To consider any questions submitted by Members.  (The deadline for questions is 4.30 pm the Wednesday before the meeting – please contact Democratic Services by e-mailing democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417330).

Questions published 4.30pm on Wednesday 14 January 2015.

The Mayor advised that 17 questions had been submitted by Members. The questions, with responses from the appropriate Cabinet Members, were tabled at the meeting. These are attached as Appendix II to the Minutes.

The Mayor invited Members to ask a supplementary question.

There were no supplementary questions to questions one, two, five, six, fourteen and sixteen.

Supplementary to Question Three

Councillor Walker asked: “What more does the Cabinet Member for Localism think can be done to support cultural organisations?”

The Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Heritage and Culture advised that a new cultural grants scheme was being launched from 22 January 2015 to assist small groups with grants of up to £1k for qualifying applications, and further information would be circulated to Members.

Supplementary to Question Four

Councillor Tolhurst asked: “Can I see a copy of the risk register?”

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration confirmed that it was a public document that was reviewed at the cross-party regeneration meeting, and he would ensure the Member was sent a copy.

Supplementary to Question Seven

Councillor McCusker asked: “Is the Cabinet Member for Localism aware that on 3 February 2014 the General Purposes Committee requested that a letter be sent to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) – was the letter sent, has the Council received a reply and can we see a copy?”

The Cabinet Member for Localism, Sport, Heritage and Culture confirmed that a letter was sent to DCLG and the reply had been circulated to Members.  He advised that the Electoral Commission had recently issued a report on Standing for Election in the UK containing a number of recommendations which the Government would consider in due course.

Supplementary to Question Eight

Councillor Winckless asked: “Does the Cabinet Member think that taking nearly a year to purchase a single property with the increasing number of homeless people cuts the ice?”

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Health spoke as Lead Member for Housing in the Cabinet Member’s absence.  He offered to request a more detailed response from the Cabinet Member, but acknowledged that it had taken a long time due to various issues and it was important to concentrate on moving forward now.

Supplementary to Question Nine

Councillor Harrison asked: “Would the Cabinet Member for Environmental and Rural Affairs give serious consideration to piloting a zero tolerance approach in one of the worst affected areas for street cleanliness, as highlighted by the NI 195 surveys?”

The Cabinet Member for Environmental and Rural Affairs confirmed that he would consider this.

Supplementary to Question Ten

Councillor Worrall asked: “Only a fifth of residents hit by the Bedroom Tax who have applied to downsize so far have been rehoused, does he think this is fair?”

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Health spoke as Lead Member for Housing in the Cabinet Member’s absence.  He acknowledged that it was not fair, but referred the Member to the response provided in the tabled paper which set out what the Council was doing to address this.

Supplementary to Question Eleven

Councillor Whelan asked: “I would like it noted that the Planning Audit report which was due to be provided in October 2014 is now expected in February 2015 which is most disappointing.  Could the Cabinet Member advise who has responsibility for Planning Services in Swale and have they got a grip on the situation?”

The Leader replied that Mr Freeman was Head of Planning Services and Councillor Gerry Lewin was the Cabinet Member for Planning.

Supplementary to Question Twelve

Councillor Whelan asked: “Performance indicators for Planning have not been available for some months and the Cabinet Member for Performance has failed to appear at the last two Scrutiny Committee meetings despite a huge rise in complaints about the Planning Service.  Is he not ashamed and embarrassed?”

The Cabinet Member for Performance acknowledged the problems which had occurred with the implementation of the new planning arrangements and the lack of performance data available.  He advised that in the long-run it would lead to a better service; the situation was improving significantly and performance figures would be available for the next quarter.

Supplementary for Question Thirteen

Councillor Ellen asked: “Is this the best we can do, a lack of proper jobs, with too many low-paid, insecure jobs?  Does the Council really have a long-term plan for Sheppey?”

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration explained that the Isle of Sheppey would continue to benefit from the increasing prosperity of the Borough, and the wind turbine application was very important to the area.  The Kent and Medway Partnership were putting a lot of resources into Swale to create further opportunities and he outlined some of the new and expanding businesses on the Isle of Sheppey.

Supplementary to Question Fifteen

Councillor Worrall asked: “Does the Leader feel guilty that his area is living off my area with no money from the land sales coming into Sheerness?”

The Leader replied that the reason for larger numbers of land sales in Sheerness was because the Council had originally purchased more land there.  He explained that the Isle of Sheppey, and Sheerness particularly, continued to benefit from significant Council funding and support for regeneration projects.

Supplementary to Question Seventeen

Councillor Henderson asked: “Over what timescale were the 63 one and two bed affordable rented homes built in the Borough, as I doubt they were built in response to the bedroom tax?”

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Health spoke as Lead Member for Housing in the Cabinet Member’s absence.  He advised that he would request a response to this question from the Cabinet Member for Housing.