Agenda item

To receive any Members' questions.

Councillor A M Graham asked the Leader of the Council if he advocated the “Big Society” and, if so, he could enlighten the Council on what it meant in terms of this Council’s priorities.

The Leader responded by stating that he did support the “Big Society” as it facilitated opportunities for residents to contribute to their communities.  There was not a “one size fits all” and that different areas would define for themselves what worked best for them.  He believed East Herts Council had been doing this for many years and that the only new thing was the label itself.  He gave examples of such activity, such as at Ware Drill Hall, the Rhodes Arts Complex, summer playschemes and the campaigns to fight post office closures.  These helped to demonstrate the Council’s priorities to “leading the way and working together” in providing community leadership and to take “pride in East Herts”.

Councillor A M Graham asked the Executive Member for Planning Policy and Transport, in respect of the latest unemployment gloom in which the young, i.e.16-24 year olds have been worst hit, in what ways was the Council addressing positively the support it gives to this age group.

The Executive Member for Planning Policy and Transport referred to the Council’s engagement of two apprentices and to the ongoing dialogue with Job Centre Plus and LSP partners.  He stated that the Council was working closely with Hertford Regional College and local businesses in looking to create further apprenticeships by obtaining funding support in the business sector.  He emphasised that the Council was being proactive despite the difficult economic climate.

In response to a supplementary question, the Executive Member agreed that the Council would actively pursue all opportunities for young people, including voluntary work experience activities, where the young could develop learning skills.

Councillor V Shaw understood that Ware Town Councillors had now successfully persuaded East Herts Council to provide funding, not only for Tudor Square, but also for further projects in the town.  She asked the Executive Member for Planning Policy and Transport when this was agreed, what the further projects were, and how they had answered the questions as set out in the Executive Member’s letter to Ware Town Council on 7 September.

In reply, the Executive Member for Planning Policy and Transport stated that the question contained factual errors.  There had been an exchange of correspondence in which Ware Town Council had been given clarification, but there had been no discussion since.

Councillor V Shaw asked a supplementary question on why therefore, the local Conservatives had issued a leaflet stating that the Council had provided funding.  In reply, the Executive Member stated that he could not comment on this.

Councillor V Shaw referred to funds in the region of £400,000 that had been provided to the Drill Hall in Ware in the past few years.  She asked the Leader of the Council how this sum had been spent, when there appeared to be very little material difference to the building and she understood on good advice, that only basic repairs had been made. 

In response, the Leader detailed the revenue support provided by the Council since 2001, when control of the facility had been handed over to a management committee on the basis that the Council’s funding would taper on a reducing scale to £10,000 per annum.  In total, the Council had provided £120,000 over this period.  In the past four years, £9,200 had been provided for repairs and maintenance.  In addition, there had been two capital schemes totalling £65,000 relating to the upgrade of disabled and kitchen facilities.

He concluded by stating that the capital programme currently included provision of £200,000 for improvements that would assist the management committee in attracting additional community use, subject to the trustees taking on a full repairing lease and thus reducing the Council’s revenue support even further.  The sum of all these revenue and capital schemes amounted to approximately £400,000.

Councillor V Shaw stated that Hertford Museum had been provided with a very generous £100,000 for their refurbishment and was recently given a further £10,000 to cover a shortfall, from East Herts Council.  Ware Museum had been given just £5,000 for their refurbishment.  Ware Museum had embarked on an ambitious project to bring the Great Bed of Ware to the Museum in 2012 and had made an application for £10,000 from East Herts Council to help support this exciting scheme.  The Great Bed would generate civic pride, visitors, and economic benefit to the town in the Olympic year.  To deny this grant had been very unfair to Ware, who continually missed out on funding compared to the money being invested in other East Herts towns.  She asked the Executive Member for Community Development, Leisure and Culture why this request had been turned down, and why the trustees had been told there was no likelihood of funds being granted.

On behalf of the absent Executive Member, the Leader responded by advising that no such application had been received.  Discussions over a possible application had taken place with Ware Museum in November 2010, in which Officers had advised that the draft scheme was unlikely to meet the criteria for a revenue grant, although there was a capital element that might do so.  Officers had further advised that an application for capital support in 2011/12 might best be submitted after awaiting the outcome of a bid for Heritage lottery development funding.  Reassurance had also been given that Officers would be happy to provide further assistance in this process.  There had not been any recent correspondence and at this stage, no application had been received.

Councillor V Shaw asked the Executive Member for Community Safety and Protection if she had been right in thinking that, if any towns defaulted on their payment for CCTV cameras, East Herts Council would have to pick up the cost because of the way the contract had been written.

In reply, the Executive Member for Community Safety and Protection reminded Members of the vandalism and anti-social behaviour problems experienced in Ware before CCTV cameras had been introduced.  He also recalled the difficulties faced by the Town Council, of which he was a Member, in attempting to source funding from private partners.  Thankfully, East Herts Council had stepped in and provided funding for a  scheme and had sought a contribution from the Town Council for this investment. 

He stated that funding for 2011/12 only had been agreed, subject to a review of community safety that would be undertaken, and that an alternative funding mechanism would have to be identified.  There was no contract as a service level agreement existed.

In response to a supplementary question, the Executive Member for Community Safety and Protection confirmed that East Herts Council would not pick up the bill if the Town Council refused to pay for the scheme.

Councillor K A Barnes asked the Leader of the Council to explain why meeting dates had been altered in the lead up to the local elections on 5 May 2011, and whether he was aware that neighbouring local authorities were holding meetings as late as 18 and 19 April.   He also asked, if it was so important to observe purdah in such a strict manner, whether he could explain why meetings had taken place in the lead up to the two recent by-elections in November and December 2010 and the 2007 local elections of this Authority.

In response the Leader stated that he had no remit on this matter and that his view was irrelevant.  This was an issue for the Returning Officer and as such, should be referred to her directly.

In response to a supplementary question on whether it should be Council that made such a decision, the Leader reiterated that it was not a matter for him.