Agenda item

Talk With Us Open Forum

Members of the Committee are asked to raise relevant issues of local significance for discussion and possible future agenda items. Members of the public are also asked to raise questions and are encouraged to submit more complex issues prior to the meeting to allow substantive answers to be provided.

Minutes:

28.1   The Chairman invited questions from the public.  The following issues were raised, and responses made.

 

·         A resident submitted a question asking what Members scientific knowledge was in regard to the global climate emergency and would they accept a personal invite to an educational talk on the Climate emergency based on IPCC scientific evidence planned for April?

 

Mr Waight responded stated he had a degree in Chemistry and Biology that included study of the climate and echo systems, so he had some knowledge of the subject area. 

Mr Smytherman referred to a conference on the subject happening in Worthing this week that he would be attending but that he would also be happy to attend the educational talk if the date allowed him to do so.

Mrs Sparkes referred to the good work that local Councils were doing.  She stated that Worthing Borough Council aim to be carbon neutral by 2030 and were extending solar farms at sea, kelp forests, electric car fleets and reducing emissions from its own council estate.

Mr Cloake stated Members were invited to lots of events and talks and if his diary allowed, he would attend.  He acknowledged this was a problem and we all need to do our bit to change culture.

 

·         A representative from Thomas a Becket Junior School reminded members of the community highways scheme supported by a petition for safety measure in Wiston Avenue and Lawrence Avenue.  They expressed disappointment that despite the vast community support it was rejected as a community highway scheme and asked if there was any other budget that could get this scheme approved.  In relation to the same scheme a lady whose dog was recently run over and killed in the area handed in a further petition urging the County Council to install a crossing on Wiston Avenue.

 

The Area Highways Manager confirmed that it did not score highly enough as a Community Highway Scheme due to the fact that the injury an accident data for that area was not high.  He confirmed there may be other sources of funding but that had not yet been confirmed.  Member agreed the need for this scheme and asked if they could use any underspend from their Community Initiative Fund to help this move forward.  They agreed to write to the appropriate Cabinet Member to request if funds could be moved across from Communities to Highways. 

 

 

·         A local resident referred to the recent poor inspections of the Fire Service and Children’s Services and asked for assurance that the County Council was scrutinising the work of the new Chief Executive  and that systems are in place to ensure that children are protected and looked after and that West Sussex County Council are not engendering a bullying culture. 

 

Mr Waight responded as the newly appointed Chairman of the new Fire and Rescue Services Scrutiny Committee.  He stated that the HMRC had returned to review the service and had reported sustained and good progress.  Mr Waight confirmed work was continuing on improvement and a full inspection was expected next year.  Mr Cloake responded as a Foster Carer and stated his wife also worked for West Sussex County Council as a Social Worker.  He admitted the report on Children Services was a difficult read and he confirmed the whole Council was now focused on improving and extra funding had been identified for Children and Adult Services.  He had confidence in the governance and the new Chief Executive, and that Children will be at the heart of what we do.

 

·         A number of residents from York Road, Warwick Road and Alfred Place were in attendance and requested traffic calming measures. 

 

The local Member stated he was working with the residents to make an application for a Traffic Regulation Order or a Community Highway Scheme.  The Area Highway Manager was also aware of the issues but as with other schemes he must manage expectations and make residents aware of the prioritisation of such schemes and with little or no accident data for this area it was not likely to score highly.  Other options such as Community Speedwatch were discussed. 

 

·         The same residents from York Road, Warwick Road and Alfred Place also asked about 25 parking bays that were removed from Zone C so they are now only pay and display.  They stated this was impacting on residents and businesses. 

 

The local Member stated he would ask for this to be reviewed at the next annual review.  The local Member also agreed to raise with Worthing Borough Council about the evening parking charges in the nearby car parking as this was causing much confusion.

 

·         A local resident asked what the County Council policy was with regard to old redundant IT. 

 

The Chairman asked the Democratic Services Officer to find out and include the response on the Progress Statement for the next meeting.