Members are invited to ask a question of a member of the Executive (maximum of 40 minutes duration).
Minutes:
*Cllr Donna Johnson & Cllr Tim Johnson left the meeting at 16.53
*Cllr Palmer left the meeting at 16.54
Cllr Hobbs explained that the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee had discussed Questions to the Executive. Cllr O’Kelly had suggested that the Chair asks the room if there are any similar questions and if there are increase the time on that question to five minutes to cover off the similar points. This is the approach of the County Council. Cllr Hobbs added that the Committee had also discussed reducing the time to 30 minutes. He explained that Cllr Brown had also suggested that where a full answer cannot be provided that an acceptable response would be to come back after the meeting with the full response. The Committee had also agreed to respect the time allowed by the Chair.
Cllr Bell asked the Leader and the Chief Executive if they were aware of the company Wellbeck Strategic Land LLP which sites its main business is in the south of England with a main partner of Nottingham County Council. Mrs Shepherd explained that it is linked to the County Council’s pension fund and is not unique in its approach to get the best result for its members. Mr Ward explained that the West Sussex County Council fund is managed by an external source.
Cllr Plowman asked for clarification of the graffiti policy and whether the council still has contractors to deal with graffiti. He also asked for information on the status of the House of Fraser building. Cllr Dignum explained that he had been made aware that a company was looking into the building but there is no further information at this time. Cllr Lintill explained that there is a small budget for graffiti. SLT were due to consider a report to then pass to Cabinet for further discussion. Cllr Oakley asked what is done about graffiti on private property. Mrs Shepherd said that point will be covered by the report to Cabinet.
Cllr Sharp asked what the council could do to support Ukraine and whether members could all consider using the bus. Cllr Lintill explained that not everyone could travel on the bus but some members travelled using electric vehicles.
Cllr Hobbs asked about the council’s requirement from central government to support the Ukraine refugees and if the council had any spare accommodation to help Ukraine refugees. Cllr Sutton explained that further detail is needed from central government but the council was already looking at what could be done. Mrs Rudziak explained that the council has not been asked to provide housing. The County Council would be responsible for support provision to refugees. She added that the council may be asked to review housing standards before refugees are placed but this was yet to be confirmed. The council’s website had been updated with all the latest information. Cllr Plowman added that the Chichester Community Network would be meeting to see what they could do to help. Members echoed their thanks to community groups across the district who had been working to support the Ukraine refugees.
Cllr Oakley asked how many bags of waste were collected this year on the annual litter pick of the A27 and what the cost of that was. He also asked what was being done to find those who litter. Cllr Plant confirmed that the works took place at night for safety over 15 nights costing £47,000 collecting a total of 420 bags litter and 16 van loads of miscellaneous items. This is a 12% reduction on the previous year. The council works with National Highways. Identifying those is difficult as the resource is not currently available.
Cllr O’Kelly asked about whether the district would be able to get County Council public realm funding as Littlehampton has. Cllr Dignum explained that the Gigibit project and pavements project would be put forward.