Agenda item

To receive questions from Councillors in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 23.4(a).

(1)          From Councillor Francis to Councillor Bowerman

 

As Councillors representing residents in our wards, it has always been the practice that, when difficulties arose, we would have a quick word and advice from our officers and usually problems could be quickly resolved. With the new regime of reporting to Customer Services these links and the Councillor role are being eroded.

 

In response to messages all I get is a report number and the assurance that the matter will be looked into.  There seems to be no acknowledgement of our responsibilities.

 

Are you concerned that the role of Councillor, with responsibility to care for our residents and wards, is rapidly disappearing?

 

Do you have a plan to create a less impersonal system?

 

Response:

 

Thank you for the question regarding Councillors representing residents and the reporting links to Customer Services.

 

To be clear, there is no new regime. Councillors can and do, speak with officers to relay issues, give feedback or look for help in answering residents’ queries i.e. signposting.

 

The important link with Customer Services is when there is a request for service or complaint, that this is captured and sent on to the correct team, so the interaction is not lost and the service can respond and complete the work.

 

The role of the Councillor continues to be important in helping our residents resolve questions and understand the complex structures of Local Government.

 

(2)          From Councillor Francis to Councillor Bains

 

"Serving You” has been an important and appreciated source of information for our residents.

 

There are questions that arise from the proposal, accepted by the Cabinet, that in future it is to be financed by outside advertising.

 

As this is a Havant Borough production are there to be careful editorial principals about the kind and prominence of the advertisements published?

 

Is there some policy to ensure that the advertisements do not get in the way of the Borough news that we want the public to see?

 

Would we be seen to be recommending or guaranteeing products advertised?

 

Has this matter been thoroughly investigated and rules set?

 

Response:

 

Serving You magazine already carries advertising from 'like-minded' and partner organisations such as PCC, Horizon Leisure and the Police, Fire, etc.

 

The HBC Advertising Policy will ensure that the type and content of future adverts will remain principled. It contains a list of the prohibited types of material and content.

 

The spaces available for adverts will fit in with the magazines template and design grid which means that they are restricted to standard sizes (quarter, half and full page). These mostly take up what are considered to be less prominent page positions, for example: left hand pages, and page bottoms, etc.

 

Adverts will also look noticeably different from the magazine brand style and will be easily identified as advertising by the reader. The graphic design team will also ensure that there will be a clear visual distinction between our content and adverts using colours, graphics and corporate style. This consistent approach will be maintained throughout the magazine.

 

During times of heightened political sensitivity, e.g. in the pre-election period, the location of adverts will be more carefully considered.

 

With good design and by following the policy guidelines the prominence and significance of our own messages will continue to have the most important visual impact and be the most relevant aspects of the magazine.

 

It states in the advertising policy that 'advertising with HBC does not infer endorsement.'

 

A disclaimer notice situated on the editorial page (currently the inside front page) refutes any such endorsement from third party advertisers or items delivered to the recipient at the same time.

 

The HBC Advertising Policy is a robust document that clearly sets out the rules for advertising.

 

It will be upheld by the communications team at HBC.

 

Advertisements are monitored by the Communications team for suitability and any considered to be inappropriate or that contradicts our values would be refused.

 

(3)          From Councillor Ponsonby to Councillor Wilson

 

Could you find a way of enabling owners of businesses whose premises back on to Bishopstoke Road, Tidworth Road, Bordon Road and Basing Road, to park for short lengths of time to enable deliveries and pick-ups to be made? One owner of a café who delivers hot meals to customers has now had several parking fines and it is another potential nail in the coffin of these struggling businesses.

 

Response:

 

We do have lots of On and Off Street free bays around the centre of Leigh Park to allow businesses to carry out their deliveries. The location of these are as follows: 

 

Tidworth Road Car Park, 15 free 30 min bays

Greywell Car Park, 15 free 30 min bays

Somborne Drive, 10 free 30 min bays

Park Parade, 4 free 30 min bays

Bishopstoke Road, 6 free 30 min bays

 

In addition businesses can legally load and unload from any vehicle parked in Bordon Road for the length of time it takes to load and unload. This activity should not result in a PCN being issued. If however, any other activity is being carried out, or vehicles are not parked in this specific location then this may result in a PCN.

 

(4)          From Councillor Ponsonby to Councillor Keast

 

Yet again the Licensing committee meeting scheduled this month was cancelled with your agreement for 'lack of business'.   Could you explain to committee members and fellow councillors what has been happening during your year of office, and why members of the committee, who requested regular updates on licence applications, are not receiving these and tell us how many meetings of the committee there have been this year?

 

Response:

 

Licensing Committees are only held when there is sufficient business to justify holding a meeting. Most of the functions of the Committee are delegated to officers or the sub-committee, therefore it is normal for scheduled meetings of the Committee to be cancelled throughout the year. It is anticipated that 4 meetings will be held this year which is the same number of meetings held last year. In addition, the Licensing Sub Committee has been convened once during this year. Unfortunately, staff shortages and a high workload has affected the ability to keep members of the Committee updated on the work of the Licensing Team. However, the officers are looking at ways of overcoming this problem. Details of the licensing applications are published on the Council’s website.