Minutes:
County Council Future Savings
The County Council is seeking to save £10 million pounds. Options are being explored. For example, pothole repairs and other services provided. Councils are to be requested to take responsibility for some services.
Three cuts a year is not viewed as a good saving.
The Green Waste subsidy is to be stopped. From 2018 payment for all recycled waste is to be stopped. By 2018 the County Council may be keeping the revenue collected for the waste.
The Council is to meet to discuss this and decide on future action.
Residents will be consulted before the decision is made.
The Government Revenue Support Grant is to be stopped by 2020.The business revenue rates will remain with the local Council.
This will not compensate for the cut in the Government Revenue Grant.
Some services will be reconfigured and other front line services saved.
100 homes a year are to be built in the borough. A 5 year land supply needs to be maintained.
A concerned resident asked if there were plans for several councils to amalgamate to address areas of public service provision. For example transport. It was clarified that this is a long way off and Government would have to agree to this.
In relation to a question of building of housing near to highways. It was clarified that; a builder would have to pay a subsidy for such building of properties. It was questioned whether there were any plans to increase train services. This was a concern due to garden flooding.
Sir Edward Garnier Parliamentary Speech
A concerned resident asked for information on the Sir Edward Garnier Parliamentary speech.
The Chair explained this concerned a staffing issue. Members were not involved in this. The complaint from which the speech arose was a complaint being addressed by the management, and advice taken from the Local Government Association.
The Council has a sum of money in its budget to deal with employment issues. There has been no effect on front line services. Services to residents have not been affected by this issue.
Little Hill Community Centre Build
A concerned resident asked if Little Hill Community centre is to be built.
The Chair stated this is an ongoing issue. The idea is to build something which is cost neutral. A partner needs to be found to pay for its running cost.
Greening of the Borough
The Greening of the Borough meeting is next week. Peace Park has won a green flag award. The vacant Park Ranger and the Assistant posts have been advertised.
A concerned resident wanted to know when the bungalows near their property are to be completed. A Council officer is keeping an eye on their development.
With regard to the maintenance programme on Bell Street landscaping, residents were informed that; a contractor has agreed to match fund the trees for 2 years They were dying due to lack of watering. This has now been resolved.
A concerned resident questioned if the electric company will refurbish the black pad. Work has been going on for a week and more whilst children were going to school. The barriers were being manipulated. The Chair stated that the County Council charge contractors for closing footpaths for prolonged periods.