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Questions from 2010

In this section, you will find questions to the Leader from 2010.

The newest questions are displayed at the top of the page.

  • Question 839
    Q. It is likely in view of the extent of the national debt £952 trillion, that significant levels of capital grant will not be available to the Council for the duration of the present parliament. Can you tell me the effect this is likely to have on the staffing levels of the Council's Regeneration department? (31/12/2010)
  • Question 838
    Q. I note that there have been several free parking days on Gibbet Marsh over the Christmas period and as I pay over £400 a year to park my cars (2) in this facility, why isn't this available to me? Am I available for a refund? (22/12/2010)
  • Question 837
    Q. What is the total cost of the expenses claimed by the elected members of Rother District Council for the year 2009/2010? and as according to 'Dave' large cuts in public expenditure are necessary will we be seeing a significant reduction in this particular area of expenditure in 2010/2011? (21/12/2010)
  • Question 836
    Q. What steps has RDC taken to involve the public in determining priorities, decision-making and the running of local services since 13 September when the Improvement & Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee received the report "Update on the National and Local Performance Framework"? (06/12/2010)
  • Question 835
    Q. Who designed the new sea front structures? It resembles nothing more than bits of brick and stone and now some strange looking piece of netting has appeared - surely something more appropriate could have been designed ... its a total disgrace - and how much did it all cost? I understand it is some millions of pounds .... crazy .... (13/12/2010)
  • Question 834
    Q. Not really a question, but just to congratulate all concerned in at last arranging to recycle cardboard. It's been over 3 years since I first queried why Hastings were able to do this, but not Rother. Each time I was told it was "in hand". My only fear now, is that you have underestimated just how popular this will be and will have to withdraw the facility. But, at least for now, well done! (14/12/2010)
  • Question 833
    Q. Reference your answer to question 831 reminded me that I reported a large display of graffiti on the hoarding of the Grand Hotel site back in July and again in September but it is still there today. The operation of the "Sense of Place" project has taken rather a long time to reach Jameson Road (fault reports 24996 13/07/10 & 25988 20/09/10).
  • Question 832
    Q. What date will the fenced off part of the seafront be open again and are those sturdy wooden fence poles temporary and when will they be removed? (07/12/2010)
  • Question 831
    Q. What is the Council's estimated cost for the removal of the graffiti that will undoubtedly appear on the concrete slabs and wooden features of the Next Wave development? (30/11/2010)
  • Question 830
    Q. Had my question (Q.770) answered earlier this year. My question was asking why RDC don't but some signs warning people not to fly tip in the recycling centre on Gibbet Marsh in Rye. Your reply was that there was no point putting signs up had little effect and efforts are being made to find the perpetrators.
  • Question 829
    Q. Question 812 was dealt with on 21/09/10. Has the report been completed yet --- surely the answer musty be yes --- BUT where is the action to remove said 3 vehicles, bearded bod and dog ? (04/12/2010)
  • Question 828
    Q. WITH REGARD TO YOUR ANSWER TO QUESTION 825. I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS THE ANSWER OF A TYPICAL POLITICIAN. NO ANSWER AT ALL. NOW I WILL ASK ONCE AGAIN. WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE UPKEEP? PLEASE DO NOT SAY WITHIN BUDGET. THANK YOU. (24/11/2010)
  • Question 827
    Q. Great news that you are going to be sharing some services with Wealden. However what about the other obvious partner, Hastings? Hopefully the stumbling block isn't the fact that it's a Labour council. Please give us a reassurance that party politics won't stand in the way of economies of scale. (29/11/2010)
  • Question 826
    Q. How can this be called a victory, we still lost our £5,000 plus goodness knows how much in legal and other fees?
  • Question 825
    Q. As the gardens and planting are now at last beginning to take shape along West Parade I wonder if you could give local council taxpayers an estimate of the cost of upkeep, that will prevent the seafront becoming a weed infested litter strewn dump.
  • Question 824
    Q. What tree preservation orders are in force in Peartree Lane and Highwoods Golf Club? (23/11/2010)
  • Question 823
    Q. I would like to know when the old wooden shelters in West Parade were erected (no-one is able to remember but think it was in the late 70's) and how much they cost. (12/11/2010)
  • Question 822
    Q. Why can't we have an amenity tip at Rye Harbour? How does a 30 mile round trip to Battle or Pebsham help the environment? (08/11/2010)
  • Question 821
    Q. How many flats are funded by RDC in De La Warr Heights under the housing benefit system? What is the average rent paid by RDC at De La Warr Heights? (02/11/2010)
  • Question 820
    Q. Dear Sir, at 1330hrs. today Thursday 21st October the refuse collection truck came down the bottom of Spring Lane, Little Common to empty the bins. My neighbour at No.60 was away all week and asked me to put his bin out which I did. The collection truck pulled up right beside the rear of the truck and the team began to empty all the bins. As they were doing this another refuse collection truck came down to the bottom of the lane, and both crews went into a huddle for a conversation after a few minutes they all got into there respective vehicles and drove off. I went to put th bins away and found that my neighbours at No.60 had not been emptied.
  • Question 819
    Q. Can you explain the workings of the office that regulates the taxi service in Rother with particular reference to the number of staff employed in it over the past five years and the change in financial viability. What has changed in this period to account for the deterioration, from the public's viewpoint? What is the benefit of the 'compliance test' - particularly as the Police do not recognise it as a substitute for the MOT? (14/10/2010)
  • Question 818
    Q. Could you tell me, is the scheme going on West Parade going to be finished as was stated by October 2010? I see no evidence of new lighting, railings and resurfacing the prom, there is a huge amount of work to do just to get the gardens finished. Why did you not use John O'Connors to do the seafront planting? After all they have kept our gardens in good order over the years and have vast knowledge of what will grow on our seafront, they are also going to maintain these areas once completed. (05/10/2010)
  • Question 817
    Q. As Leader why did you allow the Council to get in such a mess on the seafront regeneration project? A shelter that does not provide any shelter makes Rother a laughing stock. (03/10/2010)
  • Question 816
    Q. How much input did the full Council have in the approval of the final design of the new seafront shelters? (02/10/2010)
  • Question 815
    Q. Further to Q810. Are there any employees who spend any of their time working for unions? If so how much and at what cost to the taxpayer? (01/10/2010)
  • Question 814
    Q. Further to Q806. So far 21 councils including Hastings in the south east have published their figures. There are only 65 days to go before the deadline of 1st January, probably half that in actual working days. How near are you to publishing? (01/10/2010)
  • Question 813
    Q. What has been funded in Bexhill by Hastings and Bexhill Renaissance/Sea Space? (14/09/2010)
  • Question 812
    Q. Further to my question 777 dated 25/05/2010 I notice that no action seems to have been taken to remove the "trespasser" from the beach at Herbrand walk. As he was here most of last year about 50 yards away from his current position, are the Council now turning a blind eye to this sort of situation? (17/09/2010)
  • Question 811
    Q. Re the safety of the lounging bars on the seafront development, are you aware how dangerous they could be if a child jumped off or fell into the concrete blocks directly behind them? There seems time to move them along slightly. (08/09/2010)
  • Question 810
    Q. Can you tell me how many RDC employees work full time for unions and what the cost to the taxpayer this represents? Also what steps will you be taking to get the unions to pay for these people rather than the taxpayer? (07/09/2010)
  • Question 809
    Q. Thank you for your reply to question 808. I understand that at present that the only people that can use this space are those who have paid for crazy golf, but as you are extending the grassed area it still would leave a huge amount of grass for people to sit on and play. Though I think that most people coming to the seaside usually sit on the beach, I do not often see people sitting on the grass that is there at present unless like this weekend there was something happening on the de la warr terrace. I think that the rest of the plans for the seafront will tick the right boxes for a lot of people, so may be this could be another box ticked? Have you already made up your minds and it is in fact a definite NO, it will be a great if it was a serious possibility. (03/09/2010)
  • Question 808
    Q. I have noticed over the summer months that, as old fashioned as it is, many people have been playing on the putting and crazy golf, please could you consider this facility be improved in the next phase of redevelopment? I run a B&B in Bexhill and when our guests ask what is happening to the seafront they are surprised that this area is going to be grassed over and the golf taken away. As the seafront is going to be illuminated to attract more people why is the only facility for families going to be taken away?
  • Question 807
    Q. I have noticed that there has been quite a lot of flaring at the Rye Harbour oil refinery this summer, far more so than there has ever been in the past. This does not present a positive image to visitors to Rye, Rye Harbour and Camber. What is the reason for this? I realise that flaring is ultimately a safety device to prevent the build-up of gas, but I also understand that there are other more environmentally friendly alternatives to flaring, including using the gas to generate electricity. What role might the council take in pursuing this with the operators? (30/08/2010)
  • Question 806
    Q. Only three months in and the Communities and Local Government Department has already published details of spending above £500 where's yours? http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/spendingdata0910 (12/08/2010)
  • Question 805
    Q. Knowing the sensitivity surrounding the probable disposal of a number of seafront seats, would it be possible to put some at the more busy bus stops? The bus service is good but standing for even 20 minutes gets a bit stressful. (17/08/2010)
  • Question 804
    Q. I was surprised to learn that you don't have a job outside of your Council work. Is this because in this present difficult economic climate, you can't get one, or that your allowances could be regarded as being rather on the generous side? (10/08/2010)
  • Question 803
    Q. Can you confirm that the grit bin in Amanda Close will be replaced in time for the winter? (27/07/2010)
  • Question 802
    Q. Who will pick up the "tab" if the allocated funding for the Bexhill to Hastings cycle track is inadequate to fund this project? From documents currently available, it does appear that the current grants will not cover the costs of this project. (01/08/2010)
  • Question 801
    Q. Reference Question 786 - Hastings Council Leader's Blog - please do not go down this route! This site is messy, difficult to navigate and quite frankly totally unsuitable for the questions being asked. A chatty chatty page is not what is required - stick to your present format - it works and if it 'aint broke, don't fix it!!! (01/08/2010)
  • Question 800
    Q. Having been involved in two very successful live music events at the Colonnade in the past 12 months, I was disappointed that the council seem to have changed their rules regarding such events. Previously all that was asked was that a temporary events license was obtained but now a deposit has to be paid and huge amounts of insurance cover. Can you give some more details on this and explain why the change? The events have drawn enthusiastic crowds and we were asked when we would be returning - so many people of all ages enjoyed hearing free live music on the seafront on a sunny weekend - but sadly the increased costs mean we are unlikely to be able to rock Bexhill in the same way again. (27/07/2010)
  • Question 799
    Q. Sir, does one have to have planning permission to have a front garden paved over? (15/07/2010)
  • Question 798
    Q. During the recent hot weather I was swimming at Pett Level when I noticed on Toot Rock a very tall, very large, bright red chimney. It looks rather like a massive stick of rock. On further investigation it is part of a new build holiday home. Whilst the house is an interesting modern building, the bright red flue is quite out of place in the middle of the countryside (the house backs onto open land and I think is an SSSI). My question, having checked the plans, is why does your Council let such out of place objects be erected in the middle of a beautiful part of the world. I cannot think I have ever seen domestic house with such a chimney so why does Rother think that it should be allowed in such a location? (15/07/2010)
  • Question 797
    Q. Why does the council tax department only have one phone line and no email address? After twenty attempts at trying to get through I now have to teach my class and therefore unable to make or receive calls for the rest of the day. (09/07/2010)
  • Question 796
    Q. Why is there not a cycling path along the sea front in Bexhill? (07/07/2010)
  • Question 795
    Q. Can you tell me just how much this vanity documentary cost to make and why our council tax is being wasted on such projects. (07/07/2010)
  • Question 794
    Q. There is absolutely no point inviting the general public to "Ask the Leader" when you do not actually answer inconvenient questions. These are my original points from Question No 781, and I would be very grateful if you would kindly answer the following simple questions, please.
  • Question 793
    Q. On my visits to the area this year, I've noticed on the marshes along the Wartling to Pevensey Road, what I can only describe as a sort of artificial "theme park" of ponds, animal statues, trees, etc, enclosed by green net type fencing. Two white painted lions guard the entrance with a sign saying that the enclosure is private property. I cannot believe that something that is so out of character and not in keeping with the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside can have been allowed to be built. Isn't this sort of thing covered by planning regulations ? (05/07/2010)
  • Question 792
    Q. How long should it take for Councillors to reply to an email sent to them? (05/07/2010)
  • Question 791
    Q. Why is it that after three years of recycling you seem to be no nearer to recycling cardboard than you were in the beginning. This seems even more strange when you realise that Hastings and Tunbridge Wells seem to have no problems doing it. Are you perhaps letting your contractors off too easily? (30/06/2010)
  • Question 790
    Q. A couple of things. I have read that Marina from Sackville Road to Devonshire Road is going to be a social road. What does this mean? will you be taking away parking? will you be putting traffic calming and speed bumps in as it is like living at Brands Hatch. Perhaps while you are at it you could put speed bumps in the De La Warr car park to prevent all the hand break skids and turns performed most nights.
  • Question 789
    Q. Re your reply to 786. There is, of course, a very good reason to change to blog as I'm sure you are well aware and that is interactivity. In other words the ability to have a discussion. Is that, as I suspect, what you wish to avoid? (21/06/2010)
  • Question 788
    Q. If you are so proud of your recycling record (see question 785) why are you still failing to collect cardboard? If Hastings can do it why can't you? Cardboard boxes can be large and unwieldy and difficult to get into the little bins you provide for general rubbish. You won't even collect collapsed boxes put beside bins. The end result is having to stuff them in the boot of a car and drive them to a recycling point with all the attendant costs of fuel and carbon. For example I live in Fairlight and my nearest recycling point is Hastings since the one in Pett, that you've failed to replace, closed for undisclosed reasons. That journey takes quite a few litres of fuel that could be saved if you got this sorted out. (18/06/2010)
  • Question 787
    Q. I am fully behind the idea to regenerate Bexhill town centre as well as the current project on the sea front. I would like to suggest a few ideas. Many a time it has been mentioned that it would be better if the train station was moved to Devonshire Square. My opinion - that would be a very good idea. People then can get off the train and be in the town centre and can leave via the same. It would benefit the town commercially, be more convenient for shoppers etc than the Hastings station. The old station could be either a place to eat, indoor / outdoor farmers market, many other options.
  • Question 786
    Q. Following is a quote from Hastings Council website. Any chance you might follow their excellent example? I fear that you may not if we take the closure of the Recycling Forum as an example of local interactivity. Quote.... After many years, we're replacing 'Ask the Leader', a popular part of our website where residents have been able to put thousands of questions to the Leader of the Council about a whole range of issues. From next month, Councillor Jeremy Birch, the Leader of Hastings Borough Council, will be running his own blog. Residents will be able to communicate with him directly though the blog, posting comments and answering poll questions. As with 'Ask the Leader', Jeremy will reply to any relevant comments or questions, and we hope that the blog will become a valuable new way of residents engaging with Hastings Borough Council. ....unquote (18/06/2010)
  • Question 785
    Q. As our new government has signalled that it wishes councils to restore the weekly bin collections will you be taking the lead in doing this or will you be dragging your feet as you did over the disclosure of expenditure? (18/06/2010)
  • Question 784
    Q. In view of the Government's recent announcement about the shelving of road plans such as the Hastings-Bexhill link, does the Council have a Plan B and if so what is it? (16/06/2010)
  • Question 783
    Q. Last year I asked a couple of times whether you were going to publish details of all expenditure over £500 only to be fobbed off. Will you now follow the governments request to do so or will you, suspiciously, continue to refuse until forced to do so by the proposed law? (07/06/2010)
  • Question 782
    Q. Employee related costs in 2009/10 were £10 million. What is the figure for 2010/11? (Unfortunately the Budget Book doesn't summarise this expense). (08/06/2010)
  • Question 781
    Q. I am very disappointed with your answer to question No 773, and your disingenuous comment regarding the previous annual footfall at the De la Warr Pavilion, before its revamp. I suppose if you say something often enough you begin to believe it yourself and hope that other people, not having the true facts, will believe it as well.
  • Question 780
    Q. Was there any consultation regarding the banning of wind surfers and kite surfers from the Award Beaches which I have learned of today. This seems like a repeat of the original Rother District Council draconian dog control orders, related to which, I organised the protests. I have been a Conservative voter and Bexhill resident all of my life but I simply can't understand this Council's continuing attitude to the repression of personal freedoms. (29/05/2010)
  • Question 779
    Q. Regarding your responses in questions 775 and 776. These agenda meetings to discuss the impact survey were in 2008. This most-likely means that the reports were put together in 2007 - three years ago.
  • Question 778
    Q. I recently obtained a copy of one of the new sea shore draft bye laws. I have copied section 13 below, its sub section (2) that is of particular concern to me as a kite surfer and wind surfer.
  • Question 777
    Q. Is any action being taken to remove the traveller who seems to have set up permanent residence with a caravan, horse box, and a number of dogs on the beach at Herbrand Walk ? (25/05/2010)
  • Question 776
    Q. Regarding your answer to question 775. I seem to remember the details of this Economic Impact Study and the figures from the De La Warr Pavilion visitor counters. Can you please remind me what year these results were published? With regards to visitor counters on doors, these cannot provide accurate figures. If someone walks in and out of the front door twice during the day, is that person counted as 1, 2 or 4 visitors? The De La Warr Pavilion staff regularly walk in and out of the front door throughout the day - are they discounted from the figures? You refer to these old statistics and yet have mentioned nothing about the Tourism South East Survey results - independent results from 2009. To remind you again, they showed that only 8% of people visiting Bexhill in 2009 came for the DLWP - that's 7% lower than in 2006. What are RDC's comments regarding this survey? (25/05/2010)
  • Question 775
    Q. With reference to Question 773 regarding The De La Warr Pavilion. To suggest that 500,000 EXTRA people visit the DLWP each year compared to previously is absolute nonsense. That's an extra 1,300 visitors per day, every day. Who makes these figures up? I visit the DLWP regularly and it is rarely busy. Certainly the town centre is not benefiting at all from any extra visitors that are supposedly coming to the De La Warr Pavilion - just ask local shopkeepers.
  • Question 774
    Q. Questions 763, 764 and 767 concerned perceived attempts by the council to block/ban certain watersports from the award areas. We were told we could continue to use these areas and have been doing so. One of your responses asked why the new signage provided such cause for concern, to most it was obvious that it was because the new signage contained limitations toward these water sports that were not previously there, but thank you for the comment.
  • Question 773
    Q. I have followed with great interest the ideas put forward to supposedly "re vamp" our town to bring more business/visitors. I quite fail to see how what regeneration is in progress will do that. The first nail in Bexhill's coffin happened when the DLW was changed to a venue for a specific few. Why ?? Gone are the days when fairs/star-studded shows were enjoyed and visitors/coaches were in abundance. Now coaches are very rarely seen. If those in office had taken note of nearby towns popularity. The ideas put forward from various protest groups who I may add spoke for most of the people living in the area. Then they may have been a ray of hope sadly that is not to be in my opinion as the regeneration has put the final nail in Bexhill's coffin. Is it too late to save the livelihood of the business's of Bexhill and the respect of the Bexhillians for the council? (18/05/2010)
  • Question 772
    Q. So, the work has already started on the ultra modern prom in Bexhill, what I want to ask are these questions ...
  • Question 771
    Q. My mother is an 82 OAP living in Fishmarket Road. She is keen to move house but is extremely worried about the poor image any buyer would have of the area due to the derelict housing next to her. These were condemned several years ago and to date there is still no set date for these to be demolished. Can you please let me know what is currently planned for these houses please. (12/05/2010)
  • Question 770
    Q. A note that rubbish is regularly left at the recycling centre on Gibbet Marsh Car Park, Rye including fridges, cardboard, televisions and other household rubbish even a complete engine was left there the other week. This is routinely removed by the Council and as there are no prohibition signs for dumping rubbish at this facility, I think people must assume that as rubbish is removed in such an efficient manner that it is OK to dump it there. Is there a need for some signs warning the culprits? Perhaps the fencing should be taken down? (28/04/2010)
  • Question 769
    Q. I have just received a letter from RDC accusing me of flytipping.
  • Question 768
    Q. Early every morning I drive through Battle town centre, most days I come across teams of operatives and road sweeping vehicles cleaning the roadways and footpaths, the results are a credit to their hard work. I live in the outlying village of Icklesham, the local lanes are always full of general rubbish such as fast food containers and the like, whilst I appreciate that a daily clean of every street and lane in the Rother District Councils area is unrealistic, however in the 10 years of living in the area I have never seen any attempt to clean the roads and footpaths, could you please let me know the policy and frequency of road cleaning in these areas. (12/03/2010)
  • Question 767
    Q. In questions 763 and 764 you answer queries regarding various watersports at the 3 award beaches in Rother. I would like to know what surveys of these areas were conducted prior to the decision to preclude these activities from these areas. I ask as whilst the beaches from Beaulieu Green to the Cooden beach hotel have been selected as one of these areas, it strikes me that no-one has actually been down there in the summer to see what use is made of these beaches by swimmers and bathers.
  • Question 766
    Q. Does the Council have a view with regard to the parking of vehicles on grass verges. Grassed areas become rutted, unsightly and difficult to maintain due to parking. Also mud tends to spread over onto walkways as a direct consequence, causing problems for pedestrians. Surely if parking on verges is necessary because vehicles are unable to park on the road, a case should be put forward to the Council to request that a verge is made into hardstanding, otherwise parking which causes so much damage and inconvenience should be prohibited. (26/01/2010)
  • Question 765
    Q. How much of the £1,573 given in answer to Question 762 is made up of salary costs of staff attending "team bonding" outings and seminars? (28/02/2010)
  • Question 764
    Q. Please could you confirm that I am still allowed to kitesurf at Beaulieu Green? We have seen the signs that have been placed on the beach there and find it hard to believe that, as it seems to be the safest and most sensible place (off the tourist route and no rocks) to do our sport. Is Rother District Council allowed by law to place these signs up before a public meeting? (25/02/2010)
  • Question 763
    Q. Please could you confirm under what authority the Council recently erected (under cover of darkness) signs on the seafront restricting certain activities including kite surfing and water craft.
  • Question 762
    Q. How much has the Council spent on "team bonding" outings and seminars and the like for staff over the past two years? (21/02/2010)
  • Question 761
    Q. With regard to 229, a simple solution to stop vandalism and graffiti would be to leave the lights on in the stand, why is this not done. Young people would be exposed and would not congregate there. If it is a question of expense, the toilet lights are often left on all night, behind locked doors.(05/02/2010)
  • Question 760
    Q. With regard to your reply to Question 758, I am interested to have a breakdown of the £72K item described as "other expenditure". Thank you in anticipation of your reply. (28/01/2010)
  • Question 759
    Q. Councillor Maynard, there is a belief gaining ground amongst local people concerned about local policies for refuse disposal that East Sussex County Council has "capped" the amount of recycling that Collecting Authorities can extract in order to increase the amount and combustibility of the refuse delivered to the Newhaven Incineration Contractor. Is this the case and, if so, how does affect Rother's recycling plans? (25/01/2010)
  • Question 758
    Q. The draft budget for 2010/2011 shows planned expenditure of £234,570 on Tourism. Can you give a general breakdown how this money will be spent? (19/01/2010)
  • Question 757
    Q. Does the Leader recognise that he would be wise to take stock of the widespread local dismay over the shelter competition and its farcical result, or is he prepared to risk propelling a negative tax payers alliance into prominence at the next local elections? (04/01/2010)
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