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Agenda item
Questions (if any) from:
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
265a 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 Hart was present and asked a supplementary question. Mr Hart asked what approaches the Council has made to Sussex Garden Trust in order to seek advice or request funds in relation to the Roman bath in Summerfields Wood?
Councillor Hilton said she will be getting a briefing on the background of the Roman bath and will write to Mr Hart with a further update in due course.
265b Councillors under Rule 12
Councillor Edwards submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Edwards asked if a deposit had been paid as part of the Harrow Lane Playing Field sale, and what is the expected completion date?
Councillor Barnett responded that he would raise these points with officers and respond to Councillor Edwards in writing.
Councillor Patmore submitted a written question to Councillor Evans, a written response was received and published on the council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Patmore asked if the money received from Homes England is a capital sum against the refurbishment cost, or can it be used to subsidise the rent?
Councillor Evans confirmed the money was a grant towards the building and the flats will be available to rent at Local Housing Allowance rates.
Questioner
Subject
Reply given by
Councillor Patmore
Levelling Up Fund – It is disappointing the Council couldn’t put in a bid for the fund. As it is not guaranteed there will be a further round of funding, is the Council taking a big risk missing out on vital funds?
Councillor Barnett responded that the government criteria required a fully designed scheme, not a concept. There wasn’t time to produce a quality scheme for the Bohemia leisure complex and the Council needs time to have a scheme ready for Round 3.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Carr
Carbon Reduction - Have you found any ways we might be able lower our carbon emissions in relation to waste and recycling?
Councillor Haffenden replied that the Council is looking to run waste and recycling trucks on HVO oil which will cut emissions by up to 90% immediately. The longer-term goal is to have an all-electric fleet.
Councillor Haffenden
Councillor Bishop
Council Tax Rebate – Will hard copy forms be available for those still to apply for their £150 Council Tax rebate?
Councillor Barnett responded that 13,000 letters have gone out to residents who do not pay Council Tax by direct debit. Many of those will apply online but for those who can’t the Contact Centre will provide support to help them complete their forms face-to-face.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Beaney
Home Working – What percentage of Council staff are still working from home?
Councillor Rogers replied that she would find out and write back to Councillor Beaney.
Councillor Rogers
Councillor Jobson
Shared Prosperity Fund – Can you offer support to local businesses via the Shared Prosperity Fund and enable them to create new opportunities for the town?
Councillor Barnett replied that he had been visiting local small businesses, however the town has not been given enough money via the Shared Prosperity Fund to do what is needed in Hastings. The funding formula favours those areas with a larger population. Hastings gets £1 million, which is the lowest amount that can be awarded.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Webb
St Leonards Festival – Can you please update us on the St Leonards Festival?
Councillor Batsford replied that there were a wide variety of activities taking place, with a good turnout of local residents. Councillor Batsford thanked the volunteers who organised the event. The festival is one of only two events directly funded by the Council.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Williams
Horntye – Can you comment on why the offer of money from the Horntye Trust was turned down by the Council?
Councillor Barnett replied that the offer wasn’t good enough for the people of Hastings. The cricket ground has been held in trust for the people of Hastings and the Council insists that is not renegade on and is not happy with the plan to sell the ground and offer a small percentage of the proceeds to the people of Hastings.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Collins
500 affordable homes – What progress has been made to construct 500 affordable homes to a healthy home standard?
Councillor Evans responded that a number of houses are already under construction and she will be attending a workshop with the Hastings Homes Health Group.
Councillor Evans
Councillor Turner
NHS – In light of local NHS challenges, do you agree that the Levelling Up agenda is just a soundbite?
Councillor Batsford replied that it is incumbent upon the Council to make sure that residents do get the NHS services they need.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Fernando
Battle Road – Can the Leader of the Council update us on when the work on the Battle Road arches will be complete?
Councillor Barnett replied that the work had taken far longer than imagined. This is a project about safety and further issues have been uncovered as the work progressed. It is now a more complicated project. Local residents have had letters explaining the situation in detail. The County Council are going to introduce new road signage and better information to try to stop drivers going too far up Battle Road.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Arthur
Community Safety – I am receiving increasing reports of hate crimes and abuse that Black and Asian people are experiencing on our streets. Could you update us on what the Council is doing to tackle racism and violence against women?
Councillor Rogers replied that domestic abuse cases are down by 8% since lockdown was lifted. There have been 325 instances of violence against women and girls in Hastings this year. This is a 16% increase. There have been 299 reported cases of hate crime in Hastings so far this year. A 6.4% increase.
Councillor Rogers
Supporting documents:
- Councillor Questions to Full Council 13.07.22, item 265. PDF 65 KB
- Public Questions to Full Council 13.07.22, item 265. PDF 14 KB
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