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Subject

1

Cllr Stoneman

Cllr

Coker

Should the Council be supporting infrastructure around schools enabling pupils and students to walk to school?

Response: Yes.            

Supplementary: Would Councillor Coker meet with Councillor Stoneman to discuss areas of the city that have expressed concerns?

Response: Yes.

2

Cllr Harrison

Cllr Briars-Delve

There had been lots of complaints received regarding bins damaged by council staff. Was there a mechanism to ensure residents are not expected to pay £25 for a replacement or for one to be fixed?

Response: Yes, this could be flagged online or through Councillor’s Casework. Damaged public bins are also available to be flagged in this manner and have a unique numerical identifier. 

3

Cllr Rennie

Cllr

Haydon

There are large numbers of take away drivers in private cars who are not insured or licenced in the correct way. Are you aware that this is the case and that drivers require correct insurance to undertake this job?

Response: Yes. I am aware of this. Drivers require a specific type of insurance referred to as “carriage of good insurance”. If drivers do not have this insurance, they would be liable. Enforcement of this would fall under a police matter. Furthermore, this is an issue that will be debated in commons.

Supplementary:  Would there be any beneficial quality to speak with relevant authorities in parliament or the Department for Transport to further knowledge and regulation of this matter, specifically when a licensing application is made?

Response: Yes, there would be, and Councillor Rennie would be included in future conversations.

4

Cllr Stephens

Cllr

Cresswell

This authority has been challenged to meet the needs of Childrens with additional health, education, or disability needs. Despite these additional needs, most children would not need to be educated in a special needs school.

Besides the added Capital and Transportation costs, children with special needs deserve to be educated within their community to develop a sense of belonging and forge friendships.

What actions could be enacted to make this happen within our community?

Response: Issues around Children with SEND (Special Needs and Disabilities) and SEND sufficiency is something that is currently being developed within a comprehensive plan. Key, as well, is the issue of early intervention- early identification has been a key part of Labour’s improvement planning and ensures children can be maintained in mainstream schools.

A cultural shift would also be required, which would allow for greater community inclusion and to inspire confidence teachers and support staff to be able to work effectively with SEND children within mainstream schooling. This would require services, resources and training and would inspire confidence in parents and carers, putting less pressure on the seeking of EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plan) and places in special schools.

Finally, this has been incorporated as part of SEND sufficiency planning, taking advantage of any fall in primary roles, using things like pods or specialist provisions within existing mainstream schools. This does bring inclusion to the heart of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59