Agenda item

COUNCILLOR D G BEANEY ASKED THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE SERVICES, COUNCILLOR C D ZOSSEDER:

“Please could the portfolio holder explain what steps she has taken to address the use of the main Kearsney Abbey car park by Southern Water sewage tankers, which caused a significant reduction in the number of available parking spaces over the Christmas holidays and continue to limit visitor numbers to this award-winning park?”

IN RESPONSE THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE SERVICES, COUNCILLOR C D ZOSSEDER, STATED:

“The Southern Water tankers have been in use to relieve pressures in the sewage system caused by ground water entering the system due to recent high levels of rainfall. This is in accordance with the measures set out in their Alkham Valley Infiltration Reduction Plan.

Without the tankers moving the mix of ground and foul water to another part of the system, such as the Kearsney Abbey Wastewater Pumping Station, there is a significant risk of overflow and a pollution incident.

In the circumstances it is not appropriate for the Council to inhibit or hamper this work in any way and increase the risks of pollution.

Naturally there is the wider issue as to whether privatised utilities such as Southern Water are performing as well as they should and in the public interest and I am grateful to Councillor Beaney for raising the general point – but we must accept the current urgent work, unless the Councillor is suggesting we should try to prevent Southern Water accessing their pumping station?”

COUNCILLOR M BATES ASKED THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT, LICENSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, COUNCILLOR J L POUT:

“Can the portfolio holder provide any data as to the amount of diseased meat that Port Health along with Border Force intercepted in 2023?”

IN RESPONSE THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT, LICENSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, COUNCILLOR J L POUT, STATED:

“Thank you for your question. No data exists that would confirm if the meat we have intercepted is diseased. If meat intercepted is identified as illegal (because it doesn’t comply with import controls) it is destroyed with minimal further handling (such as sampling to determine if it were diseased).

The total weight of meat and meat products intercepted at Dover, since the legislation came into effect in September 2022 to 27^th January 2024, is 65,590.47kg.

If the Shadow Portfolio holder requires additional details, or data for a specific time-period i.e. a calendar year, or a financial year, or a specific month, the team would be happy to assist and or provide this information as part of the scheduled Shadow briefings.”

COUNCILLOR M BATES ASKED THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL, COUNCILLOR K MILLS:

“Can the Leader of the Council explain why the Head of Community and Digital Services role, which includes responsibility for parking services and led on the now cancelled transformation programme, has remained vacant for over six months?”

IN RESPONSE THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL, COUNCILLOR K MILLS, STATED:

“To provide an answer to your question the Council would need to resolve to exclude the press and public. It is not particularly convenient to do that for what would be a short answer that could potentially lead to the disclosure of personal information so in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.4, I am declining to answer the question in this meeting. However, I would be prepared to meet with you outside this meeting.”

COUNCILLOR D R FRIEND ASKED THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR PLANNING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT, COUNCILLOR E A BIGGS:

“Can the portfolio holder provide an update on planning enforcement action being taken to address the long-standing issue of the condition of 57 New Street in Sandwich?”

IN RESPONSE THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR PLANNING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT, COUNCILLOR E A BIGGS, STATED:

“The condition of this property has been a concern to many of us for some years. However, as this is the subject of ongoing enforcement action, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the action being taken in a public meeting. I am sure the officers involved will be pleased to brief you and your fellow ward member in private on the work they are undertaking.”

COUNCILLOR D R FRIEND ASKED THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE PROPERTY, COUNCILLOR C D ZOSSEDER:

“Can the portfolio holder provide an update on progress to deliver the planned improvements to The Bulwarks play in Sandwich?”

IN RESPONSE THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE PROPERTY, COUNCILLOR C D ZOSSEDER, STATED:

“A budget is being prepared to deliver improvements at The Bulwarks play area.  A bid has been submitted to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan for up to £30k, if approved this will be added to the goodwill payment of £15k that was secured from Southern Water.  The Head of Parks Open Spaces and Countryside will visit Sandwich Town Council on 29th January to begin discussions regarding a possible collaboration on this project.”

COUNCILLOR C A VINSON ASKED THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE PROPERTY, COUNCILLOR C D ZOSSEDER:

“Can the portfolio holder detail what plans are in place to spend the following s106 contributions detailed on p18 of the Council’s 2022/23 Infrastructure Funding Statement:

1.    £22,765.19 “towards to the provision of additional play equipment at Market Wood Play Area”

2.    £29,334.87 “towards refurbishment of a playing pitch at Marke Wood Recreation Park”

3.    £10.945.20 “towards increasing the capacity of existing open space within the Marke Wood site”

IN RESPONSE THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE PROPERTY, COUNCILLOR C D ZOSSEDER, STATED:

(1)  A budget is being prepared to improve the play area at Marke Wood, including replacement of the multi-play unit that was removed last summer.  A bid has been submitted to the DDC Medium Term Financial Plan for £40k towards the Marke Wood play area.  If approved this will be added to the S106 contribution of £22,765 that was received in 2019.  Discussions are underway with Walmer Town Council to explore a possible collaboration on the project.  The Portfolio holder is due to meet WTC councillors on 3^rd April.

(2)  The contribution of £29,334 was received during 2019 and 2020.  The Council is in discussion with the Kent County Football Foundation about a possible pitch improvements project, using grant funding that can be accessed by football clubs.  Discussions are also under way with Cinq Ports Football Club to develop a proposal for extending their lease.  Details will be provided in an upcoming report to Cabinet.

(3)  The contribution of £10,945 was received in 2019.  Discussions are underway with Walmer Town Council to explore whether there are shared priorities for the use of this funding.  This work will build on the information gained through public consultation that was undertaken in May 2023.

A supplementary question was asked in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.6.