Agenda item
Open Questions
To answer Open Questions asked by Members of the Council under Rule No. 12.7.
Minutes:
The Chairman presided over Open Questions asked of Executive Members and Deputy Executive Members under Procedure Rule 13.7:-
1. Councillor McVicar asked for confirmation that the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera cars were now operational and about the effect on the volume of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued.
The Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development confirmed that the ANPRs began working since 11th January and on average, six times more PCNs could be issued each day than by traffic wardens.
2. Councillor Dr Egan asked why the salaries of Senior Officers working though agencies were not published on the website.
The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources indicated that he would provide a written reply.
3. Councillor Blair asked for an update on the BEaR project. Prior to the answer being provided Councillors Hegley, Matthews and Stay withdrew from the Chamber owing to their membership of The Rookery South (Resource Recovery Facility) Committee, a Committee of the Executive.
The Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services confirmed that four contractors had been shortlisted and that a shortlist of two would be announced in February, with the contract being awarded in November 2012. It was anticipated that the facility would be in place by 2016.
(Councillors Hegley, Matthews and Stay rejoined the meeting).
4. Councillor Murray asked what the Council was doing or planning to do to support the Government’s proposals against late night opening of pubs and bars and the scope for Councils to charge for policing.
The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services confirmed that the Council would follow the Government’s direction.
5. Councillor Gurney asked when the funding for the bus shelter in Eyeworth would be available.
The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services undertook to provide a written answer.
6. Councillor D Jones asked for confirmation that the Council adhered to policies promoting sustainability in connection with renewable energy when determining applications at the Development Management Committee.
The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development explained that each application was determined on its merits.
7. Councillor Dr Egan asked what efforts were being made to keep the Houghton Regis Leisure Centre open and viable.
The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services explained the recent tendering process.
8. Councillor Murray asked about the Council’s response to the outcome of consultation on the amalgamation of special schools in Dunstable and Houghton Regis and an issue before the Traffic Management Meeting scheduled for 25 January 2012.
The Executive Member for Children’s Services confirmed that the Council took into account the outcome of public consultation.
9. Councillor Aldis asked how a 60% recycling rate would be achieved in the next few years considering that glass was not collected at the kerb side.
The Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services explained the plans for improving recycling still further.
10. Cllr Mrs Clark asked for a comment on the recent Key Stage 2 results for Central Bedfordshire Middle Schools.
The Executive Member for Children’s Services confirmed that recent results were not good enough for a small number of schools. Out of the 25 middle schools in Central Bedfordshire, one fifth were in need of improvement and arrangements were in place to provide assistance.
11. Cllr Aldis asked how and where the 400 staff from Technology House will be accommodated in the future.
The Leader of the Council commented that this programme was seeking to reduce costs whilst not affecting front line services, through the better utilization of office space.