The Council’s 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.
The Council’s rules provide that answers to questions without notice may take the form of:
(a) 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 Service Director.
In accordance with the Council’s 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 ten minutes at their discretion.
Minutes:
(a) Council Officers
Councillor R Morgan enquired whether the Leader had any concerns over the recent loss of several officers at the Council.
Councillor C Whitbread advised that although a number of long term officers had left the Council, the authority was moving forward with a new Leadership Team which had a number of experienced officers. The Council was currently being transformed for the future and was working towards the Council’s corporate aims and objectives to invest in local services.
(b) Essential Living Fund
Councillor S Murray asked the Leader whether he was concerned by the 87% reduction of Essential Living Fund, which provided crisis grants from Essex County Council to help people in extreme hardship; and the yearly increase of 22% of residents in the District using the foodbank and the effects on families and children.
Councillor C Whitbread advised that foodbanks were an important service in the community and provided a safety net for residents in the District. The Council supplied grants to community services and would welcome the foodbank to contact them to discuss options.
Regarding the ECC Essential Living Fund, the Council would investigate how it effected the Districts residents and the Portfolio Holder responsible for grants would consider options, if required.
(c) Class of Planning Applications
Councillor C C Pond asked the Commercial and Regulatory Services Portfolio Holder whether as a landlord, the Council would consider encouraging diversity in the class of planning applications, particularly within the Landmark building.
Councillor A Grigg advised that the Council had received interest in the Landmark building and positive talks were continuing with diverse uses being considered.
(d) Policing and Street Lighting in the District
Councillor A Patel asked the Leader whether the increase in Police officers within the District had been down to the Police, Fire Crime Commissioner (PFCC), Roger Hirst and who had negotiated with Essex County Council for the return of Street Lighting for Parish and Town Councils in the District.
Councillor C Whitbread confirmed that the PFCC was responsible for the budgeting of the Police. Furthermore, the Council had discussed options for the return of street lighting within the District, if the Town or Parish Councils wished to fund this option.
(e) Business Parking Permits in Epping
Councillor J H Whitehouse asked the Contract and Technical Portfolio Holder whether any consideration had been given to businesses in Epping following the parking review due to the commuters now filling the car parks.
The Leader answered on behalf of the Contract and Technical Portfolio Holder. He advised that the Contract and Technical Portfolio Holder had received several concerns about the parking scheme and commuters parking. There were a few issues that needed to be considered and balanced, which included the residents of the area, traders, shoppers and other people that wished to park in the area. The parking schemes would be reviewed each year to consider any issues raised.
(f) St John’s Site Epping - Leisure Centre
Councillor L Burrows asked the Leader who was delivering the Leisure Centre at the St John’s Site, Epping.
Councillor C Whitbread advised that it was the Executive alongside Ward Members and Town Council Members.
(g) Epping Forest Retail Park – Parking Issues
Councillor M Owen asked the Commercial and Regulatory Services Portfolio Holder for an update on the all day parking issues, that were occurring at the Epping Forest Retail Park.
Councillor A Grigg advised that the Council was aware of the situation and would appreciate a stronger reaction from the responsible authorities, to the covering of car number plates. The Council were reporting the offences and were providing traffic wardens at peak times to help with the traffic flow. ECC had also undertaken a safety audit on pedestrians crossing the carriageway at Chigwell Lane, although they felt that any alterations would cause further traffic flow implications.
The Council would also publicise action taken on vehicles that had been reprimanded and fined for not abiding to the car park rules, to try to prevent further issues.
(h) Council Housing
Councillor D Wixley asked the Leader whether the Council could publicise and make clear that, new council housing was intended for local people and not for people living out the District.
Councillor C Whitbread advised that the housing allocation policy stated that residents were required to live in the District for seven years before they could register on the housing waiting list. Therefore, allowing housing for local people, who had lived in the district all their lives, which included the new council houses.
(i) Officer Appointments
Councillor J M Whitehouse asked the Leader how many of the Service Manager positions had been filled permanently, temporally and were still vacant; along with the time frame for filling the Strategic Director posts.
Councillor C Whitbread advised that he would supply a detailed answered in the Members Bulletin.
(j) Local Plan
Councillor N Bedford asked the Planning Services Portfolio Holder whether the Local Plan proposed1300 homes in Epping, without the necessary infrastructure; and if the master planning exercise would cover these requirements.
Councillor J Philip advised that there was an Infrastructure Delivery Plan for the whole District, which covered the infrastructure needs for the Local Plan. With regards to the proposed homes to the south of Epping, he had signed a statement of common ground between the Council and the developers for this land which contained reference to infrastructure in the master plan.
(k) Civic Offices - Epping
Councillor H Whitbread asked the Leader whether the public facing, and civic functions were remaining in Epping; and whether the usage of the Civic Offices would remain or increase, to maintain the High Street in Epping.
Councillor C Whitbread advised that the building was Grade II listed and that the customer facing services, civic functions and democratic services would remain at the Civic Offices. The Civic Offices would incorporate other services into the building to increase interest in the High Street.