Agenda item

Any Member of the Council may ask the Leader of the Council or any Cabinet Member any question without prior notice, upon:

·       Any matter relating to the Council’s administration

·       Any matter relating to any report of the Cabinet appearing on the summons

·       A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities

Only one supplementary question is allowed per question.

In respect of question 1 Councillor Wilson advised that some trees had been planted in inappropriate positions on Hucclecote Green.  He sought reassurance that volunteer groups would not be left alone to rectify such situations and that in this case the Friends of Hucclecote Green would be assisted.

The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that there was no expectation for volunteer groups to move planted trees.  He recommended that the Climate Change Manager be alerted to the Hucclecote Green issues so action can be taken.

In respect of question 2 Councillor Wilson sought confirmation that the City’s own tree planting budget could be carried forward into the 2022/23 financial year irrespective of the deadline required to spend the grant money received for the same purpose.  The Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed that the budget in question would be carried forward.

In respect of question 3 Councillor Hilton requested the most recent date before the cyber incident when an insurance decision was made.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources replied that as she was not the decision maker herself, she would consult officers and supply a written answer.

In respect of question 4 Councillor Hilton queried what records there were of relevant discussions following the incident in question.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources responded that although she believed the dialogue between the then Cabinet and officers to have been unminuted, she would make enquiries with officers and deliver a written answer directly.

In respect of question 5 Councillor Hilton enquired when a planning application might be made.  The Cabinet Member for Environment informed Councillor Hilton that he believed it was usual in such cases for the developer to ensure all funding was in place before submitting an application so he was not expecting an application yet.

In respect of question 6 Councillor Hilton asked when ward councillors would be briefed on options for the Wessex House site.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy confirmed that officers were keen to progress the development and that a briefing would take place at a future Group Leaders’ meeting.

In respect of question 7 Councillor Hilton noted the importance to the development of the land belonging to Tesco PLC.  He sought confirmation that its inclusion was guaranteed.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy gave her assurance that a written answer would be provided.

In respect of question 8 Councillor Hilton reminded Members that reports had been made of problems in the streets around the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) area in Kingsholm.  He sought clarification of progress being made to extend the PSPO.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods reiterated the need for the Police to have sufficient evidence of disorder before the PSPO could be extended.  He noted the reports alluded to and pledged to take the matter forward with officers.

In respect of question 9 Councillor Hilton informed Members that he received emails on the matter regularly from Kingsholm residents and noted the importance of the open space to them.  He asked what the ways under consideration to make camping less attractive referred to in the written answer were.  The Cabinet Member for Environment reassured Councillor Hilton that the ward councillors would be fully briefed on solutions including boulders and new trees.  He further commented that although physical barriers might be most effective, they would be detrimental to the public’s enjoyment of the park.

RESOLVED that the written questions submitted and corresponding responses are noted.