Issue - meetings

In accordance the Council Procedure Rules, opportunity is provided for Members of the Council to ask the Mayor or the Chair of a Committee any question about a matter which the Council, or the Committee has powers, duties or responsibilities.

At Council meeting, there will be a maximum question time period of 30 minutes. A period of two minutes will be allowed for each Councillor wishing to ask a question.  The Mayor will have the discretion to vary this requirement where they consider it appropriate.

Councillor A Harrison sought reassurance that the Council would respond to himself or his constituents in a timely manner. The chair of Nether Alderley Parish Council and Cllr Harrison had chased updates in respect of S106 monies for the community of Nether Alderley since November 2023. He requested as a matter of urgency due to the necessary work of Alderley Parish Council, that the allocated funds needed to be drawn down. Cllr Harrison requested that a detailed response be provided before additional costs were imposed on the taxpayers of Nether Alderley Parish Council, as alternative funds would need to be sought in the short term where borrowing would be required. It was agreed that a written response would be provided.

Councillor L Wardlaw stated that in June 2024 the Shadow Secretary for Transport had announced that a new Labour government would deliver major transport projects 25% faster and 20% cheaper than current levels. Cllr Wardlaw referred to the delays of progressing the Middlewich Eastern Bypass Scheme and asked how the administration would emulate the government’s aspirations. In response, Councillor M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated that the Middlewich Eastern Bypass Scheme business case had been submitted to Government and the Council awaited its approval.

Councillor A Gage stated that in April 2025 the Council would charge those with a second home a premium on Council Tax. Cllr Gage highlighted that when there was a death in the family it could take up to 12 months for a property to be released and in the current market conditions between 9-12 months to sell the property ultimately, leaving a family with no disposal income and paying council tax on a home they wished to sell. Cllr Gage sought assurance that this was an anomaly, and that the Council would not look to charge in these circumstances. Councillor M Goldsmith responded to confirm that this seemed to be an anomaly and it was likely that the authority would adopt a similar process to other local authorities where council tax was exempt for 9 months after probate had taken place.

Councillor R Fletcher stated that it had been over two years since Highways had agreed that the bus stop on Goss Place Estate, Crewe Road, Alsager had to be moved as it was a safety hazard. Cllr Fletcher asked when would the bus stop would be moved. In response, Councillor M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, confirmed that the Highways Service would be undertaking a review of all bus stops and seeking to upgrade where possible. Cllr Goldsmith committed to providing a written response in relation to the specific bus stop referred to.

Councillor B Posnett stated that the Community Infrastructure Levy on planning applications were routed to Middlewich Eastern Bypass - £2.6m and asked where the Community Infrastructure Levy monies going to at the moment, and whether they would be returned to the communities for which they were meant. Cllr M Warren, Chair of Environment and Communities Committee,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42