Agenda item

Members' Questions to Cabinet Members and Chairpersons

To put questions, if any, to Cabinet Members and Committee Chairpersons (or their representatives) under Council Procedure Rules 11(1) and 11(3).

Minutes:

There were 13 questions:

1.    Councillor Thorp: Will you look again at traffic calming measures in Whiston on High street down towards Turner Lane from the Methodist church, repeated request have been met with a straight no? A recent collision highlighted again the issues of visibility due to parked cars and the approaching speed of traffic down High Street from a pinch point by the Methodist church.

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Thorp was not present to ask his question.

2.    Councillor Thorp: Can the council please explain how, 14 months since I raised the state of Herringthorpe Valley Park tennis courts, including the state of the courts and the problem with overhanging trees blocking one third of the courts. Then after spending £150,000 to resurface them & 8 months since work started RMBC tree services still hasn't cut these trees back why.

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Thorp was not present to ask his question.

3.    Councillor Bennett-Sylvester: When suggesting the bulky waste service to residents we are often being met with the length of time to collect as an objection. What measures are being taken to reduce lead times for collections please?

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Bennett-Sylvester was not present to ask his question.

4.    Councillor Bennett-Sylvester: Press reports indicate we referred over 4,500 cases of council tax debt to enforcement agents in 2025/26. How many of these resulted in visits by bailiffs to residents homes?

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Bennett-Sylvester was not present to ask his question.

5.    Councillor Thorp: Why once again does RMBC let companies rip up our streets and replace it with the cheapest tarmac going. At the bottom of Moorgate Street at the junction of High Street around 30 paving slabs have been removed, are we really saying not one slab survived the removal prosses.

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Thorp was not present to ask his question.

6.    Councillor Thorp: At the moment collectively the 3 infant schools in the Sitwell Ward, Sitwell, Whiston J&I, and Whiston Worrygoose have a total PAN number of 120 and they were oversubscribed for the this coming year. so if all 3 schools were to increase their PAN numbers to their maximum for their schools what would the combined PAN number be.

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Thorp was not present to ask his question.

7.    Councillor Yasseen: If the consultation on the proposed Broom Road and Wickersley Road Sustainable Transport Corridor demonstrates clear and significant public opposition to the scheme, what criteria will the Council use when deciding whether to proceed or withdraw the proposals?

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Yasseen was not present to ask her question.

8.    Councillor Yasseen: What arrangements are in place to ensure that ward councillors are kept appropriately informed and involved in officer led meetings, community engagement and decisions affecting the residents they represent?

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Yasseen was not present to ask her question.

9.    Councillor Thorp: Can Councillor Read as leader of the council confirm his commitment to me at Cabinet to have meaningful discussions over the ransom strip money obtained within the Sitwell Ward to be kept within the Sitwell Ward as per the president set in Swinton. RMBC has no assets within the Sitwell Ward has the highest Council tax contributor?

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Thorp was not present to ask his question.

10. Councillor Thorp: Could you confirm are all roundabouts with a grass or flower centre are maintained by RMBC?


In accordance with Procedure Rule 11(8), question 10 would be responded to in writing.

11. Councillor Thorp: Can you confirm the frequency of grass cutting on roundabouts are the same whatever the ward?

In accordance with Procedure Rule 11(8), question 11 would be responded to in writing.

12. Councillor Yasseen: Despite investment in the Street Safe Team, many residents continue to report feeling unsafe because of persistent anti-social behaviour, drug activity and street harassment. How will the Council measure whether its interventions are genuinely reducing incidents and when will residents see published ward-level outcomes? 

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Yasseen was not present to ask her question.

13. Councillor Yasseen: Can the Council confirm whether it directly or indirectly uses Palantir or any connected systems, contractors or data platforms, and will it commit to preventing residents’ Council, social-care or health-related information from being processed by companies whose ethical record or overseas relationships raise serious public concerns?

A response would be provided in writing as Councillor Yasseen was not present to ask her question.