27 February 2021
Tomorrow night (7pm) is full council – mainly to get the budget approved but also to agree who will be mayor and deputy mayor. Also on the agenda is the plans for the North end of the town centre which proposes some major work to improve footfall etc but at the moment its classed as confidential.
A number of people submitted questions, mainly on environmental issues and at first all were refused on the basis they were ‘similar’ to ones which had previously been put. The wording of the Council constitution is that where questions are the same or substantially the same as ones asked in the last six months, they can be refused. This is a clear abuse of the process which I have raised with the Chief Executive and will raise again tomorrow evening.
One question was later accepted as not being similar to ones and is as follows:
Public Question Time
The following Public Question has been received pursuant to Paragraph 11.1
of the Council Procedure Rules:-
Mr Roger Oldfield
A research study by scientists at four British and American universities was reported this month as finding that globally 8.7 million people died in 2018 from pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels. This compares with the 2.34 million who have died so far from Covid-19. More than one in 10 deaths in Europe are caused by the burning of fossil fuels to power factories, homes and vehicles.
What powers does Stafford Borough Council have to reduce the threat to our health from the burning of fossil fuels for each of these three purposes? How far is it using these powers?
I have submitted an item for discussion on trees as follows:
6 Councillor session
Councillor A N Pearce has submitted the following item under Paragraph
12.3(b) of the Council Procedure Rules:-
“At the full Council meeting in November 2019, the following motion was
considered:
‘A Notice of Motion pursuant to Paragraph 13.1 of the Council Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor A N Pearce and seconded by
Councillor M V Holmes as follows:-
This Council notes that:
2
• It had a commitment to double tree cover in the Borough by 2020
• Trees play an extremely important role in reducing air pollution, promoting biodiversity and absorbing carbon emissions
• At a recent Public Appeals Committee meeting, residents from Eccleshall turned up in large numbers to support the implementation of a tree preservation order
The motion was defeated as the controlling group voted against it. However, an assurance was given that a Tree Strategy was in preparation.
At the full Council meeting in November 2020, an assurance was again given that a tree strategy was in preparation.
It is perhaps worth noting a) that the tree planting season for the Spring is almost over and b) that trees play a crucial role in helping to prevent flooding.
Whilst fully accepting that Covid 19 has caused delays in policy development, it would be helpful if the Cabinet Member for the Environment could give an update on the development of the Tree Policy and, as a first step, it is suggested that contact is made with the Tree Council to establish a trial tree warden scheme in one of the wards in the Borough.”
At the last full council meeting I asked a number of questions about the post that had been promised to lead the Council’s response to the Climate Emergency, including when was it going to be advertised and when would the appointment be made.
Shortly after that meeting, the post was advertised and an appointment is, hopefully, being made. Although it is advertised as part-time, which raised alarm bells with me as it had been previously stated it would be full-time, it is 35 hours pw so only just short of full-time
The salary is such that it should attract a reasonable candidate. My only concern is that the location of the post is in the department which has not shown much interest in climate change and environmental issues in the past.
I have been in touch with the consultants drawing up the draft master plan for the Stafford Gateway project (redevelopment of land between Newport Road and Doxey Road adjacent to the Railway line) about the report done by Mike Deegan and have sent them a copy.
There are problems at Doxey House as a result of decision that residents are not allowed to leave scooters outside their rooms. Previously, not only was it allowed, but charging points were installed. It is a particular problem for residents on the first floor with limited mobility. I am assured that they are trying to find solutions but in the meantime they have had to stop leaving them in the corridors.
Out of the 9 empty houses in Castletown, most seem to have been sold. There were 3 in a block of 4 in Castle View with the end one still occupied. The end one has been vacated and the block of 4 sold. They are still all boarded up and now the end one is as well. There are 2 in North Castle Street that are in the process of being renovated by those who have bought them. The block of 3 on the corner of North Castle Street also appear to have been sold, as the ‘For sale’ signs have disappeared though they are now boarded up (these are the ones which were part of the first auction but were withdrawn on the day)
There is still one house in Castle View which is empty and has not been put up for auction or private sale.
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