Issue - meetings

(i)                the Leader and Cabinet Leads to answer questions on matters within their respective reports.

(ii)           Chairmen to answer questions on minutes since the last Council meeting

In response to a question from Cllr Pike regarding the delivery of housing in the Borough, the Leader confirmed that there were specific reasons as to why the delivery of housing was difficult within the region and both he and the Chairman of the Solent LEP had written to Ministers about these issues.  In respect of housing on the Council’s own land, it was the Council’s aspiration to provide homes for residents and that the Regeneration Strategy was currently being reviewed as to how this could be provided sooner rather than later.

In response to a question from Cllr Francis regarding the corporate strategy and transformation, the Leader explained that the events of the past year had caused the council to focus on protecting residents and administering the various grants available to businesses whilst also maintaining services.  The corporate strategy had however continued to be looked at and it was important for the Council to maintain a direction as the pandemic passed.

With regard to the business of the Council, Cabinet meetings remained open for people to attend and the new Overview & Scrutiny Committee would he hope prove to be an effective vehicle for members to obtain information and challenge council policy.

In response to a question from Cllr Francis, Cllr Bowerman confirmed that she was happy to investigate with Cllr Rennie the potential for laptops to be loaned to councillors.

In response to a question from Cllr Weeks, Cllr Bowerman confirmed that procurement and exchequer services had been brought back in house from Capita and the negotiated settlement included costs associated with bring the service back in house which were primarily project costs to ensure a smooth transition of these key services.  There are also costs associated with recruitment, however even with these costs, the reprovision of the exchequer service would remain within budget.

In response to a question from Cllr Pike, Cllr Satchwell agreed to investigate why the minutes of the 10 September Development Management Committee had yet to be published.