Agenda item

To receive any questions from members of the public addressed to Members of the Executive in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.  There is up to 5 minutes for each question, one supplementary question may be asked arising from the original question.

Questions must relate to any matter the Council has power or which affects the Borough, except no questions may be asked in relation to

a)     A specific planning or licensing application

b)     A specific staffing appointment or appeal, or Standards determination

Public question time will last up to 30 minutes; questions will be taken in the order of receipt.

The deadline for submission of questions is Friday 16 July 2021 at 12 noon. Questions to be submitted to democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

The Mayor advised that 3 questions had been received in advance of the meeting.

1.    The Mayor read out a question on behalf of Mr James MacMillan, a Worthing Resident 

Since the inception of the assisted bin collection scheme, what has been the take up year on year, how is this service promoted to the community and how is the system controlled to ensure there are no false claims?

The Leader replied that since the inception of the assisted bin collection scheme, the Council had 2,805 residents on the assisted collection list which was approximately 3.4% of homes.  The Council had an assisted collection sign up point on its website: https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/assisted-collections/ which could be completed by either the residents themselves or via a relative/friend. 

Each application was checked to ensure that it met the criteria as set out in the Household Waste Collection Policy.

In order to ensure that there were no false claims, each resident was required to fill in an online application form detailing their need for an assisted collection.

Each application was assessed on a case by case basis. None of the applications were automatically granted, this was so that the Council could assess and ensure that all criteria were met in order to have an assisted collection status.  If the Council felt it necessary, it would make contact with the applicant to again ensure the criteria was met or to gather further information.

If all of the criteria were met and the application was successful, the resident was added to the assisted collection list. Assisted collections were continuously monitored by way of periodic checks and through crew feedback.

2.    Question submitted to the Leader of the Council by Mr Rod Thick on behalf of Transition Town Worthing

In 2013 Worthing Borough Council was unanimous in supporting a motion from Cllr John Rogers asking West Sussex County Council to take a wide range of measures “to actively encourage even more cycling by residents and visitors”.

The County Council’s claim to “take the provision of cycle routes seriously” has proved an empty promise; in practice “as and when resources allow” has meant that cycling is never prioritised; and 8 years later the £161,000 of Section 106 money that is allocated to cycling has not been used to the benefit of the community and sits in the bank losing value to inflation.

Transition Town Worthing’s Transport Group has actively supported the Waves Ahead Conference on transport, the Adur & Worthing Cycling and Walking Action Group, the public consultation on the Adur & Worthing Local Walking & Cycling Infrastructure Plan LCWIP, the Climate Conference and the Climate Assembly.

All of these initiatives have shown public support for measures to encourage active travel; and urgent action is needed on climate, health, and air pollution. How will Worthing Borough Council turn that support and that need for urgency, into action?

The Leader replied that the Council was committed to working in partnership with a number of organisations to deliver sustainable travel interventions. The Council was in active dialogue with West Sussex County Council (WSCC), as the highways authority, to identify improvements for the town. The Council was aware of consultations on a number of Active Travel schemes, including the proposed improvements to the A24 in Findon.

The Council was looking to actively utilise the S106 monies it had at its disposal, with the hope it could partner with WSCC to unlock further funding to deliver schemes in the town.

The Council had also committed to exploring the delivery of a bike share scheme across Worthing (and Adur) that would see over 300 bikes installed across its places, allowing people an ease of opportunity to choose cycling over the motor vehicle. The Council was working in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, and WSCC, to deliver this. 

Mr Thick asked a supplementary question in relation to the £161k from developers to widen the path between George V to Seaplace Cafe. Will the money have to be paid back to the developers after a certain amount of time or if some of it has already been used for a feasibility study, can the Council retain the rest to deliver the cycle path? 

The Leader replied that it wasn’t an open ended agreement, there was always a cut off point at which time the developer / contributor can come back to the authority and say that the money hasn’t been spent. At that time, there would be options for both WBC and WSCC to renegotiate. 

3.    The Mayor read out a question on behalf of Mr Tony Bellasis, a Worthing Resident

The question concerned Worthing Lido. 

I understand that Worthing Lido was actually built in 1897 as a birdcage bandstand. It stood as such for 30 years before being knocked down to make room for the D-shaped band enclosure we see today. In 1957 a swimming pool was added, which operated until 1988, when it finally closed. While it was still open, it was finally used to house dolphins during refurbishments of the Sea Life Centre.

I believe that The Lido is an important feature on our seafront, as part the town's history. I understand that significant work is now required on the structure, to prevent it from being lost.

So, please can the member for regeneration reassure the people of Worthing that this building will be preserved for generations to come, and explain what work is being undertaken to achieve that?

The Executive Member for Regeneration replied that the Lido had been situated on Worthing seafront for many years and had changed its functionality several times throughout that period. Whilst there had been a tenant in the Lido for many years, the Council still retained the freehold interest and was committed to preserving this important structure on its promenade.

It was important to note that any structures built in this era, in a coastal location, were impacted by the tides and were susceptible to the harsh sea conditions. The Council had an ongoing maintenance program for the Lido, however investigations were underway to assess long-term options to, firstly, secure the immediate future and then consider how best the structure could be used for the benefit of future generations.

The Executive Member could reassure the people of Worthing that this building would be preserved for generations to come.