From

To

Subject

1

Councillor Ball

Councillor Coker

Would he agree that the current levels of noise and air pollution were excessive on the A38 Parkway and was exacerbated by the Highways Agency reducing vegetation?  Would he press the agency to undertake noise and air pollution tests?

Councillor Coker had made representations to the Highways Agency and would press the agency to undertake tests.  He also asked that Councillor Ball and he lobby Oliver Colville MP and Alison Seabeck MP.

2

Councillor Sam Leaves

Councillor Williams

When would she sign off funding for the replacement of boilers at Knowle Primary School?

Councillor Williams indicated that it was currently being looked at and she would forward the details to her.

3

Councillor Jordan

Councillor Vincent

Would the city be participating in Prince Charles’ initiative to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation with a coronation meadow or any other commemorative events? 

Councillor Vincent indicated that he would raise the coronation meadow with the officers.

4

Councillor Dr Salter

Councillors Coker and Evans

Was there any progress made on rail connectivity when Patrick McLoughlin (Secretary of State for Transport) came to Plymouth or any future plans? Should the Council do something more visible?

Councillors Coker and Evans responded that the council had not been invited to attend the visit. Progress was being made. The council had the Spine Report and there was also another report being produced by officers. The Chief Executive had been also working with a peninsula task force.

5

Councillor Singh

Councillor Coker

How long would the improvements at the railway station take and would notifications be published in the press?

Councillor Coker responded that the work would be completed before the Christmas shopping rush.  Information would be published on the website and businesses and residences would be notified in the usual manner. 

6

Councillor Nicholson

Councillor Vincent

Why was the council slow to act to remove the gypsy encampment at Horsham Field and would he review the policy and its implementation, and report back in due course?

Councillor Vincent responded that the delay was as a result of the Bank Holiday at the end of May 2013. The process relied on court availability and the site was cleared as soon as practical. The policy had been reviewed when this process commenced.

7

Councillor Mrs Beer

Councillor Peter Smith

A message left with the call centre concerning an overflowing waste bin, had not been passed to the department concerned and Councillor Smith was asked to find out why.

Councillor Smith responded that if Councillor Mrs Beer sent him the relevant information, he would ensure that she received a response.  

8

Councillor Parker

Councillor Penberthy

Did he think that the scheme to provide cheaper energy in Plymouth and create employment was a positive step?

Councillor Penberthy responded that a £50m eco investment in the city, announced by British Gas was a positive step. Plymouth Community Homes were also receiving monies to invest in their stock.  An announcement would be made in July 2013, including a new energy cooperative.

9

Councillor Martin Leaves

Councillor Penberthy

Could he confirm the number of city households which were under and over occupied?

Councillor Penberthy provided figures that came from many different sources and he indicated that he was working with 24 housing associations.  The figures demonstrated a need for more one bedroomed flats.

10

Councillor Bowyer

Councillor McDonald

What steps were being taken to avoid an overspend on the adult social care budget this year?

Councillor McDonald responded that she would not be spending £3m on organisational change as had been done previously. The measures included the transformation agenda to support people in their own homes; a single system to manage the personalisation agenda; realistic targets for sickness and absence and emergency plans for carers.

11

Councillor Stark

Councillor Williams

How much of the £50m allocated for summer schools had been allocated to Plymouth and how was the money to be allocated?

Councillor Williams replied that a written response would be provided.

12

Councillor Wigens

Councillor Vincent

What actual steps were being taken to speed up the eviction process for Gypsies and Travellers?  Could he furnish the Plymstock Dunstone ward councillors with the updated process so that they could advise residents?

Councillor Vincent responded that Councillor Penberthy was leading on this issue.  The process was being updated and when available, the information would be sent to all councillors.

13

Councillor Fry

Councillor Peter Smith

Could he provide all councillors with a copy of the report given today on his visit to Plymouth Massachusetts? He also asked for a list of those who had attended the visit and the group that they were representing.   

Councillor Smith gave an assurance that Councillor Fry would be provided with a comprehensive report on the visit being prepared by both Chambers of Commerce and Industry (which would include the content of the speech).

14

Councillor Foster

Councillor Vincent

Why could other councils carry out evictions more quickly? He was told that evictions by South Hams Council could be undertaken in three days.

Councillor Vincent responded that he was following the procedure in place. The matter was being addressed by Councillor Penberthy.

15

Councillor Bowyer

Councillor Vincent

Would he review the future use of pitches to ensure that designated parking was in place? When would a review be carried out and would it be in place for next season?

Councillor Vincent responded that he was aware of the parking issue and had spoken with the Parks Department who were doing as much as possible to alleviate the position but that there was not an immediate solution. He could not promise that a review would be in place by next season but it was hoped that litter would be reduced and users would be encouraged to show more consideration to residents.

16

Councillor Michael Leaves

Councillor Vincent

Following the announcement of substantial government support for the Sherford development, could an update be given on the swimming pool for Plymstock and could he give an assurance that the swimming pool was a priority?

Councillor Vincent responded that the swimming pool would be included at the planning stage and had been agreed as part of the Section 106 agreement on the site.

17

Councillor James

Councillor Williams

How many young carers were there in the city and how did she obtain the information? What support would be provided?

Councillor Williams responded that the information had been gathered from a questionnaire completed by schools.  Whilst it showed an enormous number she remained unconvinced that it was the actual number of young carers.  Staff were being trained so that information could be gathered on home visits which would enable resources to be targeted at those with high needs. Support was also given through the youth service and in other ways as there was a huge age range involved.

18

Councillor Darcy

Councillor Coker

Could he clarify whether a camera car could be used in the suburbs, for traffic management issues?

Councillor Coker responded ‘yes’.

19

Councillor Stevens

Councillor Peter Smith

Councillor Jordan referred to the lack of events to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee.  As the change of administration was only three weeks before the event, who had been the Cabinet Member previously and how long did such events take to plan?

Councillor Smith responded that events would take months to plan and that Councillor Jordan had been the Cabinet Member responsible at the time.

20

Councillor Sam Leaves

Councillor Coker

In the interests of child safety, should all schools not have a 20mph speed limit outside of schools?  When could she see plans?

Councillor Coker responded that he had signed up to the national initiative for 20 mph schemes although it was difficult with the costs involved. Monies for safer journeys to schools would be delegated to ward councillors so that they could prioritise decisions and the money could be used for this purpose if they wished.

21

Councillor Nicholson

Councillor Penberthy

How did he see a solution to the unauthorised occupation of land at Billacombe by horses? What attempts were being made to monitor the site to try and identify a guardian?

Councillor Penberthy indicated the process and costs for the movement of animals. Officers were visiting at different times during the day to try and identify those responsible.  As officer time was limited, residents were asked to assist if possible.      

22

Councillor Mrs Beer

Councillor Vincent

Why were the bins in play parks not emptied first thing on a Monday morning? They were not emptied in Plympton St Mary after this weekend.

Councillor Vincent replied that he had responded to her emails on the issue and that larger bins could be provided where there was greater usage.

23

Councillor Jordan

Councillor Peter Smith

If the council was withdrawing funding from events and sport, including Plymouth Raiders, how was it going promote healthy living, particularly through school and healthy activities.

Councillor Smith responded that the budget previously used to assist the Plymouth Raiders was no longer available as funding was being allocated direct to schools by the government.  The funding was being phased out over a four year period. Councillors were advised that they could lobby the government on the allocation of funding direct to schools.

(The Lord Mayor declared a personal interest in the above question.)