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V28-663 : QUESTIONS

(a) Councillor Austin submitted the following question in accordance with Standing Order 7(4):

"In view of the six months notice given to the Council to vacate the lorry park at the corner of Jermyns Road, Reydon, why have no arrangements been made to relocate the recycling facilities on the site and to inform residents of the changes."

The Chairman of the Council gave the following reply:

"The Council's cross-referencing procedures picked up the car parking interest in respect of the termination of the Council's lease of this land, but not the recycling interest until the last moment. However, it has been arranged as a temporary measure for the banks at Highfield in Winston Road to be used until another site in Reydon is identified. The use of Cox's Lane is being investigated and this will be put forward. In the meantime, notices at Jermyns Road will advise residents to use the Highfield banks."

(b) Councillor Shepherd submitted the following question in accordance with Standing Order 7(4):

(i) "What action is Waveney District Council taking to prevent flooding over the sea wall, along Lowestoft sea front, with the high spring tides expected in the new year and the high level of sand on the beach?

(ii) What is the Council's policy for the removal of the recent build up of sand on the sea front?

(iii) What efforts if any, are being taken to restore the sand beach which has been overtaken by shingle near to the Fisheries Laboratory?"

The Chairman of the Council gave the following reply:

(i) "Defences along Lowestoft's shoreline are designed to resist erosion. Existing defences provide an element flood defence however standards of protection are variable. In the event of an extremely high water level, as 1953 eg, flooding of central Lowestoft would arise from water wiering over the harbour quays. The risk of flooding occurring as result of seawater passing over seawalls maintained by the Council, over low-lying frontages is small, ie likely to occur infrequently and only under severe weather conditions. In emergency flood conditions response procedures, managed by the Environment Agency, should give advance warnings to residents and owners of premises at risk. The Council's role would be in support of emergency services. The current healthy condition of the south Lowestoft beach will reduce the risk of flooding and storm damage over that frontage. Waveney District Council has no duty to undertake works to prevent flooding by the sea.

(ii) The Council will undertake works to ensure the continuation of safe pedestrian access over promenade surfaces and also to ensure reasonable vehicle access for maintenance purposes. This will not guarantee a totally sand free promenade surface. During severe weather situations may occur when the above objectives are not met. Maintenance of the above objectives may have budgetary implications, this will depend upon demands over the winter period.

(iii) The shingle is an amenity disbenefit in that beach users perceive a loss of enjoyment compared with recent history. It does however provide an enhanced standard of protection against erosion to a frontage with a history of damage. The ongoing Lowestoft to Thorpeness Coast Protection Strategy Study will consider management options in response to this issue and is expected to recommend intervention options that will bring about both an amenity and coast protection benefit and thereby become worthy of funding from the coast protection budget. The strategy report will be completed during the spring of 2001 therefore response actions may be deliverable before the peak bathing season begins. It is also possible that the report will recommend no interruption of natural processes or that works required are not able to be completed within, or funded from, next financial years programme."

(c) Councillor Shepherd submitted the following question in accordance with Standing Order 7(4):

"There are very elderly people living in Turners Cottages off St. John's Road, Lowestoft, with only one narrow footpath for access. With all the rain this autumn the footpath has become very muddy and therefore dangerous to the residents. Can the Chairman inform me of any action the Council might take to improve this access?"

The Chairman of the Council gave the following reply:

"The pathways leading to Turner Cottages are private accesses and therefore not the responsibility of either the Highway Authority or the District Council (It is assumed that the access is owned jointly by the residents, as is usual in these cases)."

(d) Councillor Shepherd submitted the following question in accordance with Standing Order 7(4):

"Can the Chairman tell me,

(i) When will members be allowed to debate standing orders provisionally approved at the Annual Meeting last May?

(ii) When will members be allowed to debate the motions put before this Council last July?

(iii) When will members be allowed to comment on the minutes of the meetings held since the 17 May 2000?"

The Chairman of the Council gave the following reply:

(i) "The Council at its Annual Meeting on 11 May 2000 adopted the constitution, function and standing orders for the new political management arrangements. However, it was agreed by members that the appropriate Policy Panel should have the opportunity to review these arrangements in more detail after a few months. A letter was sent to all members in August inviting comments to contribute to this review. Standing Orders are now being examined in light of members comments, the introduction of the new Local Government Act 2000, and other new developments, eg. Local Area Forums. A report to the Corporate Resources Policy Panel is expected early in the new year.

(ii) At the Council meeting on 20 July 2000 Councillor Shepherd submitted a Notice of Motion relating to a Byelaw Prohibiting the Drinking of Alcohol in Public, and Councillor Bee submitted a Notice of Motion relating to the Illegal Encampment of Travellers.

The motion submitted by Councillor Shepherd was deferred for consideration by the Corporate Resources Policy Panel. Before deciding upon the area of application of such byelaws, it is vital to have a fully worked case of justification. Officers have this is hand to carry out the necessary research early in the new year.

The motion submitted by Councillor Bee was deferred for consideration by The Executive, and was discussed at its meetings on 31 August, 21 September, and 9 November 2000.

(iii) Under the new political management arrangements adopted by the Council, and referred to in (I) above, the Council no longer receives the minutes of its `Committees' for adoption. The Council sets: the strategic vision for the provision of services, the Council's budget, and the corporate plan which forms the financial and policy framework for the activity of The Executive.

The Executive determines all operational matters within this framework and consequently adopts the minutes of the Policy Panels. Matters relating to policy decisions, no budget provision, or a commitment of forward budget are automatically referred to Council under Standing Order 42(1). Standing Order 42(2) also provides that any minute of The Executive may be referred to the Council if 5 Councillors, not all from the same political group, give to the Chief Executive written notice of referral within 5 clear days of any decision and the minute shall not be acted upon until it has been determined by Council."


Volume 28 Minute 663

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