Decision details

In response to a question from Councillor M Wood, the Executive Member for Finance confirmed that support for social housing schemes would reduce to nil in 2014/15.  The Council could not afford to continue this provision and it would be necessary to seek alternative funding, such as from section 106 agreements.

Councillor J Wing referred to the Town Centre Environmental Enhancement Programme and expressed concern, as a town councillor, that this had not been promoted sufficiently.  He also referred to the mosaics scheme which had not been progressed and other schemes submitted by Ware Town Council which had been rejected as the criteria had been changed.

The Leader responded by commenting that it was up to Ware Town Council to progress the mosaics scheme.  As for the other schemes, the world had changed.  The Leader believed that the New Homes Bonus would provide funds for town councils to spend as they wished, which was localism in action.  He invited all town and parish councils to utilise this funding to support economic development projects.

The Executive Member for Finance refuted Councillor Wing’s suggestion that there had been a lack of communication and commented that £129k in this year’s budget, remained uncommitted and was still available for bidding.

Councillor J Wing took on board the comments and accepted his personal responsibility as a Ware town councillor.  He reminded Council that he was in a minority of one.

RESOLVED – that (A) the comments of the Joint Scrutiny Committees of 17 January 2012, be received; and

(B)      the new Capital Programme for the period 2011/12 (Revised) to 2014/15 as now submitted, be approved.