Agenda item

A 45-minute period in which members may ask questions of the Leader, Cabinet Members, the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and opposition group leaders excluding the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Development Management Committee, Licensing and Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Committees and Governance and Audit Committee.

Question 1

Councillor Ray Wootten asked the Deputy Leader whether he supported asking the Secretary of State to publish his report on Grantham Hospital and the call to open Grantham’s Accident and Emergency Department 24/7 as soon as possible.

The Deputy Leader stated that he did support this. He said that since the reduction in Accident and Emergency provision in August 2016, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust had continued to say that they wished to be honest and open about the hospital but he felt the Trust continued to hide its plans. He also suggested that, as the Chairman of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, it would be appropriate for Councillor Wootten to write a letter on behalf of the Committee asking why there had been such a delay.

Question 2

Councillor Jeal asked a question of the Cabinet Member for Growth and Communications about fundraising activity by the Grantham Community Heritage Association and the reliance of Grantham Museum on such donations and the volunteers who ran it.

The Cabinet Member for Growth and Communications said that community-run organisations such as Grantham Museum were the life-blood of local communities and made a significant contribution to the district. She highlighted the museum’s importance as a place for people to learn about and understand heritage and to provide somewhere for people to volunteer to gain experience and allow isolated members of the community to meet people. She stated that she had previously sat on the Museum’s board as a volunteer and therefore had a first-hand appreciation of the commitment and dedication that went into keeping the building open. She added that without the funding project, the Museum would not be able to remain open. She praised the team at the Museum and wished them success in making the project a reality.

Question 3

Councillor Selby referred to a recent event at Wyndham Park in Grantham, where a new facility had been opened. He stated that the Mayor of Grantham had not been invited and that, while the Chairman had been present, the facility had been formally opened by a Member of the Cabinet. He asked who would be opening the cinema complex.

The Deputy Leader stated that the Mayor would be invited to the opening of the new cinema complex but that at this time no decision had been made as to who would cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony.

Question 4

Councillor Baxter asked a question of the Chairman of the Employment Committee. He referred to a company that had provided HR consultancy services to the Council and one of the directors of that company. Councillor Baxter asked whether the Employment Committee was aware that the Council’s Chief Executive was a Director of another company with the Director of that HR company and whether that had been disclosed in the officers’ register of interests.

The Chairman of the Employment Committee stated that the issue had not been discussed but he was happy to include it on the agenda of a future meeting of the Committee.

Question 5

Councillor Dilks referred to bank closures that had taken place in Market Deeping in recent years and the recently announced closure of the Market Deeping branch of Barclays bank. Given the Council’s priority to invest, promote and build the economy, Councillor Dilks asked the Chairman of the Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee whether he would invite Barclays to attend a future meeting of the Committee to explain what they were doing and how the Council could work with them to reconsider their decision.

The Chairman of the Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to invite representatives to a future meeting of the Committee, although he could not guarantee their attendance.

Question 6

Councillor Wood referred to the question that had been put by Mr. Gadd during the public open forum and asked what the Council was doing to rectify the matter. He asked whether any problems had been identified with other properties and how the Council was being proactive to prevent a recurrence in the future.

The Cabinet Member for Housing stated that there was a planned maintenance programme for all properties and that the Council had a planned property maintenance strategy. The Deputy Leader also added that a review of all dwellings would be undertaken to ensure that the same problem would not be experienced elsewhere.

During the session Councillor Robins drew Members’ attention to a new South Kesteven Visitor Guide and thanked the Visitor Economy team for their work in producing the guide.