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.

Four questions from Councillors have been submitted for consideration and additionally one question has been listed which was deferred from the last meeting.

It was noted that four questions from Councillors had been submitted for consideration and one question had been deferred from the last meeting.

Question One

Councillor John McCartney asked question one in relation to the Programme for Growth as outlined on the agenda. The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that the Programme for Growth fund was monitored through quarterly updates to the Executive and regular updates to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Council was informed that any decisions made in relation to the Programme for Growth were made at public meetings of the Executive. The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources offered to brief any Member individually if they had any queries on the Programme.

Question Two

Councillor Mary McCartney asked question two in relation to the development of new sports facilities at the former Eggborough Power Station site. The Leader of the Council explained that new facilities would be better than the current facilities on offer however it would be difficult for all of the facilities to be grouped together in one location. Additionally, Council was informed that work was being done together with the St Francis Group and that there was encouragement at the proposals from the developers.

In response to a supplementary question regarding sustainability, the Leader of the Council explained that the Council would be offering its support to the developers and that any developments needed to involve local people which would allow a better chance of sustainability.

Question Three

Councillor John McCartney asked question three in relation to the possible development of a roundabout on the A19 / Roall Lane junction. The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that a planning application for the site had not been received however that he had spoken with relevant officers at the Council to ensure all relevant issues were raised and that work would be done with North Yorkshire County Council to address these issues.

Question Four

Councillor John McCartney asked question four in relation to the introduction of fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping offences. The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that the introduction of fixed penalty notices was an additional tool to tackle fly tipping and would act as a deterrent for households from unwittingly using illegal waste disposal methods. Council was informed that where similar systems had been introduced across the region, a positive impact against fly tipping had been reported.

In response to a supplementary question concerning going to court being a greater deterrent than a fixed penalty notice, the Leader of the Council explained that on occasions fines handed out by the courts were lower than the ones being proposed under the fixed penalty notices. The Leader of the Council stated that he and the Chief Executive were arranging a meeting with the Magistrates Court in York to discuss issues such as this. Additionally, Council was informed that fly tipping offences were shown to be reducing in the district.

Question Five

Councillor Mary McCartney asked question five in relation to fly tipped tyres and the Council’s strategy to stop the commercial dumping of tyres.

The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that between April and September this year, there were 291 incidents of fly tipping across the district and of these, there were 21 incidents of the waste type being tyres.

A supplementary question was asked querying the figures as it was felt not all offences of tyres being dumped were recorded. The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture stated that he was happy to be copied in when any future incidents were reported.