Agenda item

The public open forum will commence at 2.00 p.m. and the following formal business of the Council will commence at 2.30 p.m. or whenever the public open forum ends, if earlier.

[2:00 – 2:20pm]

Question 1 – From Mr Paul Cox

To Councillor Mrs Frances Cartwright

I write on behalf of the newly formed Elsea park Residents Committee. The Committee is independent of the Elsea park community Trust and made up of resident members who give their time on a voluntary basis.

Are the Council members fully aware of the extreme level of dissatisfaction voiced by residents of Elsea Park regarding the developers failure to fulfil the requirements detailed in the Section 106 agreement?

I understand that the Council within that agreement have a responsibility to “monitor” the contractual obligations as set out in the Section 106 document.

Therefore, in the light of the lack of progress over a significant period of time, what action does the Council propose to take to enforce the developer’s obligations under the aforementioned agreement?  

Reply from Councillor Mrs. Cartwright

Yes Mr Cox, you are quite right, SKDC does have a role with monitoring Section 106s, these are kept under constant review by the planning officers and our new Section 106 monitoring officer.

Mr Cox’s Supplementary Question

I am aware there are trigger points depending on the level of occupancy, approximately 600 houses are occupied. A community centre should have been constructed at an occupancy level of 500. We were assured at a meeting with the developers that a planning application would be put in, but still we have heard nothing. We pay an annual fee to the trust and want something in return, can any pressure be put on the developers. 

Reply from Councillor Mrs Cartwright

I am pleased to report that a planning application has been submitted, it should go to committee in late February or March. We now have a S.106 monitoring officer in post, we try to negotiate with developers rather than use force. There have been a number of benefits deriving from S.106 contributions in Bourne, such as at Robert Manning School and for play areas, affordable housing, office accommodation plus a payment of £50,000 to the Elsea Park trust. 

Question 2 – from Mrs Mary Patrick

To Councillor John Smith

Could you please tell me when Stamford Recreation Ground will be headed back to our local council.

Reply from Councillor John Smith

Stamford Town Council have written to SKDC requesting that they become the owners of the site, negotiations are being entered into regarding legal obligations and terms and conditions. Subject to these, agreement will be reached as soon as possible, although no date for completion can be given as yet.

Question 3 –From Mrs Mary Patrick

To Councillor Carpenter

Why is this Council letting my elderly tenants freeze in their homes? They are 80 to 96 years of age.

Reply from Councillor Carpenter

It is not the wish of this Council that tenants freeze in their homes, can you give me further details please.

Supplementary – Mrs Patrick

For two years they have been promised lagging in their lofts, at they moment they have one inch of dust and are freezing.

Reply from Councillor Carpenter

I am happy to have a meeting with Mrs Patrick to discuss this, but I need more information before I can give an answer.

Question 4 – From Mr J Butcher

To Councillor Mrs Neal, Leader of the Council

Many tenants of Edmonds Close, Stamford are complaining about problems in contacting South Kesteven District Council departments and/or secretaries from 2.00pm onwards on Fridays.

Reply from Councillor Mrs Neal

Thank you for your question, I was extremely concerned when I read it. I understand that this is in respect of the repairs service. We have initiated a “lean systems” review of this area. Telephone contact is vitally important and we have indentified 15 recent calls from Edmonds Close, mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the last two months they have received over 5,000 calls. If you experience any future difficulties please call the managers responsible, John Murden and Tony Campbell, direct, or the Chief Executive (Duncan Kerr), Councillor Paul Carpenter or myself.