Questions on Notice
A period of up to 15 minutes is allocated for the asking and answering of questions. This may be extended at the discretion of the Chairman with the agreement of the majority of those present.
To deal with any questions on notice from Members of the Council, in the order in which they have been received.
Minutes:
Question submitted by Councillor M. Thompson
I am very grateful to David Rischmiller for assisting the Community Safety Team in looking into crime issues in Rock Hill and the surrounding area. The Leader will, of course, be well informed of the recent increase in crime in this area. Will she tell me following Mr Rischmiller’s assessment, how she intends to help me fight this increasing problem and whether she believes Barnt Green and Alvechurch are in better need of CCTV than Rock Hill?
The Leader responded that the report of David Rischmiller (Bromsgrove Community Safety Project officer) in relation to part of the Rock Hill area was to be presented at the Safer Bromsgrove meeting later in June for consideration and implementation where possible.
The Leader stated that Councillor Thompson’s request for CCTV in Rock Hill had been incorporated into the review of CCTV currently being undertaken in order to meet the requirements of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Code of Practice.
The Leader also stated that an assessment of crime, anti social behaviour and CCTV monitoring centre data for each location in Bromsgrove, including three additional requested locations in Rock Hill was being produced to allow a comparison of the cameras across the CCTV scheme. The analysis would form part of the CCTV Review to be presented to Members and until this report was available the leader felt she was not able to comment on which areas within the District may or may not be in need of CCTV.
Question submitted by Councillor C. A. Hotham
Please can the Leader explain the current legal status of Bromsgrove District Council occupation of the Parkside building and how not obtaining the half share of the freehold prior to the investment of £3.5 million was not reckless in risking Bromsgrove residents’ money?
Councillor G. N. Denaro referred to the Development agreement between Worcestershire County Council and Bromsgrove District Council signed in November 2013 and made the following points in response to the question;
· that the current position was that Worcestershire County Council held the legal estate on trust for itself and the District Council;
· that the beneficial interest under the trust belonged to the County Council and the District Council in equal shares ;
· that there was no right of pre-emption in favour of any third party; and
· that the legal estate was to be transferred by the County Council to the County Council and the District Council jointly.
Councillor Denaro stated that now that the project was effectively complete and in order to move forward with the transfer, the legal teams were preparing the appropriate documents. The District Council had secured agreement to acquire 50% of the freehold at the point of completion of the project in addition to a number of other caveats to protect Bromsgrove District Council so any risk was minimal if it existed at all.