Agenda item

Councillor Questions Process:

·         Councillors can ask questions in accordance with rule 11.2 of the Constitution.

·         An answer to a question submitted may take the form of:

a)    A direct oral answer;

b)   Where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or

c)    Where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to all members of the Council.

·         A councillor asking a question may ask one supplementary question, without notice, of the councillor to whom the first question was asked. The supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply.

Five questions from Councillors have been submitted for consideration.

It was noted that five questions had been received from Councillors.

Question One

Councillor Jordan asked question one in relation to car parking as outlined on the agenda. The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that the Council’s Car Parking Strategy had been approved in September 2018 and had outlined the Council’s intent to invest £900,000 in its car parks. Council was informed of the current improvement work that had taken place across the car parks.

The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that an hours of free parking for Selby had been previously agreed however this had been linked to the proposal in Tadcaster. Council was informed that these proposals were no longer economically viable therefore other options would be considered.

The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development outlined proposals to introduce four hours free parking commencing leading up to the Christmas period from the end of November. In response to a supplementary question concerning the time limits for when the four hours would be applicable, Council was informed that this could be for any part of the day.

Question Two

Councillor John McCartney asked question two in relation to section 215 notices as outlined on the agenda. The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that it would not be an effective use of officer time to look at the number of notices served back to 1990 due to the amount of work that would be involved. Members were informed that if they had any particular concerns regarding any sites then they should bring these to the attention of officers. It was also noted that the item on section 215 notices would be considered at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

In response to a supplementary question concerning government guidance on section 215 notices, the Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that section 215 notices were one of a number of powers available to the Council however were usually a last resort.

Question Three

Due to the Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources giving his apologies for the meeting, it was agreed this question would be deferred until the next meeting.

Question Four

Councillor Mary McCartney asked question four in relation to fly tipping as outlined on the agenda. The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that incidents of fly tipping across Selby District over the last three years had reduced from 685 in 2016/17 to 634 in 2018/19 with the downward trend continuing in the current year with 170 incidents reported between April and July.

In respect of cameras, the Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that the Council had two cameras which they could deploy at a range of locations. In response to a supplementary query concerning a modern way to tackle fly tipping, the Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that if people reported any incidents to the Council, they would look at deploying the cameras to the location if similar incidents had been reported by other people.

Question Five

Councillor Mary McCartney asked question five in relation to road signs as outlined on the agenda. The Leader of the Council explained that there would be a review of road signs and that if any Members had any suggestions for improving them, they should let him know.