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Agenda item
Questions from Councillors Under Rule 12
(a) members of the public under Rule 11
(b) councillors under Rule 12
Minutes:
No written questions had been received.
Questions to the Leader, Deputy Leader or other Lead Members were asked and answered in accordance with Rule 12.1 as follows: -
Questioner and
Councillor
Subject
Reply Given By Councillor
Charlesworth
Active Hastings a visitor to the town recently had difficulty finding out information about the Active Hastings program of events; could the Lead Member explain how the programme is promoted?
Councillor Poole said that she was surprised the visitor had been unable to find information about the programme, as Active Hastings events were publicised around the town. Councillor Poole requested that Councillor Charlesworth provide her with further details so that she could investigate the matter.
Poole
Lock
Council Tax billing will the policy on information items included with council tax bills be reviewed? East Sussex County Council (ESCC) recently offered to include details of its consultation on street lighting provision with council tax bills, but this was declined.
Councillor Birch replied that a significant amount of information about local services was already included with the council tax bill mail out. He was not aware that ESCC had requested details of the street lighting consultation be included with the bill.
Birch
Sabetian
Events to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War would the Lead Member provide an update on plans to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War?
Councillor Poole explained that a wide programme of events were planned to mark the anniversary. Hastings Remembers, an exhibition of local stories from the First World War, was due to open at Hastings Museum on 25 July 2014. A pop up exhibition would also be held at the Old Town Hall Museum. We will also participate in ‘Lights Out’ on the seafront on 4 August 2014. The senior’s forum were also planning further events for later in the year, to mark the centenary.
Poole
Davies
Notable local residents a symphony is due to be performed at the Royal Albert Hall, as a tribute to Alan Turing, who lived locally. 2014 also marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of the Ragged Trousers Philanthropists. Are there any plans to celebrate the achievements of these local residents?
Councillor Chowney replied that a film about the life of Alan Turing was due to be released shortly. The council would be publishing a special centenary edition of the Ragged Trousers Philanthropists, which would be available to buy from the Tourist Information Centre and other local shops shortly.
Chowney
Atkins
Grass verges is it possible to increase the frequency of grass cuttings to verges?
Councillor Birch responded that ESCC was the agency responsible for highways matters, including the maintenance of grass verges. Hastings Borough Council had previously undertaken additional cuts to the verges; however, it had been necessary to stop these to achieve budget savings. It would not be possible to reinstate the additional cuts to grass verges, without having to find savings from other council services.
Birch
Batsford
Local bus services does the Lead Member agree that the planned reductions by ESCC to local bus services would have a disproportionate effect on elderly and infirm residents of Hastings?
Councillor Forward expressed her concern at the proposed changes to the local bus and dial-a-ride service, and noted that these services were particularly important to elderly and infirm residents. Councillor Forward encouraged as many people as possible to respond to the ongoing ESCC consultation on this matter.
Forward
Beaver
Teenage pregnancy rates does the Leader of the Council agree that recent figures showing an increase in the number of teenagers that continue to smoke while pregnant is very worrying, would he also consider convening a multi-agency meeting to discuss options to tackle this issue?
Councillor Birch commented that the figures illustrated an ongoing social challenge in Hastings, but added that statistics related to teenage pregnancy are often slightly out of date. Councillor Birch noted that ESSC and the local Clinical Commissioning Group were primarily responsible for addressing this issue. He asked Councillor Turner to raise this issue at the next meeting of the Health and Well Being Board, to ensure that support is targeted at areas with the greatest need.
Birch
Sinden
High speed train links to Hastings is there an update on plans to develop a high speed train link to Hastings?
Councillor Birch replied that Network Rail was currently investigating the technical feasibility of a high speed train link from Ashford to Bexhill, via Hastings. The technical investigations should be completed in early 2017. Meanwhile, the council and its partners continued to support the project; a consultant had been commissioned to develop a business case for the investment by Network Rail in this service. The proposed works would need to fit into Network Rail’s 2019/2024 funding and work programme.
Birch
Street
Summer events the programme of events over the summer has already been very successful, are there any figures for the number of visitors to Hastings?
Councillor Chowney responded that visitor numbers to Hastings had increased, although the exact figures were not yet available. The excellent programme of events and good weather had attracted tourists to the town. Councillor Chowney added that further events including the, carnival, Seafood and Wine Festival and Stade Saturday’s programme were planned to take place over the rest of the season. He highlighted the work of local community groups which, with support from the council, helped to create an exciting and varied programme of events across the year.
Chowney
Edwards
Parking would it be possible to utilise the Stade open space for parking, when it is not in use for events?
Councillor Chowney responded that the Stade open space was in use at the busiest times of year, when additional parking may be required. He explained that efforts were underway to continue to promote the use of the open space by residents and visitors.
Chowney
Webb
FLAG conference I understand that the Lead member recently attended a FLAG conference, is there any good news for fishermen in Hastings?
Councillor Chowney replied that further information had been given at the conference regarding the next round of FLAG funding. While it was intended to target funding for deprived areas, there was also a desire to expand the FLAG programme to cover the entire coast of England. Councillor Chowney also advised of continued efforts to ensure the fishing quotas are allocated fairly.
Chowney
Scott
Pelham roundabout the recent works to Pelham roundabout have created significant improvements to the area, when will the fountain be switched on?
Councillor Poole responded that the refurbished fountain would be switched on at 9.30pm on 26 July 2014.
Poole
Pragnell
Town Hall lift when will the new Town Hall lift be installed and why have the repairs taken so long to complete?
Councillor Cartwright replied that the Head of Corporate Services had written to all Members in June to update them on repairs to the lift. Councillor Cartwright advised that the new lift would be installed in December, in the meantime, he asked officers to investigate the possibility of holding the next Full Council meeting at an alternative venue.
Cartwright
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My council
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