To provide an opportunity for Councillors to ask questions to the Leader of the Council in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders.
Process:
No more than 15 minutes will be allocated at the Council meeting for questions to the Leader of the Council.
The question must be addressed through the Mayor or the person presiding at the meeting and not directly to the person being questioned.
Minutes:
Leader’s Announcements
In answer to the first question from the Mayor, the Leader made the following announcements:
- Newport was continuing the attract considerable interest as a place to do business and as a venue for events.
- Since last Council, the first ABP Newport Wales Marathon had been announced, taking place in April 2018.
- Regeneration work was continuing in the city centre, including progress on the former Hornblower pub and around Park Square car park.
- Garrison Barclay Estates had unveiled proposals to develop office accommodation on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office in Mill Street.
- IQE had announced plans to open a state of the art semiconductor plant in Coedkernew as part of the city deal.
- Shop Local Saturday was taking place this week, and the Newport Now gift card was now on sale.
New Schools
Councillor Matthew Evans asked for further details of the three new schools to be built, including timescales and funding. The Leader responded that a bid had been submitted as part of Band B of the 21st Century Schools programme, and the Council was confident that that match funding would be received. Plans being made included new schools in Glan Llyn, and on the Whiteheads development. The Leader highlighted the low bid for funding under Band A of the programme.
Responding to the Leader’s answer, Councillor Evans highlighted the advice given to his administration at the time of the Band A bid, that match funding was not available for a higher bid. Councillor Evans asked a supplementary question on secondary provision, citing concerns over increasing pressure on secondary school places. The Leader responded that secondary capacity was a statutory responsibility, and some schools were over capacity but others were under capacity. There were opportunities for using funding through streams like section 106 for increasing provision in this area. The Leader also highlighted Corporate Plan also included plans for a review of tertiary provision.
Street Cleaning
Councillor Kevin Whitehead asked whether it was possible to split the shifts of the street cleansing team to make sure the city centre was looking at its best over the festive period. The Leader agreed to take this suggestion forward to officers and provide a full response as soon as possible.
Newport to Ebbw Vale Rail Link
Councillor Carmel Townsend asked what representations were being made to Welsh Government to secure the Newport to Ebbw Vale Rail Link. The Leader responded that she had been part of collective representations to Assembly Members and others, and promised to make individual representations on this matter to the Secretary of State at the earliest convenience.
Draft Budget Settlement
Councillor Deb Davies requested an updated on the draft budget settlement received from Welsh Government. The Leader reported that the draft settlement represented a cash reduction for the Council, with a cut of 0.3% for 2018/19. £33m of cuts would need to be found over the course of this Council term, and options for the coming year would be presented to Cabinet in December to start consultation.
Celebrating Newport’s People and Heritage
Councillor William Routley suggested that more should be done to recognise Newport’s people and heritage, for example through a walk of heroes or replica stars. The Leader responded that a new award called the Spirit of Newport was soon to be agreed, which sought to recognise and reward the people who make the city what it is, whether through sporting excellence, charitable work, business, the arts, learning, or showing courage or tenacity in the face of adversity.