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.

102.1          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 Morgan

102.2          “Will the city council install a marked no parking bay outside of Walter May House, a sheltered housing block on Whitehawk Road, to allow occupants with disabilities and wheelchair users to board minibuses and taxis safely? Since the introduction of controlled parking in the area the road outside has become congested with parked vehicles, meaning residents and day care staff have had to board transport in the road as traffic passes.”

               Reply from Councillor Davey, Chair of the Transport Committee.

102.3          “I have asked officers to investigate this location and they did confirm that whilst there are no restrictions in place in this area, this does mean that vehicles for Walter May House residents can park here as well when parking is available.  I appreciate that at certain times there may not be any free spaces making loading more difficult for residents and staff.

   Currently, Traffic Officers are fully engaged on a full and extensive work programme and whilst the funding for minor traffic schemes such as this was withdrawn by Budget Council, I will discuss proposals with the Head of Transport to see how we can address these small projects in the future.”

   (b) Councillor K. Norman

102.4          “How many expressions of interest have been received for the purchase of the mayoral number plate CD1 since it was put on the market last year?”

   Reply from Councillor J. Kitcat, Leader of the Council.

102.5       “There has been one formal expression of interest.”

               (c) Councillor Janio

102.6          Concerns have been raised with me by residents about the rigid implementation by the Council of the policy of reducing the size of all allotments that become free from 10 rods to 5 rods. Will Cllr. West please look into this issue as part of the review of the Allotment Strategy in the coming months and consult with all interested parties to see if a more flexible approach might be possible?

Reply from Councillor West, Chair of the Environment & Sustainability Committee

102.7          “Thank you for your question.  As you know allotments are very popular in the city and we simply do not have enough plots for everyone on the waiting list – that is around 2,000 people.  Some people have been waiting for a plot since 2003.  We are looking for additional land but there is no way we will be able to find and afford to provide plots for everyone.  That is why, several years ago, the size of the plots were reduced to a size which still allows sufficient amount of cultivation for families and is more manageable. As you point out, we are working with the Allotment Federation and we are agreed that we must get more people growing.  We will be exploring how we do that within our current budgets and we are more than happy to review all policies and look at the issues of plot size as part of that review.”