Agenda item

Members asked questions of Portfolio Holders in accordance with Procedure Rules 8.1 and 8.2 as follows:

·         Councillor Patrick addressed Councillor Murphy and asked for an update with regard to the possibility of the re-introduction of the free collection of brown bins.  Councillor Murphy replied that there are no plans to reinstate the free collections. He added that Central Government will make the decision over the next few years as to whether they will fund a free collection and if they do, this free service will be passed onto residents.

·         Councillor Cornwell addressed Councillor Wallwork with regard to the Council’s representation on the County Council Health Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board. He added that there does not appear to be any information or recommendations available following these meetings, on any action or progress affecting the residents of Fenland and asked whether there is a system in place to report back. Councillor Wallwork replied that there has only been one meeting, since she was elected, with the next meeting being scheduled for late January. She gave assurances that the information is circulated following this meeting, and added that the new draft strategy should be available for consultation at the start of February. Councillor Cornwell thanked Councillor Wallwork and stated that it is important that all members are kept appraised with regards to the subject of health, so that all members are able to answer questions from residents if approached.

·         Councillor Cornwell addressed Councillor Mrs French with regard to Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE), stating that at the last meeting and following on from a question raised at the July Council meeting, there had been an expectance to see a draft report on the subject which still not had been circulated and he asked Councillor Mrs French to provide an update. Councillor Mrs French stated that it is a very long and drawn out process and work is currently underway to look at how East Cambridgeshire Council deal with parking enforcement. She added that there are different options to consider, some of which would be costly to the Council. Councillor Boden advised members that he has attended a number of meetings on the subject with officers, along with Councillor Mrs French to explore the options. He added that the time frame to introduce CPE would take longer than two years and outlined the various possibilities. Firstly Cambridgeshire County Council would need to review street signage, yellow lines and other existing traffic regulations that exist across Fenland to ensure they were correct and consistent with the law.  Councillor Boden added that with regard to past performance, it is his understanding that a significant number would have to be changed in order to satisfy a CPE application being made, and that process will take 9 months and will incur a charge from County Council in excess of £90,000. Councillor Boden continued by stating that there is concern amongst the community which may mean that the Civil Parking Enforcement becomes a reality, even with the cost implication and the extended time it will take to implement.  The options include paying Cambridgeshire Constabulary to have dedicated staff to carry out the work allocated to them by the District Council. The second option is the possibility of the devolution of powers from the Police to the local authority and/or Parish and Town Councils to allow them to carry out enforcement work and the third is to use environmental regulations, to take action against those persons who are parking on double yellow lines outside of school premises with their engines idling. Councillor Boden concluded by stating that all options are being looked into and a decision on the way forward will be reached within the next few months. Councillor Cornwell thanked the Leader for the information he has provided and added that in his opinion it may be prudent to issue a press release to reflect this information and see what feedback is received from the local community. Councillor Boden stated that he will ask Councillor Tierney the Portfolio Holder for communications to give some thought and consideration with regard to a press release.

·         Councillor Booth addressed Councillor Murphy with regard to the associated charge for brown bin collections.  Councillor Booth added that there was a motion which was considered by Cabinet in May 2019, where the abolition of the brown bin charge was discussed and he would like clarification as to when the decision was made to disregard that motion. Councillor Murphy said that he has always stated he will wait to see what course of action Central Government will adopt. Councillor Murphy agreed to come back to Councillor Booth with that information.

·         Councillor Bristow stated that he appreciates that there is a working party that is reviewing the rail services within the fens, however he would like to know what letters and communication there has been with Greater Anglia and Cross Country rail companies. He added that the companies had previously been advertising that an hourly service would run to Cambridge by the end of 2019, however this has not commenced. Councillor Boden stated that Greater Anglia are updating all of their rolling stock, however it is clear that the plans they have in place to swap the old stock to new stock have not run smoothly as it has been reported that there have been software issues which have caused operating issues. Councillor Boden stated that it will be up to the Government to decide whether Greater Anglia is a fit and proper organisation to run a railway service. Councillor Bristow added that Greater Anglia have stated that when they took the franchise that they would introduce a faster service, however this was retracted once they won the franchise. Councillor Boden added that as a franchisee, Greater Anglia has not performed well and for those customers, who rely on a branch line service, they have performed very poorly and the assurances that were made at the start of the franchise have not come to fruition.

·         Councillor Sutton addressed Councillor Boden and stated that at the last Council meeting, it had been agreed that a letter would be written to the Parish Councils with regards to the issues concerning the arrangements for street lighting. He added, he was aware that this letter had been sent and he now felt it would be prudent for a meeting to take place imminently with Councillor Boden, Councillor Mrs Davis, Councillor Connor, Councillor Booth, Councillor Mrs French and himself to discuss the matter further. Councillor Boden stated that street lighting is a difficult and complex situation, given that half the Parish Councils who have street lights are part of the Fenland District Council contract and half are not. Councillor Boden confirmed that Councillor Mrs Davis and Councillor Connor along with their Parish Clerks have already attended a meeting with himself, which proved to be very informative. He stated that he will be happy to meet with any Parish Council and Councillors and added that he is keen to find a satisfactory resolve, but further information regarding the Fenland District Council contract is still being obtained, including how the contract can be utilised in the future. It was agreed that a meeting would be arranged.

·         Councillor Sutton addressed Councillor Mrs Laws with regard to the new Local Plan and the Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). He stated that he has not seen anything within the documents that he has read which contains information concerning SFRA.  He stated that it is imperative that consideration is given to include a crosspatch level 2 SFRA within the new Local Plan. Councillor Mrs Laws assured Councillor Sutton that this will happen and added that it is important that the new plan is fit for purpose, which encompasses both Parish and Market Towns.  Councillor Mrs Laws stressed that water issues are firmly on the working parties agenda and will not be ignored.

(Councillor Seaton arrived in the Council Chamber)

·         Councillor Sutton questioned whether the figures provided in the Portfolio Holder reports with regard to the Anglia Revenues Partnership are a true and accurate reflection with regard to levels of service. Councillor Mrs French responded and added that she is aware of some minor issues and following a meeting she had attended in June 2019 she has been made aware that there are a large number of empty homes within the district, which Councillor Hoy is investigating. A number of questions will be raised at the forthcoming Overview and Scrutiny Committee when ARP will be present and hopefully some answers will be sought.

·         Councillor Sutton addressed Councillor Boden, with regard to an explanation as to the meaning of WVI (waste vertical integration). Councillor Boden stated that is an interesting concept and it is where savings are made by integrating everything from the original attempts to reduce waste, through to the collection of waste ending with the disposal of waste, including the conversion of waste into power. It is something that the County Council are looking into, however it would need the cooperation of the authority that has the responsibility of the disposal, along with all of the authorities who have the responsibility for collection. He added that some local authorities are not as engaging with County Council as others.

·         Councillor Booth addressed Councillor Mrs French and stated that Parish Councils are currently trying to set their precepts and there is concern around how street lighting can be budgeted for.  Councillor Booth asked when information will be disseminated to the Parish Councils to assist with budget setting and Councillor Mrs French said she was unable to provide an answer at this time.

·         Councillor Tierney advised members that there are two Cabinet post holders for environment. Councillor Murphy is the Portfolio Holder for operational matters and Councillor Tierney is for strategic matters.