Questions From Members
Questions are to be submitted to the Mayor at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Any questions deemed urgent must be agreed by the Mayor before the meeting.
Decision:
That written responses would be provided to the following supplementary questions:
Supplementary question from Cllr Mrs Shenton
Cllr Shenton raised a supplementary question regarding the timing of the Council meeting and queried whether in the future it could be moved to a Tuesday or Thursday in the same week.
The Leader stated that a written response would be provided to this question.
Supplementary Question from Cllr Loades
Cllr Loades requested information regarding the appointment of the Town Centre Manager and whether this could still go ahead if the Company had not yet been ratified.
A written response would be provided to this but the answer may also be covered in response to question 5.
Supplementary Question from Cllr Mrs Peers
Cllr Mrs Peers requested details regarding how much money had been contributed from Kidsgrove Town Council and other Parish Councils and whether all Town and Parish Councils had been asked to contribute to the Partnership.
A written answer would be provided.
Supplementary Question from Cllr Miss Mancey
Cllr Miss Mancey asked whether the Portfolio Holder thought the scheme could be viewed as a failure as no resident had yet been helped.
A written response would be provided.
Minutes:
1. Question from Cllr Colin Eastwood
The Health Scrutiny Committee, along with I’m sure other members, are concerned about the shortage of funding in Social Care which will have a detrimental impact on other vital council services. Will the Leader support the Local Government Association’s campaign ‘Show Us you Care’ to put pressure on the Coalition Government to provide adequate funding to support adult social care services.
Councillor Colin Eastwood (Wolstanton Ward) and Chair Newcastle Health Scrutiny Committee
I am happy to support the LGA’s campaign to put pressure on the Coalition Government to adequately resource adult social care. Although this is a function which falls squarely within the County Council’s purview, inadequate funding for ASC will have knock on effects to the services which we provide.
It would be helpful to me if the Health Scrutiny Committee could provide guidance on other actions that this council can do to support the work our County Council colleagues do with regards to ASC and correct resourcing.
Cllr Eastwood did not raise a supplementary question but stated that he was glad of the support from the Leader and that he would raise the concerns with the County Council Health Select Committee.
2. Question from Cllr Mrs Shenton
Can I ask why once again we are holding our Council meeting on the same evening as the switching on of the Christmas Lights in the Town Centre? Our local traders will be hoping that this year their till bells ring in the anticipation of a bright festive season, set against the current economic gloom. Do the Mayor and the Leader agree that we as elected members should have been there to show our support, rather than run the risk of being branded as having a 'Bah, Humbug!' attitude to the people and businesses of Newcastle?
Councillor Elizabeth Shenton (Town Ward)
The date chosen for the switch on of the Christmas Lights was done so independently of the Council. As a result of our greater partnership working and through the Town Centre Partnership, it is hoped that greater dialogue with the organisers can prevent such clashes happening in the future.
Supplementary Question:
Cllr Shenton raised a supplementary question regarding the timing of the Council meeting and queried whether in the future it could be moved to a Tuesday or Thursday in the same week.
The Leader stated that a written response would be provided to this question and that any other supplementary would also receive a written response.
The Mayor thanked the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress for attending the switching on of the Christmas lights in his absence.
Question from Cllr Loades
Can the leader inform this Council, if the Community Investment type company for the Newcastle Town Centre is now registered officially with the recognized body and all directors listed and declared?
Councillor David Loades (Loggerheads and Whitmore Ward)
I can confirm that all of the documentation for the registration of the Community Interest Company with Companies house and the CIC Regulator has been ... view the full minutes text for item 9