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Lewes and Eastbourne
Councils

Agenda item

Questions to the Leader of the Council

To deal with questions (if any) which councillors may wish to put to the Leader of the Council. It will be at the Leader’s discretion to re-direct questions to relevant Members of the Cabinet. A councillor wishing to raise a question must notify the Chair of the Council of the text of the question prior to the commencement of the meeting. (NB This item is limited to a maximum of 5 questions, with no more than 1 question being asked per councillor. If a question requires a detailed or technical response, the Leader may decide that a written response is more appropriate).

Minutes:

The Chair advised that two questions had been notified prior to the start of the meeting from Councillor O’Connor and Councillor Adeniji.

 

a)     Councillor O’Connor asked the following question to the Leader:

 

“I note that East Sussex County Council Library service is currently arranging to move the Peacehaven and Telscombe library where it currently has a space of 970m2 to a cupboard at the Joff Youth Centre with just 39m2.  In addition, the holding of books will reduce from 20,500 to just 4,500. This tremendous reduction in provision seems to be contrary to the aim of providing a decent service to residents of Peacehaven and Telscombe.  The reasoning behind this is that the Meridian Centre, where the library is situated is about to be redeveloped whereas the site owners have not submitted any proposals.  I would like to ask the Leader to set out her view on this issue and does she think that Lewes District Council should be concerned about this potential move?”

 

Councillor Nicholson responded that this was a serious issue for the residents of Peacehaven and Telscombe, and confirmed that she had raised the issue of the lack of library service and the economic impact of moving out of Meridian Centre with the Leader of East Sussex County Council.  She confirmed that the District Council would like to be part of the discussion on the future of the centre, the service for residents, and the potential for the District Council might be to use part of the centre for a touchdown space or residents help desk. 

 

b)    Councillor Adeniji asked the following question to the Leader:

 

“The scaffolding at Talland Parade Seaford is a blight on our lovely town. I have been made aware that Lewes District Council has tried “everything”, including all possible legal actions, at resolving this issue.

 

Can the Leader advise if Independent Legal Counsel opinion and the support of the Local Government Association has been sought regarding this issue, as well as detailing to me in writing all legal steps and legal actions with dates that have been taken by the Council to address this issue as well as the outcome of the Independent Legal advice and the LGA’s comment?”

 

Councillor Nicholson advised that she would respond in part to the question and would then ask Councillor Gauntlett (Cabinet member for planning and infrastructure) to provide additional details.  Councillor Nicholson confirmed that it was a matter of great concern, and the Council had sought legal advice and written to the LGA, but the instruments available to the Council were limited.  However, Councillor Adeniji would receive a detailed written response as requested.  Councillor Gauntlett advised that he shared the concern and was asked about it on a daily basis.  He confirmed that Officers had searched extensively on the potential options, and those available to the Council were either limited, cumbersome and ineffective.  The main power would be to take away the right of the developer to complete the development, which would only prolong to scaffolding being in place. He confirmed that Officers would continue to seek a resolution, but that it might require a change in legislation to fully resolve the matter.