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.

Note:  Councillors Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, Paul Wood and Jane Wood left the Council Chamber prior to Open Questions to Councillors and did not return.

Question One – Councillor Max Sawyer to the Leader of the Council

Councillor Sawyer asked what steps SKDC was taking to ensure SKDC money was being spent within the district on initiatives that benefitted its residents, before the money was lost to LGR.

Councillor Baxter informed members of the Section 24 notice that would be issued prior to the implementation of LGR to ask for the cessation of spending. In the end, any money left over ends up in same pot; SKDC could not put terms and conditions on its existing reserves. Councillors and officers should continue to spend money wisely and in the public interest.

Question Two – Councillor Matt Bailey to the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture

Councillor Bailey praised the fantastic events that had been seen in Grantham Market Place over the past year and asked for reassurance that these events would continue next year in Grantham and across the district.

Councillor Paul Stokes agreed that there had been some wonderful events. There was the opportunity for further events next year and Cabinet wished to look at events in all major towns, with some connect in rural areas.

Question Three – Councillor Sarah Trotter to the Leader of the Labour and Co-operative group

Councillor Trotter asked whether Councillor Steptoe felt it was acceptable for one of his group members to post inappropriate comments against another political group on social media, and whether he would apologise on the councillor’s behalf.

Councillor Steptoe had some sympathy as it was not something he would have posted; however, within reason Councillors could post what they wanted on social media. He felt he could not apologise on someone else’s behalf.

Question Four – Councillor Charmaine Morgan to the Cabinet Member for Housing

Councillor Morgan asked what provision was currently in place to support homeless people.

Councillor Moran highlighted that the night shelter had been opened this week, in partnership with the Grantham Ark. Anyone who was a rough sleeper and engaging with Housing Options was entitled to be there. This service was not publicly advertised; referrals were made through the SKDC team.

On 19 November a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) was activated. When SWEP was in place anybody was accepted into the night shelter. Councillors, officers and those present were urged to let Councillor Moran and the Housing team know where those that were struggling were. There were also night patrols in place.

Question Five – Councillor Ben Green to the Vice-Chairman of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Green asked Councillor Emma Baker whether she agreed with leaving NATO, nuclear disarmament and the legalisation of all drugs, which in his opinion were views expressed by the leader of the national Green Party.

Councillor Emma Baker stated that she agreed with Zach Polanski.

Question Six – Councillor Elvis Stooke to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste

Councillor Stooke asked whether LCC should have followed the example of SKDC and considered the thickness of waste and recycling bins.

Councillor Rhys Baker referred to a decision at South Kesteven on thickness of bins – the rollout of that service was a positive for the council and had improved recycling rates.

Question Seven – Councillor Susan Sandall to the Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement

Councillor Sandall asked why nothing was happening to St. Martin’s Park in Stamford – when would the site be cleared and works start?

Councillor Cleaver announced that the council had exchanged contracts with would-be purchasers, and the conditions for completion were underway. The main issue with the contract of sale was the undergrounding of overhead lines across the site, which was dependent on the timescales of the National Grid.

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

The southbound A15 lay-by at Baston had been identified as a fly tipping hotspot. Aside from a warning sticker, had the council taken any action?

Councillor Baxter was aware of ongoing conversations between Councillor Smith and the Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste. In addition, the affordability of mobile CCTV was being investigated to reduce instances of fly-tipping. When fly tipping can be proven the council would enforce, as it just had with a Bourne based fly tipper (80 hours community service).

Question Nine – Councillor Graham Jeal to the Chairman of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Jeal referred to the earlier LGR discussion, and the deal being described as ‘hollowing out local government’ and ‘a distraction to what we’re trying to achieve’ amongst other terms – Councillor Turner had voted for it. How bad would the deal have needed to be before he voted against?

Councillor Turner felt that of the available potential deals the one presented was the best option, and highlighted that only 3 members within the Council Chamber had voted against the proposal.

Question Ten – Councillor Robert Leadenham to the Leader of the Council

Councillor Leadenham asked whether anything was in place for vulnerable residents this winter, and would there be a helpline.

Councillor Baxter highlighted the presence of the Housing team, Homelessness team, the announcement of a SWEP, and the Cost-of-Living team. Councillors could not control when winter arrived, but if there was someone in need then there were many ready to help.

Question Eleven – Councillor Lee Steptoe to the Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement

Councillor Steptoe asked for a progress update on the new Depot.

Councillor Cleaver announced that the new Depot was handed over by Lindum Group on 19 November. Mobilisation of the new site was progressing rapidly, and the workforce would be operating fully from the new Depot from 15 December. The project remained on budget.

Question Twelve – Councillor Gareth Knight to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste

Councillor Knight was aware that the council was pursuing fly tipping cases on Huntingtower Road Grantham, that had been thrown out by the courts. The Cabinet Member was to be congratulated; however, how frustrated was he about people getting around the issue of fly-tipping?

Councillor Rhys Baker agreed that the court judgment was a difficult moment. Justice had been close for residents; every single fly tip was money stolen from their pockets. There was a legal system within which we all needed to operate. However, officers would be equally as frustrated as those councillors involved at the recent decision.

Note:  Councillor Helen Crawford left the Council Chamber during open questions.