(a)  Leader of the Council

(b)  Cabinet Members

(c)  Chairmen of Decision-Making Committees

Question from Councillor Jones to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services

I was very pleased to see so many Members recently voiced concerns regarding the possible closure of the Tovil Household Waste Recycling Centre.

There is a related problem in my Ward as a result of KCC’s withdrawal of funding to Medway Council which now prevents hundreds of my Boxley Ward residents from accessing HWRCs at Hoath Way, Gillingham and Shawstead Way, Capstone.

When this Council submits its response to KCC’s HWRC Consultation, will this Council please highlight this issue and ask KCC to reinstate the funding to Medway Council so that my residents may resume using Medway’s facilities?

The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services responded to the question.

Councillor Jones did not wish to ask a supplementary question of the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and indicated that she was pleased to hear the response.

Question from Councillor Trzebinski to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development

Clearly, we have a serious challenge in water supply. I find it totally unacceptable that the residents in the Ward of Headcorn which I represent, and indeed the rest of the Borough, are subject to frequent interruptions in water supply as well as having a hose pipe ban forced upon them, despite the abundant rainfall we have seen so far this year. Additionally, the water pressure is often poor and there is also the damaging effect of the leaks on the road surface itself as well as the inconvenience of the accompanying road closures for repairs, which in rural areas often lead to significant delays and diversions. The situation seems to worsen every year.

In addition, the subject of raw sewage being discharged into our sea water is something none of us can condone.

Would the Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development agree that MBC must write a strong letter of censure to South-East Water, and request detailed information as to investment plans for the future, in the short, medium and long term, to upgrade the water system to ensure that it is fit for purpose? The plan should include realistic usage estimates to ensure that residents do not suffer the same problems in future as both housing numbers and temperatures in Kent increase. It should also include the prospect of building de-salination plants to increase production at peak times, as well as plans to resolve the problems surrounding raw sewage, and any other relevant ways to improve their service.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development responded to the question.

Councillor Trzebinski asked the following supplementary question of the Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development:

I do believe that, although we are liaising with the water companies in a number of different ways, a pre-emptive strike with a strong letter of censure is the way forward.  Will that be done?

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development responded to the question.

Question from Councillor Mrs Grigg to the Leader of the Council

The Mayor asked the following question of the Leader of the Council on behalf of Councillor Mrs Grigg who was unable to be present at the meeting:

At the last full Council meeting I asked how many determinations had been made at Cabinet behind yellow pages since May 2022 and, to date, I have not yet received that information.

I considered that it would be helpful if I was more specific.  Therefore, please can I ask that Members are told how many decisions have been made by Cabinet Members against the recommendations given by the Policy Advisory Committees?

The Leader of the Council responded to the question.

The Mayor advised the Council that in line with the Constitution, a written response would be sent to Councillor Mrs Grigg.

To listen to the answers to these questions, please follow this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7uhh9XfCNY&t=2297s