2007/08
Question: I am enquiring about the housing bidding process. I was told about 1 year ago now that the bidding system was going to change, that the council were in the process of changing it and that it would probably happen with a few months.
Well a year has passed and still the system remains the same, band 1 are getting all the three bedroom houses even if they don't need them and families like mine are being left in accommodation too small. I know the council are aware there is a problem but does anybody care? I don't think so.
I want to know is the system really going to change or is that something the council are just saying to get rid of people. My feeling is they don't care anymore they just want people off the list as soon as possible with no thought put into it, whether they need it, its just too much hard work for them.
I’m sorry but I'm really angry because I was told something that obviously wasn’t true and my family and I are still stuck in a flat with three young children and all the houses that we bid on are being given to mainly single mothers with 1 child who don't need them. The system is all wrong!
Answer: A report was taken to the Executive on the 25th March 2008 which takes forward the work previously carried out to review the scheme in August 2006 following the consultation with housing applicants and social agencies within the district.
In addition the council had to take into consideration the Allocation of Accommodation Choice Based Lettings Code of Guidance for Local Housing Authorities published in January 2007 which has meant that supplementary changes were necessary.
The scheme will now operate with 4 bands and will include quotas for lettings to Bands 1, 2 and 3 this will enable a greater spread of available properties to each band, but ensuring there is sufficient properties in Band 1. 50% of the properties will be advertised in Band 1, 30% for Band 2 and 10% for Band 3.
All applicants current and new will need to complete a new application form and they will be re-registered under the new criteria. An explanation of the policy will accompany the for your information. We are aiming to implement the new policy in September 2008.
Regards
Lydia Wailoo
Housing Advice Manager (On behalf of the Housing Portfolio Holder)
Question: When are the LA considering green waste collection in the Leamington area. Taxes are being collected throughout Warwickshire and some areas have green waste collection others not; surely this service should be provided for all, afterall all Council Tax payers are paying for the same delivery of service irrespective of where they live? Thanks in anticipation of your response.
Answer: I agree that the situation I have inherited regarding the collection of green waste is unfair. That is why the following action is being taken. Firstly the unfair charge of £1 per bag on green waste in thhe areas which have not been supplied with green bins will cease on 1 Oct 08. A free ticket will still be required. I am hoping that those who are able will still take their green waste to Princes Drive until 1 April 08. Second When our new contract comes into force on 1 April 08 everyone who requires a green bin in the half of the District not currently supplied will have the option of having one. From 1 April 08 there will be no need for WDC residents to take their green waste to Princes Drive tip as it will be collected every two weeks.
Regards,
Michael Kinson
Cllr Warwick West and Environment Portfolio Holder WDC
Question: As quite possibly the only residents of John Street with a private parking area, myself and my partner are becoming increasingly frustrated by the amount of illegally parked vehicles, especially those who block the access to our personal off road parking area. The amount of people waiting around the area or those who have just popped to Marks is becoming ridiculous!! In addition, over the last 18 months since living here we have also had countless thoughtless and lazy people help themselves to our parking space. When asking them on their return if they would be happy to come home to find someone parked on their drive when they get home? We are met with (sometimes) apologies and some people even have the cheek to be quite abusive!! We have noticed that attention is being paid to on street parking around the town and would ask that someone pay attention to our street. It is getting beyond a joke. We don't see why we should pay to install gates/barriers to stop these people (who are too much of a skin flint to pay & display for parking in the M&S car park opposite) abandoning their cars without any consideration to others. This has become such an issue, on Sundays especially, that we are loathed to take the car anywhere as we know that 95% of the time someone will be in the space on our return. Whilst we both appreciate that buying a property in the centre of town does come with traffic downfalls we did not pay for a property and private parking for everyone to help themselves to it!!! We don't want this constant conflict with drivers. Please help! Your comments are eagerly awaited. Kindest Regards
Answer: John Street has double yellow lines along its full length so I would expect the situation to be much improved from 6th August 2007. Blue Badge holders may continue to park there but, not so as to cause an obstruction.
Question: Please can you give the specific location of air quality monitoring points in the Brunswick Ward and their results?
Answer: Air monitoring has been undertaken by Environmental Health for a number of years. An initial Review and Assessment of Air Quality Report, based on such monitoring, was produced in late 2000/early 2001 as required under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to ensure that the National Air Quality Objectives as set down in the Air Quality Regulations 2000 were achieved. The legislation places a statutory duty on local authorities to periodically review and assess the air quality within their area. To comply with this legislation, the Council has to produce for DEFRA regular updated reports on conclusions of monitoring and any proposals for future monitoring of any specific air pollutant that is likely to exceed the Air Quality Objectives. Information on the Council's Air Quality Strategy can be accessed on the Warwick District Council website on the Strategies and Policies page.
The latest round of monitoring and evaluation is detailed in the Updated and Screening Assessment (USA) Report in 2006 and the Further Assessment Report in 2007. Over the years, the various air pollutants have been assessed and, in all but Nitrogen Dioxide , it has been determined that no further action is required as they meet the Air Quality Objectives.
The Council has a fixed continuous monitoring site at Hamilton Terrace which records background levels of Sulphur Dioxide, particulate PM10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides and Benzene. There is also a continuous monitoring site at Jury Street, Warwick monitoring Nitrogen Oxides. Passive Monitoring tubes for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) have been placed at various roads around the district where traffic flows and road conditions suggest likely exceedence of the specified Air Quality Objective.
Should the laid down objective for a pollutant be exceeded, declaration of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) must be considered. AQMA's have been declared fregarding NO2 for specific areas in Barford, Warwick and Leamington Spa. The areas covered by the declared AQMA's can be viewed on the Warwick District Council website under Air Pollution.
Within the north of Brunswick ward, is part of the Leamington Spa AQMA, with NO2 Passive Tube monitoring points in Clemens Street, Wise Street/Old Warwick Road junction, and previous continuous monitoring and 3 Passive Monitoring tubes at Regenesis in 2004. A location map can be seen at Page 36; and Diffusion tube measurement for 2004 & 2005 on page 14 of the Further Assessment Report.
The USA Report reviews any further actions required under the ongoing assessment. On page 33 of the report are conclusions as to future action required. There is no further changes to current operations regarding Leamington Spa. Monitoring will continue, and data included in the next report submitted to DEFRA.
Following the culmination of this round of the local air review and assessment Warwick District and Warwickshire County Councils are jointly involved in producing an Action Plan. The aim of this Action Plan is to identify how Warwick District Council will use its existing powers and work together with other organisations in pursuit of the annual mean Air Quality Objective for nitrogen dioxide. Measures are proposed to improve air quality both within the AQMAs and across the District as a whole.
Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is responsible for the management of the local road network and as such is responsible for any direct actions proposed for the AQMAs in order to reduce road traffic emissions. Warwick District Council is working together with the County Council to improve air quality within the AQMAs and throughout the District. This document is currently in a draft stage awaiting input and comment from stakeholders.
Councillor Michael Kinson
Portfolio Holder for Environment
Question: I currently live in the centre of Warwick (On Jury Street), in order to park my car I require a Resident's parking permit. Last week I noticed the Courier newspaper talking about parking changes coming along in August. This was completely new news to me, I have not heard anything about the proposed plans, and neither have I had any chance to comment on these changes. Please can you inform me, (and I guess other residents), what changes are actually being proposed. How will this affect my parking in Warwick? Will I actually be able to park outside my flat using the parking permit, or will I still have to park up the road on Church Street? This is all obviously a concern for me because for all I know you could be increasing the parking charges for resident's permits as well, in which case I need to know now so I have time to find somewhere else to move to with better parking! Are we ever going to get something like a letter describing the changes or are we expected to always be reading the local paper's to find out information like this? If we are meant to find this information out by reading the papers can you please provide the paper's to us for free? We pay enough council tax for some communication or warning about the changes you'd think!
Answer: A long a detailed consultation process has taken place over the past 18 months so I surprised you are unaware of the changes which will come into force from 6th August.
Information regarding the way new and existing resident parking permits (RPP) will operate is due to sent out to every household in early July.
A RPP does not guarantee you to be able to park outside your house but as you already have a RPP then this will pass will be valid across the new W2 Zone allowing you to park at any time at nil cost in these designated parking locations.
Parking information relating to on-street enforcement (which the District Council will be responsible for from 6th August) will appear on the WDC web-site from early July.
If you have any further questions please contact staff on 01926 456317 or parkingservices@warwickdc.gov.uk
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