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 One – Councillor Lee Steptoe to the Leader of the Council

Councillor Steptoe asked the Leader of the Council how much money was contributed by SKDC to ‘Thatcherfest’ being held in Grantham.

Councillor Baxter was grateful to people involved with Thatcherfest. The event would cost the council nothing and would raise money for charity. Tickets were selling fast for the different events taking place over the course of the week.

Question Two – Councillor Richard Dixon-Warren to the Leader of the Council

Councillor Dixon-Warren asked whether the Leader would stand up for all its communities and safeguard the environment in which they live, as the National Grid was building 50 metre high pylons through the district. A stage 2 consultation was due to take place in 2026.

Councillor Baxter was happy to support communities through the Cabinet Member for Planning, Planning Committee and other relevant bodies of the Council. He appreciated all concerns about the use of nuclear energy, solar energy, anaerobic digesters, foreign gas, and onshore wind, however everyone was consuming energy, and it had to be delivered to residents’ houses somehow.

Question Three – Councillor David Bellamy to the Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing

Councillor Bellamy asked how due diligence was taking place on the procurement of electric vehicle (EV) batteries when they were produced in China.

Councillor Knowles confirmed that all aspects of procurement were looked at throughout the process of securing contracts. It was likely that SKDC had limited influence on improving the conditions under which batteries were produced in China.

Question Four – Councillor Max Sawyer to the Cabinet Member for Housing

Councillor Sawyer was concerned about the loss of 11 single bed properties on Lumby’s Terrace in Stamford and how these would be replaced.

Councillor Moran highlighted the Stamford North development, which included 1200 houses of which 30% would be affordable homes. She was sure that SKDC would be taking ownership of some of the properties there, budget permitting. The council had already built on Elizabeth Road in Stamford.

Note:  Council Procedure Rule 19.3 was suspended to allow Councillors to remain seated when addressing the Chairman, should they wish to.

Question Five – Councillor Ben Green to the Cabinet Member for Housing

Councillor Green asked why a window repair for a local resident had not been resolved within the usual timeframe.

Councillor Moran would reply to Councillor Green by email on this issue.

Question Six – Councillor Tim Harrison to the Leader of the Council

Councillor Harrison asked the Leader to join him in thanking Councillor Bridget Ley for her outstanding work as SKDC’s Armed Forces Champion. Councillor Harrison pointed to tributes paid by local veterans, who highlighted the tangible difference that Councillor Ley was making.

Councillor Baxter was happy to echo Councillor Harrison’s comments and congratulate Councillor Ley for her Armed Forces work to date.

Question Seven – Councillor Rob Shorrock to the Leader of the Council

Councillor Shorrock asked the Leader what strategy would be used to monitor and combat the rise of the far right.

Councillor Baxter highlighted the presence of a self-declared nationalist town councillor on Market Deeping Town Council. As a Council SKDC had made efforts to ensure members were trained in PREVENT to combat extremists. It was a shame that not all Councillors had completed equality, diversity and inclusion training but he urged those that hadn’t to do so.

Question Eight – Councillor Vanessa Smith to the Leader of the Council

Councillor Smith called on the Leader to install drinking water facilities in areas such as bus centres, parks and other spaces in response to the ongoing cost of living pressures and the need to reduce plastic waste. This reduced litter and supported healthy habits. Councillor Smith also asked for assurance that SKDC would commit to introduce public drinking facilities as part of a practical response to the environmental crisis.

Councillor Baxter agreed that it was a good idea to place drinking water fountains in Grantham, Bourne, Stamford and Market Deeping. As part of the wider enhancements works at St Peter’s Hill Grantham officers were exploring the installation of a drinking water fountain close by at Abbey Gardens. Councillor Baxter could not say that SKDC would install drinking fountains in all its buildings and parks, but the first installation would be a guide to how popular they were with the public.

Note:  Councillors Byrd, Bosworth and Bellamy left the Council Chamber and did not return.

Question Nine – Councillor Charmaine Morgan to the Leader of the Council

Councillor Morgan asked the Leader to join her in sharing disappointment that the local hospital trust was 122^nd in national league for the provision of care to local communities. This reflected concerns raised across communities around the removal of resources and their decentralisation.

Councillor Baxter understood that these figures could sometimes be skewed by those hospitals that had the capacity to offer extra resources, However, hospitals should not be under resourced. Councillor Baxter committed to write a letter to the government minister about the ongoing situation at Grantham Hospital

Question Ten – Councillor Ashley Baxter to the Cabinet Member for Housing

Councillor Baxter asked Councillor Moran to highlight any recent news from her portfolio.

Councillor Moran announced that the Housing department at SKDC had been shortlisted for best development (up to £5m) for their work at Swinegate, Grantham.