-
Agenda item
Questions (if any) from:
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
75.1 Members of the public under rule 11
A written question was received from Ms Barbara Lowe asking if Hastings Borough Council had a 5G strategy. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
Ms Lowe asked a supplementary question inquiring when Hastings Borough Council anticipates rolling out 5G in the borough and whether there been approaches by any telecoms company or any other authorities about 5G rollout.
Councillor Chowney responded that there hasn’t been any approach to the council regarding 5G rollout and the council wouldn’t be involved in the rollout as the telecommunications network is privatised. Hastings doesn’t appear to be one of the locations where 5G is going to be introduced. The council will have a peripheral role in assessing any planning applications relating to 5G rollout.
A written question was received from Ms Liz Bygrave regarding the respective roles and responsibilities of Hasting Borough Council and East Sussex County Council in dealing with planning applications for 5G small cell antennae. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
In a supplementary question Ms Bygrave asked if the council knows whether the LED lampposts already rolled out in the borough are 5G enabled.
Councillor Chowney confirmed that as East Sussex County Council is responsible for street lighting he is unable to provide an answer.
A written question was received from Mr Welch regarding the criteria Hastings Borough Council will use to evaluate planning applications for 5G small cell antennae. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
In a supplementary question Mr Welch asked if the Leader of the Council could confirm that planning permission would still be required if 5G antennae were placed on street furniture.
Councillor Chowney said he would provide a written response.
A written question was received from Ms McCleary regarding income generation in relation to 5G small cell antennae. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
Ms McCleary did not ask a supplementary question.
A written question was received from Mr Joel Brook regarding the development of a 5G strategy. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
Mr Brook did not ask a supplementary question.
A written question was received from Mr Nigel Farrow regarding the energy consumption of 5G technologies. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
Mr Farrow asked a supplementary question. Noting that Glastonbury and Frome councils are funding research into the environmental impact of 5G Mr Farrow asked Councillor Chowney if he would engage with those authorities about their research.
Councillor Chowney replied that he would take a look at what Glastonbury and Frome councils are doing, but any serious objective research has to be done on a national basis.
A written question was received from Ms Gemma Cotsen regarding the felling of trees to facilitate the transmission of a 5G signal. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
In a supplementary question Ms Cotsen asked if Hastings Borough Council has any policies to protect trees from 5G radiation.
Councillor Chowney replied that there are no such policies in place and all telecommunications planning applications are determined by the national planning policy framework. Councillor Chowney said he would not want council owned trees to be cut down.
A written question was received from Mr Vincent Phillips regarding the Council’s duty of care to workers and residents in relation to 5G radiation. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
Mr Phillips asked a supplementary question inquiring how local residents and the Council might work together on this issue.
Councillor Chowney acknowledged that there are a lot of concerns and a lot unanswered questions and that more objective research is needed. He added that it would be worth considering what powers the Council has around this and how the Council and residents could work together.
A written question was received from Ms Penny Beale asking if Councillors had appraised themselves of scientific bio-effects research regarding 5G. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
Ms Penny Beale did not ask a supplementary question.
A written question was received from Ms Emily McMorran regarding the health and environmental effects of microwave radiation from 5G technology. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
Ms McMorran asked a supplementary question inquiring what pressure the Council will put on government to ensure the proper research in relation to the health effects of 5G is adhered to. Councillor Chowney replied that he wants to see the Government commission objective research separate from the telecommunications industry.
A written question was received from Mr John Briggs regarding the provision of “white zones” to mitigate the effects of microwave radiation within the Borough. Councillor Chowney provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
In a supplementary question Mr Briggs asked if the Council had considered any measures to help reduce exposure to 5G radiation amongst children and teenagers. Councillor Chowney noted that Hastings Borough Council has no control over local schools. The Council are in a position of not knowing whether there is any harm or not and that is why the Council would want to see more objective research.
A written question was received from Mr Robert Sorrenti. Councillor Batsford provided a written response to the question. Copies of the question and response were circulated to Councillors and members of the public.
In a supplementary question Mr Sorrenti asked why there has been no consultation on proposals for the bathing pool site before the site has been handed over to the developer.
In response Councillor Batsford confirmed the Council are about to sign a 250 year lease with the developer who has 5 years to bring forward a plan. Councillor Batsford gave assurances that before the planning proposal comes forward there will be opportunities to be involved and share ideas. Councillor Batsford said he would ensure that there is consultation at every stage.
75.2 Councillors under rule 12
Questions to the Leader, Deputy Leader and cabinet portfolio holders were asked and answered in accordance with Rule 12.1 as follows:
Questioner
Subject
Reply given by
Councillor
LeeWhite Rock Fountain – Can you provide an update on where we are with the white rock fountain project?
Councillor S Beaney responded that work is just beginning on the project.
Councillor
S BeaneyCouncillor
DaviesRNLI lifeguards – Do you agree that the seafront is looking spectacular this tourist season and visitors to the beach are safe swimming in the sea thanks to the RNLI lifeguards?
Councillor S Beaney agreed that the lifeguards have been doing a fantastic job and the Council is very grateful to the RNLI.
Councillor
S BeaneyCouncillor
ScottRough sleeper data - Many councils are refusing to disclose the personal data of rough sleepers to the Government in case it results in their deportation. Can you confirm Hastings Borough Council’s position on this?
Council Batsford confirmed that the Council does not disclose information which might identify individuals as illegal immigrants.
Councillor
BatsfordCouncillor
PatmoreArk Castledown - During the transition period from a local authority maintained school to an academy Ark Castledown was pelted with eggs. Does the Leader of the Council condemn this and congratulate school on its achievement?
Councillor Chowney replied that it seemed like a waste of eggs. It is good that the school is improving, but it should be noted that this is also happening in other schools. Maintained schools and academies can both achieve.
Councillor
ChowneyCouncillor
TurnerDSO progress report – Can you provide a progress report on the in-house street cleaning service?
Councillor Fitzgerald informed the Council that the DSO street cleaning service was delivered on time and within agreed budgets. The new staff are positive and happy and taking pride in their work. The Council encourages Councillors and residents to use MyHastings as much as possible to report issues.
Councillor Fitzgerald
Councillor
EdwardsStreet drinking – We are all aware of the street drinking problem. Can you advise us on the present situation and what can be done?
Councillor Fitzgerald said the Council will fulfil its obligations in relation to Public Space Protection Orders. The Council is trying to strike a balance between supporting those on the streets and making sure people feel safe in the town. In some instances some of the behaviour encountered by street wardens is particularly dangerous. Wardens are now fully police vetted and numbers have reduced because of this.
Councillor
FitzgeraldCouncillor
SabetianRefugee programme – This Council signed up to vulnerable person refugee programme, under which we agreed to take 100 refugees. Can the Leader of the Council update us on progress?
Councillor Chowney confirmed that over 100 refugees have been homed in the Borough under the programme. This achievement has been recognised and the Council has been asked by the Home Office to detail how this was achieved. The work of volunteers and the local buddy programme has been vital to the success.
Councillor
ChowneyCouncillor
O’CallaghanSummer kids activities – What summer activities for kids will be taking place over the school holidays?
Councillor Batsford confirmed a full programme of activities has been organised by officers, the majority of which will be free.
Councillor
BatsfordCouncillor
BaconMay bank holiday - Next year the May bank holiday has been moved to align with VE day. Does the Leader of the Council agree there should be two bank holidays in 2020 and will you write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Amber Rudd MP to ask for this?
Councillor Chowney confirmed that he would be happy to write a letter in support of the campaign. Bank holiday Monday is the busiest day of the year for the town.
Councillor
ChowneySupporting documents:
-
My council
Contact
Got a question about democratic services?
Content
The content on this page is the responsibility of our Democratic Services team.