Agenda item - Written questions from Councillors.

A list of the written questions submitted by Members has been included in the agenda papers.  This will be repeated along with the written answers received and will be taken as read as part of an addendum circulated separately at the meeting.

42.1         The Mayor reminded the Council that written questions from Members and the replies from the appropriate councillor were now taken as read by reference to the list included in the addendum, which had been circulated as detailed below:

 

(a)         Councillor G. Theobald

 

42.2         “At the Cabinet meeting in October, I requested that the proposed bid for Coalition Government funding under the Armed Forces Community Covenant be submitted as a matter of urgency. Can the Cabinet Member please let me know if this has been done and can he also confirm when the Covenant is likely to be signed?”

 

            Reply from Councillor Duncan Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Public Protection.

 

42.3         “At Cabinet on 13th October we received a report with recommendations that:

 

            •     A programme of activity be developed in consultation with the local armed forces community to form the Brighton & Hove Community Covenant. This will enable publicity of existing initiatives and a formal launch of the Heroes Welcome scheme as well as the development of new plans as appropriate.

            •     Brighton and Hove to apply for funds to support the Community Covenant by March 2012.

            •     The plans for a Community Covenant and the engagement process be publicised on Remembrance Day 2011.

 

            We publicised our plans on the council’s website on Remembrance Day and have started conversations with armed forces representatives. We aim to ensure that we meet the emerging needs from Pan-Sussex review of the health needs of veterans and are particularly hoping to develop proposals to address the issues of homelessness, substance abuse and mental health.  We are still aiming to request government funding at the March 2012 panel”

 

(b)        Councillor C. Theobald

 

42.4         “Can the Cabinet Member please confirm that, contrary to what she stated at her CMM on 3^rd November, it is the policy of her Administration that ‘van dwellers’ are not classified as Travellers for planning purposes?”

 

Reply from Councillor Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Planning, Economy, Employment & Regeneration

 

42.1         “I can confirm that the Administration’s policy supports the current statutory definition of Travellers – which is of course a collective term used to describe different Traveller groups who have a nomadic lifestyle or tradition/heritage of nomadism.  As such, where Van Dwellers can demonstrate a nomadic lifestyle then they would fall within the Traveller Strategy and Planning Policy guidance alongside more traditional Traveller groups.

 

            Most of the city’s Van Dwellers are, however, not generally ‘nomadic’ and are effectively permanently resident in the city. Under these circumstances, then they would not fall within the remit of the Traveller Strategy or planning policy guidance.”

 

(a)         Councillor G. Theobald

 

42.2         “Given the substantial increases in charges that were agreed by the Cabinet Member on 29th November, and the massive cuts to road and pavement maintenance proposed in the 8^th December Cabinet papers, could he please provide an estimate of the Council’s parking income (both on- and off-street) for 2012/13?”

 

Reply from Councillor Davey, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm

 

42.3         “It is estimated that there will be an increase in surplus of £1.3m to subsidise environmental and transport services to both residents and visitors. In the past, this surplus has been used to help provide free transport for senior citizens, to support bus services, to pay the borrowing costs for capital projects such as the installation of cycle lanes, walking networks improvements and traffic management schemes.  Of the 1.3m, 48k is from off street parking, 844k from on street and the remainder from permits. 

 

            We have factored a reduction in demand for parking spaces as we expect residents and visitors to move to more sustainable forms of transport such as trains, buses, cycling and walking.  This we know is already happening as recent surveys have shown increases in public transport use and cycling. There has been a steady rise in bus passengers journeys from 30 million to 41 million between 2001 and 2010, and 27% more cycling trips between 2006 and 2009. By comparison, the average number of car trips entering and leaving the city every day has reduced by 12,000 between 2007 and 2009.”

 

            (d)    Councillor A. Norman

 

42.4         “Can the Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services please tell me the value of the contract that the Council has with the Democratic Society of Brighton & Hove to run Budget consultation and other events across the City, when this contract was awarded and by whom?”

 

Reply from Councillor J. Kitcat, Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services

 

42.5         “Brighton & Hove City Council commissioned the Democratic Society to deliver three budget participation events, to take place over three days in November 2011, as part of our budget consultation work. The events ran alongside an online consultation using a budget simulation website provided by Delib at http://www.budgetsimulator.com . The offline exercise was structured in broadly the same way, and used the same spending data and division of services. The findings from this work will be included in the budget consultation information provided to support the authority’s budget setting processes. The value of the contract with the Democratic Society for this work was £8000 plus VAT. The contract was agreed by the Chief Executive and arrangements were finalised in the week commencing 6th October.”

 

            (e)    Councillor Barnett

 

42.6         “Is the Council taking any practical steps to help hospices, for example the Martlets that are currently suffering serious funding shortfalls due to a reduction in donations and bequests from the public?”

 

Reply from Councillor Jarrett, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health

 

42.7         “I recognise that the Martlets and other hospices play an important role in supporting people at the end of their lives – and also their families. The Martlets depends to a large degree on charitable contributions to keep going. While it does have a huge amount of support in the city, it is currently finding fund-raising more difficult like other charities.  Hospices receive funding from a range of public sources, including GP Consortia and the PCT. The GP consortia funds via a grant, a proportion of the in patient bed facility and commissions the hospice at home service. In addition, NHS Continuing Care team commissions two beds specifically for continuing care patients.

 

            The council will continue to support the Martlets and other causes in the city in other ways such as encouraging staff to participate in fundraising. Officers are speaking with the Martlets about other opportunities. I welcome suggestions.”

 

(f)           Councillor Peltzer Dunn

 

42.8         “Will the Cabinet Member please confirm that swift action is being taken to regain possession of Ainsworth House from the squatters who have taken over the building and will she advise me when the previous Administration’s scheme to build 15 new council homes on this site will commence?”

 

Reply from Councillor Wakefield, Cabinet Member for Housing

 

42.9         “Notice was served for possession of the site on 1 December. At the same time our legal team applied to the Court for an urgent hearing date.  We have yet to hear from the court with a date but when the hearing does takes place the date for possession will be set by the court and Housing Delivery will arrange for Bailiffs to attend for the eviction. The site will be fully secured by Housing Delivery as soon as the squatters are removed.

 

            The contract for Ainsworth House new build is currently on track for award before Christmas. We anticipate that works on the new Council homes will formally commence in the New Year.”

 

(g)        Councillor Marsh

 

42.10    “Youth unemployment has increased by 79% across the city, since January this year. Does a) the administration share my concern with this shocking increase and b) what action will be taken to get Brighton & Hove’s young people out of the job centre and into work?” 

 

            Reply from Councillor Shanks, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People

 

42.11    “This is a worrying trend that is reflected across the country. Recent figures show that this month nationally youth unemployment reached 1.027m – the highest level since records began in 1992.   The Administration is also deeply disappointed to see the removal or reduction programmes that supported opportunities for young people in the city, including the Education Maintenance Allowance, Future Jobs Fund and higher education funding. 

 

            The council has direct responsibility for supporting young people aged 16 – 18 into employment, education or training. Job Centre Plus works with those who are 19 and over We also support young people with Special Educational Needs / Learning Difficulties and Disabilities up to the age of 24. We do not work with or hold information on the majority of young people over 19. 

 

            The increase in youth unemployment quoted in a recent report refers to 16 – 24 year olds. The percentage of 16-18 year olds who are not in education employment or training for January 2011 was 8.3% (519 young people). The average for June to August 2011 was 7.9% (559), below the figure for the same period last year.  This compares with 7.0% for England as a whole and regionally with 8.6% for Portsmouth and 20.3% for Reading.  Since April 2011, Brighton and Hove has a Youth Employability Service working with 16-18 year olds who are not in education employment or training. The council also runs a number of successful apprenticeship schemes and is closely linked to the City Employment and Skills Plan and Apprenticeship Strategy.  There a number of positions available to young people in Brighton & Hove (50 vacancies as at 6/12/11).

 

            We are working closely with providers and young people to look at the range of pre-apprenticeship provision available for those young people who are not quite ready to access a full apprenticeship programme.   Youth unemployment is being taken very seriously and it has been identified as one of priorities in the new City Employment & Skills Plan (CESP). Priority three of the new CESP action plan aims to ensure that local residents are equipped to compete for jobs in the city’s labour market.

 

            The CESSG is also looking to tackle the shortage of graduate level jobs by creating a City Prospectus and holding a City Expo to showcase existing businesses in key sectors, attract inward investment and brand the city as a place in which to do business.  Also, in Brighton & Hove City Council we have been preparing for the new Raising the Participation Age (RPA) targets since 2008 and we have developed City Curriculum 2015 (CC15) in response to this.”

 

(h)        Councillor Marsh

 

42.12    “Can the Cabinet Member reaffirm her party’s manifesto promise to do all she can to protect local Sure Start centre’s and other nurseries from cuts?”

 

Reply from Councillor Shanks, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People

 

42.13    “There has been a significant reduction in specific grant funding from central government available for children’s services and we have to work within these restraints. As pledged, Bright Start Nursery has been protected. We propose to continue to provide all of the Children’s Centre nurseries while ensuring value for money through co-locating services where possible.

 

            We plan to consult on the future strategy for children’s centres across the city which we hope will ensure that we continue to deliver services to our most disadvantaged children and families.”

 

(i)           Councillor Marsh

 

42.14    “Regarding the administration’s manifesto commitment to help groups of schools develop in-house environmental officers, you said that you stood by this commitment and that you were “pushing against an open door.” Could you tell me whether you have managed to open that “door” yet and provide me with an update?

 

Reply from Councillor Shanks, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People

 

42.15    “With effect from 1 November 2011 the council contracted with a not for profit company called Resource Futures who will work with local charity, the Sussex Wildlife Trust to provide Environmental Education Support to the city’s schools over the next three years. One part of the wide ranging tender required that bidders ‘Help groups of schools to develop in-house environmental officer posts to save money and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.’

 

            Resource Futures proposes to support schools in achieving this, to offer guidance on sources of funding and to provide three Teacher Training Twilight Sessions each year. A steering group of school and council representatives is working with the contractors to identify suitable areas of focus for these sessions. The contract also requires that the contractors support schools in their efforts to gain Eco-Schools awards and a further three inset sessions per year will offer advice and support to staff in this area.”

 

(j)           Councillor Mitchell

 

42.16    “The administration said they would be bringing forward proposals for Gypsy and Travellers site(s) between November and December. Could they tell me what has happened to this pledge?”

 

Reply from Councillor West, Cabinet Member for Environment & Sustainability

 

42.17    “Members will be aware that the selection of a permanent gypsy and traveller site is a very complex issue.  I am pleased to say that officers have made considerable progress and have assessed all possible sites that we are aware of.  The process cannot be totally complete at this time as some of the potential sites lie within the National Park and we are not able to confirm a site until we have obtained planning permission.  This is because ultimately the decision could lie with the National Park as the relevant planning authority.

 

            What I can say is that using the methodology agreed with the national park an expansion of the Horsdean Transit site on Braypool Lane to accommodate a permanent site came out of the assessment process as clearly the strongest site and is likely to go forward to Cabinet for selection as the council’s preferred site.  The Horsdean site is made up of former playing fields that were cut off by the A27 and so are flat, have good access and sit within a natural bowl.  The transit site presently uses around half of the site.

 

            Before any formal decision the council has to undertake further work to assess what landscaping measures could be used to lessen the impact and to also examine archaeology and biodiversity issues.

           

            The methodology agreed with the National Park dictates that we also do further assessment on sites at Waterhall Farm and Hangleton Bottom.  For various reasons both are less suitable than Horsdean.  However, we do need to also look at the landscape, archaeology and biodiversity issues on these sites as well to support the planning application for Horsdean.  We will be undertaking consultation with residents and travellers about the preferred site.”

 

(k)         Councillor Carden

 

42.18    “Would Councillor West kindly tell me how he intends to clear the gutters and pavements of weeds and grass in North Portslade now that 5 members of staff are being laid off by Cityclean as well as clear the fly tipping that is continually going on?”

 

Reply from Councillor West, Cabinet Member for Environment & Sustainability

 

42.19    “No employees of Cityclean are being laid off. The council employs around 280 staff who will continue to collect recycling, refuse and clean the streets.

 

            The council, like many others, is facing a very tough financial time.  Over 4 years there will be a cut in council public spending of 33% and this does mean that we have had to consider the budgets for all areas of council spend including street sweeping. I have been very determined to avoid redundancies and there will be none from our proposals.  It does mean we will not be employing to vacancies and it does mean reducing the levels of agency provision.  These are not easy decisions but faced with reducing funds from government we are having to make very difficult choices.”

 

(l)           Councillor Hamilton

 

42.20    “Your Administration has decided that no council employee will earn less than £7.19 an hour.  When contracts with private sector agencies who provide services such as adult social care and school meals are renewed will you be insisting that staff working for agencies providing council services will likewise be paid at least £7.19 an hour?”

 

Reply from Councillor Randall, Leader of the Council

 

42.21    “The move to £7.19 an hour was part of the Administration’s commitment to reducing inequality by reducing the pay differentials within the authority and its work around developing a Living Wage for Brighton & Hove.  To support this work further, in October 2011, a Living Wage Commission for the city was established. Through this commission the public sector (including a cross-party group of councillors), private and voluntary sector representatives and trade unions in Brighton & Hove are working together to consider the benefits and challenges of establishing a living wage for the city.  The Commission is chaired by Julia Chanteray, who is also chair of the city’s Chamber of Commerce.  Full details of the commission are available here:

            http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=b1162204

 

            The commission is due to meet on a number of occasions between October 2011 and March 2012 and will look at:

 

            What hourly rate would represent a living wage for the city,

            Whether agreement can be reached across the city on the benefits of introducing a living wage,

            How a living wage could affect employers.

 

            As part of this work the Commission will look at procurement issues in relation to a potential Living wage, including considerations that need to be given to contractors and agency staff. The findings of the Commission will be presented at the Brighton & Hove Strategic Partnership and Cabinet in March 2012.”