In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, a member of the public resident within the Borough may ask a maximum of two questions relating to the business of the Council providing notice had been received by 10.00am two clear working days before the relevant meeting. 

A question was received from Brentwood resident Ms Smith but as she was unable to attend the meeting her question would not be put forward. 

One question had been received from Brentwood resident Mrs Gearon-Simm as follows:

‘A private company, Essex Cares, enables adults with learning disabilities to learn in a work-place environment, from which place they can move on to the commercial sector such as Costa, McDonalds and care homes.

Will the café facility, which is, at present, in the library in Brentwood shopping centre and which provides opportunities for such training to happen, be transferred to the town hall if the library is moved there?’. 

Cllr Mrs McKinlay advised that the issue of the library as she had previously said is something for the County Council to decide whether its going to be housed where it is currently or whether it is to be moved to the Town Hall and those discussions are ongoing whether the café that is part of that so couldn’t answer directly for the County Council.   The plans we have for this building do involve us having a café facility here and as part of that we are looking if we can work with individuals with learning difficulties to support them.  In addition we are talking to one of the local churches who run a very successful outreach programme dealing with people who need additional support to see if we can work in partnership with them so it is something that we are aware of and think it is a fantastic approach which means people move into the commercial sector so we will continue to explore it if we can.  

Two questions were asked from Brentwood resident Mrs Kordlandt as follows:

‘How many applicants are currently waiting for social housing on Brentwood’s Housing Register?  How has this number changed in the past year and how long on average do they have to wait for a property in Brentwood to become available?’

Cllr Mrs McKinlay advised that the figure as of April last year was 711 on the list and as of today was 827.  In terms of the time taken for people to receive a council property would depend on the number of bedrooms.  For a one bedroom it is around 2 and a half years, 2 bedroom just over 4 years and 3 bedroom just over 3 years. 

Mrs Kordlandt continued:

‘Why is there no social housing included in the proposals for Dunton Hills Garden Village?’

Cllr Mrs McKinlay advised that it very much depends on your definition of social housing; as around 35% of the proposed development is intended to be for affordable housing and first time buyers.  If by social housing you are specifically meaning council housing then that is something that we are looking at.  It is worth noting clearly we don’t own any of the land at Dunton Hills.  If we were to start building council houses that we owned, that would come at considerable costs in terms of acquiring the land not to mention the build.  I would take this opportunity as well to say we have over the last few months started building the very first council homes in the borough for I believe 20-30 years in Hutton at disused garage sites.  That is something we are proud of and will continue to look at.  There are other areas within the borough that we are exploring.  It is something that I would like to see us as a Council increase the provision of, as there is clearly a need but I don’t think  we should just focus on council housing as I say, it is about a mix supply  particularly around first time buyers and more affordable housing.  A final point, we are also exploring what can be done for key workers and people who have specific ties to the borough. 

One question was asked from Brentwood resident Ms Pearson as follows:

‘I would like to ask the Chair of the LDP Working Group if there can be an independent traffic survey of Priests Lane ensuring the area between Glathams Road and Middleton Hall Lane are considered?’

Cllr McCheyne advised that he had discussed this with Mr Drane and the group and can ensure that it is a standard requirement that highways and traffic surveys are untaken at normal times of the day excluding school holidays.  A number of accounts at different times of the day give a full picture.  This requirement is standard practice and transport consultants, planners, developers will all be aware of the requirement.  Any survey that is undertaken outside these normal conditions will be accepted as a reliable base by the council or highways authority.  I will be asking Mr Drane about it at the next meeting. 

One question was asked from Brentwood resident  Mr Skinner as follows:

‘What does the council think of the number of responses raised in relation to the  Priests Lane site in the LDP (site 044 and 178) particularly with regard to the number of complaints over road safety, increased congestion and pollution, and increased pressure of currently stretched infrastructure in the Priest Lane area?’

Cllr McCheyne advised it is under consultation at the moment and we have fortnightly LDP meetings so we will be discussing this.