To answer questions received under Council Procedure Rule 6.2.
NB In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 6.2.9 there will be a maximum of 30 minutes allowed for questions and answers. Any question not answered within the 30 minute time limit will receive a written reply within 5 working days.
Minutes:
The following questions were asked under Council Procedure Rule 6.2.2:-
(a) Councillor K Middleton asked the following question of Councillor S Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education and Lifelong Learning:
“I understand that there are children in our town who will not be covered by the government’s scheme to provide laptops and internet access to complete their education learning. I am therefore delighted to note that this Council are stepping in to help with the shortfall of the Government Scheme. Could the Cabinet Member please give us an update on how the Council scheme is going?”
Councillor S A W Reynolds responded and stated that the laptops provided by the government had been delivered and had been configured to make them suitable for children, which had included the installation of safeguarding software. The Council had recognised the shortfall in the scheme and that some children were falling between the gaps. Councillor Reynolds thanked the parish and town councils and schools who had match funded the additional funding by Telford & Wrekin Councils and urged any others to get in touch with the Council if they would like to offer support.
(b) Councillor V Holt asked the following question of Councillor S Davies, Leader:
“Robert Jenrick, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government promised Councils that the Government would do ‘whatever it takes’ to financially back Councils. Yet with many Councils on the brink of bankruptcy as a result of the costs of tackling Covid 19, can you strongly urge the Government to stick to its promise to support Telford & Wrekin Council enabling us to do what’s necessary to get communities through this pandemic?’
Councillor S Davies noted that the Secretary of State had, on multiple occasions, stated that the Government would provide funding for Councils to support their efforts throughout the pandemic. However, in May, the narrative changed and the promise ended. The Leader stated that the Council had a funding gap of £17m as a result of extra expenditure or lost income.
Councillor V Holt asked a supplementary question in relation to support given by the Borough’s MPs,
Councillor S Davies stated that he was in regular contact with the MP for the Wrekin and hoped that the MP for Telford would come to the aid of Telford.
(c) Councillor N Dugmore asked the following question of Councillor D Wright, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport & Infrastructure:
“Since the green network was established, how many sites have been designated green network, how many of these sites have had planning applications passed which reduce their area and how many sites have been removed from the green network all together?’
Councillor D Wright advised that the Council had not removed land as green network and the Local Plan review would seek to prioritise the protection, enhancement and accessibility of the natural environment and green spaces in the Borough.
(d) Councillor N Dugmore asked the following question of Councillor A J Burford, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care:
“Recent social media posts from the leadership state that Telford and Wrekin Council established a policy to only discharge patients from hospital to a care home after being tested for Covid19. From what date was this policy implemented and how was it communicated to stakeholders ie Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, hospital management and to care home management.’
Councillor A J Burford stated that the policy had been developed with partner organisations and they were aware of the policies in place.