Agenda item

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.

 

 

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

 

http://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/documents/b12523/Questions%20and%20Answers%20-%201%20February%202017%20Wednesday%2001-Feb-2017%2010.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=9

 

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 of the proposed Road Safety Partnership funding will be spent on GCC, staffing costs, the remainder to be spent on road safety measures, including cycle safety and training.  

 

Question 5: Cllr Iain Dobie

 

Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

Firstly, may I applaud the excellent work being done by Gloucestershire County Council to get people with learning disabilities into work.

 

However, as Chairman  of the Gloucestershire Health and Care Scrutiny Committee,  I am aware of the increasing delays affecting people with learning disabilities having assessments and reassessments, including annual assessments. This means some of the most vulnerable people in Gloucestershire are not having their needs met, which is why I ask my specific question again.

Will there be any additional investment in 2017/18 to increase the number of people with learning disabilities having a full reassessment of their needs?

 

Response by: Cllr Kathy Williams

 

Part of the proposed increase in the Adult Care Budget will be used for this purpose.

 

Question 6: Cllr Iain Dobie

 

Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

The figures show continuing cuts made in the budget for children with disabilities and parallel cuts relating to adults with learning disabilities.

 

How can you say you are protecting the most vulnerable?

 

Response by: Cllr Kathy Williams

 

Most of the reductions have been in residential care. Each child receives the same package of care.

 

Question 7: Cllr Jeremy Hilton

 

Item 8: Gloucester South West Bypass (GSWB) – Llanthony Road Improvements

 

I support the Llanthony Road Road Improvement Scheme 100 %. As part of the traffic modelling for the scheme, could the Cabinet Member look at the impact on Gloucester Quays, Kimbrose Triangle and Southgate Street, which is often used as an alternative route to the bypass.

 

Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor

 

I will give you an undertaking we will look at the impact in that area. 

 

Question 8: Cllr Jeremy Hilton

 

Item 8: Gloucester South West Bypass (GSWB) – Llanthony Road Improvements

 

I have concerns about archaeological issues. What assurance do you have that buildings of archaeological interest, for example, a listed wall, will be protected?

 

Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor

 

As a listed building, the council has a duty of protection to the Priory. We will take up any issues as we progress.

 

Question 9: Cllr Jeremy Hilton

 

Item 8: Gloucester South West Bypass (GSWB) – Llanthony Road Improvements

 

I am looking forward to Gloucester City Football Club returning home. Homes and businesses will also be affected by increased traffic. Do you agree, that access off the bypass must be better?

 

Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor

 

We will examine this as part of the traffic modelling for the scheme.

 

Question 12: Cllr Bernie Fisher

 

Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

From the figures provided, the budget for the Trading Standards Service has been cut by 51 % in the period since 2010/11. From your answer, it would appear we are not doing the right checks and that we have to wait until the information is reported before we collect data. My concern is that, any further cuts will make it unviable. Will there be further cuts?

 

Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor

 

I don’t believe there have been cuts in the service. A number of prosecutions and cautions have been issued with current performance greater than in 2010. Yes, there have been savings and efficiencies, but not a reduction in service. Having looked at a whole series of issues, I am satisfied we can maintain services.

 

Question 13: Cllr Bernie Fisher

 

Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

I am concerned vulnerable people in some outlying areas are being asked to pay more for public transport and may lose their bus services. Bus operators are already complaining about how little they receive. Where will we get the shortfall from?

 

Response by: Cllr Nigel Moor

 

A motion was due to be considered at the council meeting on 7 December 2016, which we may come back to. I will have no problem lobbying the Government on this issue.

 

In comparison with neighbouring authorities, Gloucestershire’s shortfall is less than at other authorities. Oxfordshire has taken £3.5 million out of subsidised transport to address the problem. This is a national issue to lobby the Government about.

Question 16: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

With national recognition of the crisis in social care, why didn’t the council ask supplementary questions of the public when considering about a further increase in the Social Care Levy?

 

Response by: Cllr Ray Theodoulou 

 

I believe we a viable budget that works. With adequate resources and reserves, we are able to manage the challenges we are faced with. That is not to say we wouldn’t be grateful if we received more money. We need to be mindful of the impact of extra taxes on residents

 

Question 19: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

I am pleased you meet with local people, but as Leader of the Council, why do not stand up for the residents of Gloucestershire in public, as other individuals do, including Paul Carter, David Hodge and Neil Carmichael?

 

Response by: Cllr Mark Hawthorne

 

I am in contact with, and provide input, to the 3 individuals you refer to. Paul Carter, is the Chairman of Maidstone County Council; David Hodge is the Conservative Group spokesman on the Local Government Association; and Neil Carmichael MP is the Chairman of the Education Select Committee.  It is there job to speak for the sector.

 

I also undertake a number of lobbying exercises, resulting in several successes over the past two years. There is a huge amount of work to do. I do my job but don’t necessarily feel the need to appear on the front page of every newspaper every time I achieve something.

 

Question 21: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

 

Item 6: Recommendations to Council: Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

On page 34 of the agenda, details of the overall budget propose a total of almost £6million of cuts, comprising 13.31 % in Children’s and Families; 1.21 % in Communities and Infrastructure; 3.4 % in business support and 2.4 % in Public Health. Is this correct? 

 

Response by: Cllr Mark Hawthorne

 

I feel it is important to concentrate on the facts and the need to invest in the most vulnerable in our communities. Increases have been made in the Adults, Children and Families and Highway’s Budgets. Although we have had to make difficult decisions, we will continue to invest in the areas that really matter. This is achieved through prudent financing. In the Technical and Corporate Budget we are proposing £3 million worth of savings in Capital Finance and £4.5 million in one off investments. This combined total exceeds the total drop in the budget. We believe it is important to invest in a budget that will deliver services to the most vulnerable people in the community and improve the services people care about the most.

 

Question 22: Cllr Klara Sudbury

 

Item 13: Contract Award: Fastershire Broadband Strategy (Stage 3)

 

Elected members are the first point of contact for residents. In what ways will you be working with them to obtain detailed local knowledge on ‘not-spots’ in the county so that they can share information with residents?.

 

Response by: Cllr Mark Hawthorne

 

I get lobbied all the time about broadband by members via email. I haven’t had an email from yourself. The latest data will show the status of individual properties. This information will be released during the summer, where everyone will be able to see what broadband provision they will receive.

 

I would like to praise Alex Chalk, MP for Cheltenham, for helping to drive the programme forward in urban areas. A great effort was made. We will continue to work with the MP to deliver the next phase of the programme under new EU procurement rules.   

 

Question 23: Cllr Lesley Williams

 

Item 6: Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

Could you please explain what a ‘strengths based approach’ is?

 

Response by: Cllr Kathy Williams

 

A strengths based approach is an assessment of what individuals ‘can’ and ‘cannot’ do. The approach recognises individual qualities not noted before and focusses on the individual rather than on the collective. The approach is useful in recognising what might need to be looked at to achieve better outcomes for people requiring Adult Social Care.    

 

Question 24: Cllr David Brown

 

Item 10: Investing in Support for Homeless Vulnerable People

 

I welcome the successful bid for government funding, which is great news for the county. You state the county council will continue to work in partnership with district councils and other agencies. What assurances can you give to ensure joined up thinking across the districts?

Response by: Cllr Kathy Williams

 

We couldn’t do our work without joined up thinking. All district councils are included in the programme. We rely on information from the district councils to give feedback. There is more investment in Cheltenham and Gloucester, because of need.

 

Questions 26/27: Cllr David Brown

 

Item 10: Investing in Support for Homeless Vulnerable People

 

Members noted a correction to the amount of government funding recorded in the responses to questions 26 and 27. The amount of funding awarded to target rough sleepers was confirmed as £990,000.