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 T J Nelson asked the following question of Councillor S Davies, Leader:
‘With the announcement that the Council has submitted over a million pages of evidence to the Telford Child Sexual Exploitation Inquiry, does the leader and his fellow councillors still claim that the CSE Inquiry was not needed?’
Councillor S Davies responded that it was too early to say if the inquiry had achieved what the Council had wanted it to. The administration had asked for a Government Led Inquiry, which was declined, so it was felt that a council commissioned inquiry was better than no inquiry at all. The Council commissioned inquiry did not have statutory powers and could not compel witnesses to attend or answer questions.
Councillor Nelson asked a supplementary question in regards to the amount of evidence submitted by the Council.
Councillor Davies stated that the way the inquiry had been run was managed by the Chair of the Inquiry as it is completely independent. The Council had released all information it had been asked to do so. The Leader stated that he would be asking questions of who didn’t provide evidence or attend the inquiry.
(b) Councillor N A Dugmore asked the following question of Councillor D Wright, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport and Infrastructure:
‘What changes have been made following the review of the relationship between APT and the planning authority announced in January?’
Councillor Wright responded that the report was due to conclude within the next few weeks and would be brought before Scrutiny.
(c) Councillor S Bentley asked the following question of Councillor C Healy, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Green Spaces, Natural and Historic Environment:
‘Since the publication of the Boroughs’ climate change strategy the Shropshire Star reported that there has been a 33 percent reduction in carbon emissions across the Borough in the last 12 months. What is the largest contributing factor to this reduction?’
Councillor Healy indicated she would provide a written reply.
(d) Councillor S Bentley asked the following question of Councillor D Wright, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport and Infrastructure :
‘What tonnage of freight has the Donnington Rail Freight terminal handled during the 12 months leading up to lockdown?’
Councillor Wright advised he would provide a written reply.
(e) Councillor S Bentley will ask the following question of Councillor S Davies, Leader:
‘Following the £1.3m investment in 110 homes within the Borough to create a social rented arm of NuPlace ,can the leader guarantee these properties will provide accommodation to residents of the Borough whose limited opportunities for social housing have existed for many years? ’
Councillor Davies stated he would provide a written response.
(f) Councillor Eric Carter asked the following question of Councillor D Wright, Cabinet Member for Economy, Housing, Transport and Infrastructure :
‘Could I ask the Cabinet Member for Transport why neither he nor any officers attend the most effective and influential rail organisation in the Area, namely the Marches Strategic Rail Group?’
Councillor Wright would provide a written response.