Agenda item

(Copy herewith)

The Mayor advised that 24 questions had been received from Councillors and members of the public and that the answers had been tabled in accordance with the Constitution.

Questions and answers given were as tabled (included in an updated agenda on the website) unless states, supplementary questioned were asked – detailed below:

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 4, Councillor Hibbert confirmed that whilst there had been no prosecutions of rogue landlords had taken place in 2 years, a new team of staff were being trained and that they would “take no prisoners” once established.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 5, Councillor Markham explained that she did not have a specific number of refugees to be  received into Northampton but once she had a specific figure she would update Council.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 8, Councillor Eldred confirmed that the list would be referred back to officers for further clarification.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 9, Councillor Hibbert confirmed that information relating and detailing overcrowding and legal minimum bedroom sizes were available on the Authorities’ website.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 11, Councillor Hadland confirmed that whilst there were no restrictions in national planning policy on the location of fast food outlets near schools, this could be considered as part of the preparation of the next Local Plan. An early step in the preparation of the Plan is the preparation of a wide-ranging issues and options paper  which the opposition would have full involvement with.

In response to a supplementary question asked to question 12, Councillor Markham explained that there were on going monthly meetings with SEMLEP and NEP partners.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 14, Councillor Bottwood confirmed that whilst the section 46 notices had not resulted in fines, there was a 3 stage process in place but none that had reached stage 2 were suitable for further action.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 16, Councillor Hallam commented that he was not going to cover old ground and that capital would be received through Section 106 monies.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 17, Councillor Hallam commented that the draft budget would be released on 16^th December 2015 and was not in a position to comment on budget matters until after the release of the papers.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 18, Councillor Hadland commented that work was underway with regards to the progress of the Conservation Area for Kingsthorpe.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 21, Councillor Hibbert commented that since 2014/2015 706 garages had been repaired at a cost of £75,000 and a study was being undertaken.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 22, Councillor Hadland commented that developers could not be compelled to adopt roads and the best advice was to not purchase a property without a bond in place. He stated that there was no mechanism for a refund of Council Tax but suggested that residents consider applying to the Valuation Office to have their properties re-banded for the purposes of Council Tax.

In response to a supplementary question asked relating to question 23, Councillor Markham commented that future discussions would be had in relation to the Avenue Campus of the University of Northampton.