Agenda item
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 Council’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 Chair 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.
Minutes:
There were three public questions.
Question 1
Nicola Charleswaith, a resident, raised concerns about ongoing rat infestations at their newly purchased home. They reported that, despite notifying the Senior Environmental Officer and Health Officer on 12 September no progress report had been received. The infestation had caused damage to electrical wiring, leading to power loss, and required multiple pest control interventions. The resident highlighted health hazards, property damage, personal disruption, and the impact on their family, and requested clarity on what long-term preventative measures would be enforced.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning shared the feedback obtained from officers.
Following the resident’s concerns, the Officer had visited the property, confirmed it had been boarded up, and contacted the property owner’s business address but received no response. They planned to serve a “prevention of damage by pests” notice if no satisfactory action was taken. Further, the officer shared recent correspondence with the neighbouring property owner, who expressed surprise at the infestation and indicated they would engage a pest control firm to investigate. The officer confirmed that the issue remained open and would continue to be pursued due to its unacceptable nature.
Question 2
A resident of Middle Duntisbourne, Valerie Dyson reported that, since the refuse-collection reorganisation in June 2024, black-bin collections had been unreliable, with roughly one in three missed. As collections were scheduled for Fridays, uncollected bins often remained on the roadside over the weekend, affecting the appearance of the hamlet.
The resident understood that the contractor, Ubico, lacked sufficient small vehicles for the area’s narrow lanes, relying on a single truck that frequently broke down. Although the Council had been informed, it was reported that no replacement vehicles had been purchased. Missed collections could not be logged online because the issue was already recorded.
The resident noted that the 2024–25 draft financial statements showed an unspent vehicle-replacement allocation and that the missed-bin rate was 170 per thousand against a target of 80. They therefore asked why this statutory service was performing so poorly, why necessary vehicle investment had not been made, and why other spending appeared to take priority.
The Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory Services acknowledged ongoing issues with Friday bin collections, caused by vehicle breakdowns, insufficient crews, and reliance on agency staff. A new Friday service round will soon be implemented, moving some collections to Wednesday. Vehicle replacement and refurbishment plans were underway. Improvements to communication with residents, including a future app, were being developed. Smaller vehicles suitable for narrow lanes were being considered.
Question 3
Councillor Ben Eddolls, Member for Stow on the Wold Town Council, raised concerns about the poor condition of public toilets in Stow on the Wold, describing them as frequently dirty and inadequate for visitor numbers. Complaints had been received from the public highlighting issues with cleanliness, functionality, and odour.
The Cabinet Member for Health, Culture and Visitor Experience acknowledged the seriousness of public toilet standards, noting that users should expect clean facilities. They confirmed raising previous concerns with officers and the contractor, and that toilets were currently cleaned three times a day. While visitor numbers during the summer made maintaining cleanliness challenging, the Cabinet Member emphasised the need to review practices, improve standards, and follow up with officers.