Agenda item

1.

Question from Councillor Tim Harman to Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment, Councillor Chris Coleman

Dr Dick Nickalls, on behalf of the Cheltenham Civic Society, has been trying to secure a meeting with the Cabinet Member since April this year to discuss some ideas in relation to the Public Realm and Street Cleaning. The Cheltenham Civic Society has become frustrated by the lack of response and has asked me to table this question today.

Will the Cabinet Member now agree to set up an early meeting and explain his silence on this matter?

Response from Cabinet Member

I am surprised that Cllr Harman has chosen to ask a Member Question in respect of this matter. He already knows my answer given that we previously discussed it in the Members Room at the Municipal Offices some months ago.

As Cllr Harman will recall, I have spoken to Dr Nickalls and discussed his view on street cleaning in Parabola Road. He did indeed indicate that he was speaking on behalf of the Cheltenham Civic Society in expressing his views but I formed the view that the CCS would not simply want to speak about one road. I had always understood that they were interested in the whole of the town. As a result, I dealt with his representations as I try to do with all of those residents I speak to and raised it with Officers.

Cllr Harman may also be aware that an Officer met with Dr Nickalls and discussed the issues around Parabola Road. As a result, the road received a deep clean and leaf litter was removed. This involved the coning of areas to prevent cars parking and the digging out of drains which were set back from the road. Dr Nickall was given the contact details of the relevant Officers in case he wished to discuss the matter further but, as I understand it, he has not been in contact further. Accordingly, we are a little perplexed by the matter being raised as a Member Question at Council.

I have conducted my own research and I can find no trace of Dr Nickalls being an Officer of the Cheltenham Civic Society. I have read one set of minutes of a CCS meeting when he gave a presentation which suggested he was concerned about the state of the roads and pavements in the town. I wholeheartedly agree with him on that point although would suggest he ask Cllr Harman to raise the matter at the County Council where is party is responsible for such matters. I have read a further set of minutes where Dr Nickalls was given advice to contact his ward Councillor if he had any issues relevant to this Council.

I have not to my knowledge ever received correspondence from the CCS requesting a meeting to discuss matters relevant to my portfolio. Aside from receiving their briefings and representations on Planning matters, I believe I have only ever received correspondence in relation to my assisting them as a Judge for the Civic Awards.

As all Members will know, I have met with a variety of representative organisations in own town in relation to matters relevant to my portfolio, including the Friends of Pittville, local funeral directors and Cheltenham Town FC. I have always been, and remain, very happy to have such meetings to answer questions, hear representations and discuss how we can together continue to improve our town.

All Members should also know that since joining the Cabinet I have tried to assist colleagues with matters of casework relevant to my portfolio. Indeed, Cllr Harman will recall our discussions and site meeting around refuse collections in Casino Place.

If any local organisation wishes to meet with me and/or the Officers I work with in my portfolio I will gladly make that happen. All I ask is that an Officer of the organisation takes the time to get in touch. For the avoidance of doubt, that offer is very much open to the Cheltenham Civic Society.

I would also be keen to take this opportunity to say to residents in our town that if they have any issue which they think the Council can help with then they should contact their local ward Councillors. If in due course colleagues need my help to assist their residents, I will continue to be very pleased to do what I can to help.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Harman asked whether the Cabinet Member would therefore agree to meet with Dr Nickalls as requested.

The Cabinet Member responded that it was important to make the distinction between a concerned local resident and a person representing an outside body. He had not received any correspondence from a representative of the Civic Society and if he did he would be happy to set up a meeting with them. With regard to Dr Nickalls, he and council officers considered they had dealt properly with the issues he had raised and had responded appropriately.

The Mayor requested that the Cabinet Member and Councillor Harman get together outside the meeting to resolve the matter.

2.

Question from Councillor Louis Savage to Cabinet Member Development and Safety, Councillor Andrew McKinlay

Gloucester City Council has recently taken significant steps to modernise and simplify parking in its King's Walk and Eastgate car parks. Contactless debit card payment will allow shoppers to pay on exiting Council car parks, without having to worry about overstaying or the need for cash. Can the Cabinet Member confirm if there are plans for any such improvements to Cheltenham's council-operated car parks?

Response from Cabinet Member

Councillor Savage is hopefully aware that the Council is currently reviewing its long term parking strategy, with the process being overseen by a cross-party member working group. The agreed objectives of the review are:-

1.    To ensure the provision of adequate car parking that is delivered effectively, logically and at a competitive cost, whilst encouraging access by more sustainable transport alternatives, including walking, cycling and public transport;

2.    To help manage traffic, minimise congestion and its associated environmental impacts;

3.    To enhance the visitor experience and thereby help to optimise the economy of the town.

The Council will consider the option of contactless payments in relation to future purchases of parking payment equipment.

Customers worried about the risk of overstaying, or the need to carry cash, already have parking options in the town, including Regent Arcade and Royal Well which accept credit/debit card payments and other car parks which have the facility to pay by phone. Paying by phone gives the added value of text alerts and the option of extending stay periods, which overcomes the issues referred to.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Savage suggested that there was a perception that the council was lagging behind in its use of technology and would the Cabinet Member look at the introduction of contactless payment at car park exits to make it easier and simpler for shoppers and visitors to the town when using the car parks?

The Cabinet Member agreed that the aim of the car parking review was to make car parking easier and as efficient as possible for all visitors to the town.   However he would want to take soundings from the all-party Cabinet Members car parking working group before making any changes as they had been set up to look at all the issues.

3.

Question from Councillor Tim Harman to the Leader, Councillor Steve Jordan

Given the public concern that has been expressed, will the Leader of the Council state whether he still has full confidence in his colleague Councillor Parsons following his controversial remarks at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference?

Response from Cabinet Member

Cllr Parsons has been elected by the people of Pittville so I’m not sure why would he need a vote of confidence from me.

Since I wasn’t present at the debate referred to I can’t comment on who said what. However, Cllr Parson is entirely clear on what he said and why and that this has been misinterpreted in the press.

As Cllr Parsons has stated, “My remarks were initially misinterpreted by the national media; and subsequently misrepresented by my political opponents.

I was commenting in a discussion on a consultation paper on sex work prepared by a national Liberal Democrat study group.   That document is in the public realm and can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/hp9dzm3.  The paper listed 32 questions and the meeting was discussing them in blocks.  My comments related to one single question - 'Do we have a duty to reduce stigma? Can we?'

I was arguing that this could never happen because, to do so, it would be necessary to see sex work as no different from any other work - accountancy for example.  And, taken to its logical conclusion, careers masters would suggest prostitution as an option for certain school leavers.  I followed this by stating specifically 'It will never happen'.  And of course it will never happen because it is unthinkable and no sane person would ever contemplate it.  So there will always be stigma attaching to sex work.

So, do I believe, as has been suggested, that careers masters should recommend sex work to school leavers?  Of course not.  To suggest such a thing is absolutely ridiculous.”

Cllr Parson is more than happy to discuss it with any Pittville resident who was concerned by the press coverage.

On a wider point finding practical solutions to difficult problems does require the ability for an honest debate of the issues involved. I have an on-going concern about how you can ever achieve this when attempts to do so produce such an overreaction.

In a supplementary question. Councillor Harman did not feel the Leader had answered his original question and so requested a response. Could the Leader also explain why Councillor Parsons had been asked by Martin Horwood to resign as chairman of the Cheltenham Liberal Democrats but no action had been taken by the Liberal Democrat group at this council regarding the Member for the Pittville ward?

The Leader replied that yes he did have confidence in Councillor Parsons, however that was irrelevant as Councillor Parsons had been elected by his residents. He was not prepared to give any further explanation.

4.

Question from Councillor Tim Harman to the Leader, Councillor Steve Jordan

As elected representatives we have a responsibility for Safeguarding our young people. County Councillors are encouraged to become Corporate Parents.    Following the remarks made by a member of this Council at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference will the Leader agree to arrange a seminar for all Members on Safeguarding to remind of us of the dangers that exist for young people today?

Response from Cabinet Member

I refer Cllr Harman to my answer to Qu 3 if he is interested in the facts around the debate at Liberal Democrat Conference.

On the issue of Safeguarding, training is provided as part of the member induction programme.  Training on a wide range of safeguarding topics is also available via e-learning at the Council.  The Borough Council regularly facilitates seminars and guest speakers on safeguarding topics this has included over the past two years talks from the Police, Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Social Services, Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Assault Centre, Social services and local VCS organisations around safeguarding.  There are also a number of seminar opportunities hosted by other partners including the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Board and Cheltenham and Tewkesbury domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Forum.

Councillor Harman had no supplementary question but hoped that members of the Council would attend future safeguarding events in large numbers.

5.

Question from Councillor Chris Nelson to Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles,  Councillor Flo Clucas

Prostitution is not about real choice and many women, men and children are forced into this activity because of abuse, exploitation, violence, drugs and money problems.  Does the Cabinet Member for Healthy Lifestyles agree with the Bishop of Gloucester's comments that "Dennis Parsons shockingly failed to understand power differential & meaning of 'choice'?

Response from Cabinet Member

My views on Prostitution are well known; as are my views on Freedom of Speech.

The causes of Prostitution are also well known. Cllr Nelson lists some of them, though he doesn't list the underlying driving forces:

The lack of quality sex education in schools, and in families, that deals with long term relationship building, abuse, coercion, drugs, domination and violence, and the right to say 'No' for boys and girls;

The unavailability of youth service provision;

The unwillingness of the state to protect refugee children and women, many of whom have a right to be in the UK;

The acceptance of violence as a part of relationships, often pushed through social media;

The culture of abuse, where drugs are used to manipulate children and young people into multi partner sex and prostitution;

The proliferation of pornography, sex as entertainment and the objectivisation of women and girls.

Benefit cuts that drive mothers into Prostitution to protect their children from hunger and want.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Nelson repeated his question as he did not feel the Cabinet Member had addressed it in her response and he hoped for a full and honest answer as the Cabinet Member would normally do. 

In response the Cabinet Member made the following response.

“I find it incredible that every question in relation to this matter has been asked by a man. Some might say it smacks of prurience particularly as many one those asking these questions voted in favour of the lap dancing club licensing policy, allowing such a club, to open in the town centre.

I want to make my position quite clear. I am not, never have been and never would vote for the legalisation of prostitution in any of its forms: pornography, licensed brothels, legalisation of street sex work or child sex exploitation. 

The world of prostitution is inherently dangerous as Anne Marie Foy explained

'You're never safe," she says. "It's like, every car you get into, you don't know whether you're going to get out." 

These words were spoken by Anne Marie Foy, a 46 year old woman, who had home and a family, but was in thrall to drug dealers. They were spoken just a couple of weeks before she was murdered.

It is a very dangerous occupation. Some 190 street sex workers have been murdered since 1990. 
Like many in the sex trade, she was, as a youngster, lured into drugs, and in order to feed her habit, into prostitution. 

Others are groomed as children and as in Rochdale, Oxford and Rotherham are abused and used by supposed boyfriends and their abusive circle. All too often, local authorities have shirked from their duty and failed to ensure that children and young people are safe and prepared adequately for the world they face outside school. Although today, with sexting, cyberbullying, intimidation and plain ignorance, children and young people are placed at risk in a modern and possibly secretive way. 

''For children over 10, sexual exploitation is the most pressing and hidden child protection issue in this country.”(Anne Marie Carrie, Barnardo’s)

'Children over 10...' The risk is real. Prostitution encompasses a range of activities: child sex exploitation,  pornography, grooming and trafficking. 

The report by Barnardo's, 'Puppet on a String' which looked at the issue and and Safe and Sound in Derby, where the stages of grooming were researched and reported showed just how urgent and widespread the problem is.  

However, so much harm is done, through social media, television, film and pornography - particularly with young boys, that recently, even the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee, chaired by Maria Miller MP has said that sex education in schools is inadequate and more needs to be done now. 

The report outlines evidence that:

almost a third (29%) of 16-18 year old girls say they have experienced unwanted sexual touching at school

nearly three-quarters (71%) of all 16-18 year old boys and girls say they hear terms such as "slut" or "slag" used towards girls at schools on a regular basis

59% of girls and young women aged 13-21 said in 2014 that they had faced some form of sexual harassment at school or college

The Report states: Despite calls from parents, teachers and young people for action to address sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools, the Committee found that neither OFSTED nor the Department for Education has a coherent plan to tackle this issue and to monitor the scale of the problem.

For many of us, parents, and carers, speaking about sex to children is difficult. We rely on teachers to talk to our children and ensure they are prepared for the world outside school. If sex education is inadequate, then a rigorous national curriculum for sex education needs to be developed.

Sexualisation is for sale on the high street, from clothing for girls to sex shops and SEVs. A recent report by the University of Leeds found that the average age for lap dancers across 20 areas was between 18-53. 

That means that a sixth former could be a lap dancer legally while still at school. Don't you think that they should have the best in sex education, wherever they live, rather than the piecemeal approach that we have now?  

Children and young people up to the age of 18 need access to age related and appropriate sex education. 

Girlguiding's Advocate panel, a group of 14-25 year olds who represent Girlguiding's young members, said: 

"As young women, many of us are still in school and experience or witness sexual harassment from groping to cat calling on a daily basis.  It's humiliating and frightening and affects what we wear, where we go, our body image and our confidence to speak out in class. Yet, it's often dismissed as 'banter' or a 'compliment' and we are told we are overreacting or being over sensitive.  
 
It needs to stop. Schools should be safe and empowering places and we should feel able to learn without fear. That's why we need a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment where schools take the issue seriously, sex and relationship education is compulsory, and schools are held accountable for preventing and tackling sexual harassment.''
 

In a point of order, Councillor Harman requested that Members be given proper answers to properly tabled questions.

6.

Question from Councillor Chris Nelson to the Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles, Councillor Flo Clucas

The Cabinet Member for Healthy Lifestyles often stands up for women in society and speaks up for women when addressing the Chamber.  Does she agree with the reported comments from Cheltenham Fems: "With these gross and irresponsible comments Parsons has shown himself to be ignorant about the realities of the sex industry........... Prostitution is built upon the misery and desperation of some of the most vulnerable women in society......."

Response from Cabinet Member

My views have been made known to CheltFems.

Government is able to change the lives of those who are vulnerable by ensuring that they are not driven into 'misery and desperation' through benefit cuts, lack of affordable childcare, lack of affordable housing, effective and available youth service provision and hunger.

If there was no market, Prostitution would not exist.

In a point of order, Councillor Nelson said he did not know who the Cabinet Member was referring to in her response but he wished to make it clear that he personally did not vote in support of a lapdancing club.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Nelson said he was amazed that the Cabinet Member and her colleagues were spending so much time protecting their colleague when the comments made had been so widely reported. He asked again whether the Cabinet Member would respond to the remarks made by the Cheltenham Fems?

The Cabinet Member replied that she had responded directly to Cheltenham Fems but she was not prepared to make her response public at Council without the consent of the other party.  In her view, a lot of the problems were down to government cuts. She considered it was not appropriate to use this very important issue as a political football as it needed a serious debate.

7.

Question from Councillor John Payne to the Leader, Councillor Steve Jordan

I have been advised that Councillor Parson's provocative and demeaning comments at the Liberal Democrat Conference did not engage the Cheltenham Borough Council Code of Members’ Conduct. However, do you agree that speaking in his role as Chairman of the Cheltenham Liberal Democrats he has grossly exceeded his remit, and in so doing has damaged the reputation of the Liberal Democrat Group and this Council?'

Response from Cabinet Member

I am assuming that Cllr Payne like me wasn’t at the debate in question and so is basing what he says purely on the press coverage. I refer him to my answer to Qu 3

as to the facts of what happened.

I do not agree that Cllr Parsons has damaged the reputation of the Council.

8.

Question from Councillor Adam Lillywhite to the Cabinet Member Development and Safety, Councillor Andrew McKinlay

All Saints Rd (ASR) has not had its traffic volume counted in this latest round of monitoring despite frequent requests to have this included over the last three years and categoric assurances from GCC that the impact of the CTP would be monitored. In the last six weeks ASR has seen a tremendous traffic increases which mean that queues from the Prestbury rd roundabout now extend back as far as All Saints Church, and the Cotswold Grange Hotel, whereas as before they rarely extended beyond Pittville Circus. ASR was predicted to have a 6% increase in traffic yet It has clearly already received considerably more than this and Boots Corner has only been restricted, not even closed.

Please outline how this already blatant failure of the traffic modelling is being addressed other than by attempting to ignore it?

Response from Cabinet Member

Colleagues from GCC have advised that the premise of this question is incorrect.

All Saints Road was included within the survey sites which were monitored for a two week period up to 25^th September 2016. This period was chosen as it represented a “return to normality” with schools back in operation.

GCC now use Radar equipment, which is attached to street light columns or road signs, rather than the traditional tube equipment, which is very conspicuous.

There are a total of 28 survey sites across the town and an initial review of the data suggests that All Saints Road is one of eight survey sites which has seen an increase in traffic flow; an average increase of +2.59% over a 24 hour period. This is well  below expected daily variation (+/-5%) and slightly higher than the DfT estimated natural traffic growth for minor roads within Cheltenham between 2015 and 2016 (+1.72%).

Looking at the peak periods on All Saints Road, the data is showing an average 11 vehicle increase in traffic flow in the AM peak hour (+1.39%) and 43 vehicle increase in the PM peak hour (+6.75%).

The increase in traffic on All Saints Road from the 2015 and 2016 surveys is in line with the DfT estimated traffic growth and daily variation for minor roads in Cheltenham (+6.72%). We will continue to review the traffic volumes around Cheltenham following construction of each phase of the CTP to ensure the safe operation of the network.

Additionally GCC have received positive feedback from cyclists and bus operators.

Stagecoach Service B is the main beneficiary and this route sees about 7,000 people use the route every week. By using the bus lane it means a shorter route into the town and saves about 1,500 miles per annum. That's great for the environment as Stagecoach will use about 190  less gallons of diesel. The shorter route will see everyone travelling on the B from the London Road and Charlton Kings area arrive in the town centre about 2 minutes quicker than they did before the bus lane was completed - more at times when there is particularly heavy congestion on Fairview Road.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Lillywhite noted that the direction of this traffic was not specified?  He said he found it difficult to believe that an extra 11 vehicles per hour was responsible for the increased queues regularly extending an additional 90 metres. Stagecoach may use 190 gallons less but the rest of the town will be using 1000s more! Phase 1 has not yet been fully implemented, there have been no planned road closures and the additional congestion is widespread and reported in the media,

Can the Cabinet Member please tell me how the public can register their concern and how you will be acting upon these?

In response the Cabinet Member did not accept the assertions Councillor Lillywhite had made in his question. The traffic modelling data was supplied by Gloucestershire County Council and therefore he was not in a position to personally verify it.  His understanding was that phase 1 of the transport scheme had been fully implemented and he suggested Councillor Lillywhite should address any formal complaints to GCC via their website.

9.

Question from Councillor Adam Lillywhite to the Cabinet Member Development and Safety, Councillor Andrew McKinlay

The term ‘severe’ traffic congestion was used for Cheltenham in recent months by the Planning Inspector with regard to the Leckhampton Appeal.  Given that 

• ·      ‘Severe’ is the highest warning we could have received and is sufficient in itself to prevent housing development,
• ·      We are still awaiting the outcome of the GCC traffic modelers with regard to the likely impact of the JCS, 
• ·      We already have greatly increased congestion after only minor restrictions at Boots Corner,
• ·      The only two statutory consultations on the CTP have stated emphatically that the residents of the town are against it,
• ·      GCC Traffic Authority have failed to monitor the impact of the first phase of the scheme despite categoric assurances,
• ·      The Traffic modellers predictions have already failed by underestimating the impact of just the first phase of the plan on ASR.

Does the Cabinet member for Development continue to support the CTP which is an entirely Liberal Democrat backed scheme, against cross party opposition.  Do you still believe you can claim a mandate to greatly reduce the resilience and intentionally slash the capacity of this town’s road network?

Response from Cabinet Member

I refer to my previous response which identifies that the outcome from phase 1 of the Cheltenham Transport Plan is within expectations and that GCC as the CBC partner have delivered in line with commitments.

In addition it must be noted that terms like severe are subjective and make no reference to potential mitigation.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Lillywhite advised that the GCC portfolio holder for Infrastructure and Planning had already warned of severe congestion for much of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.Tomorrow Council are set to debate the JCS, yet the promised traffic modeling is delayed, so yet again it will not be available.

Could the Cabinet Member explain why the implementation of the next phase of the Transport plan will not take into account this delay and wait for the release of the modeling, instead bulldozing on to intentionally reduce the capacity and resilience of Cheltenham’s road network?

In response of the Cabinet Member advised that the traffic modelling for the JCS had been done separately and was available on the Council's website so there was no reason why the implementation of the CTP should be delayed.

10.

Question from Councillor Adam Lillywhite to the Leader, Councillor Steve Jordan

After Dennis Parsons spoke at the LD National Congress, he was asked to resign by his local party’s leader and the National Party Leader distanced himself as much as possible. From this action and the verbatim quote taken from the major national newspapers below, Dennis Parsons intent is clear, it does not appear to be misunderstood or a rhetorical question as he has decided to try and claim. Can the leader please explain why this action was taken to save the reputation of the LD party yet nothing is being done to save the reputation of Cheltenham Borough Council which has been significantly damaged by this representative. Leadership is not just about evading tricky questions, you have a responsibility to this town, that is over and above your responsibility to your party. Do you and your party continue to support this person and his views over and above the reputation of this town.

 ‘The fact that we are asking "should we seek to prevent people entering sex work?" is part of the problem. 

'You wouldn't ask the question "should we prevent people becoming accountants?" You'd just take it for granted.

'There is a stronger case, probably, for that than there is for preventing sex work.

'We have had a chap suggest that one of the areas we need to be concerned about was families coercing people to go into the sex trade. 

'Well, again, you wouldn't protest at families urging and coercing people into becoming accountants.

'And even in this room full of liberals we have got a huge cultural problem that we do see sex work as different.

'We see it as something a little bit tacky, and not quite nice, and not the sort of thing that we would want our sons and daughters to get involved in.

'We talk about schools - how many schools are going to have careers officers say to people, "have you thought about prostitution?"

'It's not going to happen. And that's a cultural thing. Why shouldn't they? Why shouldn't they?

Response from Cabinet Member

See my answer to Qu 3. To avoid confusion I haven’t asked Cllr Parsons to resign and have no intention of doing so.

In supplementary question, Councillor Lillywhite commented that Tim Farron, the National party leader certainly does not believe this was 'out of context', 'misquoted', 'misinterpreted' or 'merely rhetorical' and the Councillor was asked to resign by Martin Horwood. In Dennis Parson’s resignation speech, he stated that "In my view, we are conditioned as a society to see sex work as unsavoury"........ again implying that he thinks that it is only our conditioning that makes us see it as unsavoury. People are concerned about the systematic abuse, degradation and exploitation of these vulnerable young people many of whom may already have complex social and psychological problems. He asked the Cabinet Member what would his party be doing to ensure that the children of this town are safe from these views?

The Leader responded that a sensible debate was needed on this matter and he was not prepared to respond to attributions which may or may not be accurate.

11.

Question from Councillor Adam Lillywhite to the Leader, Councillor Steve Jordan

Councillors in this chamber have a duty to listen to the concerns of their constituents, so how should we respond when asked by a constituent whose daughter, planning to leave school to take up a career in prostitution, might usefully spend her time off before starting her apprenticeship?

Have we really considered what Cllr Parsons is trying to advocate: “Why shouldn’t they? Why shouldn’t they?” he said in Brighton. 

How can we, as Councillors, represent and promote this council to our constituents when it is so blatantly clear that the Liberal Democrat party is too concerned with its own political majority in this chamber and shows no willingness to act on its words on safeguarding and the protection of minors.  I suggest that you ‘talk the talk’ admirably but you don’t ‘walk the walk’ on this critical matter.

Response from Cabinet Member

See my answers to Qu 3 & 4.

I suspect it is lack of discussion of the issues around prostitution that causes more problems than discussing them. I suggest Cllr Lillywhite takes up the offer of discussion with Cllr Parsons.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Lillywhite commented that education was supposed to increase a young person’s confidence and self-esteem and he asked the Cabinet Member what he believed would be the impact when on leaving school a child was formally advised to take up prostitution.

The Leader replied that he would be more than happy to give his views when Council had a proper debate on the matter.

12.

Question from Councillor Adam Lillywhite to the Leader, Councillor Steve Jordan

What sort of a party acts to protect itself, yet fails to take action to protect the young and most vulnerable in their care at the most pivotal moment of their life, instead it shelters a member who would like to promote a life of danger, fear and degradation for them.  Can you please explain this ‘Liberal’ attitude which means that ‘all views have to be accommodated’ and he has to be kept in the party no matter what his opinions.

Response from Cabinet Member

See my answer to Qu 3 & 4.

In a supplementary question Councillor Lillywhite said the Liberal Democrats claim to stand up for those that are oppressed and to give rights to the younger generation.  May I suggest that on this occasion you do not stand up for the self-oppressed or continue to offer him a safe haven, and that your Party  forgoes giving the younger generation “the right” to this type of career advice.   His question had not been seeking views on sex education but was asking the reason why Cllr Parsons was advocating a career in prostitution to school leavers. 

The Leader responded that no one had been advocating this and reiterated that an informed debate would be useful.

13.

Question from Councillor Chris Nelson to the Cabinet Member Housing, Councillor Peter Jeffries

The Cabinet recently agreed to spend £500,000 on the open market to buy 2 houses to add to its housing stock.   With proper forward planning and more urgency, this money could have been better spent.  How much more affordable accommodation could have been acquired if this money had been spent on developments of council owned land, such as former garage sites or car parks?

Response from Cabinet Member

Various issues preclude the redevelopment of garage sites or car parks as they are inherently complex with title restrictions and rights of way affecting a number of the sites, with costs varying depending on complexity of the site and the number of homes being built. These challenges are compounded by the limited number of available council-owned sites on which to develop. The government-imposed time limits fail to take reasonable account of these challenges.

This year the council has developed 10 new affordable homes with a further 10 to be developed in February. There is the potential to build a further 40 new homes subject to the relevant approvals and any rights of way issues being resolved.

We remain committed to increasing the provision of affordable homes for Cheltenham residents. Acquiring new homes on the open market will continue to be supported when the right to buy receipts are at risk of not being used within government-imposed time limits. Increasing the provision of affordable housing in this way is far more preferable than returning the right to buy receipts to the government, with interest.  

In a supplementary question, Councillor Nelson said that he had not had an answer to his question and so repeated it.

The Leader referred to member to the response already given and said that if the Member asked the same question he would get the same answer.

14

Question from Chris Nelson to the Leader, Councillor Steve Jordan

Why is it that the Leader did not do more to protect the Banksy artwork in his ward of All Saints?

Response from Cabinet Member

Cllr Nelson will be aware that the cabinet has recently published a briefing note outlining everything done to protect the Banksy since it first appeared. I have been involved in and encouraged that process. Clearly the council’s ability to intervene is limited by the law which isn’t designed to protect a Banksy and that the property owner was less than cooperative.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Nelson asked why the Leader had not considered the use of a Perspex screen to cover the Bansky.

The Leader highlighted that the building was not owned by the council and so their powers were limited and it was only the owner of the building who could make such decisions.

15.

Question from Councillor Chris Nelson to the Leader, Councillor Steve Jordan

Cheltenham has a number of areas of severe deprivation.  In fact, a child born in Cheltenham's most deprived neighbourhood has a 9 year lower life expectancy than one born in the most affluent.  The Liberal Democrats have been in charge of Cheltenham Council for most of the last 30 years.  So why is it that this Council administration has not done more to combat this severe deprivation?

Response from Cabinet Member

Tackling deprivation is a long term issue and can’t be done as a quick fix or be achieved by a single agency such as this council. Under the Liberal Democrats this council introduced policies and initiatives to improve the lives of people in the areas referred to and has worked consistently to achieve them for many years. This has been done successfully in partnership with other agencies and most importantly with the support of the local communities.

This council has a long and proud track record of investing in our most deprived communities:

·         From 1996 to 2001 the Council managed a £1.3m Single Regeneration Budget scheme in the West End area of the town centre that delivered £6m worth of investment that went into housing, the street-scape, local business growth and community facilities. This work continues to date through the work of Cheltenham West End Partnership.

·         The Council, working with Cheltenham Borough Homes, oversaw the complete regeneration of the St. Pauls estate which at one point was in the 5% most deprived areas in the country. The transformation has seen the construction of 48 new properties and transformational improvements to the remainder of the stock in the area.  The area is now sustainable and cohesive.

·         In 1995, the Council was instrumental in establishing Hesters Way Neighbourhood Project Partnership followed in 1998 by the Hesters Way Partnership. The council has overseen a programme of significant housing-led investment in the area, plus the construction of two resource centres at Hesters Way and Springbank. The partnership and neighbourhood project remain very active in supporting the ongoing regeneration of Hesters Way and Springbank.

·         In 1997, the Council was instrumental in establishing the then Whaddon, Lynworth and Priors (now Oakley) Neighbourhood Project and the Regeneration Partnership in 1998. The neighbourhood project and regeneration partnership successfully supported improvements to Clyde Crescent public open space and built the Oakley Resource Centre which was opened in February 2008. The council is supporting the joint trustees of the neighbourhood project and regeneration partnership throughout the current difficulties and are committed to playing a proactive role in supporting local residents in the future.

In terms of addressing health inequalities that Cllr. Nelson refers to, the Council has worked hard to get better health services for residents living in our most deprived communities. For instance, we now have healthy living centres in Springbank (GP practice and dentist) and Hesters Way Resource Centres.

In addition, whilst the Council no longer directly delivers healthy lifestyles activities, we have commissioned the Cheltenham Trust to deliver these on our behalf. We have asked the Trust to have a specific focus on delivering activities targeted at people from lower socio-economic groups – some of the activities they deliver include street games projects in Hesters Way and Oakley, Healthy Walks programmes, plus projects to encourage low income families to use leisure@ Cheltenham.

However, over the years this has been done in the teeth of opposition from some members from Cllr Nelson’s party who opposed the level of effort put in to these areas. It has also been achieved against the background of sometimes unhelpful policies at national level which includes the current government.

The council remains committed to supporting all our communities, including those that are defined as being most deprived to address the issues that Cllr. Nelson refers to.

16.

Question from Councillor Chris Nelson to the Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment, Councillor Chris Coleman

Is it correct that a majority of respondents to the recent consultation on recycling rejected the option of doing kerb side collections every 3 weeks.  Have you now finally rejected this silly, unpopular and undemocratic proposal or do you remain determined to introduce bin collections every 3 weeks?

Response from Cabinet Member

Here we go again. As you well know, I am personally opposed to moving to the collection of landfill waste bins every three weeks. As you also well know, the Liberal Democrat administration is opposed to moving such collections to every three weeks. I have absolutely no idea where or how you have formed the view that I am “determined” to make such a change but I very much hope that this is the last time you make such silly claims which serve only to confuse residents.

As you know, every advance in recycling performance in Cheltenham has come when the Liberal Democrats have been in control. In the recent local elections, where we won 75% of the available seats, we put forward a manifesto commitment to further improve the recycling service in our town.

In July, we ran a public consultation around the waste and recycling service in Cheltenham. We did so because we firmly believe in keeping in touch with the views of residents. Over 1800 people replied. On 5th August, you were sent an email with details about the results of the survey. If you did not read it, it remains on the Intranet site which you have access to. The results clearly showed how much our recycling service is valued and how much people hope we can keep improving it. The results also showed, in very general terms, that 50% of respondents did not support a move to three weekly collections. I’ll let you research the views of the other 50%.

Today we have launched the second round of consultation and Members will have by now had the opportunity to attend an All-Member Seminar to hear about the plans. The consultation features three options including retaining the kerbside box (Option A) and moving to a commingled service (Option C).

It is also right to say that there is an option which would move the landfill waste collection to a three weekly service although recycling would be collected every week (Option B). In case there is any doubt, and I know that three paragraphs have passed since I last spelled this out, this Administration does not support moving to a three weekly collection of landfill waste.

Option B is in the consultation because it is substantially cheaper than the other options and increases the frequency of recycling collections. Whilst we do not support the moving to a three weekly collection of landfill waste, I feel it perfectly reasonable to ask residents for their views given the potential benefits that they may see with such a service. I accept entirely that half of the respondents to the previous survey said that they wouldn’t support a three weekly collection but I do note that the other half didn’t respond in such terms.

I feel that I may need to remind Members once again that we would not under any circumstances move to a three weekly collection of landfill waste unless a significant number of residents supported such a change.

And finally, to be clear, I am and my party are opposed to moving to a three weekly collection of landfill waste and I very much hope that everyone is now clear on that. I trust that our views will not be misrepresented again.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Nelson asked why the council was spending so much money on a consultation when of the three options proposed in the consultation, the Cabinet Member appeared to be ruling out option B and C leaving only A which was maintaining the status quo. 

In response the Cabinet Member indicated that although he personally did not support option B, it was important to go out to consultation with an open mind. The Liberal Democrats had made a very clear commitment in their manifesto to improve recycling and consult widely on the existing service. For that reason he felt the consultation was a reasonable way to launch any service improvements.