Issue - meetings
Questions at Cabinet Meetings
Meeting: 01/02/2017 - Cabinet (Item 4)
4 Questions at Cabinet Meetings 
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Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.
Written questions
To answer any written questions from a County Councillor, (or any person living or working in the county, or is affected by the work of the County Council), about any matter which relates to any item on the agenda for this meeting.
The closing date for the receipt of written questions is 9.00 am on Friday 27 January 2017.
Oral questions
To answer any oral questions from members of the public. An oral question may be asked by a member of the public about any item on the agenda for this meeting, provided notice of the question is given by the questioner to the Chief Executive’s representative, at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.
Depending on the nature of the questions, it may not be possible to provide a comprehensive answer at the meeting, in which case a written answer will be provided as soon as reasonably possible after the meeting. Questions received and proposed responses do not accompany this agenda but will be circulated prior to the meeting.
Minutes:
Public Questions
No public questions were considered at the meeting.
Member Questions
A total of 28 (member) questions were submitted in advance of the meeting.
Please refer to the following link to view the responses to the questions
If you are unable to view the questions at the link above, please go to the link below and select ‘Cabinet Questions and Responses’.
http://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=8406&Ver=4
The following supplementary questions were asked at the meeting.
Question 1: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson
Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy
From what you’ve said, the council has made £10 million profit from parking revenue in recent years. Can you explain why, during the 12 year Conservative administration, the roads and pavements in Gloucestershire are in a truly terrible state. Can you justify this position?
Response by: Cllr Vernon Smith
The £9.8 million parking revenue is not all profit. We operate a system where surplus revenue is reinvested into highways. It is important to deal with the facts, not opinions. The income is recirculated so there is no profit. The current administration inherited a £120 million backlog in highway repairs. This has since reduced to £80 million. The current strategy aims to continue reinvesting whatever surplus there is into highway maintenance. This approach is recognised by the council’s independent verifiers, who have noted a marked improvement in recent years.
Question 2: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson
Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy
I am pleased the Highways Local Scheme will continue and support this proposal. However, following a Lib/Dem motion at the council meeting in February 2016, the Highways Budget 2016/17 increased by £30,000. Why are you proposing to cut the Highways Budget by £20,000 in 2017?
Response by: Cllr Vernon Smith
This is a fantastic scheme. The decision to increase the 2016/17 Highways Budget was made by Full Council. Funding for the 2017/18 budget will be agreed at the council meeting on 15 February 2017.
Question 3: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson
Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy
Road Safety is a serious issue. The draft budget proposal for 2017/18 includes a budget of £107k for the Road Safety Partnership, a 40 per cent cut on last year’s budget of £140k. Given the number of deaths reported, and missed targets in road safety, how can you justify the cuts?
Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor
We agreed in November to invest £0.5 million into the Highway Safety Scheme.
Question 4: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson
Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy
I am familiar with the good work on the A429 Fosse Way. Given that 52 % of Road Safety Partnership funding was spent on staffing costs in 2016/17 and only 7 % on School Crossing Patrols, surely it would be more appropriate to invest on the projects on the ground rather than on staffing?
Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor
I can give you a more detailed breakdown after the meeting. Less than a third ... view the full minutes text for item 4