Questions for Council 14th July 2005
(NOTE: The following questions and answers, any supplementary questions asked by Councillors and answered at the meeting and any later written answers will be published on the Council's website as soon as possible after the meeting and linked to the published draft minutes of this meeting.)
1. Question from Councillor Nigel Roberts
Please could the Executive Member give an update on the current situation with regard to the cost of green wheelie bins, used for composting?
Answer from Executive Member for Sustainability and the Environment
The cost to a resident to take part in the garden waste wheeled bin service is £37 for three years. The scheme is currently being reviewed, as part of the Council's Waste Strategy. New service specifications for both refuse and recycling collections will be drawn up and tendered as part of a market test of the Council's waste services. The evaluation of options will include a full assessment of the implications of offering a free of charge service in the future.
2. Question from Councillor David Dixon
Bathwick Estate has 27 missing trees at the following locations: Rockliffe Avenue - 2, Powlett Road - 2, Forester Road - 4, Forester Avenue - 12, Rockliffe Road - 7, which, for different reasons have never been replaced. Would the Executive Member please advise when they will be replaced?
Answer from Executive Member for Transport and Highways
Responsibility for the management of trees on the highway has recently been passed to the Parks Section. The Council will, as a matter of policy, be replacing all street trees which are removed from now on. There is an historic problem whereby, for a number of reasons, not all trees in the area have been replaced when removed. Officers are currently assessing the scale of this problem and the cost of providing and planting replacements. Once this is known (by this autumn), a bid will be made for the necessary funding for any works which cannot be met from within existing resources. If this bid is successful, planting would be likely to take place in spring or autumn 2006.
3. Question from Councillor David Dixon
When will the missing bus stop, which is on the Bus Showcase Route, be replaced at York Place on the London Road?
Answer from Executive Member for Transport and Highways
As part of the showcase route improvements this shelter needs to be re-positioned. This has resulted in a problem as there are underground services. The shelter will be replaced as soon as possible and I will ensure that Councillor Dixon is informed about when it will happen. Officers will be in contact with him by the end of next week to clarify a date.
Supplementary Question
If there are problems with underground services why was the bus stop originally placed in that position?
Answer
I will respond to Councillor Dixon in writing.
4. Question from Councillor Sarah Bevan
Can the Executive Member for Transport and Highways reassure me and the residents affected of his intention to make the provision of street lighting in Eckweek Gardens, Peasedown St John, where there is at present no lighting at all, a priority?
Answer from Executive Member for Transport and Highways
Eckweek Gardens has some parish lighting which is well below modern standards. Providing lighting in the street to a satisfactory standard would cost around £17,000. There are 65 sites which have requested lighting. The Community Safety Team is creating a set of criteria to analyse objectively the lighting needs of these sites. I understand that £25,000 has been secured through the Council`s Community Safety Budget for such lighting work this year throughout Bath and North East Somerset. It is intended to provide similar funding over the next 3 years to continue this work. Eckweek Gardens is already on the list of places to be considered.
Supplementary Question
Some of Eckweek Gardens has no lighting at all - how has this arisen in the twenty-first century?
Answer
The problem is an historical one in certain areas throughout Bath and North East Somerset and over time the Council has not put enough money into community safety lighting. With the allocations of funding from the Community Safety and Street Lighting budgets referred to above we will begin to solve the problem but we must spend the money wisely and there are a lot of areas with claims for work to be done.
5. Question from Councillor Marian McNeir
What work is being done by the Council to raise awareness of the variety of fair trade products and outlets available with an aim to encourage people to consider their consumption habits and switch to fair trade?
Answer from Executive Member for Economic Development
In December 2003 Bath and North East Somerset was awarded Fairtrade Zone status by the Fairtrade Foundation. This accreditation is awarded to villages, towns, cities, and large areas such as B&NES, which have demonstrated their commitment to the principles and practice of Fairtrade. In our webpage:
http://cis/BathNES/business/fairtrade.htm
we explain what fairtrade means and where shoppers can buy fair trade products in Bath and North East Somerset and how we are supporting fairtrade by encouraging retailers to join our web site and by referring to the Council resolution to support fair trade.
In addition we are reviewing school meal suppliers to encourage fairtrade suppliers and we supply in house catering using fairtrade products.
Supplementary Question
What is the current status of the Fair Trade steering group and are we meeting the Fair Trade Zone goals so that we can be sure we will have our Fair Trade certificate renewed?
Answer
I will respond to Councillor McNeir in writing.
6. Question from Councillor Sarah Webb
Would the Executive Member consider employing a City Centre Manager for Bath?
Answer from Executive Member for Economic Development
As the questioner already knows, I am indeed considering management of Bath's city centre.
Supplementary Question
I reiterate my question - are you considering appointing a person for that post?
Answer
Yes I am.
7. Question from Councillor Andrew Furse
In the light of the recent interest in the work of Play Rangers by the Chairman of Bath and North East Somerset through the Play Rangers winning a national award for excellence from the Department of Education and Skills, will the Executive Member for Children`s Services guarantee continued funding for these schemes and ensure residents that other forms of play will not be adversely impacted?
Answer from Executive Member for Children`s Services
Play Rangers have been largely funded by the Children's Fund which will taper off to close in 2008. The Council intends to support current provision levels in Radstock, Twerton and Foxhill. External bids to help extend the service into other areas of need are being developed within the Education department.
8. Question from Councillor Andrew Furse
Will the Executive Member give Council confidence that sufficient resources are available in order for the Ward Members to be notified of license applications? Will the Executive Member give Council Members a date when they will start to be notified of license applications?
Answer from Executive Member for Community Safety, Housing and Consumer Services
Due to the recent influx of licence applications it is not possible for the licensing staff to notify individual Members of applications within their Wards. The Licensing Team is currently able on request to include Members on the electronic mailing list whereby they can be e-mailed information on all applications or the Members can visit the licensing web page which lists all the applications received. Additionally Members, and indeed the general public, may become aware of premises licence applications since there is a requirement on applicants to post public notices in the local press and on their premises.
As the software develops, the additional sophistication will include a facility to enable Ward Members to be notified of all applications within their area. The Licensing Team is also working on providing the facility for people to make applications on-line and for the public to be able to view the details and plans on-line. This should be available in summer 2006.
Supplementary Question
Can you put me on the electronic mailing list please?
Answer
Yes no problem.
9. Question from Councillor Andrew Furse
In view of the recent national campaign encouraging drivers to reduce speed because of injury statistics when driving above 20mph, 30mph and 40mph, will the Executive Member for Transport state what proactive measures he is taking and what enforcement initiatives will be introduced?
Answer from Executive Member for Transport and Highways
The Department regularly reviews the effectiveness of existing speed limits and considers whether additional measures are necessary to improve compliance. The actual enforcement of speed limits lies with the Police. There are regular meetings between officers of the Department and the Police. This year finance has been made available for additional interactive warning signs which have proved to work well in drawing the attention of drivers to their speed.
Supplementary Question
Do you agree that the national target of 6% reduction per year is missed in Bath and North East Somerset which had a 13% increase in casualties from road traffic accidents last year and what steps are being taken to address this problem?
Answer
I agree the problem is a serious one but to take one year`s figures in isolation is a distortion. The truth is that too many drivers drive too fast and so we need to improve the culture of safe driving by challenging drivers to consider if they are driving too fast, shooting the lights, using mobile phones when driving etc. Warning speed lights are effective here too.
10. Question from Councillor Roger Symonds on behalf of Councillor Dine Romero
Chewing gum on our streets is a sickening mess and makes our streets look scruffy. This unsightly and costly mess is already being tackled by the Council to an extent and I acknowledge the work being done under the litter reduction plan led by the Executive Member for Sustainability and the Environment. To date how many on the spot fines have been issued for irresponsible disposal of chewing gum?
Answer from Executive Member for Sustainability and the Environment
No fines for dropping gum have been issued to date. The Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005 received Royal Assent on 7th April and includes clarification that "litter" includes discarded chewing gum. Fixed Penalty Notices could therefore be issued for dropping gum in public places from 7th June. At present, Council officers ask offenders to pick up any litter dropped prior to instigating the Fixed Penalty Notice procedure and so far nobody has refused to comply with such a request.
Supplementary Question
Would the Executive Member and the Leader of the Council agree to write to Liverpool City Council supporting their proposal for 1p levy on each packet of chewing gum to fund measures to clear it up?
Answer
I am happy to discuss this with the Leader.
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