Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of Council on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council. Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.
(a) To Chairmen/Vice-Chairmen of Committees
To receive answers in respect of questions from Members of the Council to the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Council or the Chairman of any Committee or Sub-Committee asked in accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules.
(1) Councillor S F Bannister will ask the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor F J W Scales:
“With record breaking amounts of rainfall in Britain over recent years and the likelihood that the consequences of global warming will be a semi-permanent visitor to these shores does the Chair of Planning feel that is it time for this Council to review its policies in regard to building in low lying areas that are prone to flooding?”
(b) To the Executive
To receive answers in respect of questions from Members of the Council to a Member of the Executive asked in accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules.
(2) Councillor P M Wallace will ask the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M D Conolly:
“What are the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance's views on the Local Government Association's proposal that local councils should be allowed to levy council tax or a similar charge on land which has been given planning permission for development but where development has not been commenced within a set period, in order to encourage developers to create much needed housing rather than allowing the land to lie idle thereby making purely paper profits?”
(3) Councillor B Gardner will ask the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton:
“Could the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning outline his views on the effectiveness of the current set of procedures and protocols when it comes to this Council agreeing a value for applications for less than 15 properties where a contribution to the Affordable Housing Fund is sought from developers?”
(4) Councillor P M Brivio will ask the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, Councillor N J Collor:
“Could the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing provide an update on what is happening with regard to the derelict property of Bushey Ruff which has become an eyesore in otherwise beautiful surroundings?”
(5) Councillor D A Sargent will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“Is the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Well-being able to provide a revised figure of planned new builds of social housing for the district now that changes to rental income introduced by the government will make it impossible to meet the much publicised target of 500 units?”
(6) Councillor M R Eddy will ask the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:
“As the town of Sandwich has a proud tradition of welcoming refugees which dates back to at least the 16th century, does the Leader agree that Sandwich Town Council should be congratulated on their plans to encourage residents to donate to help support Syrian refugee families coming to the Dover?”
(7) Councillor L A Keen will ask the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M D Conolly:
“Is the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance satisfied with the arrangements the Council has in place for deducting trade union membership subscriptions through payroll, and does he agree that this is an important part of our industrial relations and that this system is an administrative matter for the Council and should not be interfered with by the national Government?”
(8) Councillor S F Bannister will ask the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection, Councillor T J Bartlett:
“Does the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection agree that the District's residents will view with cynicism a consultation on the site options for replacement Dover Leisure Centre when the current administration of the Council gives every appearance of having already decided on Whitfield?”
Minutes:
In accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chairman of the Planning Committee responded to the following question:
(1) Councillor S F Bannister asked the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor F J W Scales:
“With record breaking amounts of rainfall in Britain over recent years and the likelihood that the consequences of global warming will be a semi-permanent visitor to these shores does the Chair of Planning feel that is it time for this Council to review its policies in regard to building in low lying areas that are prone to flooding?”
In accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules, Members of the Executive responded to the following questions:
(2) Councillor M R Eddy, in the absence of Councillor P M Wallace and with the consent of the Chairman, asked the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M D Conolly:
“What are the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance's views on the Local Government Association's proposal that local councils should be allowed to levy council tax or a similar charge on land which has been given planning permission for development but where development has not been commenced within a set period, in order to encourage developers to create much needed housing rather than allowing the land to lie idle thereby making purely paper profits?”
(3) Councillor B Gardner asked the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton:
“Could the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning outline his views on the effectiveness of the current set of procedures and protocols when it comes to this Council agreeing a value for applications for less than 15 properties where a contribution to the Affordable Housing Fund is sought from developers?”
(4) Councillor P M Brivio asked the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, Councillor N J Collor:
“Could the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing provide an update on what is happening with regard to the derelict property of Bushey Ruff which has become an eyesore in otherwise beautiful surroundings?”
The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning, Councillor N S Kenton, answered the question as related to his portfolio.
(5) Councillor D A Sargent asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“Is the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Well-being able to provide a revised figure of planned new builds of social housing for the district now that changes to rental income introduced by the government will make it impossible to meet the much publicised target of 500 units?”
(6) Councillor M R Eddy asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:
“As the town of Sandwich has a proud tradition of welcoming refugees which dates back to at least the 16th century, does the Leader agree that Sandwich Town Council should be congratulated on their plans to encourage residents to donate to help support Syrian refugee families coming to the Dover?”
(7) Councillor L A Keen asked the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M D Conolly:
“Is the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance satisfied with the arrangements the Council has in place for deducting trade union membership subscriptions through payroll, and does he agree that this is an important part of our industrial relations and that this system is an administrative matter for the Council and should not be interfered with by the national Government?”
(8) Councillor S F Bannister will ask the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection, Councillor T J Bartlett:
“Does the Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Public Protection agree that the District's residents will view with cynicism a consultation on the site options for replacement Dover Leisure Centre when the current administration of the Council gives every appearance of having already decided on Whitfield?”