The questions which have been received from Councillors to be put at this Council meeting are set out in the attached report.  A maximum period of 30 minutes is allocated to this agenda item.

The following questions and in each case supplementary questions were put (except where indicated) and were responded to by the Mayor or relevant Executive Member.

11.1 Question from Councillor Amin Rahman

Could the Lead member provide an update on the council’s outstanding accounts requiring sign off? These accounts were left unsigned for 6 years under the previous administration. 

Response of Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost-of-living

All previous outstanding accounts from 2016/17 to 2019/20 have been prepared, published, inspected as required, and signed off by the external auditor. The accounts for 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 have also been prepared and published and are now awaiting audit opinions. For the first time in several years, the 2023/24 accounts were published on time, meeting the statutory deadline of 31st May 2024.

Supplementary question from Councillor Amin Rahman

How long were the delays and what has been done to mitigate against this?

Response of Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost-of-living

The delays varied from year to year. For example, in 2020-21, the deadline for submission for the accounts was 31^st July 2021 but they were submitted on the 27^th February 2022. There were delays upon delays. However since then we now have a permanent Section 151 officer and have a very capable finance team who are working tirelessly to resolve the backlog.

11.2 Question from Councillor Mufeedah Bustin

The Mayor’s Budget for 2024-25 included targets for generating income from the island’s parks and open spaces. Could the Lead Member provide an update on these plans including what resident engagement has taken place or what is planned?

Response of Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost-of-living

There is an income target of £522k for the Arts, Parks and Events (APE) team for 2024-25.  These were approved as part of a three-year income target of £854k in line with the MTFS period.  The APE team manage the parks and open spaces across the borough including the spaces on the Island.

The council does generate income from hiring out the sports pitches and this income contributes towards the income target as well.

The council has an events hire policy and a Major events policy to guide any larger events. These would have a consultation process as part of the licensing process, giving local residents 28 days notice of any activity. Currently, there are no large event applications pending for any of the parks and open spaces on the Island.   

Supplementary question from Councillor Mufeedah Bustin

In the budget, specific reference was made to Milwall Park and for concession stands for vendors in the Island parks. What is happening with these?

Response of Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost-of-living

Local residents will be consulted by the Arts, Parks and Events (APE) team in relation to any events planned. They will be consulted as part of the licencing process as well as other processes the APE follows. The Scheme was evaluated in 2017 and is a plan for the next 10 years. Local residents will be consulted in regard to any programmes or planned events.

Questions 11.3 to 11.24 were not put due to lack of time. The written responses are attached to at Appendix A.