Agenda item

NameofCouncilloraskingQuestion

NameofCabinetMember Responding

Councillor Crow to the CabinetMember Housing

When is the Council going to update the Homelessness Strategy?

Councillor Jones–

(CabinetMember for Housing).

Because of the changes to the Homelessness Reduction Act we are soon beginning the process of updating and amending the Homelessness Strategy. This has already started to a certain extent as back in November officers began looking at the Rough Sleepers Strategy which falls into that Strategy.  If Councillor Crow is interested in further details I’ll ask officers to provide them.

Councillor Jaggardto the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development.

Thank you very much for your comprehensive reply to my question regarding the fountain in Queens Square.  I agree it’s proven very popular particularly with children running in and out of the water. I understand from your answer there have been daily checks to ensure no immediate safety risks for the surrounding area of the water feature. However in the instruction booklet p.20 it states that ‘manual checking of levels of chlorine and PH balance is required particularly in the first season of operation. This should be done twice a day”. I wondered if you could kindly please explain why these checks were not taken twice a day as per the instruction book.

Councillor P Smith –

(Cabinet Member for Planning and

Economic Development).

Thank you very much for your question. I don’t have a copy of the instruction book with me. But what I will do is I’ll review the question and get an answer to you.

Councillor Peckto the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development.

Crawley Boulevard East, Crawley Boulevard West and Cross Keys Car Park are managed by a private car parking company called NCP. For over a year nor NCP have been using newly installed ANPR cameras and signage without planning permission.

Why are there so many increasingly retrospective planning permissions are submitted in all areas has the Cabinet Member lost control of the situation and is just happy for the development to happen without any oversight of the planning department?

This planning proposal should not be happening and as a responsible authority we should not be rubber stamping these applications.

Councillor P Smith –

(Cabinet Member for Planning and

Economic Development).

Thank you Councillor Peck. We have not lost control of Planning, quite the opposite in fact.  We already have officers investigating these breaches you are alleging.  I can’t give advice on how residents should deal with the situation.  It is a work in progress as people are currently investigating.  I hope you reported it yourself to the appropriate Planning Officers.

Councillor B Burgessto the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development.

How does the Cabinet Member feel about having Queens Square dug up and I hope it’s going to be returned to its original standard?

Councillor P Smith –

(Cabinet Member for Planning and

Economic Development).

I’m not sure which part you’re referring to, if you’re referring to the gas works, we had to permit access for maintenance.