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Agenda item

Questions from Members of the Public

Minutes:

 

Councillor Alice Perry moved a procedural motion under Rule 22(k) of the constitution, to suspend Rule 19.3 for the duration of the agenda item and to suspend Rule 19.2 in so far as is necessary to enable the Mayor to read out questions from the public.

 

Councillor Poole seconded the motion. 

 

The motion was put to the vote and CARRIED.

 
The Mayor read out the following question from Lloyd Child to Councillor Hull, Executive Member for Finance and Performance:

‘I understand that the Government recently announced that a national fund to support the most vulnerable people in our borough has been cut drastically.  What provision has the council made in this budget to cope with this further loss of funding?’

Reply:

Thank you for your question.  First of all we have say three cheers for the Keep the Safety Net Campaign which did save £74 million of the funding and we have to thank the resident in Cheshire who mounted a judicial review of the government cuts which we supported and which resulted in a victory over the government, which is almost unprecedented.  That means we are able to keep the same level of funding as before, using general fund and housing benefit reserves.

 

The Mayor read out the following question from George Sharkey to Councillor Watts, Leader of the Council:

 

‘As a Labour Council, the GMB recognises that the unprecedented cuts imposed by this Tory-led Government will fall hard on our communities.  Many will be driven deeper into poverty, as a trade union and a Labour Party that was formed out of poverty and deprivation, how can we jointly come together again within Islington to resolve any differences and work towards one single aim of eradicating this inept Tory Government?’

 

Reply:

Thank you for your question.  First of all, we have been cut more than the leafy conservative areas.  We’ve lost 40-45% of funding when western Dorset’s funding has gone up. This government is brutal. Their areas get more.  We get less.  I ensure regular communication with trade unions and we are a much better administration because of it.  The GMB are enormously helpful, the campaign for school meals for example, they are a partner in delivering a fairer and better borough.  We have to work together to get rid of the Tories.  We will fight them here and in more marginal seats as well. 

 

The Mayor read out the following question from Ernestas Jegorovas to Councillor Joe Caluori, Executive Member for Children and Families:

 

‘How does cutting the Connections Team (provides young people with information and advice on education, training and jobs) fit in with Islington Labour’s 2014 manifesto priority of every young person has a job, is in college or an apprenticeship?’

 

Reply:

Thank you for your question.  It’s a good question, as it is important to spell out what we are doing regarding employment in schools.  We are going through a process of discussion with schools to help us identify the things that matter most.  Schools have asked us for more control over these services and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson school, which Ofsted have rating outstanding again, are leading on this.  We are also working with the Youth Councillors and looking at best practice.  There are different ideas about how best to deliver advice and guidance in schools.  I don’t think that the service was working well and we are looking at the options to provide skills and line of sight for young people into work.  This is not a betrayal, it’s an exciting opportunity.

The Mayor read out the following question from Andy Bain, chair of Islington Hands Off Our Public Services (IHOOPS) to Councillor Hull Executive Member for Finance and Performance:

 

‘How will the proposed cuts affect the range and quality of council services to the public and will the staff left be able to cope in a safe and healthy manner?’

 

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question.  It’s true there are some job losses, but we have done all we can to keep them to a minimum and have reduced the number of compulsory redundancies down to 55.  We are turning agency staff into permanent posts and can assure you council staff health is a priority.

The Mayor read out the following question from Muge, Salome Wolfam and Zingara Filipe to Councillor Murray, Executive Member for Housing and Development:

‘What law does Councillor Murray cite as justification / or compels him to continue to overcharge council tenants, particularly on Spa Green, for communal heating or hot water?’

 

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question.  I will address this more fully in my response to Councillor Russell who has asked the same question, but any money paid by tenants in ring-fenced for the purpose of providing heating and hot water, even if the balance in year is not equal.

The Mayor read out the following question from Sue Richards to Councillor Hull Executive Member for Finance and Performance:

 

‘Last summer, the Islington Gazette ran a front page that claimed several vital council services were, in their words, set to be ‘axed’.  The front page and article implied that libraries were under threat, Cally Pool would close, school crossing patrols would be cut, the Ecology Centre would close and the Plus Bus service would end.  Could the Executive Member for Finance please confirm whether any of these services are affected by this budget?’

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question.  Happily I can confirm that none at all have been cut in this budget, although I am not holding my breath for next week’s Gazette story.

 

The Mayor read out the following question from Charlie Kiss to Councillor Watts, Leader of the Council:

 

‘Please can you tell me when there will be a ward partnership meeting for the Holloway Ward?’

 

Councillor Watts nominated Councillor Smith to reply.

 

Reply:

 

The 12 March.