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 and Answers added 22.11.16)

The Mayor advised that six questions had been submitted by Members, the answers to which had been provided and are attached as Appendix I to these Minutes. The Mayor reminded Members that there was a three minute time limit for supplementary questions and their answers, and invited relevant Members to ask a supplementary question.

Question One

Councillor James Hunt thanked the Cabinet Member for his response, and asked if the Deputy Cabinet Member could give more information about what the notices were, whether there were concerns about how many were issued, and whether there were similar numbers across Swale or if there was just a problem in his Ward?

The Deputy Cabinet Member gave a detailed response, advising that the performance mechanism applied to all aspects of the contract, including both waste collection and street cleaning.  Occasionally there were hot-spot areas which were addressed directly with the contractor, or sometimes it was a localised issue with public misuse of the service, or sometimes a contractor issue who might not be familiar with the round.  She outlined details of the rectification notices, non-rectifiable defaults, and serious non-rectifiable defaults and the penalty charges.  They had issued 211 rectification notices and 87 rectifiable defaults, totaling £4,350; four non-rectifiable defaults, totaling £400; and three serious non-rectifiable defaults, totaling £3,000.

Question Two

Councillor Harrison thanked the Cabinet Member for his response.  She referred to the number of reports, frameworks, strategies and consultations for Sheerness Town Centre, and asked when they would do something to improve the environment in Sheerness Town Centre?

The Cabinet Member responded, referring to the Section 106 monies set aside and the recent announcement about the £50k Council funding towards a townscape heritage bid, with the involvement of partners and local Members.  Unfortunately, lottery funding bids had not succeeded, but they were trying again.

Question Three

Councillor Roger Truelove thanked the Cabinet Member for his response, and said that he had a list of play areas where he would like money to be spent, and asked the Deputy Cabinet Member what were her priorities for spending on play areas?

The Deputy Cabinet Member responded by saying that all play areas were important.

Question Four

Councillor Ghlin Whelan asked how the Council would help local needs via affordable housing, when the Town Centre and Mill Site had no provision for affordable housing?

The Cabinet Member advised that there were a number of other sites within the Sittingbourne area where there would be affordable housing, and the costs were factored into all development schemes.

Question Five

Councillor Mark Ellen asked the Cabinet Member, if not all of the £28m was spent on Sittingbourne Town Centre regeneration, could the rest be spent on the Isle of Sheppey?

The Cabinet Member clarified that the £250,000 referred to in the answer should read £205,000, and acknowledged that all parts of the Borough should be treated fairly based on many issues including deprivation, local need, local planning processes and priorities.  There were many underlying issues in the Isle of Sheppey, and other areas, and it was beholden for the Council to look and see what further levers were possible, such as education and training, and further initiatives would be announced.

Question Six

There was no supplementary question.