Agenda item

Councillor Jaggard to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability:

It was disappointing that through the extremely hot weather, the fountain in Queens Square was not working. Why was it not working, and when is it due to be turned on?

I know there is a specific maintenance plan required to keep the fountain up and running. Can you assure me that the reason for it not being on wasn’t due to a lack of maintenance?

Councillor Jhans

(Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability):

This is something we have been actively trying to resolve over the last few months. I'd be happy to discuss and brief you about it.

It's being investigated at the moment so I will get back to you.

Councillor Burrett to the Cabinet Member for Housing:

At the last Full Council meeting it was agreed unanimously that a briefing note be prepared for consideration at the next meeting, following the petition that was submitted. At the time it was considered to be quite urgent, but we haven't had that briefing note at this meeting as was agreed.  Could we be updated on this matter?

Councillor Buck

(Cabinet Member for Housing)

I am in discussion with officers about this matter and I will get back to you. If you would like any further information please feel free to email me.

Councillor Crow to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development:

Following the refurbishment of Queens Square and Queensway, the plan was that the market would move to Queensway. The Council has also been the operator of the market for several years and this is costing us. We all want a successful market in Crawley and it would be great to have it in Queensway, but has any progress been made?  Will the Council absolve itself of being the operator of the market and will it have its own operator as it did previously?

I would welcome further details.  Perhaps we could meet to discuss this at some point.

Councillor Nawaz

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development):  

I'm not in a position to answer that currently but I will attain some more detail from officers and let you know.

Councillor A Belben to the Leader of the Council:

At the last meeting of the Full Council you informed members that you expected all councillors to honour the seven principles of public life.  It has come to my attention that one of your members does not have a register of interests published on the Council’s website and this does not comply with those principles. Can the Leader explain this?

Councillor Jones

(the Leader of the Council):

I am not sure who you are referring to, but I know that it is the responsibility of each member to keep their register of interests is up to date. We will check and ensure this is the case.

Councillor T Belben to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development:

Given the importance of the railway connections to the people of Crawley, was it wise for you as a Cabinet Member to be pictured on social media supporting the picket line at the recent rail workers strike?

Did you speak to the people striking about their reasons for doing so and about their pay?

Councillor Nawaz

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development):  

We've talked a lot at this meeting about supporting local people and workers. If I can help working people get better working conditions I will do so, and I believe this is especially important during the current cost of living crisis. I was at the strike in a personal capacity, not in my capacity as a Cabinet Member.

It's not under my jurisdiction to ask people how much they get paid.  But in general, we support better rights for workers.

Councillor Burrett to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development:

You have said that it was not up to you to discuss with those rail workers who were on strike how much they were getting paid.  However if you don’t know how much they are paid, how can you support them?

Councillor Nawaz

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development):  

I think you have misunderstood what I was trying to say. I was there in a personal capacity and wanted to support the workers. It's not my place to ask them how much they are paid.

Councillor Ali to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability:

We previously had some discussion about starting a School Street project in Gossops Green.  Has there been any further movement on that?

The officers gave a presentation off the back of my question about traffic around Gossops Green school. I wasn't made aware that West Sussex County Council needed to be involved in trying to get answers regarding this.

Councillor Jhans

(Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability):

We had a meeting with the Council’s Sustainability Officers about this – they went away to have some discussions about it with West Sussex County Council. I can find out how that's going and get back to you with an update.

Implementing a school street needs a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to be created by the County Council. I can investigate and get back to you.

Councillor T Belben to the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing:

There is an issue with allotments in that they don't cost very much to rent, so people sign up to them without thinking about much work it takes to keep them in good condition.  I have heard of occasions where this can lead to them being badly kept and being an eyesore for residents.  What can be done about allotments that aren’t being well maintained?

It was raised by a resident in Southgate - I will send you an email with some details.

Councillor C Mullins

(Cabinet Member for Wellbeing):

A few years ago we made a new contract with all allotment holders that said that if they have medical problems which mean they can't run their allotment for a few months, they should make the Council aware.  We would then normally put black sheeting over the top of that allotment to stop the weeds from spreading as that causes problems for neighbouring allotments, so this might be what you are referring to. If there are any specific sites you know of which are problematic I'd like to know about them.