Agenda item

To receive answers in respect of questions from the public to Members of the Executive asked in accordance with Rule 11 of the Council Procedure Rules.

(a)  Questions will be asked in the order in which notice of them was received, except that the Chairman may group together similar questions.

(b)  The period for questions by the public shall be limited so that no further questions shall be put after the elapse of 15 minutes from the commencement of the first question.

(c)   A maximum of three minutes is allowed for the each question to be read.

(d)  A questioner who has put a question in person may also put one supplementary question without notice to the member who has replied to his or her original question. A supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply.

(e)  Afterwards, any other Member at the Chairman's discretion may speak for up to two minutes on a question or reply.

Questions from the Public

The question from the public received within the notice period are set out in the agenda papers.

(1)  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Sara Gleave asked the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services, Councillor N S Kenton:

“Are the DDC new Local Plan team going to integrate the recommendations of the Town and Country Planning Association on how local authorities can plan for the climate crisis (Planning for Climate Change refers  - with its examples of how councils can get low-carbon social housing and protect greenfield by means of robust dealing with volume developers) into the draft document before the document goes to public consultation in January 2020?”

In response, Councillor N S Kenton advised that climate change was a key issue and would be part of the local plan. Using the latest published material, discussions had already taken place with Officers from other Kent LPAs working in close partnership with the RTPI, Town & Country Planning Association and Climate Earth. Dover District Council was hosting a workshop with policy planners from across Kent in late November to discuss how Local Plans across Kent could take this matter forward on a county wide basis. 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.8, S Gleave exercised the right to ask a supplementary question.

(2)  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Dominic Howden asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor T J Bartlett:

“Britain is currently at 50% food self-sufficiency, and dropping. How does Dover District Council plan to cope with food shortages in the very near future as an immediate consequence of Brexit, and in the longer term as a consequence of the Climate Emergency?”

In response Councillor T J Bartlett stated that for the immediate future and in terms of any potential future no deal Brexit, the council would explore with partners the possibility of hardship funds for vulnerable communities and residents.  However, the real potential issue would be the supply chain which the council had no direct control over. With regards climate change, the Cabinet would be discussing a report in the near future to look at areas within its own remit/responsibility.

(3)  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Hamish Napier asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor T J Bartlett:

“At the last council meeting, then-leader Keith Morris talked about replacing polluting council vehicles with electric ones, as the leases naturally ran out. So, which is more important: Climate Emergency, or money?”

In response Councillor T J Bartlett advised that the Council had passed two motions relating to climate change at its meeting in July 2019. In response to those decisions Cabinet would be considering a report next week, which included a recommendation that the Council should declare a Climate Emergency in recognition of the challenge which we were all facing. As regards the use of electric vehicles by the Council, as the leases on the current vehicles run out, the Council already reviewed the availability of a suitable electric powered alternative. For example, the vehicles used by the enforcement team were switched to EV charging earlier this year. Looking ahead, he expected, where a suitable alternative was available, that the remainder of the Council’s vehicle fleet would follow suit over the coming years.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.8, H Napier exercised the right to ask a supplementary question.

(4)  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Tyler Howell-Bray asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor T J Bartlett:

“If I can draw your attention to Section 1.6c, Communication, Keys Asks, Short Term, of the DDC EU Exit Preparedness Report: you say you would like “assurances” from Kent County Council and the Government that they will “engage” with you regarding Brexit preparedness and the post-Brexit environment. I was under the impression that several DDC Members also sit on KCC. Are you that confident about communication, at this late stage, that you’re having to beg for them to talk to you?”

In response Councillor T J Bartlett advised that the Council had good communication channels and that he wanted to re-iterate that these would continue during any challenging times ahead.  The council did not have a statutory responsibility for the road network, however it was important that it had the opportunity to raise any issues important to our businesses and communities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.8, T Howell-Bray exercised the right to ask a supplementary question.