Agenda item

Nameof Councillorasking Question

Nameof CabinetMember Responding

Councillor Crowto theCabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development -

As this is Councillor Smith’s last Full Council meeting I would like to wish you well and a happy retirement. In your early days you often talked about the market and how you would like to do more for the market. Prior to 2014 the market was in the High Street and it is now near the Bus Station and McDonald’s but not moved to Queensway as planned in the Town Centre Regeneration Programme. We did have the Council act as the operator for several years. Do you think you could have done more to improve the market and do you have any words for your successor to get the market in a good place to bring more people in?

Supplementary Question –

The market move would cost money to move to Queensway. Surely that should have been considered when formulating the plans as we have spent money on being able to accommodate the market but it has yet to move.  Does he have any idea on how long it may take and long is the Council likely to remain the operator as it is a cost to the Council?

CouncillorP Smith, CabinetMember for Planning and Economic Development -

Thank you Councillor Crow.  The work we have done on the Town Centre Regeneration Programme did include provision for a new market and we did take over the running of it in 2014. As part of the design of the Queensway and The Pavement we have included the technology, fixtures and fittings for the market to be located there and we have had reports as to how a bigger market could be run which could complement the existing businesses.  Unfortunately there is not sufficient funds to roll out the market in an efficient way and it needs to be economically viable for the stallholders and the town.  Footfall in the town is already returning to 2019 levels.

We have worked in partnership with the LEP and WSCC.  In terms of planning ahead we have a range of ambitious items to improve the town but it is a challenging time.  There is a plan, but there are currently no revenue funds so I’m not able to say when we will be able to roll it out.

CouncillorBob Burgessto theLeader of the Council -

Last week the new housing development which has been called Geraint Thomas House was officially opened. This is a development that I have personally welcomed, providing much needed accommodation in a town that continues to grow.  I also believe that only two Councillors were in attendance at this opening namely yourself and Councillor Irvine. The Constitution in section 6.5 states “When an opening ceremony or photo opportunity is being held in an individual ward to mark the opening or installation of a new or upgraded facility or service provision, all Councillors representing that ward will be invited to attend and take part in the event”.  This does not seem to have happened. I, as one of the Ward Councillors, did not receive an invitation to attend and neither did my colleague Councillor BJ Burgess.  I cannot vouch for the third Ward Councillor, Councillor Nawaz.  Why were the invitations not forthcoming?

Supplementary Question –

The Constitution does say “any new or upgraded facility or service provision”. Also was the family consulted regarding the Council’s Constitution?

CouncillorLamb, Leader of the Council -

The building is an A2Dominion property and not that of Crawley Borough Council.  The guest list was personally decided by Geraint’s family.

Councillor Eade to the CabinetMember forHousing -

Are you aware that Mears contractor vans are parking on grass verges in Furnace Green? There is a particular van has been there Monday, Tuesday and today (I have a photo).  Are you concerned?

Supplementary Question –

Will Councillor Irvine be telling Mears and any other contractors not to park on the grass verges?

Councillor Irvine, Cabinet Member for Housing –

I’m concerned about any vehicle that parks on any grass verge.  To see how any of our verges get disfigured is horrifying.  I’m grateful to Councillor Eade for bringing this up.  This has been brought up at a previous meeting and the then Head of Crawley Homes did act on this and bring it to Mears’ attention. Please send me the photo and I will get something done about it.  I do share your concerns.

I will make sure that the message gets back.  If this happens again let me know.  It is a deplorable practice.

Councillor Jaggard to the Leader of the Council -

I believe several Councillors have been having issues with the Council Outlook and email system due to an update malfunction which is causing residents not being able to contact Councillors.  Is this a wider issue across departments where resident’s queries are going unanswered and if so when will it be sorted out?

CouncillorLamb, Leader of the Council -

We are doing a major upgrade to the system as, about a month ago, there was a significant data breach.  Where emails have been dropped as a result that is a problem and we are very apologetic.  Once the system is back we should have a more secure system.  I would recommend that, if people are having issues, that they use the webmail version of Outlook which seems to be more reliable.

Councillor TinaBelben tothe Leaderof the Council -

Following my question at the last ordinary meeting of the Full Council, as I understand it, £254,000 was paid to sub-contractors as sick pay and this exceeded the budget by £154,000. But I also asked what’s been put in the budgets 2022/23 and 2023/24 for this sub contractors’ sick pay and are the figures in line with what the likely cost of what was quoted to the Full Council in 2019 please?

Supplementary Question –

I was interested to see what we had been budgeted for but perhaps if I could have an email sometime? Thank you.

CouncillorLamb, Leaderof the Council -

So the figures quoted in 2019 established that sick pay would be roughly £100,000 per year as part of that contract and it has been exceeded.  However obviously encouraging people to stay at home whilst sick during the pandemic was the best thing for tenants rather than encouraging them into people’s homes. I don’t have a specific element of the budget for next year that has been increased, the overall figure is £1.77m increase. 

Councillor Brenda Burgess to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services for Sustainability –

I apologise if this has already been asked but have we named something after Alan Quine? Where will it be?

Supplementary Question –

Is there a timescale and are the family satisfied with that approach?

Councillor Jhans, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability-

Communications have been taking place with the family to discuss a suitable location.  Road names in Forge Wood are a potential.  It is on the list and in the process.

I can chase up on timescale but can assure you that communications have been ongoing with the family.

Councillor Bounds to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services for Sustainability -

The ‘my- permit’ scheme was rolled out at Fisherman’s car park at Tilgate last year.  Footfall in the town centre is starting to increase.  Is the Council looking to roll out further pay by app /phone across the town in order to improve customer experience?

Councillor Jhans, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability-

We are looking into this. We have rollout a car share scheme in the town and if that proves to be successful we would look to expand this also.

Councillor Ali to the Leader of the Council -

The past couple of years have been difficult for Crawley businesses. How many applications have the Council received for the latest batch of additional restrictions grant and how many businesses of self-employed people received money in the latest batch?  I can email you the detailed questions if you would prefer.

CouncillorLamb, Leaderof the Council -

I’ll happily get back to you with the information.

Councillor Millar-Smith to the Leader of the Council -

I think the point has been missed with Councillor Burgess and the inviting of Councillors to events. It is more a general statement, regarding Ward Councillors being invited to events which has been raised several times before.  Why do Ward Councillors keep having to raise this issue regardless of the circumstances around the most recent event?

CouncillorLamb, Leaderof the Council -

I can accept the principal is that Ward Members are supposed to be invited to the opening of a Crawley Borough Council facility or a major upgrade of those facilities.  That is what the Council’s Communications team are instructed to follow.