From Mrs Dianne Charman Councillor Phil Thomas Cabinet

From Mrs Dianne Charman

Councillor Phil Thomas

Cabinet Member for Environment & Highways.

Question No.

PQ039- 11

Regarding the changes to refuse collection I would be interested in your comments on the following:- How can you save money by making more collections per property thus more man hours, diesel, wear and tear of vehicles. Cost of supplying bins for waste food. Creating three new jobs, at what level.

The Council’s contractor has used successfully since 2008 split compaction recycling collection vehicles which allows for two different types of recyclables to be collected by the same crew.

Traditional styles of recycling collection vehicles would have only been able to collect one type of recyclable material, and thus there would have been a need to have introduced a new fleet of collection vehicles specifically to collect the food waste.

The main savings associated with the new services are achieved through the diversion of food waste from the existing landfill option, which including Landfill Tax is fast approaching £100 per tonne.

From Mr Andrew Pelling.

Councillor Sara Bashford

Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture and Sports

Question No.

PQ040- 11

July 23 marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of Lloyd Park - proof that philanthropic giving in times of austerity predates references to a "Big Society".

What is the Council doing to mark the anniversary?

As part of its Parks To Be Proud Of scheme, the council is investing £275,000 to improve facilities at Lloyd Park which will include upgraded play facilities, installation of outdoor gym, creation of picnic area, development of café area and miscellaneous improvements including additional seats & benches, spring bulb and tree planting. The improvements start this summer and should be completed by March 2012.

We are keen to mark the 80th anniversary of the opening of Lloyd Park and are considering plans to display an exhibition of past, present and future images of the park in the café when it opens in Autumn 2011.

From Mrs Annie Curtis

Councillor Phil Thomas

Cabinet Member for Environment & Highways

Question No.

PQ041- 11

I have concerns about the changed plans to refuse collection that there will still be no recycling collections from flats. Those of us with no garden have nowhere to store rotting food waste. Have the council really thought the ramifications of the changes through?

I am pleased to advise that there will be a separate food waste collection service available for residents who live within blocks of flats.

A similar system is already being used successfully in several other London Boroughs.

From Mrs Shirley Rolfe

Councillor Sara Bashford

Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture & Sports

Question No.

PQ042- 11

In April, Cllr Bashford reportedly said that the David Lean Cinema is being transferred to the Fairfield Hall. In the absence of any discernable evidence that this is being done, what action is being taken and what progress has been made to date? Are any other options being considered?

The council is working with Fairfield Halls to ensure future opportunities for independent cinema screening in central Croydon. Fairfield Halls has begun its new season of films and has announced its programme this month.

From Mr Robert Rudman

Councillor Jason Perry

Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainability

Question No.

PQ043- 11

Why are comments in favour of planning applications allowed to count the same as those against on the online planning register? Generally reasons for opposing planning applications are valid material considerations based on technical facts, whereas reasons for support, particularly in cases of regeneration, are based on pure speculation?

An important part of the process in taking decisions on applications for planning permission is having regard to the views of interested parties on each application. In recent years the Council has been able to develop an online planning register to enable interested parties to submit their representations electronically; this also displays the total number of representations received in support of and in opposition to each proposal. It is an open transparent process in which all representations can be recorded.

However, decisions on planning applications are not taken just on the balance of representations received for or against a proposal. They have to have regard to other material considerations, such as local planning policies, national planning guidance and to site factors. The opinions of interested parties submitted as representations on applications are relevant to the process inasmuch as they relate to planning issues. Representations raising non planning issues cannot be taken into account regardless of whether they are in support or raising objection. Experience shows that letters of objection are just as likely to raise non-relevant issues as those submitted in support of proposals. It is therefore appropriate for the online register to record the numbers both for and against each application as this is of public interest, but the decision in each case will be based on an analysis of all relevant planning considerations.

From Mr David Thakor

Councillor Phil Thomas

Cabinet Member for Environment & Highways

Question No.

PQ044- 11

When should I expect to stop asking the same question (PQ0039-08 & PQ060-07)? and to get a permanent resolution to my refuse collecting failures. Furthermore will LBC now fully accept the failings are with it's appointed contractor(s); it’s mismanagement and in house team; which is unsuited to continue this remit

I would like to arrange a meeting with the relevant Head of Service and Contract Manager of Veolia with you to discuss your concerns.

Can you please advise me of some suitable dates and times.

From Mr Ejnar Sorensen

Councillor Dudley Mead

Cabinet Member for Housing, Finance and Asset Management

Question No.

PQ045- 11

How much will the Council's bid for city status cost, and so that we can assess the value for money and future benefits of the bid in a time of austerity, what benefits did the previous failed bids provide for Croydon?

The only expenditure that went into our 2010 bid for City Status was the officer time in producing the bid document and the cost of printing it. Print costs were £1,023. This is in line with new guidance which requests Council’s minimise spending on bids.

The previous bid, made under Labour in 2002, was costed at £60,000, but failed.

A successful City Status bid would bring significant benefits to the borough:

• It will help lever in further inward investment, boosting regeneration as regional organisations and businesses look to base their offices here • It will generate increased local pride in the area • Holding City Status generates tourism opportunities for the borough

From Ms Anne Bridge

Councillor Jason Perry

Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainability

Question No.

PQ046- 11

Will the Council perform more stringent checks on the financial viability of property developers who submit planning applications of large-scale developments, given there have been property developers financially unable to undertake or complete developments which are embarrassing for the borough, frustrating for possible occupiers and discouraging for potential investors in the town?

In relation to large scale development proposals, the council has regard to viability issues, for example in relation to the proportion of affordable housing that should be provided. However, once planning permission has been granted, the decision whether or not to implement the permission and if so when rests with the developer. Implementation is discretionary. Planning permissions usually include a condition requiring implementation within 3 years before the permission expires; however, an application can be submitted to renew the permission.

It is the responsibility of the developer to arrange the finance to enable a development to proceed and unfortunately some developers have encountered financial difficulties in recent years and have not been able to complete proposals as envisaged. Whilst this is frustrating for all involved, it is only one market indicator and is reflective of the developer’s circumstance. There are other developments currently proceeding in the town centre and elsewhere in Croydon that indicate that the borough is attractive to potential investors. Furthermore, there are also several current planning applications for large scale development in the town centre which also indicate the town’s attractiveness to investment.

From Mr David Harness

Councillor Jason Perry

Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainability

Question No.

PQ047- 11

What independent analysis is performed to determine the specific effects of large developments on the local infrastructure and the necessary improvements and funding required as a result. Further, what safeguards are in place to ensure that sufficient funding is raised and is ring fenced for these improvements?

When large development proposals are submitted for planning permission, planning officers make an assessment on the likely impact on local infrastructure and whether it would be appropriate to seek financial contributions through a legal agreement attached to a planning permission should the proposals be acceptable in planning terms. Planning Guidance Note No.1 (PGN1) is the main document used to assess the need for and amount of contributions that may be appropriate. This document is currently being updated in the light of revised Government guidance on payments for infrastructure provision. Any payments are strictly to mitigate the impacts of the development and will only become due if the development is implemented. The payments are related to specific impacts, such as pressure on school placements, and are not used for wider or general enhancements.

The Council is also preparing for the introduction of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which will replace most of the present regime of collecting payments through legal agreements attached to planning permissions. The introduction of CIL will enable the Council to collect income from development to fund infrastructure that is identified in the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP). The IDP outlines the key infrastructure required to deliver the growth set out in the Council’s emerging Core Strategy. There are a number of statutory stages that need to be undertaken before CIL can be introduced. Therefore, the Council anticipate the adoption of CIL in mid 2013.

From Mr Matthew Plumley

Councillor Jason Perry

Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainability

Question No.

PQ048- 11

Does the council feel pressurised to approve planning applications and similar developments because of the recent requirement from central government for local councils to increase job creation in the short term?

Greg Clark MP, Minister for Decentralisation, has issued a statement urging local planning authorities to be mindful of the need for the planning system to support job creation as part of the government’s growth strategy:

“When deciding whether to grant planning permission, local planning authorities should support enterprise and facilitate housing, economic and other forms of sustainable development….They should ensure that they give appropriate weight to the need to support economic recovery, that applications that secure sustainable growth are treated favorably (consistent with policy in PPS4), and that they can give clear reasons for their decisions.”

This is a material consideration for councils in determining planning applications and for the Planning Inspectorate in considering planning appeals. However, it has to be weighed in relation to other planning guidance and policies relevant to each development proposal. Prior to the recent statement, Croydon Council already had planning policies to support job creation in appropriate locations. The statement has resulted in a change in emphasis, but has not put undue pressure on the council to approve job creation planning applications that are inappropriate for other planning reasons.

From Mr Peter Collier

Councillor Sara Bashford

Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture & Sport

Question No.

PQ0049- 11

Can I be advised please, that all the Health and Safety problems that halted Croydon's Selsdon Wood Country Show a while back have been sorted out, and that the Council will be bringing back this very popular show when financial resources are available?

The Selsdon Woodland and Country Show was abandoned a number of years ago due to the limitations of the site being able to comply with the necessary access and egress requirements for emergency vehicles and traffic management that current event guidance procedures and health and safety require.

No improvements have been made to the site since the withdrawal of the show and under the current financial constraints within the council it is unlikely that funding will be available to carry out the necessary improvements and preparation the site would require to be used as an event venue in the near future.

From Mr Bernard Winchester

Councillor Phil Thomas

Cabinet Member for Environment & Highways

Question No.

PQ050- 11

In terms of quantity, percentage and cost, how much more electricity and maintenance will Croydon's new street lighting require compared to the current sodium lamps, and could this money not be better used to save our arts and libraries?

The new street lighting contract will cost more per year as there is a need to replace a large amount of street lights that are approaching the end of the economically life. This combined with the challenges the authority are faced with crime and fear crime around the borough it is considered this money will be well spent.

Within the contract we have specified that the Service Provider should replace the street lighting in Croydon to provide compliance with the latest standards (BSEN5489- 1, Road Lighting). It is important to note that the lighting will provide minimum compliance with the recommendations within the standard and no more so not over lighting the streets and thus keeping energy consumption down.

We are also predicting that there will be fewer columns on the street upon completion of the initial 5 year investment works.

On a like for like basis the energy consumption of a lamp on a typical street will reduce because the energy actually consumed by the old sodium technology is higher than the new technology lamps. On a typical residential street that currently has 35W SOX low pressure sodium lighting – which equates to approximately 60% of the lighting in Croydon - the replacement lamp will typically be a 45w CPO Cosmopolis and not a 60W. The 35W SOX lamp actually consumes 58 Watts because the control gear that operates the lamps is old technology. The 45W CPO lamp actually consumes 51.5 Watts because the newer control gear is a more efficient.

From a routine maintenance perspective with new efficient technology and the aid of remote monitoring the maintenance of the lighting is not expected to increase. In fact we will be in a better position as with the new system we will be able to predict lamp failures and this is expected to improve service delivery to the road users and residents of the borough.

From Mr Shasha Khan

Councillor Phil Thomas

Cabinet Member for Environment & Highways

Question No.

PQ051- 11

Given that the Health Protection Agency is to conduct a study regarding infant mortality rates around municipal incinerators, is it time for the council to shelve the South London Waste Plan, preferably permanently, until such health concerns are addressed, because the Plan quite clearly cannot remain "technology neutral"?

The Council has remained technology neutral throughout the current waste procurement, and the contract award announcement is scheduled for April 2012.

The reason for choosing this approach was to allow the professional waste management companies the opportunity to propose a range of treatment solutions for the South London Waste Partnership’s remaining residual waste.

This approach has also prevented a risk of challenge to the procurement process by waste management companies as the Council did not define the type of waste treatment solution that would be needed.

From Ms Janet Smith

Councillor Sara Bashford

Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture & Sports

Question No.

PQ052- 11

How can the council justify its decision to close the David Lean cinema, based on the clearly biased form they sent to people in the Borough? Which included the closure of the David Lean cinema in all options except one?

From November 2010-January 2011, the council consulted on a series of options to reduce its Arts & Heritage Service to meet the council’s overall budget reduction target.

Options were presented delivering levels of savings from £150k to £1.478k. Most options involved a significant scaling down of the Clocktower operation, including the David Lean Cinema, which was not seen as viable and cost effective as a stand-alone operation.

From Mr Adrian Winchester

Councillor Sara Bashford

Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture & Sports

Question No.

PQ053- 11

Closing a facility as unique and well-loved as the David Lean Cinema must have been a painful decision. In view of this, can you confirm that the council would be eager to co-operate with any constructive community initiatives that made re-opening possible at little or no cost to taxpayers.

The council has taken a decision to reduce its Arts & Heritage service to meet overall budget targets. The reductions include a scaling back of the Clocktower operation, including the David Lean Cinema. The council is working with Fairfield Halls to ensure continued opportunities for independent cinema screening in central Croydon. The council has no plans at present to re-open a cinema operation in the Clocktower.

From Mrs Elizabeth Ash

Councillor Sara Bashford

Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture & Sports

Question No.

PQ054- 11

On what date did Wandsworth Council Cabinet ratify the decision to 'market test' libraries with Croydon?

The online guidance on council questions is that “Written questions must be no more than 50 words long and relate to an issue over which the council has direct power or responsibility.”

Croydon Council does not have any direct power or responsibility regarding the decision making in another Local Authority and so this question is considered inappropriate.

However, to be helpful, at its meeting on 28th February 2011 Wandsworth’s Environment, Culture and Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed:

That, in view of the emerging market for private sector management of library services, officers should further investigate whether there is the potential to achieve additional savings and/or the restoration of some opening hours by competitive tendering of the management of the library service and report back accordingly

The committee papers are available on the Wandsworth Council website www.wandsworth.gov.uk. Paper number 11-260.

Wandsworth have subsequently been working with Croydon as part of this investigation. When the current libraries market sounding exercise is complete, they shall be reporting to ECCSOSC at its meeting on Wednesday 14th September on the findings and seeking members’ agreement on the way forward.

The papers for this meeting will be available to the public on the Wandsworth Council website a week before the meeting.

From Mrs Cathy Burns

Councillor Sara Bashford

Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture & Sports

Question No.

PQ055- 11

The David Lean Cinema is an asset valued by all generations. The council stated that drastic cuts to the arts budget made closure unavoidable.

How can the £1.5 million grant to the Fairfield be justified when a small fraction of this would keep the cinema alive in its unique setting?

The council has reviewed its Arts & Heritage Service provision to meet overall budget savings. While the direct costs of the David Lean Cinema might be seen as small, significant savings have been made in reducing the overall Clocktower operation, of which the cinema is an integral part. It is not possible to deliver the cinema as a cost- effective stand-alone operation.

The council is working with Fairfield Halls to deliver opportunities for independent cinema screening in central Croydon.

The funding will also ensure that the Fairfield is the cultural flagship for Croydon.

From Mr Tony Martin

Councillor Vidhi Mohan

Cabinet Member for Communities and the Big Society

Question No.

PQ056- 11

What does Croydon Council intend to do to reassure Indigenous people that we are not second class citizens?

This Council does not treat any of our diverse communities as second class citizens.

The Council recognises that it has an important role in creating a fair society and is committed to making Croydon a place of opportunity and belonging. In the autumn I will be bring forward a strategy to build stronger communities outlining how we deliver the big society agenda in Croydon and involve promoting social action, empowering communities and opening up public services. The Council will take steps to promote understanding, meet needs and remove or minimise disadvantage by tackling prejudice and encouraging participation in public life.

From Mr Sam Edwards

Councillor Dudley Mead

Cabinet Member for Housing, Finance and Asset Management

Question No.

PQ057- 11

How much does the Council value the U.R.Ms, 1VB and 1BY, it owns on our behalf and what does it believe could be brought in financially to the benefit of Croydon residents, if they were sold and replaced with more modern ones?

The Council places far greater historical value than monetary value on the U.R.Ms, 1VB and 1BY. It is thought they date back to a time when the Roads Act 1920, required Councils to register vehicles and to allocate separate numbers to each vehicle. Croydon issued formats of registration with the letters VB and BY. It goes without saying that 1VB and 1BY are therefore unique to Croydon and as such we have no wish to sell or replace such an important part of our local heritage.

From Mr Michael Rowlands

Councillor Dudley Mead

Cabinet Member for Housing, Finance and Asset Management

Question No.

PQ058- 11

How much more would it cost Croydon residents and businesses to have a Lord Mayor, should Croydon ever achieve 'city' status?

The distinction of a Lord Mayor takes place through a process entirely separate from the process of bidding for city status. Croydon submitted its bid for city status in May this year and the successful area will not be granted the status until early 2012. Only areas officially designated as cities are eligible to participate in any competition to gain the distinction of a Lord Mayor. As such the Council has not at this time undertaken an assessment to analyse the cost of participating in a competition to gain such a distinction.

From Mr Samuel Morton

Councillor Mike Fisher

Leader of the Council

Question No.

PQ059- 11

How do the following words, in any way make sense 'The Mayor does not take an active party political …', and yet on 23rd May 2011, 'The Mayor - (s) elect wished to be 'considered a member of the Tory group'?

They make sense in the context that the role of Mayor is distinct from that of Councillor. The Mayor acts in a non-political manner when carrying out the civic role and other functions such as chair of meetings of the Council to ensure that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of Councillors and the interests of the community. The Mayor will use the position to stimulate debate and discussion from all not merely those who support a particular political view.

However during his term of office the Mayor is still a Ward Councillor and as such will still respond to constituents who require help or advice on a range of ward matters. In this respect the current Mayor is an elected Conservative councillor.

The Council’s Constitution is explicit of this separation of roles and Croydon prides itself on being able to make such a clear distinction between the Civic and political dimensions that face any Councillor when elected as Mayor.

From Mr Ken Uppett

Councillor Mike Fisher

Leader of the Council

Question No.

PQ060- 11

What has happened to Croydon's representation on the Lee Valley Park authority as no appointment to it is mentioned on 'c20110523 pink 23 May 2011' and what was our last financial contribution?

I thank Mr Uppett for his question

The Council does not currently have representation on the Lee Valley Park Authority. The Council’s annual levies for the Lee Valley Park Authority are shown in the table below.

Financial Year Amount 2008/09 384,533 2009/10 387,375 2010/11 386,067 2011/12 407,181

The visiting figures for this attraction reveal that only a handful of Croydon residents actually use Lee Valley Park. In light of this we have been lobbying regarding our contribution as it does not represent value for money for local people.

From Mr Roston King

Councillor Mike Fisher

Leader of the Council

Question No.

PQ061- 11

How best can the Council E-Petition system be used to effect the promotion of the directly elected Mayor?

In December 2009 following a public consultation exercise the Council resolved to adopt a Leader and Cabinet Model rather than a directly elected mayor model of government.

Members of the public can request a referendum to decide on having an elected mayor, if 5% or more of registered voters sign a petition asking for a referendum. This can be a manual or e petition.

The time limit on having another referendum on the issue if the proposal falls has been extended from five years to 10 years.

From Mr Guy Hales

Councillor Mike Fisher

Leader of the Council

Question No.

PQ062- 11

What since, you said you were 'looking into' the number of official parking permits issued to members and officials have you done to reduce them, what is the total no for both and the equivalent financial amount it would cost residents and businesses?

I thank Mr. Hales for his question. As I have stated in previous replies to questions, permits are issued to Council Members for Council business only and are only operational if the Member of the Council to whom the permit has been issued is using the relevant vehicle to which the permit is affixed. In other words permits are not transferable; they may not be used by other members of the household/friends/family; they may not be used for non-Council activities.

90 permits have been issued to Members of the Council; the Mayoral cars, which are only used for official business, also have permits. In relation to Council officers; 191 On street Council Permits have been issued and recipients include highways staff, collection staff, adult services staff, engineering services, occupational therapists, school nurses and healthcare & medical staff. 115 Statutory Undertaker Permits have also been issued.

There is no equivalent cost as permits to Members and Council officers are for Council business use only and permits of this type are not issued to residents/business on that basis.

From Mrs Debby Edmonds

Councillor Simon Hoar

Cabinet Member for Community Safety

Question No.

PQ063- 11

What discussions have the Council had with the borough commander about the increasing number of both marked and covert police vehicles, illegally parked on bus- stops and pedestrian crossings in Park Street and Fell Road/ St. Georges walk?

Croydon residents, as well as the business and voluntary sector consistently request a high profile police presence, particularly in the Town Centre. For this reason Croydon Police have established a satellite office in Park Street to ensure they deliver the most efficient and effective service. Police vehicles in the town centre also provide public reassurance, as does the Council’s CCTV van, which is why you will see these vehicles parked in the vicinity.

Discussions were held with the Police in November 2009 regarding police vehicles parking within bus stops and other locations which are in contravention of various legal orders.

The specific legislation that allows police vehicles to park while on duty is Part III, section d) of every Traffic Management Order in the borough, schedule 19 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (applicable to bus stops), and Chapter 18, Part1, Section 4 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (reference to traffic officers complying with any direction from a constable).

Our Enforcement Manager within Parking Services is currently already in discussion with the police Inspector for the area to ascertain if the vehicles parked in Park Street are required for operational reasons and if that is not the case they will then discuss the way forward.

From Mrs Holly King

Councillor Mike Fisher

Leader of the Council

Question No.

PQ064- 11

How many hours has each elected member worked on since May 2010 (weekly/monthly) on Council business regarding [1] meeting constituents [2] case work [3] attending official meetings and [4] attending political group meetings held on council premises?

I thank Mrs King for her question.

There is no requirement for Members to ‘log’ the number of hours spent on Council business. What I can say is that Members work diligently in exercising their responsibility as elected representatives for the people of Croydon.

From Mrs Connie Katt

Councillor Phil Thomas

Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways

Question No.

PQ065- 11

Why haven't the eyesore of disused toilets at Gravel Hill been demolished and how much has this cost the Croydon tax payer since 2005?

I do agree that the toilets are an eyesore and should be demolished. This is on my wish list as soon as funding is available.

From Mr Mark Samuel

Councillor Mike Fisher

Leader of the Council

Question No.

PQ066- 11

Does the Leader agree with the comments of his statutory deputy in 1999, that a directly elected Mayor/ Leader, would be good for Croydon and any bid for city status since members of the public, as opposed to politicians would be able to elect their own?

I thank Mr Samuel for his question.

The city status process is not impacted by how the Council decides to deliver its constitutional arrangements. Croydon submitted its bid for city status in May this year and the successful area will not be granted the status until early 2012.

All governance arrangements will have their strengths and weaknesses but the key to their success is that they have the support and commitment from the local community – that is what sits at the heart of the community empowerment agenda.

In December 2009 following public consultation exercise the Council resolved to adopt a Leader and Cabinet model rather than a directly elected mayor.