Agenda item

Please note that Councillors are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named on the first page of this agenda (acting on behalf of the Corporate Director) not later than 5pm on 19 February 2019. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

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

The Chairman drew attention to questions from Cllrs Ian Thorn and Jon Hubbard and responses provided in the agenda supplement which were taken as read.

Cllr Ian Thorn was invited to ask supplementary questions which were as follows:-

·         Question 19-21 - Cllr Thorn enquired why more potholes were filled in Cornwall than in Wiltshire.  Cllr Bridget Wayman stated that she would send Cllr Thorn a written response.

·         Question 19-22 – Cllr Thorn enquired what funding would be available to develop a Swindon and Wiltshire Rail Strategy. Cllr Wayman stated that she would send Cllr Thorn a written response.

·         Question 19- 24 – Cllr Thorn enquired if the governance arrangements would continue once the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) had become a private limited company.  Cllr Church confirmed that the governance arrangements would remain the same as at present.

·         Question 19-26 – Cllr Thorn enquired if the reduction in Community Engagement Managers would have no effect on the organisation and running of the area boards.  Cllr John Thomson stated that the new Area Board Lead Officer had examined the new structure and confirmed that the same level of service would be provided.

Cllr Jon Hubbard was invited to ask a supplementary question which was as follows:-

·         Question 19-29 – Cllr Hubbard enquired if there was a timeline for the National Health Service to bring the empty properties owned by the NHS at The Lodge, Spa Road, Melksham back into use.  Cllr Richard Clewer was unable to answer the question but stated that he would endeavour to find out and then send Cllr Hubbard a written response.