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Agenda item
Questions (if any) from:
a) Members of the public under Rule 11
b) Councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
298a) Members of the Public under Rule 11
No questions from the public were received.
298b) Councillors under Rule 12
Councillor Edwards submitted a written question to Councillor Evans, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Edwards asked when will the first tenants be moving into York Buildings? Councillor Evans replied that there are regulatory issues which are holding things up. The Council does not yet have the required certifications and systems in place as a registered housing provider, and the Council is therefore in negotiations with another registered provider to temporarily manage the building.
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, in light of the cost of agency staff, why is there not an adequate street cleansing service in Hastings, particularly in Tressell Ward where street cleansing is far less frequent compared to other parts of the Borough? Councillor Roark was not present to reply and a written answer will be provided.
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, in light of the recent flooding in Bulverhythe following a burst sewer pipe, can we update the 2015 Hastings flood plan to take account of flood incidents in this area? Councillor Barnett replied that the flood plan will be updated.
Councillor Foster submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Foster asked in what document, if any, is the intention of the e-bike charging motion captured so that when exploring potential regeneration schemes officers are prompted to consider e-bike charging infrastructure opportunities? Councillor Roark was not present to reply and a written answer will be provided.
Councillor Hilton submitted a written question to Councillor Barnett, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Hilton asked Councillor Barnett to ensure the Council has a robust measurement system in place for the embedded carbon impact of Town Deal projects. Councillor Barnett replied that he would consider the resources Councillor Hilton outlined. However, although the Council would like to go beyond government standards it would not be able to insist on that as all contracts have to be approved through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Councillor Cooke submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Cooke asked if Councillor Roark had considered meeting with local cycling groups to see if they have any ideas on alternative routes that could be put forward to East Sussex County Council? Councillor Roark was not present to reply and a written answer will be provided.
Councillor Carr submitted a written question to Councillor Rogers, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Carr asked Councillor Rogers if she agreed that every time the Council cuts community safety funding the town gets less safe for residents? Councillor Rogers replied that a lot of the community safety funding comes from the Police and Crime Commissioner and Safer Streets funding. Councillor Rogers asked Councillors to feedback on ideas for the next round of Safer Streets funding. The town centre CCTV is still operational and is being used by the police.
Councillor Collins submitted a written question to Councillor Roark, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Collins asked, as plants of the rose family are particularly vulnerable to brown tailed moths will the Council consider replanting Warrior Square gardens with more sustainable species, perhaps supplied by the nurseries at Great Dixter? Councillor Roark was not present to reply and a written answer will be provided.
Councillor Patmore submitted a written question to Councillor Willis, a written response was received and published on the Council’s website.
In a supplementary question Councillor Patmore asked Councillor Willis to ask Cabinet members not to espouse the amount of money being made from capital assets until we actually know how much money they make. Councillor Willis was not present to reply and a written answer will be provided.
Questioner
Question
Reply given by
Councillor Patmore
York Buildings – In 2017 we first talked about renovating York Buildings and six years later we still don’t have tenants in the building. Can you ask officers to make sure we have all the regulatory issues resolved when we come to buy property under the housing acquisition scheme?
Councillor Barnett replied that York Buildings was a project only the Council wanted to take on because it was a difficult and expensive building to renovate and it took some time to get the funding in place.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Carr
St Mary in the Castle – Will you back the campaign to see St Mary in the Castle listed as an asset of community value, and will you commit to any decision on its future being brought to Full Council?
Councillor Barnett replied that he hadn’t seen the application for St Mary in the Castle to be a listed as a community asset but the application will be determined by officers based on legal advice. If the application does meet the criteria for a community asset it will go to a panel of Councillors and the decision of the panel cannot be prejudged.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor O’Callaghan
Southern Water – Have we had any explanation from Southern Water regarding the recent town centre flooding?
Councillor Barnett replied that the recent flooding has raised questions about how the town centre is used and designed. It is a priority for the Council to ensure that action is taken in response to the flooding. East Sussex County Council is the local flood authority and they have agreed to commission an independent expert to undertake an investigation into the flood. This is likely to take two months. It is too early to jump to conclusions and we need to wait for the results of the independent investigation.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Beaver
Armed Forces Covenant – A new Armed Forces covenant passed into law last year which places a statutory obligation on local government to provide fair treatment to all serving military personnel and veterans. Can you explain why Hastings Borough Council has not been attending the East Sussex Civil Partnership board meetings or South East regional military briefings?
Councillor Barnett said he would reply in writing.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Haffenden
Graffiti – Can you update us on what the Council will be doing to address graffiti within the town?
Councillor Barnett replied that there needs to be a distinction between graffiti that is criminal damage and artwork which is trying to make the town look better. Councillor Barnett said he would write to Councillor Haffenden about what is being done to tackle graffiti in Hastings.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Webb
Health Improvements Initiative – Can you update us on this initiative?
Councillor Batsford replied that some of the work currently being undertaken is looking at improving interpreter access in healthcare settings and making GP surgeries more accessible for younger people. The focus at the moment is how to bring together the cultural, arts and sports sectors to address health inequalities in Hastings.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Jobson
New Idea Form – Some voluntary groups submitted an idea via the form back in October 2022. Their forms were lost but subsequently found. Can the process be made easier for local groups who have ideas for local projects?
Councillor Rogers replied that this is what is being done. The new form is on the website and is much simpler. New ideas will go to a panel of Councillors for decision.
Councillor Rogers
Councillor Sinden
Voter ID – Can Councillors take application forms for voter ID certificates and return them to electoral services on behalf of residents?
Councillor Rogers replied that the simplest option is to vote by post as this does not require ID. There will be a form available which Councillors can give to residents to complete in order for them to get a voter ID certificate.
Councillor Rogers
Councillor Foster
Housing Acquisitions – Can you guarantee we won’t have the same issues with new housing acquisitions as we have seen with York Buildings?
Councillor Barnett replied that he can guarantee there won’t be delays.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Collins
Fly tipping – This is a persistence challenge in the town. What does the Council propose to do to address this problem?
Councillor Barnett replied that fly tipping needs to be reported in order to be dealt with. The Council has a good record of dealing with fly tipping on public land.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Pragnell
Town Centre Flooding – Can I suggest we arrange a Full Council forum where we can meet informally to get a briefing on this issue and have a full discussion.
Councillor Barnett replied that he agreed and the appropriate time for a discussion would be after the independent investigation has completed.
Councillor Barnett
Councillor Turner
Healthcare – Integrated Care Boards are now deciding who can and can’t have surgery, and when and where it will take place. This undermines patient choice and GP autonomy. When you next meet local healthcare providers will you please raise this issue?
Councillor Batsford replied that he would raise this important issue in future meetings.
Councillor Batsford
Councillor Edwards
Graffiti – Can the Council remove the graffiti under the bridge at Ebdens Hill on the A21? The Highways Agency have not been cooperative and the graffiti has now been there for six months.
Councillor Barnett replied that it would be an expensive undertaking due to the health and safety requirements and Councillor Edwards should continue to make progress with the Highways Agency as they should be paying for the removal of the graffiti.
Councillor Barnett
Supporting documents:
- Questions to Full Council 08.02.23, item 298. PDF 139 KB
- Supplementary questions to Cllr Roark - answers, item 298. PDF 67 KB
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