To receive any questions from Members, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2.

The Speaker advised that nine questions from Members had been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 15 (copies of the report containing the detailed questions and their formal responses are attached to the signed minutes).

(i)       Received from Mr R Evans and answered by Mr S Charmley Portfolio Holder for Business, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) in relation to the Transformation Challenge Award TCA to facilitate the transfer of six libraries to new community based management arrangements in 2015/16 – copy attached to the signed minutes.

By way of a supplementary question Mr Evans asked which would be the sixth library as only five were identified in the response.  He also asked if Pontesbury Library would be eligible for any funding.

In response the Portfolio Holder confirmed that the funding was not wholly confirmed yet and that after the five libraries were dealt with, there might possibly be funding available for other libraries that needed it.

(ii)      Received from Mr R Evans and answered by Mr K Barrow, Leader of the Council, in relation to the IT system at the Shirehall and where to find information about portfolio holders – copy attached to the signed minutes.

          By way of a supplementary question Mr Evans urged the Leader to ensure that money was used to improve the IT within the Shirehall and asked for clarification about who dealt with commissioning in the north, centre and south of the county.

In response the Leader confirmed that officers were dealing with de-risking IT first, but at a speed in order to not waste money.  After that had been completed the money would be spent over the following 12 months.  He assured Mr Evans that he took on board his comments and that he was also just as keen to move this forward.

(iii)      Received from Mr A Boddington and answered by Mrs K Calder, Portfolio Holder for Health in relation to the Registrars service and working patterns and opening hours – copy attached to the signed minutes.

By way of a supplementary question Mr Boddington asked if the Council was now re-shaping it’s services because of staff leaving, rather than the best way to provide efficient services.

In response Mr S Charmley, on behalf of the Portfolio Holder who was not present, confirmed that he would get a written response from the Portfolio Holder to Mr Boddington after the meeting.

(iv)     Received from Mrs V Parry and answered by Mr K Barrow, Leader of the Council, in relation to the Council’s Constitution and Openness and the removal of cameras from the public at a previous Council meeting – copy attached to the signed minutes.

          Mrs Parry commented that she welcomed the new guidance.  However, by way of a supplementary question she indicated that she was unable to find the recording of each Cabinet meeting on the website and asked if they were available.

In response the Leader confirmed that the recordings of Cabinet were available on the web.  He hoped the general principle of his response was accepted and he suggested following each meeting that in future the feasibility of filming Council meetings ought to be looked at.

(v)      Received from Mr R Huffer and answered by Mr M Price, Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services, Housing and Commissioning (Central) regarding permitted development rights – copy attached to the signed minutes.

By way of a supplementary question Mr Huffer asked if a ‘pub protection policy’ could be developed by Shropshire Council to protect Public Houses.

In response Mr Price confirmed that he would look into this matter and get back to Mr Huffer after the meeting with his formal response.

(vi)     Received from Mr C Mellings and answered by Mr M Owen, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Support, regarding Strategic Working Groups – copy attached to the signed minutes.

By way of a supplementary question Mr Mellings asked if the strategic groups envisaged for 2015/16 would not perhaps be a better role for scrutiny in the future.

In response Mr Owen commented that he had offered to meet up with Mr Mellings prior to the Council meeting to discuss this, but unfortunately this had not been possible.  Therefore he offered to meet with Mr Mellings after the Cabinet meeting on 29 July along with the S151 Officer to explain things further.

(vii)     Received from Mr C Mellings and answered by Mr M Owen, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Support, regarding current risks to the Council’s budget/financial strategy and what was being done to address this – copy attached to the signed minutes.

By way of a supplementary question Mr Mellings asked what assurance could be given that the 2015/16 budget would be achieved without relying on one-offs.

In response Mr Owen commented that he had offered to meet up with Mr Mellings prior to the Council meeting to discuss this, but unfortunately this had not been possible.  Therefore he offered to meet with Mr Mellings after the Cabinet meeting on 29 July along with the S151 Officer to explain things further.

(viii)    Received from Mrs C Barnes and answered by Mr S Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Business, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) regarding the rental of office accommodation – copy attached to the signed minutes.

By way of a supplementary question Mrs Barnes asked if Council-owned accommodation could be investigated, including ‘not fit for purpose’ accommodation and offered to assist if that was acceptable. 

In response Mr Charmley confirmed the running costs for Jupiter House were split on a pro rata basis between ip&e who used 308 square metres and Council staff who used 488 square metres.  Regarding other Council-owned assets he advised that the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Support would be able to provide this information after the meeting, which Mr M Owen confirmed he would do in writing.

(ix)     Received from Mrs C Barnes and answered by Mr S Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Business, ip&e, Culture and Commissioning (North) regarding cuts in leisure service delivery, particularly in relation to swimming pools – copy attached to the signed minutes.

By way of a supplementary question Mrs Barnes asked if the various suggestions she made within her question (points 1 to 5) could be looked at in Scrutiny and acted upon.

In response Mr Charmley said that he was happy for this to be looked at if the relevant Scrutiny Chairman was agreeable.  There was currently no facilities strategy and he was happy for Mrs Barnes to become involved in this and even lead on it, if she so wished.