The Council received eleven questions from Members to Committee Chairs/Portfolio Holders. The responses to the eleven questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.
(A) Question from Councillor Margaret Notley re: Swingate House structure collapse during demolition works
Supplementary question: “Has a report been prepared detailing if the is a risk of RAAC in any of the buildings within SBC’s Corporate Estate and, if so, when will it be shared with councillors?”
The Leader of the Council confirmed that no RAAC had been found within the Council’s Corporate Estate and therefore no report had been produced.
(B) Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness re: enforcement action taken by the Council over the past 2 years
Supplementary question – “Please could the Portfolio Holder provide details of the number of cases within the various categories outlined the original question that resulted in successful enforcement action?”
The Executive Portfolio Holder for Community Safety & Equalities agreed to provide a written answer to this question.
(C) Question from Councillor Bret Facey re: fees charged to owners of Council-managed garages
Supplementary question: “What performance management takes place to ensure that residents are receiving the service they are paying for?”
The Executive Portfolio Holder for Housing & Housing Development replied that residents/garage owners would not witness site visits unless they were present when the inspections took place. If any garage owner felt that an inspection had not taken place then she encouraged them to report this to the Council for follow up action.
(D) Question from Councillor Alex Farquharson re: use of land currently occupied by garages condemned due to asbestos contamination
Supplementary question: “Will the Portfolio Holder commit that the land on which the asbestos-contaminated garages were situated on would remain dedicated to residential parking whatever the long term fate of the current garage structures?”
The Executive Portfolio Holder for Housing and Housing Development replied that she was unable to give a firm commitment, as each garage block would be looked at individually to determine the best future use. Options would include providing ongoing parking; replacing the asbestos-contaminated garages with new garages; disposal of the site; or demolition to provide additional housing.
(E) Question from Councillor Tom Wren re: timescales for responding to and dealing with issues raised by councillors
Supplementary question: “Would it be possible for the complaints system to track when raised by councillors had been resolved rather than simply responded to?
The Executive Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure & Information Technology replied that there was no central tracking mechanism, although they could be tracked if Members used the “Your Say” system. However, she was keen to explore opportunities to improve the current system and associated processes and would take the matter up with appropriate officers.
(F) Question from Councillor Julie Ashley-Wren re: traffic enforcement around local schools
Supplementary question: “Would it be possible to receive data from the Parking Enforcement agencies regarding the process for the issuing of parking tickets?”
The Executive Portfolio Holder for Co-operative Council & Neighbourhood Communities replied that she would arrange for a written answer to be provided. However, she urged School Governing Boards to take up issues regarding parking in the vicinity of their respective schools, including a modal shift to provide more bicycle parking.
(G) Question from Councillor Stephen Booth re: use of the Council’s Geographical Information System (GIS)
Supplementary question: “Who was charged with updating information on the GIS?”
The Executive Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure & Information Technology replied that she would arrange for a written answer to be provided.
(H) Question from Councillor Graham Snell re: the Christmas tree in the Town Centre
Supplementary question: “Is the Christmas tree SBC property or is it on hire?”
The Leader of the Council replied that the tree was owned by SBC and feedback received this year would be considered ahead of next Christmas.
(I) Question from Councillor Adam Mitchell CC re: communications to tenants regarding asbestos-contaminated garages
Supplementary question: “Due to conflicting information, could it be confirmed whether or not asbestos in garages was detrimental to health, and could she guarantee that more measured and consistent communication to residents was given on this matter?”
The Executive Portfolio Holder for Housing and Housing Development replied that she would arrange for a written answer to be provided.
(J) Question from Councillor Wendy Kerby re: plans for the Bandley Hill Play Centre site
Councillor Kerby was pleased that the Play Centre was to be used as nursery for children. She had no supplementary question.
The Executive Portfolio Holder for Co-operative Council & Neighbourhood Communities was also pleased with the future use of the Play Centre.
(K) Question from Councillor Robin Parker CC re: cessation of live streaming of scrutiny meetings
Supplementary question: “Will the Leader look into the possibility of an Opposition Member chairing a Scrutiny function or Scrutiny Committee?”
The Leader of the Council replied that he was aware that some councils had Opposition Members chairing scrutiny committees. He would give thought to this matter after the May 2024 Elections.