Agenda item

To answer any questions from Members asked under Procedure Rule No 9.2

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 9.2 to allow Members to ask questions about Council activities.  The replies to any such questions will be given by the Chair of the Council or relevant Committee or the appropriate Cabinet Member.  Questions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon twelve clear working days before the meeting. 

 

The following questions had been received:-

 

Question A – Councillor C Cupit to Councillor N Barker, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

 

Given the mounting pressure, in the form of National Grid plans for large pylons, the likely follow-on increases in planning applications for solar farms and battery installations sponsored by the Government, and its wide-ranging changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, our countryside is increasingly at risk. Will the leader of the Council therefore confirm that this Council will support the work of Derbyshire County Council along with various local groups and organisations to get the Amber Valley area formally listed as a National Landscape (previously known as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’)?

 

Question B – Councillor J Stokes to Councillor K Rouse, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure

 

I am sure all the council shares the sadness at the recent news that one of the main contractors, ISG, on the new Clay Cross Active development filed for administration. Whilst pleased a new contractor is now starting some work on site, can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the anticipated delay to the completion of the project and the new projected opening date for the centre that we and the community all eagerly await?

 

Question C – Councillor H Wetherall to Councillor N Barker,Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

 

In the recent by-election in Clay Cross North the turnout was 22% and the winning candidate won on a share of the total possible votes of just over 10%. Congratulations to our newest colleague however the turnout means that 90% of voters did not vote for the winning candidate.  This must be concerning for all of us and can the Leader of the Council please offer some thoughts on how we can all make ourselves more relevant and credible so that we can try to address this democracy deficit that is very worrying. 

 

Question D – Councillor A Dale to Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place

 

Given the concern over increased fly-tipping in certain hotspots of the district and particularly around our rural communities, can the Cabinet Member provide the following information: the number of fly-tipping incidents and clean ups recorded for the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, and then 2024 to date?

 

Minutes:

The Chair confirmed that four questions had been received.

 

Question A – Councillor C Cupit to Councillor N Barker, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

 

Given the mounting pressure, in the form of National Grid plans for large pylons, the likely follow-on increases in planning applications for solar farms and battery installations sponsored by the Government, and its wide-ranging changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, our countryside is increasingly at risk. Will the leader of the Council therefore confirm that this Council will support the work of Derbyshire County Council along with various local groups and organisations to get the Amber Valley area formally listed as a National Landscape (previously known as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’)?

 

Councillor N Barker responded that officers had been working closely with county council officers to highlight areas of concerns and collaborated to respond to the recent consultation.  Concerns had been raised around the impact of proposals on the character of the landscape, heritage matters, and questioned the process for selecting the proposed route.  Officers would continue to work through the Development Consent Order.  There is a statutory process for the designation of national landscapes.  Councillor N Barker tasked officers to continue their work on this matter and to report to Environment Scrutiny Committee where necessary.

 

Councillor C Cupit stated that she had asked the question to get a commitment to support and explore this. Councillor N Barker stated that officers would take this into consideration and if it was possible to get the designation that would work towards it.

 

Question B – Councillor J Stokes to Councillor K Rouse, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure

 

Councillor J Stokes withdrew her question as it had been answered earlier in the meeting.

 

Question C – Councillor H Wetherall to Councillor N Barker,Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership and Finance

 

In the recent by-election in Clay Cross North the turnout was 22% and the winning candidate won on a share of the total possible votes of just over 10%. Congratulations to our newest colleague however the turnout means that 90% of voters did not vote for the winning candidate.  This must be concerning for all of us and can the Leader of the Council please offer some thoughts on how we can all make ourselves more relevant and credible so that we can try to address this democracy deficit that is very worrying. 

 

Councillor N Barker responded that it was a struggle to engage people in elections, especially local elections.  The Council had undertaken activities to try and engage with residents, including citizens panels and democracy weeks.

 

Councillor H Wetherall asked if Councillor N Barker agreed that modernisation and reforms to the national voting processes might help improve the matter. Councillor N Barker agreed that there were concerns regarding apathy and he was happy to consider any suggestions.

 

Question D – Councillor A Dale to Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place

 

Given the concern over increased fly-tipping in certain hotspots of the district and particularly around our rural communities, can the Cabinet Member provide the following information: the number of fly-tipping incidents and clean ups recorded for the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, and then 2024 to date?

 

Councillor S Pickering stated that flying tipping data was collated quarterly and submitted to DEFRA.  The following information was provided:

 

2021/22

Total Number of Incidents – 862

Incidents dealt with by Streetscene – 658

 

2022/23

Total Number of Incidents – 649

Incidents dealt with by Streetscene - 437

 

2023/24

Total Number of Incidents – 660

Incidents dealt with by Streetscene – 540

 

2024 Q1 & Q2

Total Number of Incidents – 336

Incidents dealt with by Streetscene – 279

 

Councillor S Pickering stated that there was a general trend of improvement. Regarding reported incident data in 2021/22 the Council ranked 90th out of 309 authorities, and in 2022/23 ranked 64th.  In respect of Fixed Penalty Notices issued in relation to fly tipping offences the Council had ranked 64th in 2021/22 and 36th in 2022/23.

 

Councillor S Pickering stated that it had been noted that there was a particular increase in fly tipping in East Dronfield, particularly in the Marsh Lane area.  Officers had been working in partnership with the Police.  Currently, two prosecutions were being undertaken in relation to evidence retrieved specifically from incidents relating to this area.

 

Councillor A Dale asked a supplementary question about bad hotspot areas, and whether additional cameras could be purchased and whether increasing the fines could be considered?

 

Councillor S Pickering stated that gathering evidence was crucial and hidden cameras were used.  There were a range of measures being used and considered.  The level of fines generally seemed to be effective, but they would continue to be monitored.