Issue - meetings

To answer written questions from Councillors

Note:  The deadline for questions is 5pm on Wednesday 13 July 2016 (17.00 hours on the third clear working day before the meeting).

Questions had been submitted to Committee and Panel Chairmen and written answers had been provided as follows:

QUESTION 1

Question from Councillor Alex Clarke to the Chairman of the Environment Committee, Councillor John Beckett

Litter collection in High Street/Market: Why is it we have only one person to cover the relatively large area of the Town Centre, who also is responsible for moving the big market bins in position – something which is complicated by the fact that, despite there being work phones provided, no system is in place for the truck team to give an advanced warning of their arrival?

Reply:

I understand that Councillor Clarke has spoken with officers prior to this question and answer and there appeared to be some confusion on roles which has now been clarified. The crews have also been briefed to ensure that all operatives are carrying out the correct procedures and tasks.

I would also like to mention Sean Winter who is our full time litter picking operative in the Town Centre.  For many years he has done an absolute sterling job. He is backed up by the mechanical sweepers who sweep the Town Centre first thing in the morning and also a part time market cleansing operative.

In addition to this, the refuse collection crews provide two waste collections during the day (morning and afternoon) and a further collection is carried out at the end of the market. The large 1100litre bins used by stall holders should only be moved by the refuse collection crews. 

I would therefore like to personally thank Sean and all the operatives in the town centre for their hard work in continuing to make Epsom a great place to live and shop.

QUESTION 2

Question from Councillor Tella Wormington to the Chairman of the Health Liaison Panel, Councillor Liz Frost

I am sure that other Councillors were as concerned as I was to read about the outcome of the recent CQC report into Epsom & St Helier Hospitals.  Can the chairman of the HLP let us know what part the Council plays in trying to ensure that services are satisfactory?

Reply:

I thank Councillor Tella Wormington for her question.

To look at the reports themselves, the CQC visits to both Epsom and St Helier Hospitals took place on seven days in November 2015 although the reports were not published until the end of May.  There is a report covering the whole trust and one focussed on Epsom.  Although the overall rating for Epsom is ‘Requires Improvement’, that is not the whole picture.  It rates SWELEOC as Outstanding.  Medical Care, End of Life Care, and Out Patients and Diagnostic Imaging were all rated ‘Good’.  Urgent and Emergency Services, Surgery, Critical Care, Maternity and Gynaecology, and Services for Children and Young People were rated as ‘Requires Improvement’.   I appreciate the concerns of fellow Councillors about the ‘Requires Improvement’ ratings, but understand that this is the rating given to the majority of hospitals.  I would also point out that many  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16