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Agenda item
Questions from Councillors under Rule 12
- Meeting of Full Council, Wednesday, 17th December, 2014 6.00 pm (Item 17.)
- View the declarations of interest for item 17.
(a) Members of the public under Rule 11
(b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
A written question had been received from Councillor Beaver regarding the parkrun initiative. Councillor Poole, Portfolio Holder for Resorts and Amenities answered the question. Copies of the question and the reply were circulated at the meeting.
Councillor Beaver asked a supplementary question about options for the council to assist parkrun in identifying alternative funding opportunities, if their proposed funding package did not proceed. Councillor Poole replied that the council would support the parkrun volunteers in securing alternative funding, if required.
Questions to the Leader, Deputy Leader and other Lead members were asked and answered in accordance with rule 12.1 as follows: -
Questioner and Councillor
Subject
Reply Given By Councillor
Atkins
Parking Charges given the council’s ongoing support for local small businesses, would it be possible to offer free parking on key days, to attract consumers to local shops?
Councillor Chowney commented that East Sussex County Council had responsibility for on-street parking. Free parking was available in council-owned car parks on selected Thursday evenings, any additional free periods may involve diverting funding from other areas and would need to be considered as part of the budget setting process.
Chowney
Clark
Street Signage could the Lead Member provide an update on plans for new street signage in Hastings and St Leonards?
Councillor Poole explained that two projects were currently underway to improve street signage in the town. Intelligent signage was due to be installed in the council’s car parks, to ease congestion at busy times. New totem signs had also been installed at Warrior Square and Kings Road. Additional new signage at key landmarks was due to be installed early in 2015.
Poole
Cooke
Off Street Parking Charges can the Lead Member provide an assurance that off-street parking fees will not be increased in 2015/16?
Councillor Poole replied that this matter would form part of a broader consultation for the 2015/16 budget.
Poole
Charman
White Ribbon Day 2015 would the Lead Member provide an update on the outcomes of White Ribbon Day 2015?
Councillor Cartwright replied that just under 3,000 people had signed a pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about domestic violence, as part of series of events to mark White Ribbon Day. An increased number of domestic violence cases were dealt with by the police, which illustrated that victims felt empowered to report these issues. Councillor Cartwright encouraged all members to register as White Ribbon Ambassadors and White Ribbon Champions.
Cartwright
Charlesworth
Town Hall lift when will the works to install a new lift at the Town Hall be completed?
Councillor Cartwright referred Members to an earlier email from the Head of Corporate Services. It was anticipated that the new lift at the Town Hall would be operational by early 2015.
Cartwright
Street
Advice Hub would the Lead Member provide an update on a recent event to mark 1000 days since the advice hub was launched?
Councillor Forward acknowledged that the voluntary agencies located at the advice hub carried out vital work to support vulnerable residents. In the past 1000 days, the Citizens Advice 1066 had dealt with enquiries from 5160 people. Councillor Forward added that the advantage of locating these agencies in a single hub meant that service users could access advice on a range of matters in one place; she encouraged all Members to visit the hub to understand the work of the advice agencies. The council proposed to continue to support the Advice Hub through its community partnership funding grant programme.
Forward
Beaver
Hastings household waste recycling site would the Leader Member pass on the council’s thanks to staff at the recycling site for their excellent customer service?
Councillor Chowney commented that this service was provided by East Sussex County Council, but he would pass on the council’s thanks to the relevant officers.
Chowney
Sabetian
Autumn Statement would the Leader of the Council give an overview of the impact of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, and the further proposed reductions to local government funding, on Hastings Borough Council?
Councillor Birch expressed his concern at the possible impact of the further planned reductions in local government funding, outlined in the autumn statement, on the council’s ability to deliver services in the town. He added that the council had already made significant reductions to its spending over recent years. Councillor Birch noted that the National Audit Office had commented that some authorities may not have sufficient resources to fulfil their statutory duties, if the reductions to government grant were delivered.
Birch
Batsford
Severe Weather Conditions would the Lead Member provide an update on the council’s plans to deal with snowfall and icy conditions over the winter months?
Councillor Poole replied that East Sussex County Council was primarily responsible for responding to severe weather conditions. However, Hastings Borough Council had made plans to support these efforts by purchasing extra supplies of salt and prioritising key roads in the town to be cleared of ice by the council’s street cleansing contractor.
Poole
Davies
Overview and Scrutiny review of changes to the welfare system could the Lead Member provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny review of changes to the welfare system?
Councillor Forward explained that, in line with the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny review, the anti-poverty steering group was due to consider a revised anti-poverty strategy and action plan. The council also considered anti-poverty implications as part of its decision making process.
Forward
Turner
Bus Service would the Leader of the Council comment on East Sussex County Council’s decision to reduce funding for the local bus service, and the impact this may have on the quality of life of local residents?
Councillor Birch noted that Hastings had a lower rate of car ownership than any other town in East Sussex, and an effective bus service was therefore particularly important to local residents. During the recent consultation on proposed changes to the bus service, concerns had been expressed about the impact of a reduced bus service on the local economy and the evening economy in the town. Stagecoach had agreed to operate some of the routes in the town on a commercial basis, however, Council Birch highlighted the importance of efforts to maintain the frequency of the bus service on these routes. Hastings Borough Council also supported the dial-a-ride service for residents who were unable to access the bus service.
Birch
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