Agenda item

Question from Councillor Jacqueline Brown to the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning

“Having attended a meeting on Wed 17th July at Silverdale WMC organised
by Acre Allotments Association, could the borough council explain the
reasoning behind the selection of Traveller and Gypsy Site 8 (T&G 8) in
the amendment to Draft Borough Local Plan 2024 as submitted to the
Special Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee on 11 July as apparently,
suitable for a Traveller and Gypsy site for 5 pitches?”

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning stated that he would supply a written answer to Councillor Brown.

Councillor Brown asked a supplementary question:

“On Monday afternoon (22 July) a site specific selection report was downloaded onto the Council website which mentioned some of the reasons why the site was selected but there were issues with transport, accessibility, natural resources, waste, health and wellbeing.  In view of that, Councillor Brown and her residents were surprised that the site had been selected so a full answer to the question would be appreciated”.

The Portfolio Holder assured that Councillor Brown would receive such an answer.  He stated that the site had been the product of a long and rigorous look at a large number of sites across the Borough.  It was pointed out that the Council was required to look at projected future need for the travelling community.  It was a projected form of need so it was quite possible that it would not be required. That would mean that the site would not be developed in the immediate future and if problems presented themselves there would be time for a useful resolution.

Question from Councillor Richard Gorton to the Portfolio Holder for Sustaiable Environment

“Will the Portfolio Holder confirm when the abandoned waste bins and other miscellaneous discarded items currently littering part of Orchard Street, Wolstanton will be removed? Despite requests from Wolstanton councillors last month and assurances by Street Scene that the bins and rubbish would be removed, as at 11.00 am yesterday (23rd July), no action appears to have been taken”.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the neighbourhood delivery team were aware of the ongoing issues with discarded rubbish and bins being left out at Orchard Street.  It was believed that the area in question was privately owned which would mean that the landlords were responsible for removing the waste.  However, as a gesture of goodwill the neighbourhood ranger had been periodically visiting the site and clearing away what he could. Also, engagement had begun with residents to raise awareness of their individual responsibilities in relation to presenting their domestic bins and returning them to their properties after collection.  If the problem persisted, the neighbourhood delivery team would consider enforcement action if appropriate but it was hoped that the majority of residents would want to do their bit in keeping the area clean and tidy.

Councillor Gorton asked a supplementary question:

“Reassured by the Portfolio Holders answer but it was not just the bins.  There was also a lot of miscellaneous rubbish up there.  Would that be cleared?”.

The Portfolio Holder stated that he would pass the comments on to the officers tomorrow and arrange for the neighbourhood delivery team and neighbourhood ranger to visit.  It was a privately owned area so there may be difficulty and may even need to look at the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act and do a community protection order against the landlord.

Watch the debate here