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.

Question 1

To:       Councillor Paul Carpenter

Portfolio Holder: Communication and Corporate Governance

You will hopefully remember that I asked this question at a previous meeting but you refused point-blank to answer it, so I have once again had to make the 60-mile round trip from the Deepings in order to participate in this democratic spectacle.

I understand from talking to District Councillors that these full council meetings are largely ceremonial occasions but is it not ridiculous and farcical that I can come here at relatively short notice, and ask almost any question I like and expect an answer on the day, when my democratically elected representatives are denied the opportunity of open questions and answers at Full Council and therefore isn’t it time elected Councillors were allowed to ask and answer questions at Council meetings?

From: Mr. A. Baxter, Deeping St. James

Response (transcript)

Thank you...Mr Chairman...may I ask your indulgence, please, to make a comment before I answer the question? My comment is that unfortunately it was left to myself to suggest that the supplementary question was actually a second question and according to our Constitution that would not be allowed. I actually took that as a prompt, and I thank Mr Baxter for this, because it set my mind thinking that perhaps members of the public who wish to speak are not aware of what they can and cannot do, so I instigated a public speaking protocol which should help people through these matters and to that end, I thank Mr Baxter because that started this ball rolling and every member of the public who wishes to speak now will be able to see this, which will help them through the process.

Now, if I may, that was not my answer, but this is, Mr Chairman: had you stayed for the full Council meeting last time, Mr Baxter, you will have heard an amendment put forward to our Constitution from Councillor Dilks, which was on the very same subject as your question is today. That was heavily debated, both sides of the Chamber, points were made and eventually that amendment was put to the vote. Because I thought it was an important issue, I personally asked for a recorded vote. That amendment was lost. All the names of the people who voted and which way they voted are minuted and there for all the public to see. That to me is a democratic process, and that is what happened at the last meeting. Thank you.

Supplementary Question (transcript)

I haven’t had a chance to look through to see how you personally voted, I’d be interested to know, but that is not my supplementary question and I hope that you’ll answer the supplementary question this time; regardless of the Constitution I hope you’ll answer it, but the question is: why are you so afraid, all you people who voted, all you people who support this Constitution that prevents each other asking questions about topical issues in South Kesteven, why are you so afraid of questions being asked and answered, after all, the Prime Minister faces questions every week; what makes you so special?

Response (transcript)

I’m happy to answer that if that’s okay. I don’t think anyone is afraid. Part of the debate actually stated that people can ask questions any time they wish. In fact one or two members mentioned that they saw Cabinet members, asked questions, discussed subjects and they got an answer. Why I particularly voted against this was that I see that this is not always to be used as just questions. I have been a member of the County Council and saw this in action; we got political speeches, we got comments that were trying to trip up people. I don’t think that was in the true manner that we should conduct this Council. This Council may change its mind. If it does it will go through the democratic process and anything that was agreed would change the Constitution. I would actually like to thank you for being a member of the public that has taken such an interest in the way we work because most members of the public that come here tend to be interested in a planning application that doesn’t suit them or whether their bins get emptied or not, so it’s quite refreshing; I compliment you on your interest in local democracy, so thank you.

Question 2

To:       Councillor Mrs Frances Cartwright

Portfolio Holder: Grow the Economy – Economic Development

Following the sale of land in the heart of Market Deeping by South Kesteven District Council in 2006, the current owners New River Retail Ltd are preparing new retail development and new car parking arrangements in the town centre.

I appreciate the need for both the landlord and the local shopkeepers to earn an income, but I hope you will agree that any parking restrictions should be for the benefit of local shops and customers.

Will the Council please commit to help to mitigate the impact on any changes to parking arrangements in the Deepings in the following ways:

a)    Assist the Deepings community in lobbying New River Retail Ltd to ensure car parking arrangements remain in the best interests of shops and customers in the Deepings, including the retention of a suitable, free-of-charge, long-stay car park area.

b)    Support the implementation of residents’ parking schemes on Stamford Road, Godsey Lane, Dixons Road, Clover Road, and other parts of the Deepings if and when they become necessary?

From: Mr. A. Baxter, Deeping St. James

Response (transcript)

The operations of New River Retail Ltd, in respect of the way that the company manages their assets, would normally be a private matter for them. However, in this instance, when the Council originally sold the land in question, it imposed an applicable covenant regarding the nature of the on-going parking arrangements. The Council will therefore, when considering its response to any proposals to change the covenanted parking arrangements, will have to take into account whether any such changes have appropriately taken into account the interests of all those who may be affected.

We are aware of the situation in Market Deeping and officers have been communicating with the owners regarding this issue. We have also been liaising with the Town Council - and we have informed the Town Council that the current owners of the car park acknowledge that the covenant states that up to 4 hours free parking should be made available in accordance with the terms of the transfer of the land in 2006. 

In terms of additional potential residents’ parking schemes, the Council will work with all its partners to appropriately consider and facilitate wherever feasible appropriate new local solutions. However we obviously cannot commit to supporting any schemes that have not yet been developed. Each scheme will have to be considered on its merits.

Supplementary question (transcript)

Thank you for that, which I think was an expression of support for the local community to ensure decent parking arrangements. Some of the residents locally, particularly on Stamford Road, have lobbied the Town Council previously about parking permits and have received, I wouldn’t say little help, they’ve received information from the district council that more or less said it’s impossible to set up a residents’ parking permit scheme. Now that is going to get worse as a result of any arrangements in the town centre, it’s also got worse because of a local gym that has opened and other developments in the town centre so can you commit to speaking or asking officers to reconsider their opinion about a residents’ parking permit on Stamford Road?

Response (transcript)

I will say that I can only say that a residents’ parking scheme has to be supported by a certain percentage of the residents in each street and we have these arrangements set-up so that this can be done. If the residents in a particular street apply to the officer and they fulfil the criteria, we will consider a residents’ scheme.

14:15: Public Open Forum closed