Council – 14 April 2025 – Questions Under Standing Order 22
From Cllr Caroline Rackham to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden
It is clear that HCC will not contribute to a decent public transport system for our residents. We have a broken ferry service, still no buses direct to the General Hospital and residents across the Forest completely limited in where they can work by a lack of buses. Can the Portfolio Holder tell me exactly why profit from the car parks – which is over a £1 million a year – cannot be used to fund a community health bus, a Calshot bus service and to relaunch the Hythe Ferry?
Question 2
From Cllr Alex Wade to the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness, Cllr Steve Davies
With Housing and Homelessness cases being an issue that all Ward Cllrs will be dealing with, and the challenges with Housing Families in the Private Sector, due to rising costs among other factors, what can he share with Cllrs from the recent Landlords forum that could reassure those Families in finding a suitable home which our Housing Officers are supporting, and reduce those having to use emergency accommodation?
Question 3
From Cllr Jack Davies to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary
Following this Council’s support for the joint submission to government, when will Councillors be told the geographical boundaries of the new unitary authorities?
Question 4
From Cllr Mark Clark to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary
In regards to LGR discussions, how much is the contribution that this authority is making towards consultants either jointly with others or severally to achieve its’ aims of keeping the New Forest together?
Question 5
From Cllr Hilary Brand to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary
The Conservative HCC Administration in Winchester chose to fast track the LGR process pulling in Districts such as our own to the momentum. Pausing for a moment, what assessment has this Council made of how reorganisation might affect local access to services, especially for rural and elderly residents?
Question 6
From Cllr Colm McCarthy to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary
We have a number of double hatters or even triple here in this chamber. Are any Officers or Councillors on this Council involved in dual discussions with other authorities that may create conflicts of interest in shaping our position?
Question 7
From Cllr Patrick Mballa to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary
What contingency plans exist if the political leadership of this Council is clearly not aligned with the reorganisation plan being developed at county level?
Question 8
From Cllr David Harrison to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jill Cleary
We have only seen vague expressions of intent by the leadership on our website. Wouldn’t it be useful for public debate by publishing further information? Will the Council therefore commit to publishing all correspondence with DLUHC or other authorities on this matter in the interests of transparency?