From

To

Subject

1

Councillor K Foster

Councillor Coker

Would parking charges be introduced at Jennycliff and Devil’s Point car park?  Would temporary or permanent repairs be undertaken at the car parks in next 12 months?

Councillor Coker responded that he had not yet set the budget. With regard to repairs, all car parks were being reviewed and the appropriate course of action would be taken.

2

Councillor Morris

Councillor Coker

What was the level of government grant for pot holes, how had it changed to 2015 and how did Oliver Colvile MP vote on the funding?

Councillor Coker responded that from 2011 to 2014/15, the budget had decreased by 16.5 per cent for maintenance to the highway. When the Comprehensive Spending Review was considered, Oliver Colvile MP had supported the cuts in funding.  The Labour administration had committed to £2m per year for the next 10 years.

3

Councillor Evans

Councillor Stevens

When the North Plymstock Area Action Plan was adopted on 6 August 2007, was a Labour or Conservative Council in charge? When the application for north Plymstock was reported to the Planning Committee in 2011 and outline planning permission was granted (with inadequate infrastructure), was it chaired by him or a Conservative chair?

Councillor Stevens responded that there was a Conservative Council in 2007 and in 2011, the chair was former councillor John Lock, Liberal Democrat.

4

Councillor Bowyer

Councillor Evans

With the increasing lack of morality in the co-operative bank, when was the council going to review the use of the word ‘co-operative’? 

Following reference by Councillor Evans to a former councillor in Bradford, the Lord Mayor ruled that the line of questioning should not be continued.

5

Councillor  Jordan

Councillor Coker

Following his delegated decision not to take any action on a taxi rank in Cornwall Street, should the matter be referred to scrutiny for consideration?

Councillor Coker responded that following consultation, objections had been received from the police and highways on safety grounds and that he did not have the authority to overrule those objections.  If the matter was taken to scrutiny, councillors would review it but officers were currently reviewing capacity in the city centre.

6

Councillor Mrs Beer

Councillor Williams

How many hours of education did this Council provide to those excluded from school and what was the reason for those exclusions?

Councillor Williams undertook to provide a written response.

7

Councillor Singh

Councillor Peter Smith

Was it noted in minutes of meetings when councillors left early and if not, should it be?

Councillor Peter Smith responded that it was not noted at present and that he would investigate it and undertook to provide a written response.

8

Councillor Darcy

Councillor Evans

Would you as Leader ask party members to refrain from smoking outside the building?

Councillor Evans responded that he would ask them to move out of plain sight.

9

Councillor Nicholson

Councillor Stevens

Now that Sherford planning permission had been issued, what was the timescale for the provision of Plymstock Swimming Pool?

Councillor Stevens undertook to provide a written response.

10

Councillor James

Councillor Penberthy

Following comments earlier relating to domestic violence victims, how many people had been accommodated in bed and breakfast this year, how long were they in that accommodation and what was the financial impact?

Councillor Penberthy undertook to provide a written response.

11

Councillor Bowyer

Councillor Lowry

Following advice from Treasury Management advisers, had the Council removed its bank accounts from the Co-operative Bank and would  emergency banking arrangements would be in place before 12 December when the Co-operative Bank needed to make a decision on the bond offer and could then go into liquidation?

Councillor Lowry responded that the Council had removed its accounts and a tendering exercise was currently taking place to find another lender. The Council had emergency arrangements in place.

12

Councillor Jordan

Councillor Peter Smith

Would Plymouth be marking the centenary of World War 1 next year?

Councillor Peter Smith responded that he was in discussion with the Royal Navy on an event subject to funding.

13

Councillor Bowyer

Councillor Coker

How many years remained on the Council’s contract with Amey? How many council employees were engaged in renegotiating the contract and what engagement would there be with ward councillors?

Councillor Coker responded that there were two years left on the contract and he undertook to provide a written response on the other questions.

14

Councillor Bowyer

Councillor Williams

Would the renegotiation process for the highways contract provide an opportunity for ward members to have an input?

Councillor Williams responded that there would be opportunity for involvement, scrutiny and through the Transformation Advisory Group.

15

Councillor Jordan

Councillor Penberthy

How many rough sleepers were there in the city and was it acceptable for it to take a week to find a bed for them?

Councillor Penberthy responded that the count for the last quarter was due the following day. Normally it was not necessary for them to sleep out a second night if they did not want to.  He would take up any specific issues outside of the meeting.