(maximum of 40 minutes duration)
This will include the following written question asked by Cllrs Mike Hall and Simon Lloyd-Williams:-
“What information can the Leader of the Council provide about proposals for the improvement of the A27 Chichester By-pass following his meeting with Highways England on 25 January 2016?”
Minutes:
Questions to members of the Cabinet and responses given were as follows:
(a) Written Question: A27 Chichester By-pass improvement
Mr Hall and Mr Lloyd-Williams asked what information can the Leader of the Council provide about proposals for the improvement of the A27 Chichester By-pass following his meeting with Highways England on 25 January 2016?
Response:
Mr Dignum (Leader of the Council) replied in writing as set out in the appendix to these minutes.
Mr Hall asked a supplementary question, whether Highways England had disclosed a specific sum they were prepared to spend on the improvement scheme.
Mr Dignum replied that they had not, but he thought they would have a total figure in mind. He added that the meeting had been very disappointing, with only a week’s addition to the proposed consultation period and still no clarity when this would start. He understood that work was still taking place on traffic modelling and cost/benefit assessments. However ten public exhibitions had been lined up, and he had asked that exhibitions be held in Selsey and The Witterings also.
(b) Question: Devolution: Three Southern Counties
Mr Oakley asked for an update on the Three Southern Counties (3SC) devolution bid.
Response:
Mr Dignum (Leader of the Council) replied that a small team headed by Mrs Louise Goldsmith, Leader of West Susses County Council, with the Leaders of East Sussex and Surrey County Councils and of two district council Leaders from each county had been working on the bid. One meeting had been held with Baroness Williams, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Further details of the bid were now being developed for a second meeting with the minister. He expressed a number of concerns about the possible outcome of the negotiations, which he felt would not be concluded for some time, but stated that no council would be compelled to join in.
(c) Question: Start time of Council meetings
Mr Lloyd-Williams asked whether future Council meetings could start earlier than 2.30 pm
Response:
The Chief Executive reminded members that the time of Council meetings had been reviewed on a number of previous occasions, but had always reverted to 2.30 pm. The Chairman added that it had been the case that this meeting had been exceptionally long.
(d) Question: Beach Management
Mr Ransley referred to the urgent decision taken in respect of beach management (minute 83 below) and reminded the Cabinet Member that two year’s ago an additional £50,000 had been spent and now a further £250,000 was being added. He asked how long it would be before further supplementary spending would be requested.
Response:
Mr Barrow (Cabinet Member for Environment) replied that the Council had to work within the budget available. However, the additional grant allocated by the Environment Agency enabled the sea defences to be strengthened substantially. However, future storms and sea conditions could not be predicted. Mr Carvell added that a report on the next phase of the Beach Management Plan would be presented to the Cabinet in February.
(e) Question: Chichester Place Plan
Mr Shaxson asked that the Cabinet bear in mind that the Chichester Place Plan, consideration of which had been deferred at their meeting on 5 January 2016 looked like a plan for Chichester City.
Response
Mr Dignum (Leader of the Council) replied that he had not been satisfied with the Plan as presented and had asked for more work to be done. It would be considered by the Cabinet in February, but it should correctly be referred to as the Chichester District Place Plan.