To deal with any questions on notice from Members of the Council, in the order in which they have been received.
Minutes:
Two questions on notice had been received within the two day time limit and one urgent question had been received which the Chairman had agreed could be included. The questions were taken in the order they had been received.
1. Question submitted by Councillor Mrs. R. L. Dent to the Leader
“The pay on foot parking scheme has now been operational for 5 months, can the Leader please advise the Council if the revenue generated is as expected and the scheme working as intended?
The Leader referred this question to Councillor M. J. A. Webb as the relevant Portfolio Holder.
Councillor Webb replied that the pay on foot scheme was a new initiative and as such the scheme was being reviewed and altered as required. The number of vehicles using the car park had increased year on year and the average cost had reduced in comparison with last year with fewer Excess Charge Notices being issued.
Following consultations and feedback from customers It had been recognised that further improvements could be made, for instance at present customers were waiting too long to pay at some peak times and it was intended to install an additional payment machine to relieve this issue. In addition, in response to concerns raised, it was intended to amend the payment structure so that charges were in increments of 10 minutes.
The average cost of parking was better value than previously and the introduction of the 10 minute increment would reduce the average cost further. The cost of parking would be cheaper than ever in these car parks. The changes would however have an impact on the Council’s revenue and officers would need to identify how this reduction could be mitigated. This would inevitably lead to difficult decisions on other services during the Budget discussions.
Councillor Mrs. Dent did not ask a supplementary question.
2. Question submitted by Councillor C. R. Scurrell to the Portfolio Holder for Planning
“Is it true that the free drop-in service for planning queries at the Customer Service Centre has been scrapped?”
Councillor Mrs. J. Dyer M. B. E. Portfolio Holder for Planning replied thatthe drop-in sessions had not ceased and it was unfortunate that inaccurate information had been publicised as this was a disservice to the public who may wish to use the service. The free service continued on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons at the Customer Service Centre.
In line with other Planning Authorities in Worcestershire, Bromsgrove was making a charge to developers for detailed pre-application advice in respect of larger applications.
Councillor Scurrell did not ask a supplementary question.
3. Urgent Question submitted by Councillor P. M. McDonald to the Chairman
“What action is the Council taking to ensure that we have no further incidents such as occurred in St. Chad’s Park on 19th August 2010 in relation to fairground rides?”
The Chairman referred this question to Councillor M. J. A. Webb as the relevant Portfolio Holder.
Councillor Webb replied that the incident on 19th August was indeed unfortunate and that the Authority would always take all steps to avoid any potential incidents and to ensure that third parties complied fully with their responsibilities. In the case referred to the fair owner had correctly contacted the Health and Safety Executive.
The Council was undertaking its own review to discover whether any lessons could be learned from the incident which could further improve current procedures regarding third party use of Council land. Whilst no errors had been made in terms of the current procedures it was important to ensure that these were further reviewed and amended where appropriate. Officers would be making any necessary recommendations in this regard.