Questions on Notice
To deal with any questions on notice from Members of the Council, in the order in which they have been received.
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.
Minutes:
Question Submitted by Councillor R. Hunter
“Please will you write, on behalf of this council, to the Leader of Worcestershire County Council and the Chief Executive of First Group to ask them to reverse the decision to cut services on Bromsgrove’s 144 bus route?”
The Leader responded that she had spoken with the Cabinet Member for Highways at Worcestershire County Council regarding this matter and he had clarified the situation. The Bromsgrove 144 bus route was a purely commercial route. Worcestershire County Council had no influence over this route. First Group had altered the service between Bromsgrove and Birmingham to every hour as congestion issues in Birmingham had been sighted as the issue. Bus companies have a legal obligation to run to time within the permitted framework of being up to one minute early and up to five minutes late. The company had reduced this route in order to comply with this framework. The County Council were not consulted on the change as they have no legal jurisdiction over the service as it is a purely commercially run service.
Question submitted by Councillor A. English
“I would like to ask what progress has been made in addressing the shortfall of pitches for Gypsy/Travellers in the district? There is an urgent need for the Council to provide pitches now. Waiting until the end of the Local Plan Review is not an option because it fails to address the urgent and legitimate Gypsy/Traveller need and thus further promotes unlawful and inappropriate development of the Green Belt.”
The Leader responded unfortunately the claims made were incorrect. Latest information from officers and from the ES14 return showed that currently Bromsgrove had a surplus of 6 Gypsy and Traveller pitches. Clearly there was, or will be a need to consider pitch provision going forward, however this had to be a matter for discussion primarily between the Council’s Planning Officer and Worcestershire County Council as it was general practice that the districts identify and make available appropriate land and the County provide the funding. Any review would ultimately inform the Council’s Local Plan but currently there was no urgent need.
Councillor May concluded that she would be happy to arrange for the officers to go through the figures with Councillor English.
Question submitted by Councillor J. King
“The Government has promised to encourage economic growth in the West Midlands and a substantial financial package is likely to be announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his next Budget. Bromsgrove is a member of both Worcestershire and Greater Birmingham LEPs and has a track record as the home of a high rate of start up companies. What will the portfolio holder do to ensure that Bromsgrove now receives the funding which it needs to grow its economy and provide the infrastructure which will make it an attractive place to live, work and visit?”
The Leader responded that, as outlined in her Portfolio Holder’s Report, she sat on the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Board ... view the full minutes text for item 76