To answer questions submitted by Opposition Group Leaders on items on the agenda.
Minutes:
Question from Councillor Way, on behalf of the Independent Group to Councillor Edyvean.
“We welcome the bid for funding for our much needed new health centre and hope this will be the priority and that the opportunity will not be lost whilst bidding for a larger project i.e. the hub. Once again much of this information is new to the Ward Members and East Leake Parish Council. Going forward, how will East Leake Parish Council and Leake Ward members be consulted and involved in the bid process and future development of the project and how will the community be kept informed of progress?”
Councillor Edyvean responded by stating that the need to redevelop the health centre had been identified as a top priority for the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and this had been discussed at the East Leake Growth Board (ELGB) and it was believed that it would continue as a priority for the CCG, regardless of the Levelling Up Funding. Going forwards, a Communication Plan would be developed, and shared with Ward Councillors and the ELGB, and it was noted that Ward Councillors and the East Leake Parish Council were represented on the ELGB. The Council would continue to update Ward Councillors and relevant parties on major projects, to ensure that they are well informed.
Councillor Way asked a supplementary question to Councillor Edyvean.
“Can you explain what will happen to the land that the present health centre and library occupy. Will this land revert to ownership of the Borough or Parish to be used to enhance the village centre and provide more employment opportunities?”
Councillor Edyvean responded by stating that it was his understanding that the land belonged to NHS England, and the Council would therefore have to negotiate with the current landowner as to how that land could be used. It was noted that whilst the future use of the land was unknown, the Council would clearly wish to enhance the centre of East Leake.
Question from Councillor J Walker to Councillor Edyvean.
“The Labour Group has serious concerns that moving the time of the Planning Committee meeting to weekday afternoons will limit the ability of those Councillors and residents, who are employed in paid work during those hours, in being able to fully participate.
I would like to ask how the Cabinet will take this potential impact on local democracy into their considerations?”
Councillor Edyvean responded by stating that the timing of meetings was accepted as one consideration; however, Councillors should equally consider the demands on their time, when putting themselves forward for election. The start time of meetings at other local Councils had been investigated, and it was noted that start times varied widely. It was reiterated that this was a pilot proposal, and would be reviewed in six months, rather than 12 months, as originally suggested, to ensure that it was meeting all the goals set to improve the Planning Committee function.
Councillor J Walker asked a supplementary question to Councillor Edyvean.
“Further options should be explored and has Cabinet considered the employment of more planning staff to ease the burden of work on individual officers?”
Councillor Edyvean responded by advising that he would provide a written response to that question within the next seven days.