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 submitted:-
Question ‘A’ – Proposed by Councillor N Baker to Councillor J Barry, Portfolio Holder for Growth & Assets
Whilst it is appreciated that some decisions and discussions will be commercially sensitive and therefore confidential, given the significance of and public interest in some of the recent decisions taken by the Council’s Asset Management Board, could the Leader of the Council commit to making the items being considered by this Board more accessible so, where it is reasonably possible to do so, the process is more open to members of the Council and local residents so they can have more input before a decision is taken and that they are able to access records of those decisions?
Question ‘B’ – Proposed by Councillor A Dale to Councillor P R Kerry, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership & Finance
Can the Deputy Leader please confirm the full costs of the recent refurbishment of the reception area at Mill Lane and the sources and a breakdown of the funding?
Minutes:
The Chair confirmed that two questions had been received.
Questions A – Proposed by Councillor N Baker to Councillor J Barry, Portfolio Holder for Growth & Assets
Whilst it is appreciated that some decisions and discussions will be commercially sensitive and therefore confidential, given the significance of and public interest in some of the recent decisions taken by the Council’s Asset Management Board, could the Leader of the Council commit to making the items being considered by this Board more accessible so, where it is reasonably possible to do so, the process is more open to members of the Council and local residents so they can have more input before a decision is taken and that they are able to access records of those decisions?
Councillor J Barry stated that decisions taken at the Asset Management Board were within the Key Decision limit and delegated to officers as stated with Constitution, any Key Decisions were for the Cabinet to take. The Board was already accessible and was made up of two Cabinet members and senior officers from the Council and Rykneld. The Board did consult with local Members and comments received were considered before any final decision was taken. Councillor Barry gave an example of the recent proposals for Wingerworth Lido, when local members had been asked for comment, but none had been received. Councillor Barry concluded that the Asset Management Board would continue to consult local Members but Members needed to stay alert, so they did not miss any requests.
Councillor N Baker provided information regarding the Wingerworth Lido. He asked for a meeting between local Members and the parish Council regarding the reasons for the decision. He also asked that agendas and minutes be published.
Councillor J Barry responded that the notes of the Board meeting were not published as it was not a formal meeting, but decisions were published as required by the Constitution. Councillor Barry would take Councillor Baker’s request for a meeting regarding Wingerworth Lido back to the Board.
Question ‘B’ – Proposed by Cllr A Dale to Cllr P R Kerry
Can the deputy leader please confirm the full costs of the recent refurbishment of the reception area at Mill Lane and the sources and a breakdown of the funding?
Councillor P Kerry stated that the refurbishment of the reception area, which had included the refurbishment of the former HR office as a temporary reception area to maintain service delivery, had cost £150,000 determined through competitive tendering. The works were a contribution to the enabling works to relocate Rykneld Homes into Mill Lane, delivering year on year savings, of £85,000 (including the IT section moving into the old HR office). It had been 10 years since the reception had been refurbished and Councillor P Kerry listed the works that had been included in the project, which had been funded from the Capital Programme.
Councillor A Dale asked if Councillor P Kerry believed it offered good value for money and whether the intention had been for Rykneld to also be co-located in the reception area?
Councillor P Kerry stated how important it was to maintain assets.