencer on receiving any information.
(e) Buckhurst Hill Parking Review
Councillor Watson stated that she had not been receiving emails on the progress of the parking review, she understood that the engineer involved had moved positions, although he had completed the design work before moving. She asked if this was correct and suggested that if further design work was required there could be a long delay.
Councillor Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder advised that he had just signed a Portfolio Holder Decision regarding waiving of Contract Standing Orders for implementation of Buckhurst Hill Parking Review but there was still more work to be completed on the review and he could not advise when it would be finished.
Councillor Watson added that she was concerned about the progress with a tri partite agreement involving the review. Councillor Waller advised that standing orders were being waived and that he would liaise with the Councillor directly.
(f) Possible Parking Sites in Epping
Councillor Avey asked about progress in pursuing the acquisition of an additional car parking site in Epping.
Councillor Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder said the owners of a site had advised that they were happy to discuss the matter with officers. He pointed out, however, that he remained to be convinced that a purchase of that site would keep obviate the parking problems in the town.
(g) Handyperson Scheme
Councillor Ms J Hart asked about charging benefit claimants for using the Handyperson service.
Councillor Stallan, Housing Portfolio Holder replied that this had been a recommendation of the Care Advisory Panel and would be considered at the October Cabinet meeting. He added that all budgets were under pressure at the current time.
(h) Safeguarding Children
Councillor Wagland asked to what extent had the recommendations from the Safeguarding Children Task and Finish Panel been enacted as pursued with Essex County Council.
Councillor Whitbread, the Leader of Council said that ongoing discussions with Essex County Council were taking place.
(i) Food Bank, Loughton
Councillor Murray asked the Leader of Council how he felt about the need for the new Food Bank in Loughton if he was:
Councillor Whitbread, Leader of the Council confirmed that he had visited a previous Food Bank in Loughton. He acknowledged that he was sad that this service was needed today, and confirmed that he would be happy to visit the new Food Bank and consider how the Council could assist in this matter.
(j) Vacant Shops in Loughton
Councillor Markham referred to the 15 empty shops in Loughton High Road and asked if anything could be done by the Council to relieve this situation.
Councillor Whitbread, Leader of the Council, expressed regret at this situation. He pointed out in contrast, the Epping High Street had been doing well. He acknowledged that businesses had worked hard during the recession and advised that the Council had always supported the traders. However he advised that the Council did not have the authority to force lower rents in privately owned shops.
(k) Langston Road
Councillor J H Whitehouse referred to the Portfolio Holder decision to extend the contract for consultancy advice for a further 18 months. She asked the Asset Management and Economic Development Portfolio Holder if she felt this represented the best use of resource.
Councillor Grigg, Asset Management and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, advised that this was an on-going situation which required advice from a specialist consultant.
(l) Buckhurst Hill Underground Station
Councillor Wright referred to the continued closure of the western entrance to Buckhurst Hill Underground Station and asked the Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder if he would make representations to Transport for London in order to get the entrance opened.
Councillor Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder replied that he was happy to take this issue up with Transport for London.
(m) Citizens Advice Bureau
Councillor Angold-Stephens said he was concerned about the provision of accommodation for the Citizens Advice Bureau who were likely to have to vacate their current premises in Epping and Loughton. He asked what steps the Council would take to avoid the CAB closing or reducing its activities.
Councillor Whitbread, Leader of the Council said that the Citizens Advice Bureau was playing an important role, particularly in the current economic climate. He said he would do all he could to protect the current level of activity and advised that he would speak to the Councillor outside of the meeting.
(n) Pay and Display in Waltham Abbey
Councillor Watts asked that the Portfolio Holder for Safer, Greener and Transport support his criticism of the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) pay and display proposal for car parking in Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey.
Councillor Waller, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder said that he agreed with opposing this and had made views known to NEPP. He advised that there had been no consultation with the District Council and there was no doubt about the strength of views of local residents. He said he hoped NEPP would not pursue the proposals in the light of such opposition.
(o) North East Parking Partnership (NEPP) Scrutiny
Councillor Jacobs asked if the surplus £300,000 budget passed to the North East Parking Partnership by this Council had been expended.
Councillor Waller, Portfolio Holder for Safer, Greener and Transport advised that the financial position of NEPP was a matter of concern. He pointed out that if there was a shortfall in NEPP’s funding, the member authorities would be required to make good that deficit. He advised that an officer working party had been established by NEPP to consider how the situation could be improved.
(p) Tour de France
Councillor J M Whitehouse asked about the opportunities for the Council and its partners when the 2014 Tour de France went through the district.
Councillor Webster, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing said that plans were being put in place and she would update members via the Bulletin although there was a lack of clarity regarding the route the race would take.