Agenda item

Written questions to Cabinet Members

 

105a.1   As a supplementary question to his written question Councillor Field asked the Leader of the Council whether the amount of recycling collected had increased or decreased since changes had been made to the service.

 

105a.2   Councillor James confirmed that recycling rates had increased because the service was now concentrating on items that could not be collected from the doorstep.

 

105a.3   As a supplementary question to his written question Councillor Field asked the Leader of the Council whether his response adequately addressed residents’ concerns about the provision of toilet facilities in the area of the rugby stadium

 

105a.4   Councillor James advised that he had attended a meeting of the Neighbourhood Partnership, where the Rugby Club had made it clear that the available facilities were adequate. He reported that there were 13 traders in the community toilet scheme and that appropriate signposting was important. He also advised that a semi-permanent toilet block would be installed in Kings Square in advance of the Rugby World Cup.

 

105a.5   As a supplementary question to his written question Councillor Field asked the Leader of the Council whether it was likely that Arts Council be open to supporting the Guildhall once recommendations from the Review of Cultural Services had bee implemented.

 

105a.6   Councillor James advised that discussions with the Arts Council about funding opportunities would be wide-ranging.

 

105a.7   RESOLVED – That the written questions submitted and corresponding responses be noted.

 

Leader and Cabinet Members’ Question Time

 

105b.1         Councillor Haigh asked the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods whether she supported the City MP and Councillor Patel’s calls for an increased police presence at Barton Street Station, given that she had previously supported proposals to reduce the police presence.

 

105b.2         Councillor Dallimore advised that she understood the strength of feeling about the Barton Street Station and that it was an important part of community life. She explained that she was supportive of the community, but that the location of police station was a matter for the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

105b.3         Councillor Field asked the Leader of the Council whether he agreed that, after the expense and delays, the automatic bollards installed in the City centre should be working as expected.

 

105b.4         Councillor James advised that although the City Council had contributed to the cost of the automatic bollards, their operation was a matter for the County Council. The intention was to create a pleasant shopping environment and café culture. He reported that an error in the system that had caused an incident with a car had been corrected and advised that individuals should report highways issues to the County Council.

 

105b.5         Councillor Field asked the Leader of the Council if he believed that the Council had got good value for money from the investment.

 

105b.6         Councillor James explained that the project was a long term investment and if the aims are achieved it will have been money well spent in the City centre.

 

105b.7         Councillor Haigh asked the Leader of the Council what the plans were for the relocation of the Tourist Information Centre (TIC), given that the preferred site, 26 Westgate Street, was due to be sold.

 

105b.8         Councillor James advised that 26 Wesgate remained the preferred site and that discussions would continue with the new owner.

 

105b.9         Councillor Haigh stated that refurbishment costs were estimated at £750,000 and asked whether a fully costed proposal would be brought forward before moving forward.

 

105b.10      Councillor James explained that the intention was to lease the ground floor of the building and that if estimated costs deviated from the budget already set aside, revised proposals would be brought forward.

 

105b.11      Councillor Field asked the Leader of the Council if a response had been received from Richard Graham MP regarding the sky lanterns motion recently approved by full Council.

 

105b.12      Councillor James undertook to check with the Cabinet Member for Environment on his return.

 

105b.13      Councillor Taylor asked the Leader of the Council to comment on what the Council was doing to celebrate English Tourism Week.

 

105b.14      Councillor James advised that the Cherry and Whites Challenge would be taking place, which was fitting in the year of the Rugby World Cup, and he thanked the Tourist Information Centre staff for their involvement. He noted that the Visitor Economy Strategy recently approved by Cabinet demonstrated the breadth of tourist activities on offer and the ambitions for the future.

 

105b.15      Councillor Toleman asked the Leader of Council to report on progress at the former RAFA Club site in Spa Road.

 

105b.16      Councillor James advised that as targets had been met on a number of sites on the original regeneration hitlist, the former RAFA Club site had been added. He understood that the site would be converted into residential apartments.

 

105b.17      Councillor Chatterton asked the Leader of the Council what measures would be taken to ensure that the BHS store on Eastgate Street stayed open.

 

105b.18      Councillor James stated that it was important not to scaremonger. He advised that the new owners of BHS would be considering a variety of options in relation all BHS stores; the Council would remain in contact with the new owners and encourage them to keep the store open.

 

105b.19      Councillor Hobbs referred to a recent audit which identified a high level of inaccuracies in benefits assessments and asked the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources what he was doing to ensure the Council received value for money for Civica Revenues and Benefits and whether higher targets would be put in place.

 

105b.20      Councillor Norman advised that he would be taking a full involvement in the processes moving forward.

 

105b.21      Councillor Hobbs asked that the matter be prioritised as it affected both individuals and the Council.

 

105b.22      Councillor Norman gave assurances that the matter was in hand.

 

105b.23      Councillor Mozol asked the Leader of the Council why the retailer in the former Marks and Spencer store had never opened for business.

 

105b.24      Councillor James advised that the Council had no involvement in shop trading hours, but that he understood the shop did open sporadically. He agreed that it was not ideal, but that the shop had a short-term lease and the Council would continue discussions with Mark and Spencer to try and encourage a more appropriate use for the premises.

 

105b.25      Councillor Lewis asked the Leader of the Council to comment on why the Labour Group did not put forward their proposal for free parking in the City Centre after 3.00pm as part of the Council’s budget agreed in February.

 

105b.26      Councillor James commented that the proposal would require charges before 3.00pm to be increased.

 

105b.27      Councillor Toleman asked the Leader of the Council if he was aware of the problem of ‘chuggers’ and what the Council intended to do about it.

 

105b.28      Councillor James confirmed that the Council had a agreement in place with the Fundraising Regulatory Authority (FRA) to limit the activities of chuggers and that he had asked officers to have discussions with the FRA about imposing tighter restrictions. He noted the importance of ensuring that chuggers did not distract from or disrupt important events in the City centre or prevent a pleasant shopping experience.

 

105b.29      Councillor Tracey asked the Leader of the Council when the City centre plants were watered.

 

105b.30      Councillor James confirmed that the new planters were installed by the County Council, but that he understood them to contain reservoirs.

 

105b.31      Councillor Tracey asked that steps be taken to ensure the plants were properly watered.

 

105b.32      Councillor James agreed to ask officers to investigate.