Agenda item

(time limit 15 minutes):-

a)    19^th August 2019

b)    16^th September 2019

c)     Urgent Key Decisions Taken from 27th October 2018 to 28th October 2019

Council were requested to note the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on the undermentioned dates and to receive any questions on any items within the minutes from members of the Council who were not members of the Cabinet and receive responses from Cabinet Members.  The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 19^th August 2019, 16^th September 2019 and the urgent key decisions taken from 27^th October 2018 to 28^th October 2019 were submitted.

Members raised the following questions:

1.       Councillor Al-Hamdani, Cabinet Minutes 16 September 2019, Item 7, Revenue Monitor and Capital Investment Programme 2019/20 Quarter 1.  Councillor Al-Hamdani asked why there was no budget for the replacement or repair of vehicle activated signs in the borough. Could the Cabinet Member provide an update on the review?

          Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council responded that the review of the signs was ongoing.  The importance of the signs was noted as they had been installed for a reason.  It was hoped that funding could be allocated.  The Leader reminded that bids could be made into the Local Improvement Fund (LIF).

2.       Councillor Harkness, Cabinet Minutes, 19 August 2019, Item 11, Delph New Road / A62 Huddersfield Road Flood Alleviation Scheme.  Councillor Harkness welcomed the work to address the flooding issues in Delph.  Councillor Harkness asked for reassurance that high-risk areas had been inspected appropriately and that gully maintenance had been addressed appropriately with appropriate plans in place for unexpected flooding.

          Councillor Fielding, Leader of the Council responded that flooding issues were taken seriously and referred to the investment made in Environmental Services.  Councillor Fielding asked Councillor Harkness to provide information on any issues.  The Leader also responded that officers were continually monitoring flooding issues.

3.       Councillor Sheldon, Cabinet Minutes 19 August 2019, Item 10, Plant Hire Contract.  Councillor Sheldon asked about flooding and blocked drains.  Councillor Sheldon did not believe that grids being emptied once a year was adequate especially with the leafy lanes in Saddleworth.  When grids were blocked they were reported. Councillor Sheldon asked if extra cleaning vehicles could be moved to different parts of the borough to address the grids. 

          Councillor Shah, Deputy Leader of the Council, responded that she would speak to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Services and ask him to respond.

4.       Councillor Byrne, Cabinet Minutes, 19 August 2019, Item 11, Delph New Road / A62 Huddersfield Road Flood Alleviation Scheme.  Councillor Byrne raised the issue of the problem of slurry which had resulted from the engineering work on the A62 and the exit from Gatehead and the incident of the memorial in Dobcross being knocked down.  Councillor Byrne expressed her thanks and commended the work of engineers and officers in all departments who worked to get repairs in place.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 19^th August 2019, 16^th September 2018 and the urgent key decisions taken from 27^th October 2018 to 28^th October 2019 be noted.

2.       The questions and responses provided be noted.

NOTE:  Councillors Alyas and Salamat left the meeting during this item.