Cabinet Members will answer questions from Members on their Portfolios.
Minutes:
Councillor Mrs J Roach, addressing the Cabinet Member for the Environment, stated that many residents had asked for lids to be provided with their recycling boxes. The recent gales and volume of Christmas rubbish had proven a need for something to avoid rubbish being blown up and down the streets. She referred to District Council’s in Wales who provide residents with nets to cover their boxes thereby retaining the contents when placed outside in bad weather. She asked the Cabinet Member whether there was any possibility of this happening here?
The Cabinet Member for the Environment replied by stating that he noted the suggestion from Councillor Roach and he would talk to the Waste Manager about the possibility. However, due to changes with the Waste and Recycling Scheme residents were recycling more, crews had been very busy and nets may not be waterproof.
Councillor T W Snow, addressing the Cabinet Member for Finance, voiced his concern regarding a local resident trying to obtain figures from the Housing Benefits team. The resident had been told that the team only took calls from 8.00am until 1.30pm each day. The Head of Finance confirmed that that was correct however, if Councillor Snow provided him with the details he would follow up the resident’s issue.
Councillor N A Way, addressing the Leader, stated that with regard to the proposed closure of the Crediton office local Members were not being kept informed regarding developments. Councillor F W Letch, speaking as Mayor of Crediton, informed Council that the Town Clerk, himself and another Town Councillor had been meeting with the Head of Customer Services about how the various functions could be provided under new arrangements. The Chief Executive further confirmed that he would ask the Head of Customer Services to meet with all local Members and keep them updated on a regular basis.
Councillor D J Knowles, addressing the Cabinet Member for the Working Environment and Support Services, stated that there had been a problem with people ringing the out of hours standby service over the Christmas period. As a result the Town Council Secretary had been inundated with calls. He requested that this be looked at before next Christmas.
Councillor Mrs J Roach, addressing the Cabinet Member for the Environment, stated that with regard to amenity car parks, Silverton Parish Council had been asked by Mid Devon District Council to make a contribution towards maintenance or the District Council would consider charging them. It had been her understanding that the Parish Council had wanted more information about what was a ‘reasonable’ contribution. The Parish Council would be setting their budget in the following week and they had wanted further information in advance of this. The Head of Finance responded by stating that Parish Councils had been informed what the costs were in relation to the upkeep of amenity car parks. He further stated that Silverton Parish Council had already informed him that there were not prepared to make a contribution towards the costs. The Chairman suggested that perhaps ‘something had been lost in translation’ and that perhaps communication regarding this matter could have been improved.