Issue - meetings

To answer written questions from Councillors

Note:  The deadline for questions is 5pm on Friday 5 February 2016(17.00 hours on the third clear working day before the meeting).

a)            I.T. Security:  Councillor Alexander Clarke asked the following written question and received the following written answer from the Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee, Councillor Neil Dallen:

Question:

How strong is Epsom & Ewell's cyber security?

Reply:

Very Strong.  However, all users need to be vigilant at all times and must not open any emails with attachments that they are not expecting or look unusual.

b)            Appointments to Outside Bodies:  Councillor Liz Frost submitted the following written question and received the following written answer from the Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee, Councillor Neil Dallen:

Question:

We currently have Councillors appointed to outside bodies.  These are official positions and Council Officers review them every so often to ensure that it is still appropriate for our Councillors to be representatives. Some of these have a more defined role than others.

In recent times there have been an increasing number of requests by organisations for us to have a ‘Champion’ to represent their interests.  In some cases this appears to be the same as an appointment to an outside body – in others it is different.  Currently we have no formal process for deciding whether a Champion is appropriate, and if so, for appointing them or monitoring them.

Can I ask the Chairman of Strategy & Resources Committee if he would work with Officers to come up with a method for addressing this? (Chairman of S&R)

Reply:

We are currently reviewing outside body appointments and we will include "Champions" on the list as if they were an outside body appointment.

Part of the review is to ensure that there is a justifiable reason to appoint a Councillor to an outside body rather than just a "nice to have" position.  These positions not only involve Councillor time but also officer time.

c)            Nuisance posed by stray golf balls:  Councillor Omer Koukou-Tchri submitted the following written question and received the following written answer from the Chairman of the Environment Committee, Councillor John Beckett:

Question:

What are we planning to do about “Yellow Golf Range Balls” as I understand the matter from communications, Yellow Balls going from a private but initially unauthorised development; over public highway onto resident’s properties across the road [Longdown Lane] with danger to residents, their properties and general public and a tragedy waiting to happen?

Reply:

I am afraid that there is little this Council can do in relation to this matter.  I am informed that no planning enforcement action can be taken, nor, as reported, is this an actionable public nuisance of the sort which our Environmental Health team can tackle.  Any highway safety implications are matters for Surrey County Council to consider, and I would suggest that this be raised with the residents’ County Councillor.  I am also informed that golf balls being hit into private gardens is a private law matter for the householders to pursue with the golf club- they would be well advised to seek their own independent legal advice  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36