Agenda item

The Mayor advised that 9 questions had been received from Councillors and that the answers had been tabled in accordance with the Constitution.

Questions and answers were given as tabled unless where stated, supplementary questions were asked as detailed below.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 1, Councillor Nunn advised that he would be happy to meet with the petition organiser, however it was the general consensus amongst homelessness agencies in the town that a permanent homeless encampment was not the right way to deal with the problem.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 2, Councillor Hadland confirmed that the western island site nearest to the Mayorhold car park was still a priority and development would begin as soon as funding was available.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 3, Councillor Hallam stated that he would supply Councillor Roberts with an answer outside of the meeting.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 4, Councillor Hallam stated that he was happy to meet and talk with Councillor Roberts.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 5, Councillor Hallam explained that he could not predict the future.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 6, Councillor King explained that the Council was engaging with McDonalds to try to resolve issues there. She noted the knife crime campaign and work with primary and secondary schools within the borough and highlighted the Police’s own Operation Lily which saw 10 additional police officers in the town centre over the autumn and winter.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 7, Councillor King advised that there were several services for victims of domestic abuse; referrals could be made through MASH and referrals would be treated with the highest confidence and dealt with as quickly as possible.

In response to a supplementary question relating to question 9, Councillor Hibbert explained that certain projects would be brought to Cabinet for approval over the next few months.