The Leader and Portfolio Holders to receive and respond to questions from Members on any matter which relates to an Executive function in accordance with Part 4 of the Constitution, Section B Executive Procedure Rules, Paragraph 16.
Decision:
The Executive endorsed a proposal to suspend fees for personal training and fitness class permits in borough parks and greenspaces, up to a maximum of 15 participants and no more than 7 classes per week, for a period of six months, beginning on 1 April 2021 and asked the Executive Head of Business to undertake the necessary actions.
Minutes:
The Leader, Councillor Alan McClafferty responded to a question from Councillor Shaun Garrett relating to charges made to people using the Council’s green spaces to carry out their business for fitness training and exercise with paying customers. As a result the Executive endorsed a proposal to suspend fees for personal training and fitness class permits in borough parks and greenspaces, up to a maximum of 15 participants and no more than 7 classes per week, for a period of six months, beginning on 1 April 2021 and asked the Executive Head of Business to undertake the necessary actions.
In response to a question from Councillor Paul Deach concerning support for local business following the pandemic, the Leader referred to a proposal to waive fees for new and existing pavement licences for a year. The Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Rodney Bates, confirmed that the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 24 March 2021 would asked to consider a recommendation relating to the waiving of discretionary pavement licensing fees.
In connection with pavement licences, Councillor Graham Tapper sought information on these licences applying to private land. Whilst it was likely that they would only apply to highway land, relevant information would be circulated to Councillors to clarify the position.
Councillor Rodney Bates asked a question relating to the Council’s use of Bed and Breakfast facilities in Slough. The Executive Head of Regulatory confirmed that accommodation in Slough was only used as a last resort and rarely for family units. The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Josephine Hawkins undertook to provide a response on the number of times accommodation in Slough had been used by the Council and for how long on each occasion.