Agenda item

in accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to the following questions will be circulated on a supplementary agenda.

(A)         Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins

What air quality monitoring systems are currently in place across Stevenage, how is the council using any data generated to control and manage pollution hot spots, especially around our schools and nurseries?

(B)         Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Does the Cabinet member consider that the level of compensation agreed for the period of stall holders being unable to trade, caused by the delay in relocating the Indoor Market, is sufficient?

(C)         Question from Councillor Robin Parker

Has a suitable small mechanical sweeper now been obtained, if so when did it start being used, and what proportion of the borough has now been covered using it?

(D)         Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

Can councillors please have a regular monthly summary statement of staff and employee movements and changes, including new postholder appointments and people leaving and joining the Council.

(E)         Question from Councillor Tom Wren

When letting commercial property, what due diligence checks does the council undertake on prospective tenants to safeguard against properties being used for illegal activity or money laundering?"

(F)          Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

When can council leaseholders expect to receive final bills for the major refurbishment works? Please could the answer be broken down to include the years when work was completed and when final bills will be issued?

(G)         Question from Councillor Rob Henry

Does the Leader agree that this council has a duty to be financially responsible and to keep our debt as low as possible?

(H)         Question from Councillor Mason Humberstone

Does the Leader agree with me that community cohesion remains of paramount importance, and that it is increasingly at risk due to the rising number of illegal migrants arriving in our town?

The Council received eight questions from Members to Committee Chairs/Portfolio Holders. 

The responses to the eight questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

(A)      Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins re: Air Quality Monitoring

Supplementary question –the existing Local Air Quality Plan had been produced in 2003.  What progress have we made on developing a new plan?

The Portfolio Holder advised that he would provide a written response to Councillor Wilkins.

(B)      Question from Councillor Phil Bibby re: compensation for market stall holders

Supplementary question – although individual accounts had been looked at, how flexible was the Council given the constraints that some traders were under particularly in respect of supply chain issues, in relation to communicating the  availability of compensation to stall holders.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources advised that all stall holders were being encouraged to apply for any additional compensation that they may need and the Town Centre manager had been in communication with them.  Each application would be dealt with on its merits and would be treated fairly.

(C)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker regarding: mechanical sweeper

Supplementary question – when was the new sweeper purchased, when did it start being used and what proportion of the Borough had been covered and had the number of complaints reduced?

The Portfolio Holder advised that he would ask officers to respond to Councillor Parker as a review of fleet vehicles was currently underway.

(D)      Question from Councillor Stephen Booth regarding: Council employees

Supplementary question – Councillors should be advised on a regular basis about staff turnover and not have to utilise the MyView system.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources advised that additional training on the MyView application was available if Members felt this was needed.

(E)      Question from Councillor Tom Wren regarding: commercial property tenants

Supplementary question – there is currently a nationwide problem with commercial properties being used for money laundering and other illegal activities.  Does the Portfolio Holder believe the Council has adequate clauses within its tenancy agreements to be able to terminate them when there was relevant evidence.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the Council did have the adequate clauses to address these issues.

(F)      Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness regarding: the Major Refurbishment Works

Supplementary question – over 300 leaseholders had not yet received bills for the works and the uncertainty was having a detrimental impact on people’s lives.  How much is this costing the Council due to invoicing delays?

The Portfolio Holder for Housing advised that she would respond to Councillor McGuinness in writing with a fully detailed response.

(G)     Question from Councillor Rob Henry regarding: Council Finances

Supplementary question – is there a timescale to reduce the level of debt?

The Portfolio Holder advised that the HRA debt was a 30 year plan and the General Fund was over a much shorter period of time.

(H)      Question from Councillor Mason Humberstone regarding: Community Cohesion

Supplementary question – will the Leader of the Council confirm that he was against any attempt to house illegal migrants in HMO’s in the Town?

The Portfolio Holder for Stronger Communities advised that the Council did not have any powers over private landlords and who could and could not be housed in private HMO’s.