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.
There were no questions for Chairmen of Committees.
(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.
(1) Councillor S F Bannister will ask the Leader, Councillor P A Watkins:
“Does the Leader of the Council agree with me that the violence that occurred in Dover on 30 January this year should be deplored and that the Police should be adequately supported so that, at all future demonstrations, all the laws of Britain can be enforced, including those covering breaches of the peace, intimidation, criminal damage, use of racist language and incitement to racial hatred?”
(2) Councillor P M Brivio will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“What does the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing think the changes, to be introduced through the Housing and Planning Bill currently going through Parliament, will have on tenants in the Dover District Council area if the "pay to stay" provisions become law?”
(3) Councillor M I Cosin will ask the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“According to the budget presentations, the 500 social houses promised by the Conservatives before last May's elections are now "on hold". Can the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing tell the Council how long these much needed homes may be delayed?”
(4) Councillor P J Hawkins will ask the Leader, Councillor P A Watkins:
“Does the Leader share our concerns over the potential changes to Sunday trading laws and will he write to the Secretary of State in support of the Keep Sunday Special campaign?”
(5) Councillor A S Pollitt will ask the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M D Conolly:
“Does the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance agree with me that transparency is needed in the provision of all public services and that the Freedom of Information legislation should apply to all those bodies, whether public or private sector, that provide services funded by the public purse?”
(6) Councillor L A Keen will ask the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, Councillor N J Collor:
“What steps is the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing taking to ensure that parking enforcement is equitably applied across the district in order to regulate car and lorry parking in rural as well as urban areas?”
Minutes:
In accordance with Rule 12 of the Council Procedure Rules, Members of the Executive responded to the following questions:
(1) Councillor S F Bannister asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:
“Does the Leader of the Council agree with me that the violence that occurred in Dover on 30 January this year should be deplored and that the Police should be adequately supported so that, at all future demonstrations, all the laws of Britain can be enforced, including those covering breaches of the peace, intimidation, criminal damage, use of racist language and incitement to racial hatred?”
In response the Leader of the Council confirmed his agreement with the questioner.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor S F Bannister exercised his right to ask one supplementary question.
(2) Councillor P M Brivio asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“What does the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing think the changes, to be introduced through the Housing and Planning Bill currently going through Parliament, will have on tenants in the Dover District Council area if the "pay to stay" provisions become law?”
In response, the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing advised that the Council did not require tenants to provide any evidence of their income and therefore was not able to forecast how many tenants had an income above the £30,000 family income threshold. However, 66% of tenants were in receipt of housing benefit and should therefore be unaffected.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P M Brivio exercised her right to ask one supplementary question.
(3) Councillor M I Cosin asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor P M Beresford:
“According to the budget presentations, the 500 social houses promised by the Conservatives before last May's elections are now "on hold". Can the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing tell the Council how long these much needed homes may be delayed?”
In response, the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing advised that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was facing a number of financial pressures which would need to be reflected in the development of a new HRA Business Plan. The development of the new Plan would commence once details of welfare reform measures and plans for Councils to sell high value assets were known and it would set out the Council’s future plans for housing stock investment, debt management and new housing delivery.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor M I Cosin exercised her right to ask one supplementary question.
(4) Councillor P J Hawkins asked the Leader of the Council, Councillor P A Watkins:
“Does the Leader share our concerns over the potential changes to Sunday trading laws and will he write to the Secretary of State in support of the Keep Sunday Special campaign?”
In response the Leader of the Council stated that he did not share the questioner’s concerns and that he supported the view of the Local Government Association that it should be a matter for local authorities to determine.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor P J Hawkins exercised her right to ask one supplementary question.
(5) Councillor A S Pollitt asked the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance, Councillor M D Conolly:
“Does the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance agree with me that transparency is needed in the provision of all public services and that the Freedom of Information legislation should apply to all those bodies, whether public or private sector, that provide services funded by the public purse?”
In response the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance advised that he had no problem with the Council being accountable for its actions. The Council had received 1175 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests in 2013/14, 1136 FOI requests in 2014/15 and 947 FOI requests so far for the period 2015/16. Of these requests, 441 were related to Building Control in 2013/14, 405 in 2014/15 and 336 so far for the period 2015/16
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor A S Pollitt exercised his right to ask one supplementary question.
(6) Councillor L A Keen asked the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing, Councillor N J Collor:
“What steps is the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing taking to ensure that parking enforcement is equitably applied across the district in order to regulate car and lorry parking in rural as well as urban areas?”
In response the Portfolio Holder for Access and Licensing advised that the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers patrolled all areas in the district where there were parking regulations in place and took enforcement action where contraventions of the regulations were observed. The Council’s parking team was now fully staffed enabling the Council to maximise its patrols in both urban and rural areas and particular attention was paid to areas where there were known problems.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5, Councillor L A Keen exercised her right to ask one supplementary question.