Minutes:
Question 1 from Councillor Hill to the Leader
Between 1st May 2017 and 1st May 2021, how much has Northumberland County Council spent on the employment of dog wardens and what is the total amount of fines issued for dog fouling during this time??
Councillor Riddle responded that the dog warden functions of the Council were delivered by a Senior and 4 Animal Welfare Officers within Public Protection. They had a wide range of duties including investigation of dog welfare and cruelty cases,?stray dog collection, dog fouling and support for the Council’s Green Dog Walkers scheme. In their role, they were supported by Environmental Enforcement Officers, who also undertook dog fouling patrols.
The cost of the Council's dog warden function (including the assistance from?Environmental Enforcement Officers) was, for the four years from?1st May 2017 to 1st May 2021, estimated at a total of £1,086,280 which was an average cost for that period of £271,570 per year.
During the same period, a total of £15,240 in fixed penalty fines for dog fouling was issued. An additional £2,442 in fines and costs was obtained through prosecution at the Courts for dog fouling offences.
Councillor Hill asked if there was an option or model which could be adopted which would make it more cost effective, or was it the case that the service needed more teeth. Councillor Riddle replied that the Council did try to take a proactive approach but the fines were unlikely to ever balance the cost of enforcement. However, the overall benefits made it worth the efforts that were made.
Question 2 from Councillor Hill to
the Cabinet Member for Planning
In light of the fact that the Government has not currently extended the law allowing Council meetings to be held remotely what reassurance can you give that we are not about to enter a period where all (or virtually all) planning applications are going to determined under delegated powers and outside of committee?
Councillor Flux responded that arrangements were being finalised for the return of physical planning committees, with the first meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee being scheduled for 8 June. Public speaking in person would return, and non-participating members of the public would be able to attend or watch the Planning Committee via live streaming. ??
Councillor Hill replied that her concern was that more planning
applications would be determined under delegated powers. She asked
for some reassurance that if a member wanted to call in an
application for justifiable reasons that it would be called in.
Councillor Flux replied that he would respond in writing on that
point.
Question 3 from Councillor Taylor to the Leader
Bedlington Town Centre redevelopment commenced with a budget of £12.5m. I understand this was to include land acquisition fees £3.5m and planning fees of £1.7m. What is the current available funding and what are the plans to deliver a revitalised town centre for Bedlington?
Councillor Wearmouth responded that, following the acquisition of the site, Cabinet agreed in June 2019 a revised development budget of £8.735m. However, following the Covid pandemic and national retailers withdrawing from the original scheme, a revised approach was developed in order to retain Aldi, who remained keen to proceed as the anchor to the development. The new phased approach had been agreed and approved by Cabinet on 12th Jan 2021. The funding provision for this was £5.42 m. This would see the delivery of:
Phase 1 - the new Aldi store and site works (services, car parking and access roads); and
Phase 2 - the redevelopment of the Market Place to provide a new retail terrace with residential units above.
Aldi started works on site on 26th April and the store and car parking would be completed and open in time for Christmas 2021. Demolition work was scheduled to start on the Market Place in early June with the main redevelopment works commencing shortly after, and the new terrace was scheduled to be complete by end March 2022.
The County Council continued to work with Advance on options for future phases which could potentially include a new cultural / leisure hub.
Councillor Taylor asked if the plans could be shared with residents and whether there was any more funding that could potentially become available. Councillor Wearmouth agreed and looked forward to when regular public consultation processes could begin again after being restricted.