Agenda item

1.

Question from Councillor Regan to Cabinet Member Housing and Safety

Could the Cabinet Member please advise this council of the latest plans for changes to the Council Housing Benefit, particularly the under 25's. Could the Cabinet Member also reassure the council that any changes will not effect the viability of schemes such as the proposed YMCA housing project, especially if the young people cannot pay for the accommodation.

Response from Cabinet Member Housing and Safety, Councillor Jeffries

Other than the Universal credit which is due to be launched next year (2013),  there are no plans that I am aware of that specifically affect the under 25’s, but the Council will be monitoring the position as welfare changes are introduced. The impact of welfare reform on 3rd party organizations projects is not something I can comment on.

2.

Question from Councillor Regan to Cabinet Member Sustainability

Could the Cabinet Member inform this chamber what action is being taken to collect discarded side litter where UBICO refuses to collect due to the new instructions emanating from his department in the Hatherley area?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

The Council is now undertaking a programme of awareness and enforcement to remind people that their waste should be contained within the bin with the lid closed, and there should be no side waste, or waste placed on top of a bin. The awareness campaign is being rolled out in a planned way across the town so that residents are given every opportunity before any formal enforcement action is taken. This is being piloted in SW Cheltenham.

The scenario you imply of side waste being left on the street will not occur because the agreed action is that Ubico never leave any side waste at the side of bins. Where residents have presented side waste or overfilled bins, initially it is all taken, but once the householder has had a certain number of warnings, at that point all waste is taken except one bag - a warning will be left on the bin, or the bag tagged. The one bag is replaced into the bin and not just left as side waste. Ward councillors are being advised of the process as the awareness campaign is rolled out across the town.

3.

Question from Councillor Hall to Cabinet Member Sustainability

On February 29th 2011 at the final Environment Overview and Scrutiny committee meeting I made my 3rd request to you in 3 years for up to date information to be placed on the CBC website pages on the street cleaning policy.

On each occasion I was assured that it would be done.

Today, Monday 17th September 2012 I note that the information has at last been placed on the website.  Please can the Cabinet Member explain why it has taken so long for the council tax payers of Cheltenham to be able to access this basic information?

Response from Cabinet Member Sustainability, Councillor Whyborn

The street cleaning web page was updated on 29 November 2010, 13 January 2011, 06 July 2011 and, most recently, 06 September 2012. The contents of all previous versions have not been retained, but the amendment record suggests that officers were active in keeping information as up to date as possible. The update on 06 September 2012 appears to include the specific information you were seeking, and in so far as previous updates did not, I apologise.

Supplementary question

Can the Cabinet Member confirm whether the information currently on the website is achievable and accurate?

Supplementary response

Yes, the information is accurate and to the best of everybody’s ability is also achievable.

4.

Question from Councillor Chard to the Leader of the Council

In view of recent press coverage and discussions surrounding the JCS, can the Leader of the Council confirm that he and his Cabinet retain confidence in the Chief Executive of the Council?

Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jordan

Yes.

Supplementary question

Is Cabinet, as is being suggested by some of my constituents, being bullied by officers?

Supplementary response

No this suggestion is nonsense.

5.

Question from Councillor Fletcher to Cabinet Member Sport & Culture

Can the Cabinet Member explain why the Council has not recognised in any shape or form the wonderful effort and results our local Olympians achieved? Zara Phillips is one that springs to mind and I believe there are those whose origins began in Cheltenham. In this economic climate I am not asking for megabucks here just an appropriate form of appreciation. Maybe a reception in the Mayor's Parlour?

Response from Cabinet Member Sport & Culture, Councillor R Hay

The Council is keen to recognize the achievements of our local Olympians who played their part in the highly successful Team GB London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. It was felt best to wait for the Paralympics to conclude and the parade on the 10^th September.

A conversation with the Mayor has taken place, there will be an invitation issued from him to a reception in the Mayors Parlour, I am sure that he will keep members informed.

There are a number of countywide events taking place that I am aware of,

In August there was a County Council press release sent on behalf of the National Star College for a reception being held on the 12^th October as a county wide formal thank you to our local athletes.

The Gloucester Boathouse appeal are hosting an Olympic dinner at the racecourse on the 9^th November to which they are inviting all of Gloucestershire’s Olympians.

On the 19^th November the annual Gloucestershire Sports Awards run by the Echo and Citizen held again at the racecourse to which all local Olympians have been invited to attend.