Issue - meetings

Questions by the Public

 

 

Meeting: 22/07/2013 - City Council (Item 27)

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which are about something the council is responsible for or something that directly affects people in the city, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

 

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AA, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five complete working days before the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Four questions had been received from members of the public in relation to matters which, in the opinion of the Lord Mayor, were relevant to the business of the meeting in accordance with paragraph 10 of the constitution.

 

Mr Williams (Q3) attended the meeting and in the absence of Councillor Lowry, Councillor Penberthy responded as set out below -

 

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q3/13-14

Mr Williams

Councillor Lowry  (Cabinet Member for Finance)

Code of Conduct for Bailiffs

 

Does the authority have an extant code of conduct for its bailiffs?  If so, will this be published in a leaflet to the general public, as it did in the days of the Community Charge?  If not, will it devise such a code of conduct? 

Response:

 

As part of the bailiff contract process there is a specification document which details the code of conduct, or operational guidelines that we expect our provider to adhere to. 

 

This will not be published in a leaflet to the general public but it is intended to publish the details on the Council’s website in due course.

 

Some of the detail contained within the contract is:

 

Bailiffs will

  • carry full and proper photographic identification;
  • adopt a firm but polite attitude;
  • introduce himself or herself,  establish the identity of persons present and explain the purpose of the visit and powers of the Bailiff;
  • Not make any attempt to levy or remove goods without first consulting with Plymouth City Council where it is evident that a person is mentally impaired, frail, disabled, confused, ill, or living off limited income;
  • not enter premises if it appears that the only persons present are young people under the age of 18;
  • seek guidance from the Council before continuing action where English is not understood;
  • only enter by lawful means;
  • provide the required copies of the relevant rating regulation as appropriate where distraint takes place;
  • Exercise due care to avoid any unnecessary damage to goods being removed.

       

 

 

In the absence of the questioner for Q4, a written response would be sent to Mr Sharpe as set out below -

 

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q4 13/14

Mr Sharpe

Councillor Smith (Deputy Leader)

Plymstock swimming pool

Please can Plymstock Residents have an update regarding a public swimming pool in Plymstock, and can also a consultation day be arranged on the subject as we appear to be no nearer having one than twenty years ago?

 

Response:

 

There is no update on the situation with Plymstock Pool other than previously advised in previous answers concerning Sherford. As stated in earlier replies, consultation on Sherford has occurred on several occasions and therefore a consultation day is not necessary.

 

The local planning policy document for this area clearly sets out the need for Sherford to provide a Sports Hub north of Elburton incorporating a swimming pool and, as advised previously, the policy document was the subject of extensive public consultations in 2006. Also, as advised previously, the Planning Committee’s decision on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27