Agenda item - Chairs Communications

70.1      The Chair provided the following communications:

“Just to highlight two government policy developments that the council has been notified of.  The Future of Mobility Strategy published today and the Future Mobility Zones Fund. This will cover cross-boundary working and looking at emerging transport technologies.  The fund will support the trialling of ‘new mobility services, modes and models’ via 4 zones set up in the country”.

70.2      Councillor Wares noted that the committee members had that afternoon received a copy of a letter sent to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and enquired as to whether the Chair could provide any update on how that might impact upon the Council. Furthermore, Councillor Wares asked if any comment was available on the matters relating to Cityclean reported in the press earlier that day.

70.3      The Chair noted that the letter referred to was solely addressed to the LEP and therefore, it was for the LEP to respond in whatever way it saw appropriate. In relation to the matters reported in the local press, the Chair stated that there was no item on the agenda relating to the matter and therefore, she did not intend to comment upon or discuss the issue.

70.4      Councillor West noted that Councillor Deane had requested a letter be included on the agenda for the January committee meeting and this committee, yet this had not happened. Councillor West stated his concern regarding democratic process in relation to the matter.

70.5      The Chair stated that it had been intended to send a response to Councillor Deane outside of the formal committee process. That response had now been sent with an apology to Councillor Deane for the delay.