To receive any petitions, deputations and questions received from Members of the Public in accordance with the Virtual Meetings Regulations (s1 2020 392) and the subsequent RCC Procedure Rules agreed at Council on 20 May 2020 and revised by Council on 14 September 2020. (Please see link: Revision to Virtual Meetings Protocol.)

The total time allowed for this is 30 minutes.  Petitions, deputations and questions will be dealt with in the order in which they are received and any which are not considered within the time limit shall receive a written response after the meeting.

The Chairman announced that five questions have been submitted by members of the public.

Jennifer Blockley was invited to ask her questions;

It is noted that the County Council appointed a young white male for the position of PM for the feasibility study. Could council members please comment on why the post was not advertised and clarify how a female candidate or a candidate of ethnic minority might have applied?

In response, the Leader explained that he had noted that Ms Blockley had provided to all Councillors a copy of her complaint and the reply that the Council has provided in which it was stated that she would be intending to take her complaint further. Both you and Councillors would be aware that the process would include an independent view from the Local Government Ombudsman and therefore would not comment further until that process has concluded.

Ms Blockley asked a supplementary question which the Monitoring Officer explained was not an appropriate question as the Council meeting was not a forum for directing questions at officers of the Council.

Jennifer Blockley was invited to ask her second question.

Could the Council members please clarify how the £50,000 of taxpayer’s money will be allocated? 

The Leader stated that he was not prepared to answer the question until the local Independent Ombudsmen had made comment.

Ms Blockley asked a supplementary question as to how local tax payers were getting value for money.

The Leader repeated his previous statement that he was not prepared to answer the question until the local Independent Ombudsmen had made comment.

The Chairman invited Ms Blockley to ask her next question on behalf of Ms Sylvia Matthews who had nominated her

If the radio station feasibility study finds that it will go ahead, when and where will the post of station manager be advertised?

The Leader explained that it would be a decision for whatever organisation is formed to manage the platform. This would be independent of the Council.

The Chairman invited Ms Blockley to ask her next question on behalf of Ms Nurse who had nominated her.

Having allocated £50,000 of tax payer’s money to a feasibility study to look into the viability of the setting up of a new radio station, how can the County Council justify this when an article in the Rutland Times states that a former presenter Jennifer Lee has been working on a project to create a new station for Rutland and Stamford since May without any county council funding?

The Leader responded explaining that the County Council was interested in working with everyone who wanted to see a Radio station that would provide truly local information for the County. He was aware that Ms Blockley had been invited to present her proposed business case to the independent board when established. The project that was started by the last Chief Executive was intended to ensure that such a Station can be re-created and this would hopefully involve all who would want to see this happen.

It was noted that two other questions had been submitted and a written response requested. These would be appended to the minutes and published on the website.