Agenda item

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, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five complete working days before the meeting.

Minutes:

Four questions were submitted by members of the public for this meeting, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

Mr Williams attended the meeting and asked the following question. Councillor Evans responded as set out below -

Question No	Question By	Cabinet Member	Subject
Q1 (15/16)	Mr John Williams	Councillor Evans (Leader)	Administration of the Council
Is it legally compulsory for a local authority to have a controlling group of one party or an alliance, representing a majority of the Authority’s Members, or is it possible for a political group to govern as a minority, and to submit its proposals for approval to the full Council?
Response Yes, it is possible for a minority political group to form a minority administration.

Mr Aldred attended the meeting and asked the following question. Councillor Lowry responded as set out below -

Question No	Question By	Cabinet Member	Subject
Q2 (15/16)	Mr Ryan Aldred	Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance)	Minimum wage
The Trades Union Congress has endorsed a call for a £10 an hour minimum wage which will stimulate the economy from the ground up as people will have more disposable income. Plymouth City Council has implemented a living wage but would this Council join the call for £10 an hour?
Response We’ve already pledged to pay all Plymouth City Council employees a ‘living wage’ and we’re proactively encouraging other local employers to follow suit. We would be happy to explore ways which, in future, could provide further support for people on the lowest pay. But this needs to be done as part of a national initiative supported by the Government. Instead, the Government is intent on cutting another £12 billion from the welfare budget, the vast majority of which looks set to hit younger people and working families. Tax-payers in Plymouth and our local businesses, especially small and medium sized enterprises should not be left to subsidise cuts arising from a flawed national welfare policy, especially when the Government itself will not lead by example on a living wage.

In the absence of Mr Kerswell, the following question and response were circulated and a written response would be sent to him after the meeting -

Question No	Question By	Cabinet Member	Subject
Q3 (15/16)	Mr A Kerswell	Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance)	Funding of Cabinet Member Special Responsibility Allowances
Which budgets have the labour group plundered to pay for two extra cabinet members at a cost of £41,000 plus per year which had not been budgeted for in either of the two years this has happened and also £5.000 for the extra chair of planning.
Response Costs will be accommodated within existing budgets.

Ms Casey attended the meeting and asked the following question. Councillor Evans responded as set out below -

Question No	Question By	Cabinet Member	Subject
Q4 (15/16)	Ms Alison Casey	Councillor Evans (Leader)	Appointments to committees and Cabinet.
How can this new political alliance which is made up by the two main political parties allow new councillor positions to be created? Before coming to full council for debate and to be agreed as set out in the standing rules of the Council’s constitution.
Response There is no political alliance between the two largest political parties on Plymouth City Council as suggested by your question.