The Council’s rules provide for questions by any member of the Council to the Leader or any Portfolio Holder, without notice on:
(i) reports under the previous item; or
(ii) any other matter of a non operational character in relation to the powers and duties of the Council or which affects all or part of the District or some or all of its inhabitants.
The Council’s rules provide that answers to questions without notice may take the form of:
(a) a direct oral answer from the Leader or, at the request of the Leader, from another member of the Cabinet;
(b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication;
(c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner; or
(d) where the question relates to an operational matter, the Leader or a member of the Cabinet will request that a response be given direct to the questioner by the relevant Chief Officer.
In accordance with the Council’s rules, a time limit of thirty minutes is set for questions. Any question not dealt with within the time available will receive a written reply. The Chairman may extend this period by up to a further ten minutes at their discretion.
Minutes:
(a) Diwali
Councillor A. Patel invited the Chairman to light five Diya’s in the Members Room following the meeting, in celebration of Diwali on 7 November 2018.
(b) Leisure Centre - St John’s Site
Councillor H. Whitbread asked the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder how the consultation process was progressing for the proposed new Epping Leisure Centre and when would members be able to see initial plans.
Councillor H. Kane advised that external consultants had already been appointed to carry out the consultation and viability studies with Stakeholders and Ward Councillors being invited to discuss the future development. No timescale could be given at the moment, although she would update members before the end of the year.
(c) Section 106 Funds
Councillor J. Knapman asked the Planning and Governance Portfolio Holder to ensure that the Council did not send Section 106 funds to the incorrect recipient and to provide assurances that Chigwell Parish Council would correctly receive future Section 106 funding.
Councillor J. Philip advised that he would investigate the issue regarding the misplacement of the funds to Chigwell Parish Council and that with the Section 106 Officer in place would ensure that funds were correctly designated.
(d) Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre
Councillor L. Webster asked the Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder whether any consideration had been given to the potential increased usage and parking facilities that would be required at new Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre.
Councillor S. Kane advised that adequate parking provisions had been provided and that the Council had been very aware of the residential nature of the site at the new Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre. There were approximately 100 parking bays, available to the leisure centre users that were free of charge for up to 3 hours and also a coach parking bay.
(e) Epping Town Council Christmas Market
Councillor L. Burrows asked the Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder whether there would be free parking at the Cottis Lane, Epping car park on the 7 December 2018 for the Epping Town Christmas Market.
Councillor S. Kane advised that this was correct and that the Council was providing free weekend parking at all Council carparks throughout December 2018.
(f) Epping Forest Retail Park
Councillor M. Owen asked the Assets and Economic Development Portfolio Holder whether there would be any studies on the impact of traffic queuing throughout Loughton in regards to the Retail Park and that all day parking was occurring.
Councillor A. Grigg advised that the queuing issues had been identified with regards to parking by the Aldi retail unit and the Council was approaching Essex County Council for advice. Regarding the all day parking at the Retail Park, the Council was aware of the activity and would be taking action on those vehicles. The issues were being investigated and solutions were being considered.
(g) Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre – Use by Primary Schools
Councillor R. Brookes asked the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder to update members on the opening plans of the new Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre and what was Places for Peoples’ approach, to attracting new people and primary schools to attend and use the new facilities.
Councillor H. Kane advised that the new Leisure centre would be opening on 17 November 2018 at 2 pm, with guests to arrive at 1.30pm. She stated that Places for People were engaging with local residents and primary schools.
(h) Policing
Councillor D. Wixley asked the Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder if he could report back to the Council on the benefits and operations of the locally funded Police Officers for the District.
Councillor S. Kane advised that a six monthly review would be taking place with Communities Select Committee and a new Twitter account had been set up advising on the activity of these officers. (@EppingForestCSP) Currently, the officers had been tasked to deal with hot spots within the District, which included burglars in the South of the District. He advised that where possible, he would keep members updated through the Members Bulletin.