Issue - meetings
Public Questions
Meeting: 06/02/2025 - Cabinet (Item 60)
Public Questions
To deal with questions from the public within the open forum question and answer session of fifteen minutes in total. Questions from each member of the public should be no longer than one minute each and relate to issues under the Cabinet’s remit. At any one meeting no person may submit more than two questions and no more than two such questions may be asked on behalf of one organisation.
The Leader will ask whether any members of the public present at the meeting wish to ask a question and will decide on the order of questioners.
The response may take the form of:
a) a direct oral answer;
b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or
c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner.
Additional documents:
Decision:
There was one Public Question :
Andy Farmer introduced himself as a recent candidate in the Chesterton by-election. He explained that part of his campaign involved speaking to residents about their preferences for council spending, creating a wish list. He mentioned the possibility of an underspend from various grant funding streams at the end of the financial year and suggested that early planning could help the council spend this money effectively on residents.
Mr Farmer had collated a ‘wish-list’ which he had discussed with the Cabinet Member for Health , Culture and Visitor Experience and had a meeting arranged with the Economic Development Lead Officer to discuss further.
An enquiry was made regarding the appropriate process for submitting non-grant-related spending requests, to which the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation responded that such requests could be sent to him or the Deputy Chief Executive.
Mr Farmer also raised a question about parking charges, noting that potholes and car park charges were major concerns with residents. The removal of the “free after three” parking initiative was also questioned. It was explained that the initiative was removed due to financial constraints and changing trends since the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial pressure meant that the council could not afford to reintroduce the initiative.
However it was noted that some parking charges would be frozen and the introduction of 20-minute free parking bays was highlighted. It was also noted that car park ticket sales had increased in 2024 despite previous charge increases. The council was analysing data from a recent car parking consultation to inform future decisions.
Mr Farmer requested consideration for lower-income residents who struggle with parking costs, suggesting options like “free after four.” The Cabinet Member for Health, Culture and Visitor Experience acknowledged the request and mentioned that Trinity Road car park was free on weekends, offering an alternative for those facing cost challenges.
Minutes:
There was one Public Question :
Andy Farmer introduced himself as a recent candidate in the Chesterton by-election. He explained that his campaign included gathering residents' views on council spending. 87 residents had provided input, with a resulting wish-list of some 47 items.
He noted the potential for an underspend from various grant funding streams at the end of the financial year and suggested that early planning could help the council spend this money effectively on residents.
Mr Farmer had already had discussions with Councillor Tristan Wilkinson, and was due to meet the Economic Development lead to discuss further.
- In response to a question about the process for submitting non-grant-related spending requests, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation confirmed that requests should be addressed to himself and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
- Mr Farmer stated that parking charges were one of the main concerns raised by residents. The removal of the “free after three” parking initiative was questioned.
- In response the Cabinet Member for Health, Culture, and Visitor Experience confirmed that the initiative had been discontinued due to financial constraints and shifting post-COVID trends. He also stated that some parking charges would be frozen and mentioned the introduction of 20-minute free parking bays.It was also noted that despite previous tariff increases car park ticket sales had increased in 2024. He also confirmed that recent parking consultations would form the basis of data analysis to guide future decisions.
- Mr Farmer suggested that initiatives such as “free after four” might be a way of offering support to lower-income residents struggling with parking costs. The Cabinet Member for Health, Culture, and Visitor Experience highlighted that Trinity Road car park remained free on weekends, providing an option for those facing financial difficulties.