2.       Given that the legal requirement for all HGV drivers to have 35 hours training by September 2014 in order to qualify for a Certificate of  Competence, without which, they are no longer licensed or insured, was introduced in 2009, why did the Council not ensure, through the Somerset Waste Board and Partnership’s contract management, that this avoidable problem was avoided?

3.       Can the Council ensure that residents, of any area where waste and recycling collections will be missed for the week, are notified in advance in order that they can make arrangements to take it to the recycling centres themselves and do waste time and effort putting it out for collection and waiting in vain.

I also asked:

1. Referrals to Planning Board: Please can the Chair and Vice Chair of Planning Board be required to give clear and specific reasons for their decisions on ward members’ requests to refer planning applications to Planning Board, in the interests of transparency and proper planning?
2. Local democracy: In light of the recent impressive level of political engagement in Scotland, can the Council endorse the Local Government Association’s recent call for a Constitutional Convention in England to include greater devolution of decision making and funding to local authorities and ‘to ensure that as much decision-making as possible is brought as close as possible to the people’.
   Since the suspension of the three area-based Community Partnerships (still included in section 10 of the Constitution) in May and September 2011 for two periods of six months, and limited efforts to replace them as a forum for engaging with local communities since, why has the Council not either reinstated the Community Partnerships or replaced them with a suitable forum for community engagement, as it promised in 2011?
   Is the Council doing enough to engage with local residents in its work?
   Can the Council now review and adopt a better way of working that proactively engages with, listens and responds to local communities in each part of the District, and consider how to best ‘ensure that as much decision making is brought as close as possible to the people’?
3. Flytipping: Despite a lull in flytipping for several months on and around Gypsy Lane, just outside Frome, (after the public meeting I organised with the Council’s Enforcement officer, the Police and cllr Knibbs in April when over 40 local residents raised concerns about the ongoing flytipping in the area, and after the Council erected warning signs) the flytipping has returned. Can an update be given to residents on the Council’s progress on the measures discussed at the meeting, which included surveillance, a ‘flytipping reward scheme’, increasing awareness, and encouraging greater reuse and recycling in partnership with local businesses and Frome Town Council.
   Can the council arrange for a ‘follow up’ public meeting in or around Frome to explain progress to concerned residents, as was promised at the meeting in April?

I look forward to the answers and debate at the council meeting tomorrow.

 

Update: The following written answers were prepared by senior officers at Mendip DC, or given verbally by Mendip Cabinet members at the meeting:

1: MDC leader Harvey Siggs replied that the Constitution did not require the Chair and Vice Chair of Planning Board to give any such answers to ward councillors, as the decisions on ward referrals were not planning decisions. I do not think that is a satisfactory answer and will follow this one up shortly.

2: Local democracy: At the meeting, MDC Deputy Leader cllr Tom Killen Tom agreed that community engagement was important and … that he would agree to meet with Danny Unwin (opposition group leader) to discuss what future arrangements should be in Mendip for area or town forums. I hope to meet shortly with Tom and Danny on this shortly to take things forward once again.

3. Flytipping:

Stuart Cave, MDC Regulatory Services manager replied in writing: ‘Following the public meeting in April, Officers in conjunction with the ward member for Beckington and Selwood [cllr Peter Knibbs] attended a meeting of Berkley Parish Council in May to explain what the council can achieve with partners to reduce the incidence of flytipping. High profile warning signs have been erected in hot spots which has had a positive effect in those areas reducing the number and frequency of tips. The Council is awaiting information from third parties in respect of a ‘reward scheme’. Officers continue to pursue individuals and organisations on a case by case basis and so far have issued Fixed Penalty Notices totalling £800. The Somerset Waste Partnership in conjunction with all districts in Somerset continues to raise awareness in respect of flytipping and recycling matters using regular media releases. A follow up meeting will be considered as part of next year’s operational plans. Should the Member require any further information then please contact the case officer with any specific questions.’

Cllr Nigel Taylor replied verbally that MDC had no more money available to spend on enforcement, and that residents had been asked at the meeting to inform MDC’s Enforcement officer of any evidence they had on who was doing the flytipping, and no one had, which was disappointing.

I hope to discuss the issues and further questions arising, with Stuart Cave, Nigel Taylor and Peter Knibbs shortly as I do not think that is a satisfactory answer.