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 Planning Committee, Licensing and Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Committees and Governance and Audit Committee.

Question 1 – Councillor Max Sawyer to Councillor Ashley Baxter, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, HR and Economic Development

Councillor Sawyer asked the Leader whether £40,000 for two brown signs was the best possible use of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) monies.

The Leader of the Council highlighted the need to work alongside National Highways and the fact they had rules that needed to be followed. UKSPF monies were time limited. Debate took place at the latest meeting of the UKSPF Board where this and other issues were discussed, and those Councillors present decided to move forward with the procurement of the signs. If the signs brought increased footfall into the district then the spend was worth it.

Question 2 – Councillor Charmaine Morgan to Councillor Paul Stokes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture

Councillor Morgan asked for an update on the works to Dysart Park, Grantham, in particular the flooded area.

Councillor Stokes advised that significant drainage works had been undertaken. Phase 1 was now complete, and testing had shown the work to date had been very successful. Phase 2 was underway and would be completed – Councillor Stokes was confident that the works would be successful in tackling the drainage problems.

Significant works in Dysart Park had taken place, including the installation of play equipment, using funding from UKSPF and the Rotary Club of Grantham.

Question 3 – Councillor Zoe Lane to Councillor Virginia Moran, Cabinet Member for Housing

Councillor Lane asked whether the Cabinet Member would meet with her to discuss new social housing for Bourne.

Councillor Moran was more than happy to discuss the Housing Revenue Account budget and where it could be spent.

Question 4 – Councillor Harrish Bisnauthsing to Councillor Virginia Moran, Cabinet Member for Housing

Councillor Bisnauthsing asked for an update on the number of council houses acquired.

Councillor Moran listed 98 council houses that had been purchased; 20 new units at Swinegate, Grantham, 11 units in Market Deeping, 6 at Gorse Rise, Grantham, 36 at Corby Glen, 12 1 bed units at St. Peter’s House in Grantham, 5 units purchased using Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) money, and 6 properties purchased back from tenants who bought under right-to-buy. The Council was still looking for a bungalow and a 6 bedroomed property.

Question 5 – Councillor Elvis Stooke to Councillor Richard Cleaver, Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement

Councillor Stooke wished to know whether Grantham Hospital’s Accident and Emergency provision would be reconsidered.

Councillor Cleaver agreed that the provision should always be under constant review, particularly with an ageing population. The Integrated Care Board and NHS Lincolnshire was undertaking a full stakeholder review with Stamford residents regarding health services in Stamford. There would be pressure to review all towns around the county, and this would include Grantham.

Question 6– Councillor Rosemary Trollope-Bellew to Councillor Ashley Baxter, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, HR and Economic Development

Councillor Trollope-Bellew asked the Leader to contact the Leader of Lincolnshire County Council to expedite the use of cameras to look for flooding problems in drains. This was to help alleviate the problems with flooding that had been seen in parishes in Casewick ward.

Councillor Baxter highlighted the flooding in Greatford for the second year in a row, and paid tribute to the Deputy Leader and officers in co-ordinating the flooding response across the district. He attended a recent meeting of Greatford Parish Council and was grateful to the parish for putting together a useful flooding presentation.

The day after this meeting the presentation was shared with representatives from Lincolnshire County Council to include what had happened at Greatford Hall and the Greatford Cut. As the County Councillor for the ward that included Greatford Councillor Baxter had taken the CCTV camera issue to the Flood and Water Management Scrutiny Committee at Lincolnshire County Council and was hopeful that a survey would be undertaken in the near future.

Question 7 – Councillor Graham Jeal to Councillor Richard Cleaver, Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement

Councillor Jeal asked the Cabinet Member to join him in wishing a happy new year to those celebrating Lunar New Year and a passage to the year of the Snake in South Kesteven.

Councillor Cleaver was happy to join Councillor Jeal in celebrating Lunar New Year.

Question 9 – Councillor Peter Stephens

Councillor Stephens asked for an update on the A52 bypass around Grantham.

Councillor Stephens was advised that Lincolnshire County Council were the appropriate authority to ask for a progress update. The Executive Member there had informed a local councillor that the County Council were ready to complete the road but were waiting for the rail authority.