Agenda item

a)    Leader and Cabinet Members’ Question Time (45 minutes) 

Any member of the Council may ask the Leader of the Council or any Cabinet Member any question upon: 

·       Any matter relating to the Council’s administration 

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

·       A matter coming within their portfolio of responsibilities 

b)    Questions to Chairs of Meetings (15 Minutes) 

Questions and responses will be published at least 24 hours before the meeting. Supplementary questions will be put and answered during the meeting, subject to the relevant time limit.

62.1      In respect of question 1, Councillor Hilton asked if the reason the Cabinet Member could not provide an answer was due to political embarrassment. Councillor Norman that all comments were given on the advice of the agencies assisting the Council to resolve the issues. She stated that she supported once the issues had been resolved.

62.2      In response to a supplementary question respect of number 2, Councillor Norman advised that a likely timeline could not be confirmed.

62.3      Councillor Pullen stated that the public had a right to know if their data had been compromised and asked the Cabinet Member if she could not say that data may have been released. Councillor Norman reiterated that the advice the Council had received was that no information could be made public.

62.4      In respect of question 4, Councillor Pullen asked how much more time was needed to complete the climate change action plan and when would it be produced. Councillor Cook stated that the whilst the climate change manager had been in post just a matter of months, they had been proactive in getting various schemes running. Councillor Cook’s priority, he stated, was to take action rather than write papers.

62.5      Councillor Chambers-Dubus, regarding question 6, asked once the MP’s survey surrounding facilities at the Oval tennis courts, would there be a Council run consultation. Councillor Lewis advised that he knew of no timeline but if it was deemed necessary, this could be looked into.

62.6      With regard to question 7, Councillor Conder asked that, given the housing assessment would be county wide, would the Cabinet Member do her best to ensure Kingsholm and Wootton would get the housing it needed. Councillor S. Chambers stated that she would like to see this happen.

62.7      In relation to the food dock referred to at question 8, Councillor Sawyer asked how many units had be let thus far and whether these included independent businesses. Councillor Cook advised that he would respond directly to her with exact details.

62.8      Councillor Hilton, with regard to question 10 asked if the Council had applied to the government for funding to assist with recovery from the cyber incident. Councillor Norman advised that discussions were ongoing.

62.9      With regard to question 11, Councillor Hilton asked what was being done to lift the block the county council had put on city council emails. Councillor Norman advised that she had been in discussions with the county council and that it was not necessary for it to block city council emails.

62.10   Councillor Bowkett asked if specific cyber risks were listed in the strategic risk register. Councillor Norman advised that she would respond with more precise detail.

62.11   Councillor Norman advised Councillor Bowkett that a timeline could not be given at this stage as to when an investigation might be completed.

62.12   In respect of question 17, Councillor Field asked what measures would be in place in the future to ensure wider engagement in consulting with Podsmead residents for regeneration in the area. Councillor S. Chambers stated that she would be happy to meet with him to put further measures in place.

62.13   Councillor Cook advised Councillor Field that he would provide a written response regarding the take up of bulk waste collections.

62.14   With regard to question 18, Councillor Field asked what we be done to ensure publicity for events in the city. Councillor Lewis advised that, as stated at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, this was a key part of the marketing team’s work.

62.15   Councillor D. Brown stated that it could sometimes take 20 months for data on air quality to be made publicly available and asked if this information could be released more quickly. Councillor Cook advised that he would ask officers to look at this and find out why it took this length of time.

Questions to Chairs of Committees

62.16   Councillor Hilton asked the Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Taylor, when the full operating system or a replacement be back to being functional. Councillor Taylor advised that it was progressing and would be meeting with officers to progress its accessibility.

62.17   Councillor Hilton asked Councillor Taylor what would be done to ensure more planning decisions would be taken by elected Members. Councillor Taylor advised that he was happy with the scheme of delegation and that, simply because some applications received objections did not mean that the application was not sound. He also noted the quasi-judicial nature of the Committee.