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 23.07.15.

Responses published 28.07.15.

The Mayor advised that there were 11 questions, the answers to which had been provided to Members.  A copy is attached at Appendix II. The Mayor reminded Members that there was a thirty minute time period for this item, and a three minute time limit for supplementary questions and their answers.  The Mayor invited Members to ask a supplementary question.

Question 1

Councillor Alan Horton asked the Cabinet Member if he could outline the latest position regarding the set up of pre-access courses for health and social care students.  The Cabinet Member referred to a health conference he had attended where this had been discussed, and that he and the Swale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had pushed forward a series of training alongside universities to design a pre-access course for young sixth form students to engage in health care, especially in Sheppey.  A workshop was being held next Tuesday to progress this and he would provide Members with further information.

Question 2

Councillor Roger Truelove advised he understood the need for confidentiality, and asked the Cabinet Member if he could let him/other Members know what was happening.  The Cabinet Member advised he was happy to arrange a meeting to discuss this, and explained the reasons why it was not possible to produce a confidential report on this.

Question 3

Councillor Ben Stokes asked the Cabinet Member whether the review would be far reaching and fundamental.  The Cabinet Member advised that it was for the Policy Development and Review Committee to determine this, but he expected that it would be, and he reminded Members of the ways of asking the Policy Development and Review Committee to undertake policy reviews. 

Question 4

Councillor Ghlin Whelan referred to the three large hoardings in the Town Centre, and asked the Cabinet Member whether the flats, multi-storey car park and cinema would all be commenced by 2016.  The Cabinet Member advised that the cinema would be the ‘turn key project’ for development to commence; once the cinema deal was accomplished, it would start a domino effect, and he advised that talks were being held with a national cinema operator.

Question 5

Councillor Ghlin Whelan asked the Cabinet Member when the resident could expect a reply; what was meant by ‘as quickly as possible’?  The Cabinet Member expressed his anxiety about this issue, and advised that if the Member gave him contact details he would follow this up.  He explained on average it took three months from request to installation.  There had been an increase in applications this year and there was a modest budget.  He had agreed to review this area, and advised that if there were problems, they should be explained to the residents.

Question 6

Councillor Mick Galvin asked a supplementary question of the Cabinet Member for Health.  The Cabinet Member advised that the supplementary question should be on the same subject as the original question. 

Question 7

Councillor Roger Truelove asked the Leader if he envisaged, in view of the government policy, would the Council return to being a Living Wage Council?  The Leader advised that it was never a Council policy; as to whether the Council would move to a Living Wage, he advised that staff were all receiving in excess of that without the need for a policy; if he meant contractors/suppliers, if the law required it then of course the Council would comply with national legislation, but it would be a matter for the government and not for the Council to enforce.

Question 8

Councillor Paul Fleming asked the Cabinet Member if the Council had engaged the Area Manager of the Royal British Legion? The Cabinet Member advised that he had contacted County headquarters in the past, but it had not been possible to make contact for various reasons, but agreed to ask officers to follow this up. 

Question 9

Councillor Harrison asked the Cabinet Member if the Council no longer took any cognisance of rules to determine planning applications within deadlines?  The Cabinet Member responded by saying that in pre-application discussions, it was possible for the developer and planners to jointly agree an extended time period as it was often not possible to meet all requirements within 13 weeks.  In respect of the example given, it was regrettable that the agreed deadline had not been met and that the developer had chosen to appeal for non-determination, but the Inspector would have a well-rounded response from the Planning Committee.

Question 10

Councillor Harrison asked the Cabinet Member if Members would receive a briefing note to update them on recycling performance and plans regarding residents who had black sacks and no food waste.  The Cabinet Member agreed to arrange for a briefing note, which would contain information about the service and future plans.  He advised that a communication and education campaign was about to start, and that the Kent Recycling Partnership had agreed a target for all councils to recycle at least 50% of household waste by 2020.

Question 11

Councillor Andy Booth asked the Cabinet Member if he would engage further to ensure that this issue was addressed and a comprehensive report was produced.  This was necessary for the protection of cyclists in Sheppey, for the benefit of wellbeing and healthy lifestyles, and to attract more visitors.  The Cabinet Member advised that there were a number of issues to be addressed; it had been considered by the Swale Joint Transportation Board three times in the last twelve months, and it would be a combined effort to resolve.