This session is limited to 45 minutes.
1. From Councillor J Martin to Councillor Monk, Leader of the Council
Can the Leader tell me how many waivers for procurement standing orders have been signed during this administration to date?
2. From Councillor Treloar to Councillor Monk, Leader of the Council
When selecting the master planners and architecture firm for Otterpool, did the council specifically look for firms with experience designing zero-carbon dwellings and settlements and use this as a selection criteria?
3. From Councillor Treloar to Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities
Whilst I appreciate that the questions relating to Napier Barracks on the council's website came directly from the community, they are unduly weighted towards a tone that amplifies and perpetuates fear and prejudice – those with the most extreme views often shout the loudest. Can the council please revise this page and provide a more sensible list of questions/answers/statements that allay reasonable concerns in a way that doesn't amplify fear and demonstrates the council's responsibility to be a calm, collected, caring and compassionate voice in the community?
4. From Councillor Whybrow to Councillor Monk, Leader of the Council
To confirm the council's commitment to reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030 and to working with our residents and businesses to bring our wider communities' emissions in line with net zero as soon as possible would you agree to sign up as a member of UK100?
(UK100 | An ambitious network of 100+ UK local authorities | UK100)
5. From Councillor Meade to Councillor Godfrey, Cabinet Member for Housing, Transport and Special Projects
I have had some concerned residents in our council Warden supported housing (Where at present more than 40% of the residents are self-isolating as elderly or vulnerable, due to Covid) raising an issue regarding the Warden never wearing a face mask when dealing with residents - they find this very frightening. Could you please clarify what advice the Council has given its Supported Housing Warden's regarding interaction with elderly / vulnerable residents please?
6. From Councillor Meade to Councillor Collier, Cabinet Member for Property Management and Grounds Maintenance
Earlier this year the District Council agreed to maintain the hanging flowers troughs along the dual carriage way that runs parallel with Fleming Way in East Folkestone. It brightened the whole area but now I am being informed that District are finding it too hard to maintain these troughs and they have been emptied and are standing bare. For information there is a slip road either side of the dual carriageway where it is easy to park and gain direct access to the troughs. Can you please clarify whether these troughs will be replanted (as are part paid for by Folkestone Town Council) in keeping with the rest of Folkestone's flowers troughs including the Roundabout fencing troughs at the roundabout just down from the Civic Centre where it is more difficult to park or is East Folkestone going to be neglected in raising the living environment for their residents?
7.From Councillor Davison to Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities
Please could we have an update on the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine via our GP surgeries?
8. From Councillor Davison to Councillor Collier, Cabinet Member for Property Management and Grounds Maintenance
How will selling off Folkestone indoor bowls club on Cheriton road contribute directly to the residents it serves?
Minutes:
1. From Councillor J Martin to Councillor Monk, Leader of the Council
Can the Leader tell me how many waivers for procurement standing orders have been signed during this administration to date?
ANSWER:
Thank you for your question.
The Contract Standing Orders allow exemption from normal procurement processes in specific circumstances, in specific circumstances, including:
· the work, supply or service or grant of service concession is required as a matter of urgency and a delay would be likely to lead to financial loss, personal injury or damage to property; or
· If the goods or materials to be purchased are available from only one manufacturer / supplier; or
· Where the work is of a specialist nature, the skill of the contractor is of primary importance, and the supply market has been tested and found to be limited; or
· Where the supply is for maintenance to existing IT equipment or software, including enhancements to current software, which can only be performed by the licensed developer or owner of the system.
Officers seeking an exemption must follow the waiver request process to document the justification for the exemption and obtain approval to proceed.
Between 2 May 2019 and 11 December 2020, a total of 48 waivers were approved.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:
As you know, I have concerns regarding the procurement practises, but I am reassured by your commitment to open auditable and transparent processes. However, with the gargantuan amounts of money being spent by the council in pursuit of Otterpool Park, can you tell us what steps you are taking to ensure the procurement process is corruption free?
ANSWER:
We take this potential matter seriously and the council has very strong anti-corruption policies in place. In light of your concerns, I will personally take it on myself to double check that they are as strong as they could be.
2.
From Councillor Treloar to Councillor
Monk, Leader of the Council
When selecting the master
planners and architecture firm for Otterpool, did the council
specifically look for firms with experience
designing zero-carbon dwellings and settlements and use this
as a selection criteria?
THIS QUESTION WAS NOT ANSWERED, AS THE QUESTIONER WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE MEETING.
3.
From Councillor Treloar to
Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for
Communities
Whilst I appreciate that
the questions relating to Napier Barracks on the council's website
came directly from the community, they are unduly weighted towards
a tone that amplifies and perpetuates fear and prejudice –
those with the most extreme views often shout the loudest. Can the
council please revise this page and provide a more sensible list of
questions/answers/statements that allay reasonable concerns in a
way that doesn't amplify fear and demonstrates the
council's responsibility to be a calm, collected, caring and
compassionate voice in the community?
THIS QUESTION WAS NOT ANSWERED, AS THE QUESTIONER WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE MEETING.
4. From Councillor Whybrow to Councillor Monk, Leader of the Council
To confirm the council's commitment to reducing our own greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030 and to working with our residents and businesses to bring our wider communities' emissions in line with net zero as soon as possible would you agree to sign up as a member of UK100?
(UK100 | An ambitious network of 100+ UK local authorities | UK100)
ANSWER:
Thank you for your question. I have no objections to this, but would like officers to do a little more investigation. It is within your remit, so I will leave that with you, to bring forward with your Carbon Action Plan next year.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:
None.
5. From Councillor Meade to Councillor Godfrey, Cabinet Member for Housing, Transport and Special Projects
I have had some concerned residents in our council Warden supported housing (Where at present more than 40% of the residents are self-isolating as elderly or vulnerable, due to Covid) raising an issue regarding the Warden never wearing a face mask when dealing with residents - they find this very frightening. Could you please clarify what advice the Council has given its Supported Housing Warden's regarding interaction with elderly / vulnerable residents please?
ANSWER:
Thank you for your question Councillor Meade, I agree that we must all follow the guidelines and I can assure you that All Independent Living Managers (ILMs) who work in the sheltered schemes have been specifically told that face masks must be worn at all times. The Housing Services Manager, will instruct them all again. There is an ILM, however, who has a medical condition and is unable to wear a mask on occasions. When this occurs, she is instructed to be doubly vigilant in respecting of social distancing.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:
None.
6. From Councillor Meade to Councillor Collier, Cabinet Member for Property Management and Grounds Maintenance
Earlier this year the District Council agreed to maintain the hanging flowers troughs along the dual carriage way that runs parallel with Fleming Way in East Folkestone. It brightened the whole area but now I am being informed that District are finding it too hard to maintain these troughs and they have been emptied and are standing bare. For information there is a slip road either side of the dual carriageway where it is easy to park and gain direct access to the troughs. Can you please clarify whether these troughs will be replanted (as are part paid for by Folkestone Town Council) in keeping with the rest of Folkestone's flowers troughs including the Roundabout fencing troughs at the roundabout just down from the Civic Centre where it is more difficult to park or is East Folkestone going to be neglected in raising the living environment for their residents?
ANSWER:
Thank you Councillor Meade for your question. Folkestone Town Council requested last spring for the troughs along the dual carriage way parallel with Fleming Way to be planted for the summer. FHDC committed to 6 of these outside of the normal grounds maintenance agreement with FTC and its normal program of works. This was funded entirely by FHDC. The council is willing to continue planting these if FTC provide funding.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:
I believe the town clerk was willing to do that, so if we could get that together, that would be good.
ANSWER:
Thank you.
7.From Councillor Davison to Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities
Please could we have an update on the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine via our GP surgeries?
ANSWER:
Thank you for your question.
We are aware that there will be a process for vaccinations whereby the elderly and others (NHS workers etc) will be vaccinated first. As soon as we receive more detailed information from the health sector we will share it with you. GPs will be contacting people in priority order and the NHS is asking the public to wait until they are asked to attend for their vaccination. The public are being urged not to ring their surgery to ask about the vaccination programme as that will increase pressure on already busy telephone lines. There is further information on Kent and Medway CCG website.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:
There was a list of practises in Kent that have access to the vaccine published yesterday in a local newspaper article, and there were no surgeries listed in our district. What steps are being taken to engage with the CCG to ensure swift provision for the district, and capacity to deliver it?
ANSWER:
We are in conversations with the CCG, and we meet with them weekly. I am aware of this list. I understand surgeries in the district have been approached, but nothing has been confirmed as yet.
8. From Councillor Davison to Councillor Collier, Cabinet Member for Property Management and Grounds Maintenance
How will selling off Folkestone indoor bowls club on Cheriton Road contribute directly to the residents it serves?
ANSWER:
Thank you for your question Councillor Davison. Officers are currently exploring the possibility of alternative uses for the Cheriton Road bowls club site to create a possible revenue stream for the Council. Any potential site disposal will be thoroughly considered by Cabinet along with sites for an alternative bowls facility. The Directors from the Folkestone Indoor Bowls Club have been consulted throughout the process so far and are supportive of potential plans.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION:
I wanted to ask if the site is sold, what guarantees can you give to replicate the size and range of facilities currently available at the site, and what proposals have been discussed for the future use of that land?
ANSWER:
I think that the logic behind what we are seeking to achieve is a situation where the council is maximising it’s assets and at the same time, and more importantly, ensure that there is no reduction in the amenities available to the people of FHDC. You can rest assured that the alternative facility, one planned in more detail, will ensure that facilities provided will be no less than what is provided at the present time.