Agenda item

Member Question Time (Standing Order 7)

A period of up to 40 minutes is allocated for questions to the Leader, Cabinet Portfolio Holders and Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

 

Minutes:

1)    Restoration of the Former Daw Mill Colliery Site

Councillor Kondakor to Councillor Clarke

Councillor Kondakor asked why progress on the restoration of the site of the former Colliery at Daw Mill was not being progressed.

In response Councillor Clarke stated, “In June 2018, we requested Harworth Estates to submit and implement the restoration scheme. In October 2018 Harworth's indicated that they were unlikely to do anything further in this respect unless an Enforcement Notice was served seeking restoration of the site. As a result, since the end of 2018 we have been preparing an appropriate Enforcement Notice.

This is a complex and detailed piece of work and it is imperative that we get the wording and the structure of the Notice correct to ensure that it can be effectively implemented, and that we do not enter into a lengthy and costly legal argument with Harworth Estates. We have therefore been required to access specialist legal advice, including from Counsel.

We have also been in discussion with the lawyers acting for Harworth Estates and given the complexity of the site we must also liaise with statutory consultees (Environment Agency, Environmental Health, Natural England, ecology etc) on the wording of the Notice and their requirements before we serve it. We now have a draft Enforcement Notice, but we are seeking further Counsel’s opinion on this in January 2020 and hope to be able to move forward on this following advice. Throughout this process the representatives of the community have maintained a keen interest and are kept informed”

 

2)    Year of Wellbeing

Councillor Kondakor to Councillor Caborn

Councillor Kondakor, recognising the success of the 2019 Year of Wellbeing asked what plans were in place to build on its legacy.

In reply Councillor Caborn informed Council that a series of legacy projects are being planned. The messages for the Year of Wellbeing will be embedded in communication and projects like the “Good Gym” initiative will be supported. Councillor Kondakor proposed developing the initiative into a “Decade of Wellbeing”.

 

3)    Refreshing the Dementia Strategy

Councillor Gifford to Councillor Caborn.

Councillor Gifford asked what steps are being undertaken to refresh the Dementia Strategy and what account is being taken of carers.

Councillor Caborn explained that the refresh is underway with a three-phase approach being adopted. Phase one is engagement with those who have lived the experience e.g. carers. Phase two is a review of the Strategy. For this, the Council is working with the Alzheimer’s Society. The third phase will commence when the refreshed Strategy is in draft form. At this point it will be shared with partners and carers etc.

 

4)    Paving in Bedworth Town Centre

Councillor Chattaway to Councillor Clarke.

Councillor Chattaway informed Council of a recent spate of people tripping on unsafe paving in Bedworth. He asked Councillor Clarke if he would be prepared to undertake another site visit to see the problem for himself.

In reply, Councillor Clarke noted that the Council’s highways team does undertake inspections and responds accordingly. He agreed to meet on site to review the situation.

 

5)    Alverston Church of England Primary School

Councillor Rolfe to Councillor Hayfield

Councillor Rolfe informed Council that Alverston Church of England Primary School had recently been recognised as one of the top 25 state primary schools in the country. She asked that Councillor Hayfield join her in acknowledging this achievement.

In response Councillor Hayfield recognised the achievement and agreed that a letter should go from the County Council to the school to offer congratulations.

 

6)    County Smallholdings

Councillor Dirveiks to Councillor Butlin

Councillor Dirveiks reminded members that the County Council owns a number of smallholdings and has declared an ambition to maintain them. He noted that nationally the number of smallholdings has declined and asked whether this pattern was to be seen in Warwickshire.

In response Councillor Butlin noted that in 2015 the Council had owned 5000ha of smallholding land. It had been agreed that if any of this land is sold then it should be replaced through the purchase of land elsewhere. In some instances, it may be necessary to buy land outside of Warwickshire. In these cases, land close to the county boundary will be chosen.

 

7)    Bus Stops Murray Road, Rugby

Councillor Dahmash to Councillor Clarke

Councillor Dahmash asked when the two bus stops on Murray Road in Rugby will be moved.

In reply Councillor Clarke expressed his concern that this had not apparently been progressed. He agreed to investigate the matter and send a full reply to Councillor Dahmash.

 

8)    Pears Centre, Bedworth

Councillor Gilbert to Councillor Butlin

Councillor Gilbert noted that the purchase of the Pears Centre in Bedworth had recently been completed. He asked if there is an aspiration to provide a similar facility in south Warwickshire.

In reply Councillor Butlin congratulated officers for their work in completing the purchase. He added that if the opportunity were to present itself then a facility in the south would be considered.

 

9)    Road Accidents in North Warwickshire

Councillor Parsons to Councillor Clarke

Councillor Parsons noted a steep increase in the number of serious road accidents in north Warwickshire. He requested that details of these be provided to him. He asked that road safety in North Warwickshire be made a priority and that speed limit enforcement cameras be sent by the police to the north of the county.

In response Councillor Clarke assured Council that road safety is of paramount importance. He added that the Safer Warwickshire Partnership has been reinvigorated with a view to addressing the concerns that Councillor Parsons has.

Councillor Clarke agreed to get a full response to Councillor Parsons.

 

10) New Secondary School in Nuneaton

Councillor C.Davies to Councillor Hayfield Councillor Davies asked the Portfolio Holder whether he knew who the provider of the new secondary school in Nuneaton might be.

Councillor Hayfield stated that he did not know but agreed to find the answer.

 

11) Schools in Deficit

Councillor Adkins to Councillor Hayfield

Councillor Adkins reminded Councillor Hayfield that it had previously been agreed that a report would be produced setting out details of schools that are in deficit. That report was awaited, and Councillor Adkins asked when it might be produced.

In reply Councillor Hayfield stated that given the sensitive nature of schools funding it might not be appropriate to produce a report.

He agreed to pursue the matter with officers.