Agenda item

Questions to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health, Wellbeing and Leisure).

 

Councillor Karen Walton asked the Cabinet Member what he thought about the latest news that Chorley and South Ribble District Hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit faces closure as part of a series of options to be presented by the Our Health Our Care team.

 

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Mick Titherington stated that there was an expectation that a motion would be brought to the next Council meeting that will be properly debated upon.

 

A member of the public who spoke on behalf of the Chorley and South Ribble Hospital Campaign explained that they were trying to meet with all the authorities that were affected by the proposals before submitting their views to the consultation and thanked South Ribble Borough Council for its quick response.

 

Councillor Mick Titherington affirmed his confirmation of the meeting.

 

 

Questions to the Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets).

 

Councillor Ange Turner submitted a written question as follows:

 

Is the Cabinet Member aware that we have residents in the Borough who without any financial recompense are providing food and shelter to refugees awaiting a Home Office decision on their asylum appeal, in support of the Refugees at Home national charity.

 

Would the Cabinet Member agree with me that residents who have shown compassion to others should not find themselves in a situation whereby they lose their single tax discount and are financially penalised as a result.

 

Would the Cabinet Member consider amending the policy of this council to allow the single person discount from the council tax to remain in place under such circumstances?

 

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, responded as follows:

 

The changing of the Council Tax discounts and exemptions applicable would need to be changed via central Government legislation. However there is a provision within the Council tax recovery policy which will allow the Council to write off additional financial burden (difference in the Council tax bill) by using the ‘social factors’ criteria in the recovery policy.

 

Councillor Ange Turner added that Norwich City Council have amended their policy for people in this situation and Councillor Matthew Tomlinson said that he was happy to look at how other Councils had approached this issue.

 

Councillor Alan Ogilvie ask the Cabinet Member when they could expect to see the responses to the Worden Hall consultation now that it had ended.

 

The Cabinet Member, explained that a report would be going to the next Cabinet meeting on 16 October 2019 that would contain all the comments that had been received by the Council. The consultation period had been extended and over 500 responses had been submitted.

 

Councillor Colin Clark commented that he was pleased to see completion of phase one of the Business and Conference Centre, and asked if bookings had increased and if there were plans for taking forward phase two of the project. The Cabinet Member responded to say that there had been an increase in bookings and that he was currently working with officers to progress additional plans for the Centre that would include maximising the accommodation on the two floors above and improved kitchen facilities. Councillor Tomlinson acknowledged that this was the continuation of a vision that had been expressed by the previous administration.

 

A member of the public, Mr Darbyshire asked the Cabinet Member how much the new Mayoral Car had cost the Council. The Cabinet Member explained that the Council had purchased a top of the range hybrid car, that had a list price of £40,000 for a reduced cost of around £32,000. The member of the public acknowledged that this was good value for money.

 

 

Questions to the Cabinet Member (Environment).

 

Councillor Renee Blow submitted a written question as follows:

 

At the September meeting of the council in 2017, I asked the then Cabinet Member as to what had happened to the consultation on car parking, and I was advised that the consultation was complete and discussions were taking place with Lancashire County Council.

 

Could the Cabinet Member advise as to whether after two years those discussions have been completed, what if anything was the outcome, and can assurance be given that a meaningful review of car parking in the Borough will now be considered and recommendations brought forward?

 

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Susan Jones responded by explaining that it is the intention of this administration to carry out a review of car parking across the borough and that consideration is currently being given to involving Scrutiny in the review.

 

Councillor Colin Clark asked that in relation to air quality measures, which parameters are being measured, how and what are the results. Councillor Susan Jones reported that the Climate Emergency Task Group would look into this issue more fully but would appreciate Councillor Clark submitting a written question in order to understand his concerns.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Stephen Thurlbourn, the Cabinet Member agreed that educating people to use reusable containers would be part of the campaign to support South Ribble being carbon neutral by 2030.

 

Councillor Alan Ogilvie asked when the completion date for works to the overflow car park at Worden Park would be, although he acknowledged they had not yet started. The Cabinet Member explained that there had been some difficulties that had resulted in the start of the works being delayed but that once more was known she would update Members. Councillor Jones added that they were working closely with the local residents on this issue.

 

Councillor Caroline Moon thanked the Cabinet Member for the installation of a new footpath from the Swiss lodge but asked if there was still resources’ available for resurfacing, following drainage problems. Councillor Susan Jones indicated that she was happy to meet with Councillor Moon outside of the meeting to discuss a way forward.

 

A member of the public, Mr Darbyshire asked the Cabinet Member if residents would be made to change their central heating and petrol cars to electric. He also asked if the Council would look to using their tablets to view council papers, as opposed to printing paper copies of agendas. The Cabinet Member responded by saying that the Council would lead by example with regards to using electric vehicles for its fleet or using renewable energy in its buildings with an emphasis on encouraging residents not enforcing. The Cabinet Member did however agreed with Mr Darbyshire on the use of tablets for viewing council agendas and minutes and would be speaking with the Leaders to encourage members of their groups.

 

 

Questions to the Cabinet Member (Planning, Regeneration and City Deal).

 

Councillor David Howarth submitted a written question as follows:

 

In February of this year I asked the then Cabinet Member if he would give an undertaking to investigate and report back on the feasibility of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the former government buildings site at number 1 Cop Lane, Penwortham to avoid more decades of dereliction adding to the open eyesore at the gateway to both the Town and the Borough.

 

An assurance was given that options would be considered to ensure that the site comes forward for development as speedily as possible.

 

Given that since that time the proposal for a CPO has received cross party support, could the Cabinet Member advise as to what work has been done to bring forward the purchase of the site, and provide an update on when a feasibility report will be presented?

 

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Bill Evans agreed that this is a priority site for improving Penwortham Centre but explained that use of a Compulsory Purchase Order would only be used as a last resort, as it was a costly option and would take a couple of years to complete. It is understood that Tesco are currently reviewing their options for the site and officers are in touch with them on a weekly basis, with a decision expected imminently.

 

Councillor Colin Clark asked the Cabinet Member when the last Housing Needs Survey was carried out and under the Affordable Housing Policy of the Council, how many bungalows had been built as there was a large demand for this type of housing across the Borough, which was not currently being met.

 

The Cabinet Member, explained that the Council would be undertaking a number of Housing Needs Surveys shortly that would focus upon different areas. Penwortham Town Council had recently completed their Neighbourhood Plan and have included a need for bungalows within it. The Cabinet Member urged other areas to do the same. The Cabinet Member also met regularly with other cross party councillors to discuss the Local Plan and would add Bungalow Need to the agenda for further discussion.

 

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets) added that the new South Ribble building programme would focus on providing homes for the greatest need and that bungalows would be built to fill this gap.

 

 

Questions to the Cabinet Member (Community Engagement, Social Justice and Wealth Building).

 

Councillor Michael Green reiterated his earlier question by asking the Cabinet Member what actions would be taken to avoid duplication of the proposed Youth Council with that of the one already ran by Lancashire County Council.

 

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder responded by saying that she had been working with three primary schools and one high school regarding the introduction of Debate Clubs.