Agenda item

To receive questions from members of the public who wish to ask a general question in respect of matters within the Council’s area of responsibility or influence.

Subject to the Chair’s discretion, members of the public may ask one question and one supplementary question, which should relate to the original question and answer received.

Councillors may also ask questions under this agenda item.

There were 2 questions:

1.    Chrissy Meleady asked questions on behalf of T, a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Survivor who was unable to attend. Referencing the ongoing tribunal relating to CSE in Rotherham, the Leader was asked to publicly disown the statement T had asked him to disown by email on 27^th March. Ms. Meleady also asked if the Council’s Head of Legal Services understood her core responsibility was to stand up for victims and survivors of CSE and to respond to calls and emails. It was also stated that the tribunal was appalling legal expenditure.

The Leader stated that he had already informed T via email that he could not comment on matters that were subject to ongoing litigation or the subject of appeal. He also could not comment on circumstances surrounding individual members of staff.

2.    Mr. Ashraf asked a question in relation to the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He asked for a detailed table to be provided containing information relating to the Pensions Authority’s  financial operations and the Pensions Authority Members’ information. Mr. Ashraf also asked for the expenses information for the Rotherham Members of the Pensions Authority.

The Leader stated that this was not a question for Cabinet, but if Mr. Ashraf provided his question in writing, he would pass it on to the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority for a written response.

In his supplementary question, Mr. Ashraf asked for further information from the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, including emails received, petitions, signatories and divestment changes for a period of time, specifically related to the Gaza conflict.

The Leader again stated that, as a gesture of goodwill, the question would be passed on to the Pensions Authority. However, he reiterated that the appropriate place to ask these questions was at South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, not Rotherham Council meetings.