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Agenda item
Councillors under rule 12
Minutes:
Questions to the Leader, Deputy Leader and portfolio holders were asked and answered in accordance with Rule 12.1 as follows:
Questioner
Subject
Reply given by
Councillor Lee
Bathing Pool Site – In both the October and December meetings it was that we were close to signing the terms of the lease for the Bathing Pool Site. Has this happened?
Councillor Chowney replied that they currently haven’t been signed yet. He had excepted to be signed in the original timelines he gave. This would have been done as excepted but unfortunately details within the lease still had a couple of outstanding issues.
Councillor Chowney
Councillor Cox
Climate Change – Last year a motion was passed declaring a climate change emergency. Can we have an update on progress the council is doing with this issue.
Councillor Evans replied the Council was the first in the country to declare a climate emergency. A Cabinet member was appointed and 2 new members of staff. A climate change strategy is being created. By comparison to other Local Authorities we are quite ahead. The government haven’t given addition funding for this as it’s not a statutory requirement.
Councillor Evans
Councillor Beaver
Cycle path - A section of the cycle path near bridge way has been tarmacked. Why has this happened and are there plans for further tarmacking of the path?
Councillor S Beaney replied that she would provide a written response to the question.
Councillor S Beaney
Councillor Roberts
EU negotiations for Fishing community - Do you believe it is essential in negotiations with EU that our fishing community is protected?
Councillor Chowney replied that it was essential that they get the best deal from Brexit negotiations. Would still need to export and would need the terms for this. 90% of the UK allocation of fisheries goes to big fisheries. This would need to be looked at also.
Councillor Chowney
Councillor Turner
Update on works in Alexandra Park - Can an update be given about the works in by Southern Water in Alexandra Park?
Councillor Fitzgerald responded that there had been a problem with the sewer near Harmers way. The water is being moved by a temporary pump whilst this is being fixed. The pump has been vandalised on several occasions. Doing these risks pollutants contaminating the area. People are advised not to switch off the pumps.
Councillor Fitzgerald
Councillor Rankin
Universal Credit and Council Services - Universal Credit claimants use our council services. Budget constraints will impact our services. How will this effect these people?
Councillor Chowney replied that this was a complicated question to answer as users of our services are affected in many ways. We are still one of the few Councils that give 100% Council Tax Reduction for those with minimum income and currently have no intention of changing this.
Councillor Chowney
Councillor O’Callaghan
Preston Model - In the media there has been a lot of talk about the Preston Model in Local Authorities. What is this?
Councillor Chowney replied that the Preston Model is in effect a local purchasing agreement that prefers using local suppliers in order to put money back into the local economy. Hastings could consider this but would need simpler processes to encourage smaller business to join the agreement.
Councillor Chowney
Councillor Bacon
Rough Sleeping – Update on progress with dealing with rough sleeping in the borough.
Councillor Batsford responded that the recent bad weather emergency shelters open to look after people. There are a number of organisations that help with this. Officers and partner organisations are still working to help people in crisis.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Scott
Fair Funding Review – The fair Funding review was delayed by the government. Any update when this start again?
Councillor Chowney advised that no timeline had been given but it is likely that we will not receive further money from this. Some councils are relying on receiving further funds, but this is very risky and not something we are doing.
Councillor Chowney
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