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Agenda item
Questions (if any) from:
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
289a) Members of the public under Rule 11
A written question was received from Bea Rogers and a written response supplied by Councillor Roark.
In a supplementary question Ms Rogers asked Councillor Roark if, given the opposition to the proposed cycle route through Alexandra Park, she would agree to reject the proposal or allow more time to consider the implications? Councillor Roark responded that the cycle path proposals will be debated and considered later in the meeting.
289b) Councillors under Rule 12
Councillor Hilton submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Hilton asked Councillor Roark if the £500 lost revenue referred to in the original answer is per car park and if in future years funding could be put towards a bus service over Christmas to encourage public transport use. Councillor Roark said that alternative options can be considered in the future and she would make note of Councillor Hilton’s suggestion.
Councillor Collins submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Collins asked Councillor Barnett if he will consider delaying the decision to sell or lease St Mary in the Castle to allow time for new ideas to be explored, and whether he will commit to bring any decision on the future of the venue to Full Council? Councillor Barnett replied that the Council is trying to find a sustainable future for St Mary in the Castle. There will be a two-stage process. Initial interest must be submitted by February, then a shortlist will be developed to give organisations further time to provide detail on their capacity to operate the venue. Whether the decision comes to Full Council depends on the final value of the bid.
Councillor Haffenden submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Haffenden asked Councillor Roark how much extra is the Council paying to hire agency staff in waste and recycling, rather than hiring directly? Councillor Roark said that she would respond in writing once she has confirmed the amount with officers.
Councillor Jobson submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Jobson asked Councillor Barnett when the meeting between Councillors, local stakeholders and Southern Water, as called for in a previously agreed motion, would take place? Councillor Barnett replied that the Council is still waiting for a date from Southern Water.
Councillor Carr submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Carr asked Councillor Barnett why Cornwallis Street Car Park was closed if contractors were not in place and if he can guarantee that the Council still intends to build a hotel at profit on this site? Councillor Barnett replied that a confidential tendering process is underway. The first round of tendering resulted in a single acceptable tender. Therefore, the Council is retendering to get competitive quotes.
Questioner
Subject
Reply given by
Councillor Patmore
St Mary in the Castle – Can you reassure us that if St Mary in the Castle is sold there will be a covenant imposed that will ensure it remains a cultural venue?
Councillor Barnett replied that it is a complex situation and many cultural venues are struggling. There are no easy answers and officers are doing a lot of work on this issue. No guarantees can be given, the Council has tough decisions to make in the upcoming budget process.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Hilton
Warm Spaces - Local voluntarily organisations will be offering warm spaces over the winter period. Will the Leader of the Council ensure the locations of these are publicised in the window of Muriel Matters House?
Councillor Barnett replied that he would.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Turner
Cariology Services – It has been confirmed that the catheterisation lab at the Conquest Hospital will be moved to Eastbourne District General Hospital. Have you received any response to the letter sent by the Council to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care calling for this decision to be reversed?
Councillor Barnett replied that he had not even received an acknowledgement of the letter from the Secretary of State. This is not the right decision and the Council will continue to protest over the two years it is expected to take to implement the change.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Fernando
Battle Road Arches – Work started nearly a year ago and residents are not receiving any update on the work, which drags on. Can you provide an explanation for the situation?
Councillor Barnett replied that he was also frustrated by the length of time the project is taking, but it is an extremely complicated project which has to be done correctly to justify the time and money. Progress is being made and we are moving towards a situation where the road is expected to be open in the first half of next year. Councillor Barnett offered Councillor Fernando a briefing with officers on the situation.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Carr
Tourist Information Centre – With Hastings recently voted in the top ten places for a family winter break can you explain the decision to close the Tourist Information Centre between October and April?
Councillor Batsford said that moving the Tourist Information Centre to Hastings College had been a success, with visitor numbers increasing. Work experience has also been provided to college students through the Tourist Information Centre. Councillor Batsford agreed to look at the opening arrangements going forward.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Bishop
Hastings Contemporary Gallery – I believe you have some good news to share about the Hastings Contemporary Gallery?
Councillor Barnett confirmed that the Jerwood Foundation had decided to transfer ownership of the gallery to the people of Hastings and have asked the Council to take on the responsibility of owning the building. Councillor Barnett thanked the foundation for locating the gallery in Hastings and for the decision to transfer the gallery to the Council.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Edwards
York Buildings – In July we were told that the six renovated flats would be occupied by the end of September. In October we were told they would be occupied imminently. Can you now confirm the situation?
Councillors Evans replied that because the building is listed there are more regulations that have to be considered. The Council is engaging with other register providers who have the infrastructure in place to manage the building on the Council’s behalf. Officers are looking into this, but there is too much red tape to move people in immediately.
Councillor Evans
Councillor Collins
Age Friendly Communities – Hastings Borough Council agreed to join the UK network of age friendly communities at the Full Council meeting on 16th December 2020. What progress has been made in making Hastings an age friendly community and who is the age friendly champion?
Councillor Barnett replied that he would respond with a written answer.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Sinden
Hastings Museum – Can you give us an update on the new funding and grants that have been received by the museum?
Councillor Batsford confirmed that £2.5 million had been awarded to the town by the Arts Council. This will help grow the town’s cultural offer.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Cooke
Broomgrove – The Broomgrove area has receive further funding from the UK Prosperity Fund. Can you update us on how this funding will be spent?
Councillor Batsford replied that the Council had been awarded £1 million over three years. The money will be spent on bringing health organisations and cultural bodies into the Broomgrove area to transform one of the poorest parts of Hastings.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Arthur
Refugee Accommodation – There have been reports to the Refugee Buddy Project that refugees in Home Office accommodation have not been receiving breakfast, are living in damp conditions, and some have no washing facilities. What is being done by the Council to advocate for those seeking refuge in Hastings?
Councillor Evans replied that the Council has no funding from the Home Office to fund spot booked hotel places for refugees. Councillor Evans said she had demanded that the private company responsible for the welfare of refugees in Hastings send a case worker to investigate their conditions. Several issues were highlighted including inadequate clothing and access to healthcare.
Councillor Evans
Councillor Beaver
York Buildings – As the building has always been listed why weren’t these problems with red tape known earlier?
Councillor Evans replied that she would respond with a written answer.
Councillor Evans
Councillor Webb
Housing and Community Development Portfolio – Can you update us on the latest developments that are taking place in your portfolio?
Councillor Evans replied that the Council had initiated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which offers beds to the homeless when temperatures drop below zero. Councillor Evans acknowledged the voluntary sector for helping the most vulnerable in the town.
Councillor Evans
Councillor Cannan
Bus Timetables – The implementation of the new bus timetable has been a masterclass in incompetence with the timetable still not available at many bus stops. What can Hastings Borough Council do to address this?
Councillor Batsford replied that many of the new timetables are not adequate for local resident’s needs. We need people to be able to rely on the local bus service. Councillor Batsford said he will be writing to Stagecoach to ask them for an emergency meeting to discuss these concerns.
Councillor Batsford
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