-
Agenda item
Questions (if any) from:
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
211a Members of the Public under Rule 11
Written questions were received from the public and written responses sent to the questioners and published on the council’s website.
Mr Collins submitted a supplementary question asking if the council would consider appointing a person to advise those who would like to set up a housing co-operative.
Councillor Batsford responded that there are individuals within the community who have a lot of experience on setting up, and living within, housing co-operatives. Council officers would be happy to signpost members of the public to those individuals for advice.
211b Councillors under Rule 12
Councillor Hilton submitted a written question to Councillor Batsford, a written response was received and published on the council’s website.
Questioner
Subject
Reply given by
Councillor Patmore
Climate Change – Can you give an assurance that all homes built with council investment, and on council land which is sold on, will go above and beyond the current building regulations to make sure we are doing our utmost to combat climate change?
Councillor Forward responded that the council will strive to do all it can to achieve that aim. It is important that all councillors come together to challenge the government to enable local authorities to do this.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Battley
Equality Charter – Could you provide an update on what has happened so far, how the charter has been received and how local groups can get involved?
Councillor Rogers said that the Local Strategic Partnership have agreed to take onboard the Equality Charter and the council is now working in conjunction with local partners. The Equality Charter is currently out for consultation and local groups and organisations are encouraged to feedback and meet with councillors and officers to discuss further.
Councillor Rogers
Councillor Beaver
Mental Health – Can the Leader provide an update on what she and colleagues have done over the past 18 months to help those with mental health concerns? After recently losing a friend of 20 years to suicide will the Leader also join me in urging those who are feeling suicidal to speak to someone.
Councillor Forward extended her condolences to Councillor Beaver and thanked him for raising this question. Councillor Forward urged anyone who is feeling suicidal or alone to speak to someone. There is a need to work together as a community to end the stigma around mental health. The council will continue to work with partners to raise concerns about the lack of provision around mental health and to amplify messages around mental health and suicide prevention.
Councillor Forward
Councillor Roark
Housing – The housing crisis for families in our town is looming large with soaring rents and lack of suitable housing. Can you give us an overview of the issues the council is facing and what action can be taken by those facing homelessness?
Councillor Batsford said he had met with local campaigners on this issue and will soon be meeting with the local MP to raise concerns.
Labour group councillors from Hastings raised these issues at the recent Labour Party conference and moved a successful conference motion to support an increase in brownfield developments and Compulsory Purchase Orders.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor K Beaney
Brown Field Land Release Fund – I understand this council has been awarded funding from the Brown Field Land Release Fund. Can you tell us how this money will be spent?
Councillor Batsford confirmed that the council received just over £147,000 and is now looking at a site on Bexhill Road with the hope of bringing forward 16 LHA rate affordable homes.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Cox
The Bale House – Could you tell us more about the prestigious award the Bale House has recently won?
Councillor Evans replied that the Bale House was mentioned in the Low Carbon Prize category at the International Green Solutions Awards. Plans are now in place for an official opening of the Bale House in the spring.
Councillor Evans
Councillor Edwards
York Buildings – Can you confirm what type of heating was installed in the recently renovated flats in York Buildings?
Councillor Batsford said he was not involved in this particular project and would respond to Councillor Edwards after the meeting with the information he has requested.Councillor Batsford
Councillor Sinden
Cultural Regeneration Strategy – Can the Deputy Leader outline what is being done to renew this important document?
Councillor Barnett responded that just over ten years ago Hastings agreed a new approach to regeneration, joining it up with the cultural agenda, in recognition of the world class arts community in the town.
Arts Council England have seconded a senior officer for a twelve-month period to help develop a new Cultural Regeneration Strategy. The officer has been meeting local people over the summer and a draft strategy will be ready for consideration soon.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Fernando
CCTV – Could you ensure more CCTV coverage in the town centre to prevent blind spots so that when crime occurs criminals can be prosecuted?
Councillor Rogers responded that there is good CCTV coverage across the town centre and that she understood that additional CCTV is due to be installed in York Gardens to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Rogers
Councillor Hilton
Air BnB’s – A local resident has calculated that there are 743 Air BnB listings in Hastings, 77% of which are entire homes. What can we do about this problem which is taking houses out of use for local people?
Councillor Batsford said that he had been speaking to his counterpart in Cornwall to discuss their approach to this issue, however, there is a need for national legislation around Air BnB’s and second homes. The council already charge maximum council tax on empty homes, with around 20 empty homes paying 400% council tax.
Councillor Batsford
Supporting documents:
- Public Questions to Full Council 13.10.21, item 211. PDF 96 KB
- Written Councillor Questions to Full Council 13.10.21, item 211. PDF 70 KB
-
My council
Contact
Got a question about democratic services?
Content
The content on this page is the responsibility of our Democratic Services team.