Agenda item

Members were required to give notice of any questions in writing to the Proper Officer through the officer listed on the front of this agenda no later than 5pm nine clear working days before the meeting in order to be guaranteed a written response.

Any question received after 5pm on 28 April 2023 and no later than 5pm four clear working days before the meeting 9 May 2023, may only receive a verbal response at the meeting. Any questions received after this date will be received at the next meeting.

Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman determines the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

The Chairman noted that two questions had been received by the deadline to receive a written response. Those questions as well as their responses had been included within the Agenda Supplement.

23-04 – Councillor Carole King to Councillor Caroline Thomas

Councillor King asked a supplementary question in relation to the last two words included in the written response to her question which were “once proven”. She encouraged the Council to embrace innovative trials and asked for an example of when Wiltshire Council had taken part in such a trial to do with Highways, as well as the pros and cons of partaking in such.

Councillor Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene, and Flooding stated that she would provide a written answer to Councillor King.

23-05 – Councillor Edward Kirk to Councillor Phil Alford.

Councillor Kirk asked a supplementary question on an arrangement had been reached with Melksham Town Council in relation to a Service Delegation and Asset Transfer Package, similar to the one arranged with Trowbridge Town Council.

Councillor Phil Alford, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Assets and Asset Transfer, responded that Melksham Town Council had not been in contact.

The Chairman noted that a total of twelve questions had been received by the deadline to receive a verbal response. Those questions had been included in the agenda supplement.

A point of order was raised by Councillor Philip Whitehead as to whether the questions were all or partly operational questions which should have been directed to receive responses from the relevant Director. The Chairman noted that if a Member was not satisfied with a response received to an operational question then they could require the question come before Council, though in this instance the questions had been included directly with the Summons. He would ensure any procedural checks took place as appropriate on any future questions.

The Leader, Councillor Richard Clewer provided verbal responses in relation to questions 23-06 to 23-17, which had been submitted by Councillor David Vigar. Written responses would be attached to the minutes.

Councillor Vigar raised a number of supplementary questions in relation to the various responses he had received.

Supplementary Question 1

Would the Council consider re-advertising the four posts that it advertised for dedicated Housing Support Officers to help Ukrainian refugees find homes?

The Leader confirmed that these posts would be re-advertised.

Supplementary Question 2

Would it be accepted that the house buying by Wiltshire is on a scale that is different to any other council in Britain?

The Leader stated that he was unaware whether any other local authorities were operating on a similar scale and Wiltshire Council had looked with officers at the issues to be addressed and that was the agreed response.

Supplementary Question 3

Has the Council engaged with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities and does the Secretary of State Michael Gove know about the plan?

The Leader stated that Wiltshire Council had consulted with the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, though could not comment on what the Secretary of State would personally have been told by the Department.

The Chairman allowed a further question from Councillor Clare Cape which had not been submitted for the meeting. Councillor Caped asked whether Wiltshire Council could find a way in the future to mark the Palestinian Nakba each year.