Agenda item

Question 1

Councillor N Symonds asked the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing if he would strongly urge the housing associations to work in a much more proactive manner with the police to evict those known to be dealing drugs, causing anti-social behaviour and making other residents’ lives a misery.

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing quoted national statistics on the number of evictions and commented that approximately half had been carried out by Registered Social Landlords (RSL).  He referred to East Herts’ processes and the way the Council worked in partnership with RSLs and the police, using the web-based “Safetynet” system and through monthly meetings.

The Executive Member referenced the statutory framework and the number of closure orders issued that had resulted in evictions.  Finally, he had written to the five RSLs operating locally on this subject and undertook to publish their responses when received.

In response to a supplementary question on the lengthy timescales of some processes, the Executive Member undertook to pursue this if specific details were provided.

Question 2

Councillor P Phillips commented that the "Stop Bengeo Quarry" campaign was working tirelessly to highlight the significant dangers to the local community of extracting over 2.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel from an area that was 320 metres from Bengeo Primary school and in close proximity to many hundreds of local residents, following an application by local land owners to Hertfordshire County Council in March this year.  He asked the Leader of the Council to join himself, local colleagues, local residents and the local MP in offering her, and this Council’s support to the "Stop Bengeo Quarry" campaign.

The Leader referred the question to the Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support as the subject matter fell in her portfolio area.

The Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support reminded Members that the Council was only a consultee on this application and that Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) would be making the determination.  She also reminded Members that the site had been included in the 2007 HCC Minerals and Waste Plan Preferred Options list and so the Council could not object in principle.  However, the Council, as a consultee, had made representations in terms of the rigorous application of conditions in terms of mitigation of disruption caused.

The Executive Member detailed the concerns raised for HCC to consider.  Although the formal consultation period had ended, HCC, like East Herts’ Development Management Committee, will consider any new material evidence submitted up to the day of the meeting.  She encouraged Members to continue to raise any issues so that HCC made a determination based on all the available evidence.

On a point of order, Councillor P Ruffles asked Council to note that he was not associated with any of the comments made.  As a member of HCC that would make the determination, he had to remain open-minded until the decision was considered and made.

Question 3

Councillor M Stevenson asked the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space if the Council's policy of not entering to collect items of heavy furniture be changed in the case of vulnerable and elderly residents, who otherwise might have to pay privately to remove items to the kerbside.

In response, the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space referred to the design of the Council’s Bulky Waste Collection service, which provided a kerbside service only and residents were requested to present the items on the boundary on collection day.  He referred to the contractual arrangements and also the reasons that most Councils did not offer a collection from within the property.  This included issues around the training, health and safety, liability and the efficiency of the service.

The Executive Member reminded Members that in many cases, where a household item was being replaced with a new one, the supplier would remove the old item either free or for a charge.  He also referred to local reuse charities which might help to remove items of furniture from the property.  If customers had difficulties in moving items to the boundary, Officers would suggest that a family member, friend or neighbours might be able to help to do this.  

Finally, the Executive Member stated that Officers were planning to carry out some work to identify whether the voluntary sector could provide support to elderly, vulnerable and disabled people that needed help removing items from their property to the boundary.

In response to a supplementary question, the Executive Member undertook to keep Members informed of Officers’ progress.