Agenda item

Part I – To deal with written questions to the Executive.

Part II – To receive reports from the following Members of the Executive:-

a) Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts – Leader of the Council

b) Councillor Benet Allen – Deputy Leader & Communications and Culture

c) Councillor Christopher Booth – Community

d) Councillor Ross Henley – Corporate Resources

e) Councillor Marcus Kravis – Asset Management and Economic Development

f) Councillor Richard Lees – Sports, Parks and Leisure

g) Councillor Peter Pilkington – Climate Change

h) Councillor Mike Rigby – Planning and Transportation

i) Councillor Francesca Smith - Housing

j) Councillor Alan Wedderkopp – Environmental Services

An Executive Councillor shall submit a report to an Ordinary Meeting of the Council as to current and future business of their portfolio for the information of and comment from the Council. Such reports are for discussion and comment only and no motion shall be put to the meeting as to any such item other than those closure motions described in Standing Order 5.

Leader of the Council (Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts)

Councillors asked questions on the following topic:-

·         Transformation and commitment from the Executive towards to Change Programme.

Communications and Culture (Councillor Benet Allen)

Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

·         Internal communications;

·         Improved communication programme; and

·         Firmstep processes and procedures.

Community (Councillor Chris Booth)

Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

·         Concern for traders located in the Station Road area;

·         Taunton BID;

·         CCTV; and

·         Rough sleepers check.

Corporate Resources (Councillor Ross Henley)

Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

·         Customer service satisfaction;

·         Firmstep processes and procedures;

·         Wellington Customer Hub and staffing levels;

·         Somerset living wage community;

·         Complaint statistics; and

·         Staff structure and definitions for job titles.

Asset Management and Economic Development (Councillor Marcus Kravis)

Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

·         Cost implications of the work of the East Quay wall and harbour safety;

·         Information on Seaward Way;

·         Taunton ice rink; and

·         Affordable employment land.

Sports, Parks and Leisure (Councillor Richard Lees)

No question were submitted for the Portfolio Holder.

Climate Change (Councillor Peter Pilkington)

Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

·         Climate change awards;

·         Concern on emissions produced by the ice rink; and

·         Electric vehicle charging points.

Planning and Transportation (Councillor Mike Rigby)

Councillor Mike Rigby apologised for his report not being submitted.  He then presented a verbal update to Full Council, which included an update on the following:-

·         Planning staffing levels and the reduction in the backlog on the validation stage of the planning application process.

·         A Conservation Officer had been appointed.

·         A Local Plan Working Group had been formed and he gave information needed for developments on the Local Plan.

Councillors asked questions on the following topics:-

·         Planning staffing levels;

·         Government targets set for planning applications and sanctions that might be incurred;

·         Park and ride and potential for Saturday operations;

·         High Street funds;

·         Business developments and infrastructure; and

·         Employment land.

Housing Services (Councillor Francesca Smith)

Councillors asked questions on the following topic:-

·         Perspective of Housing over time.

Environmental Services (Councillor Alan Wedderkopp)

Councillors asked questions on the following topic:-

·         Taxi vehicles checks.