Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader of Council outlining the business of the Executive undertaken since the last report July 2020.

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive.

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to questions.

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1

1.  Costs relating to Bassett Avenue

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

Could the Cabinet Member reveal the final cost of the Bassett Avenue measures, from Winchester Road roundabout to the Chilworth roundabout. Could the costs be further broken down in to how much was the initial cone only scheme; and then how much was purely for the painting of the lanes/removal of the cones and finally how much is then the removal of the lane paint and restoration of the road to the pre measures state.

Answer

We are yet to receive the invoicing for removal works completed recently such as the removal of the top section of Bassett Avenue but will have these final costs in October as part of our standard invoicing and note that whilst the remainder of the trial scheme is in place the scheme remains live and with final costs yet to be received but is forecast to come in below the budget allocation.

2.  Parking at the Common

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

Recent data has shown that the number of cyclists on Hill Lane, South of Wilton Road increased by just 14 when compared to the last data we held (February 2019). Given we were comparing a winter weather day, with a summer day (13th July) and that other data shows 3 or 4 times more cyclists go through the common itself; would you now immediately reinstate some of the Common side parking along Hill Lane that has been lost; but especially on the section between Bellemoor Road and Burgess Road?

Answer

Data has been collected monthly on cycle traffic on the Common.  August figures were higher than July and the baseline which was established pre-COVID. 

Comparing figures now as to where we were is very different. We are, however, committed to review in line with the experimental TRO once the September figures are available. 

3.  Children’s Services

Question from Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Hammond

How aware were you of the issues in Children’s Services?

Answer

As you would expect I didn’t see the entirety of the whistleblowing concerns until the report was finalised. Which we’ve transparently shared with Councillors and the public.

Obviously, I was aware of the improvements needed from our Ofsted inspections and the themes of the Appreciative inquiry - which the Whistleblowing concerns reiterated.

Within a week of the concerns being raised, we had appointed Malcolm Newsam (Independent Consultant) who subsequently published his Learning Report.

4.  Question from Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Hammond

Children and Families Scrutiny Panel

Will you commit to making all information available to the Children and Families Scrutiny Panel in order for proper scrutiny to take place?

Answer

The Children and Families Scrutiny  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29