Issue - meetings
the Executive
Meeting: 16/09/2019 - Council (Item 11)
11 Questions from the Opposition and other Non-Cabinet Members PDF 142 KB
For questions to be put to members of the Cabinet by opposition and non-Cabinet Members in accordance with Standing Order 35.
Details of the three questions submitted in advance have been attached along with the written responses provided.
Members are asked to note that this session will also include an opportunity (within the time available) for other non-Cabinet members to ask questions of Cabinet.
Additional documents:
Decision:
NOTED
1. The written and supplementary verbal response provided by the Lead Member for Housing & Welfare Reform to a question submitted by Councillor Thakkar confirming the Council’s policy in terms of non-eviction of tenants experiencing rent arrears as a result of delays in receiving Universal Credit and work being undertaken with other housing providers to encourage the adoption of a similar approach with their tenants.
2. The written response provided by the Lead Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning to a question submitted by Councillor Ahmed regarding the level of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding allocated since inception of the scheme to voluntary groups, residents and other stakeholders for community infrastructure projects. No supplementary question was asked
3. The written response provided by the Deputy Leader in relation to a question submitted by Councillor Chappell detailing the total financial value of Non-Domestic Rate Relief provided for small businesses and non-profit making bodies under the Council’s current policy. No supplementary question was asked.
Responses were also provided by the relevant Lead Members on the following additional questions raised during the open session of this part of the meeting:
· Councillor Kelcher requesting urgent consideration be given to a licensing issue identified in relation to operation of a car boot sale at Newman Catholic College and enforcement action in relation to illegal street trading activity in the surrounding area when the boot sales take place.
· Councillor Choudhary regarding:
Ø a review of the Council’s Housing Allocation Policy and potential to extend the offer of bidding rights to those categorised as on Band B in relation to housing need;
Ø the policy in relation to the use of materials for footway repairs and replacement in the Barn Hill Conservation Area;
· Councillor Long regarding:
Ø Housing Key Performance Indicators and the action being taken to secure a sustained turnaround in performance, with a particular focus around customer service;
Ø The action being taken through the West London Economic Prosperity Board to support and encourage the creation of Green Jobs;
· Councillor Chan seeking support for the ongoing lobbying of TfL regarding the upgrade of the Bakerloo line with a specific focus on the accessibility of station facilities within the borough and on the provision of step free access at Kensal Green.
Minutes:
Before moving on to consider the questions submitted by non-Cabinet members, the Mayor reminded Members that a total of 30 minutes had been set aside to deal with this item, which would begin with consideration of the written questions submitted in advance of the meeting along with any supplementary question. Once these had been dealt with, the remaining time would then be available for any other non-Cabinet members to question Cabinet Members on matters relating to their portfolio.
The Mayor advised that three written questions had been submitted in advance for response by the relevant Cabinet Member. The written responses supplied had been circulated with the Council agenda. The Mayor invited supplementary questions from the Members who had submitted the written questions.
11.1 Councillor Thakkar thanked Councillor Southwood, as Cabinet Member for Housing & Welfare Reform, for reaffirming the Council’s intention not to evict tenants falling into rent arrears due to delays in the payment of Universal Credit. As a supplementary question, she asked whether the Council, in the context of early intervention, would also be working with private and social housing providers in order to encourage them to adopt a similar arrangement and ensure monitoring of arrears and evictions.
Councillor Southwood responded by confirming that the Council met regularly with all social housing providers in the Borough and a major topic of discussion was around the difficulties encountered by those tenants in receipt of Universal Credit. Whilst the Council could not impose its own policies on other providers, Councillor Southwood advised that she would continue to work with them and to highlight emerging issues with the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) in order mitigate the risks to those falling into arrears.
11.2 Councillor Ahmed thanked Councillor Tatler, as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning, for her written response in relation to the allocation of funding under the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) scheme for community infrastructure projects and confirmed that he did not have a supplementary question.
11.3 Councillor Chappell thanked Councillor McLennan, as Deputy Leader, for her written response on the impact and financial value of the policy adopted by the Council in relation to the application of its business rate relief scheme and confirmed that he also did not have any supplementary question.
The Mayor thanked Members for their written questions and Cabinet Members for the response provide to any supplementary questions. He then advised that the remainder of the time available would be used for an open question time session to the Leader and Cabinet. The following questions were raised and responses provided:
(i) Councillor Kelcher raised a query regarding the Sunday Car Boot Sale at Newman Catholic College in Kensal Green and whether the current issues with related paperwork could be expedited to allow sales to resume and also whether action could be taken against the illegal street traders operating in the area at the same time.
In response, Councillor Miller, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, confirmed that if the issue highlighted was related ... view the full minutes text for item 11