Agenda item

Name ofCouncillor askingQuestion

Name ofCabinet Member Responding

Councillor Quinn to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability

How many Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued in Queens Square?

Councillor Thomas

(Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability)

Since 25 March 2019 there have been 13 fixed penalty notices issued. If individuals pay within a certain time the amount is reduced otherwise full amount is £80

Councillor Jaggard to the Leader of the Council

Whilst researching on the internet there are a couple of publicly available documents (Construction Enquirer May 2018 and Commercial News Media June 2018), which state that the council is in partnership with Westrock for a £150m mixed use centre development. Bearing in mind the public have been informed on numerous occasions that the town hall part will be free, please can the Cabinet Member confirm how much of the £150m is going to be paid for by residents?

Additionally it mentions that the redevelopment building contract will not be subject to open tender and has been awarded directly to a company called Haywards Heath Investments which is an offshore company based in Madeira.  Can we be reassured that the absence of competition is not going to cost us more than is necessary?

Councillor Lamb –

(Leader of the Council)

I wouldn’t believe everything you read on the internet.  In terms of the exclusivity agreement, all documents have been signed in line with all council written policies.  I do resent your attempts to bring incorrect figures into the public domain.

Councillor Irvine to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development

Could the Cabinet Member comment on the amount of private investment that has taken place in Queens Square since the work has taken place there?

Councillor P Smith –

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development)

The infrastructure investment in Queens Square has been somewhat intangible to measure.  However the total cost of the Queens Square regeneration was £3.2m whereas the investment return has been approximately £31m. 11 businesses have invested into the town with 141 additional jobs being provided in Queens Square.  The Square has also attracted additional footfall and visitors.

Councillor Burrett to the Leader of the Council (in the absence of the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing)

There is currently a large play area in Grattons Park which serves numerous residents.  This play area was built in 2006 but has not been refurbished and is not currently on the development programme.  Given the large number of the population that it covers and given equity across the town with other play areas being upgraded, would the Cabinet Member please look at the refurbishment programme and upgrading any of the equipment in line with other major neighbourhood play areas across the town?

Councillor Lamb –

(Leader of the Council).

I am quite happy to look at the play area. We are looking to upgrade all play areas but there is a list of priority areas.

There is also S106 money coming

In, that could be used for play areas.

Councillor Crow to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability

We saw a press release issued regarding the reintroduction of fining for littering offences. 

If this had been brought in earlier following pressure, do you think this would have assisted in the reduction of litter?

Would a press release be issued should the fixed penalty notices be revoked?

Councillor Thomas –

(Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability).

The fixed penalty notices were introduced followed an evidence based exercise over a few months which it transpired that there was an increase in the amount of litter being dropped. 

Councillor Guidera to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development

The Goffs Park housing development is fantastic but it does run very close to St Wilfred’s school and there is a lack of traffic enforcement.  Please can we have more consideration of the parking when looking at these applications?

Councillor Peter Smith –

(Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development)

I believe you were at the Planning Committee where this application was discussed.  There was a Highways Officer present and I believe issues were raised. Planning law is followed. WSCC Highways come to their conclusions and are responsible for traffic flows. When the site is finished it would be appropriate to review and that would be down to the operator of the site and WSCC Highways and I would urge you to raise it with both of them.