Agenda item

To receive and consider the question(s) submitted by the public for response by the relevant Cabinet Member, in accordance with Standing Order 33.

Members are asked to note that four public questions have been received, which have been attached to the agenda along with the written responses provided.

The Mayor advised that four questions had been received from members of the public, which were as follows:

Question 1 from Smita Patel regarding the role of Adult Social Care & the CQC in monitoring the placement and quality of care of vulnerable adults (particularly those affected by mental health issues) by private care providers in small converted residential care facilities

Question 2 from Carol McKoy regarding Investment in street cleaning & grounds maintenance

Question 3 from Andy Brommage regarding highway maintenance in South Kenton

Question 4 from Martin Francis regardingprogress on delivery of the Bridge Park & Morland Garden development schemes

Members noted the written responses provided to the questions, which had been circulated with the agenda.  The Mayor advised that those members of the public who had submitted questions had also been invited to the attend the meeting in order to ask any supplementary question.  Whilst he was pleased to welcome Ashleye Gunn (on behalf of Carol McKoy) and Martin Francis members were advised that Andy Brommage had not been able to attend with the written responses provided in relation to his question therefore been noted.  Members were advised that whilst also unable to attend a written supplementary question had subsequently been received from Smita Patel, on which a response would be provided outside of the meeting.

The following supplementary questions were then addressed by those members of the public present to the relevant Cabinet Member(s).

Question 2 supplementary Question from Ashleye Gunn (representing Carol McKoy) to Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment & Enforcement.

In thanking Councillor Krupa Sheth for the written response provided to the original question submitted by Carol McKoy, Ashleye Gunn sought further details on the approach taken in terms of the frequency of street cleans along Malvern Road compared to Malvern Place, given the location of shops, take aways, a park and schools on Malvern Road (which was currently cleaned twice a month) compared to Malvern Place receiving two cleans per week.  In addition, whilst highlighting a recent deep clean of Malvern Road, it was pointed out that the grass verges had not been cut and the pedestrian section between the two schools appeared to have been missed as part of that work with a request made for this to be reviewed and completed.

In thanking Ashleye Gunn for attending in order to highlight the issues raised, Councillor Krupa Sheth advised she would arrange a review of the cleaning scheduled in that location and any outstanding work needing to be completed, on which a further direct response would be provided following the meeting.

Question 4 supplementary question from Martin Francis to Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council responding on behalf of Councillor Tatler Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth)

In thanking Councillor Tatler for the written response provided, Martin Francis in asking his supplementary question began by taking the opportunity to highlight that it had been nearly 10 years since former Councillor Dan Filson had warned against dealing with General Mediterranean Holdings (GMH) and 7 years since the Conditional Land Sale Agreement relating to Bridge Park had been approved.  Referring to the latest accounts from Stonebridge Real Estate Development Ltd (subsidiary of GMH registered in Luxembourg) he pointed out these had shown a reduction in valuation of the company from £36m to £29.5m.  Members were also reminded of the aim outlined within the Council’s original decision notice relating to the agreement back in 2013 which, he pointed out, had been for the council pursue the option of GMH (and its subsidiary company) developing the Unisys and Bridge Park sites for residential and commercial development to fund a new Bridge Park sports centre with the site value of Bridge Park put at £4m and the cost of a new Sports Centre at £9m and the difference made up from the GMH agreement and Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL).  Given the financial update provided he therefore asked whether Bridge Park was still felt to be financially viable and if an update was available on the timeline for completion of the financial viability assessment of the GMH plans and when they were expected to go to planning.

In responding on behalf of Councillor Tatler, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council), thanked Martin Francis for his question and attendance at the meeting along with the reference to former Councillor Dan Filson.  In terms of the current position, he advised that the Council were still in discussions with GMH as part of the process in reviewing the plans for Bridge Park so could not give a precise date, at this stage, as to when final design proposals were likely to be submitted to planning.  Confirmation was, however, provided on the Council’s intention to undertake consultation regarding the general principles of the development at Bridge Park in order to gauge views, with the Council remaining committed to realising the wider opportunities and potential available through the Bridge Park development recognising the commitment of key stakeholders in seeking to progress the original development proposals.  In terms of more detailed timescales, the Leader advised he would be willing to provide these once they had been finalised.

The Mayor thanked Ashleye Gunn and Martin Francis for their attendance and supplementary questions along with the Cabinet Members for their responses and with no further questions to be considered, advised that this now concluded the public question session.