Issue - meetings

To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader and Deputy Leader.

The Leader of the Council, in summary:

·         stated that the Covid-19 infection rates in Cheshire East had fallen sharply in January from a peak of about 400 per 100,000 of population but in early February the decline  had stopped at about 200 per 100,000 and that this appeared to be due to a number of outbreaks in care homes.

·         reported that the rate was now at 134 per 100,000 and he thanked everybody who has helped to reduce the infection rate, including those simply following the rules and observing the hands, face, face guidance.

·         stated that the vaccination programme organised by NHS Cheshire CCG and local GPs was going exceptionally well and over 90% of those in the top 4 cohorts had been vaccinated.

·         encouraged those over 70 and who had not yet had their first vaccination to call 119 and book an appointment.

·         praised the work done in distributing food and energy vouchers to the vulnerable and that with the help of schools, colleges, early years settings and other family support service more than 11,000 vouchers had been distributed.

The Deputy Leader of the Council, in summary:

·         reported that since November last year a total of 14,000 business grants, had been paid out and that the Business Support Team had processed a further 561 applications within the last week. By the end of March the Council was expected to have paid out more than £4.5m in grant payments.

·         reported that public consultation had commenced on second phase of our active travel schemes to encourage cycling and walking following a further award of government funding.

·         reported that the Council’s expression of interest to the Department of Transport’s Rural Mobility Fund had been successful and a business case for a demand responsive transport scheme serving rural communities in the south of the Bourgh had been submitted.

·         stated that HS2 Phase 2A had gained royal assent, which would bring high speed rail travel to Crewe.