To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 5.00 pm on Thursday 31^st March 2022.

Members were advised that two urgent questions had been received and would be considered first alongside a question received within the deadline.

Member questions were received from the following:

Councillors Andy Boddington and David Vasmer had submitted urgent questions in relation to bus services in Shropshire.

Councillor Rosemary Dartnall had also submitted a question in relation to bus services in Shropshire.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism, Transport provided a statement to address all three questions.

Members were given the opportunity to seek clarity on their individual questions and permitted to ask a supplementary question.

In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Dartnall regarding funding, the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Culture, Leisure & Tourism, Transport advised that Shropshire Council would be preparing a further bid for funding through the DfT but that timescales for BSIP funding were currently unknown.

The Portfolio Holder also acknowledged the need to include bus user groups, Town and Parish Councils and other organisations in discussions relating to the future of bus services in Shropshire in order to deliver a 21^st century bus service for the county. Concessionary fares and the loss of revenue to bus operators since the pandemic would also be considered by the working group.

Members questions were also received from:

Councillor Rob Wilson (read by Councillor David Vasmer) – in relation to road congestion.

In response to a supplementary question regarding traffic surveying, the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure advised that he had every confidence in the data which was provided by WSP who were one of the leading national consultants for traffic surveying.

Councillor David Vasmer – in relation to ANPR cameras

By way of supplementary question, Councillor Vasmer asked when other locations may be considered for ANPR cameras in Shropshire. The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Natural Assets & Green Economy confirmed that the trial is taking place from May until September and during this period, a decision on other locations can be made.

Councillor Kate Halliday – in relation to the Ockenden Report

By way of supplementary question, Councillor Halliday asked whether an early warning system could be put in place to notify the Council, as a partner, if the system was failing. The Leader advised that becoming part of the ICS would give more opportunity for scrutiny and to share data.

Councillor Heather Kidd (read by Councillor David Vasmer) – in relation to the Ockenden Report.

Councillor Roger Evans – in relation to Shire Services

In response to a supplementary question regarding helping smaller schools with the provision of school meals, the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure advised that the Council would be working with schools who have chosen to move to in-house catering to assist with the transition. It was agreed that a conversation outside of the meeting with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Education would be beneficial to discuss the context of quotations from the Schools Forum meeting. It was also agreed that information regarding break even positions would be circulated after the meeting.

The full questions and responses are available from : Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 6th April, 2022, 10.30 am — Shropshire Council