Agenda item

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 have been submitted:-

(a)             Question submitted by Councillor N Barker

Can the Leader update the Council on how the COVID crisis has impacted on the financial position of the Council and Rykneld Homes, with special reference to their Capital programmes?

(b)             Question submitted by Councillor J Barry

Can the Leader summarise what the District Council did to commemorate VJ day?

(c)             Question submitted by Councillor M Jones

Food drop offs have ceased just at a point where more people are out of work and unable to feed themselves and their families.  The food parcels that the Council put together helped a great many people and to stop it now when numbers of COVID 19 are on the rise in NEDDC seem illogical. Can the leader enlighten us as to why this has happened and what reasons are behind it?

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 9.2 Members were permitted to ask the Chair of the Council or relevant Committee or the appropriate Cabinet Member questions about Council activities. 

Three questions had been submitted by Members under Procedure Rule 9.2 for this meeting.

(a)       Question submitted by Councillor N Barker

Can the Leader update the Council on how the COVID crisis has impacted on the financial position of the Council and Rykneld Homes, with special reference to their Capital Programmes? 

Councillor A Dale responded that the pandemic was having a detrimental impact on the current year’s budget and cash flow.  The main concern was the lost income from fees and charges.  The Council had received a grant from Government totaling £1.2m, which had been very welcome and the Government income compensation scheme for lost fees and charges was expected to help to cover some of the forecasted income losses.  At the start of the national lockdown budget controls had been quickly put in place to limit expenditure to essential items only and the capital programme was paused to protect the cash flow position.  Projects had recommenced as soon as was practicable.  In May work on the housing capital programme had recommenced and Rykneld Homes had accelerated work on the external major work programme.  Councillor A Dale stated that collection rates had been better than forecasted, and at the end of August 2020 Council tax was down 1.5% on last year, business rates were down by 4%, and rental income was just 1.4% lower than the same period last year.  The budget position would continue to be monitored and a process to revise the budget was already underway.

Councillor A Dale added that the position of Rykneld Homes was strong and enabled full housing services to be provided to customers and budgets were currently being reviewed to ensure the post-covid business recovery plan could be delivered.

            SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION 

In exercising his right to ask a supplementary question Councillor N Barker asked for reassurance regarding Whiteleas Avenue.

Councillor A Dale responded that he was also keen to see progress and the current plan was to start consulting with residents in October 2020.  Following that a revised delivery programme would be developed, with a view to be on site in late Spring 2021.

(b)       Question submitted by Councillor J Barry

Can the Leader summarise what the District Council did to commemorate VJ Day? 

Councillor A Dale responded that the Council had originally intended to host one community event to commemorate VJ Day, in addition to the two events planned in Clay Cross and Killamarsh for VE Day.  When the national VE day programme of events was cancelled by the Queen’s Pageant Master due to Covid-19 it had been hoped to reschedule these events to the 15 August.  This had not been possible as the national guidance was that large scale outdoor gatherings should be avoided wherever possible and the Queen’s Pageant Master had also advised against holding large events for VJ Day.  Due to the national guidance and continued uncertainty, especially with regard to events involving those in vulnerable categories, officers took the decision not to host a community event.  The Council had supported the VJ commemoration and the Chair of the Council had attended an event held by Holymoorside and Walton Parish Council.  Councillor A Dale expressed his disappointment that the Council had not hosted an event and stated that should the restrictions allow, the Council planned to hold a 1940s themed celebration event next year to ensure that both VE Day and VJ Day and the huge sacrifices of the Armed Forces could be commemorated.

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION  

In exercising her right to ask a supplementary question Councillor J Barry asked why an event had not been held.

Councillor A Dale responded he had not been aware that the event had been cancelled and that he would have encouraged a small commemorative event in line with Covid-19 restrictions.   He recognised that this was extremely important to many people across the District.  Councillor Dale committed, subject to the Covid-19 regulations, to the Council running an event in 2021 which would provide the commemoration and recognition these days deserved.

(c)       Question submitted by Councillor M Jones

Food drop offs have ceased just at a point where more people are out of work and unable to feed themselves and their families.  The food parcels that the Council put together helped a great many people and to stop it now when numbers of COVID-19 are on the rise in NEDDC seem illogical.  Can the Leader enlighten us as to why this has happened and what reasons are behind it? 

Councillor A Dale thanks Councillor M Jones for the question and responded, firstly by clarifying that during the lockdown there had been two separate schemes to provide food and other essential items for vulnerable residents.  The Government had introduced the shielding scheme for the clinically extremely vulnerable.  This scheme had included the provision of food boxes which were provided by central government with the assistance of the Council along with Derbyshire County Council, and Rykneld Homes.  This service ceased on 31 July following a decision by central Government that the shielding scheme was no longer required.  In addition to the Government shielding scheme, the Council and Rykneld Homes had worked together to ensure that all residents could access urgent support when needed.  Up to last week the Council had received a total of 6772 contacts for support but this had been reducing slowly and only one such request had been made since 30 July.  There has been no decision to cease support but demand had significantly reduced and the Council had not received any requests for food parcels in recent weeks.  If a request was made from a vulnerable resident then the Council would offer what support it could.

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION

In exercising her right to ask a supplementary question Councillor M Jones asked if the food drop offs could continue given the possibility of a second wave of Covid-19?

Councillor A Dale responded that the Council was preparing for the possibility of a second wave and the Council was ready to support residents and depending on the circumstances food deliveries would be part of the support if necessary.  Councillor A Dale stated that part of planning for any future support was to balance continuing to provide day to day services along with emergency provision within the national restrictions.