A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. A maximum period of two minutes will be allowed for each member wishing to ask a question. The Leader will have discretion to vary this requirement where he considers it appropriate. Members wishing to ask a question at the meeting should register to do so in writing by not later than 4.00 pm on the Friday in the week preceding the meeting. Members should include the general topic their question will relate to and indicate if it relates to an item on the agenda. Questions must relate to the powers, duties or responsibilities of the Cabinet. Questions put to Cabinet Members must relate to their portfolio responsibilities.
Where a question relates to a matter which appears on the agenda, the Leader may allow the question to be asked at the beginning of consideration of that item.
Minutes:
Councillor S Akers Smith asked if the Council would review its policy regarding paths on housing estates with a view to removing barriers to accessibility to allow both cycling and walking, and providing appropriate signage to support all travel modes.
The Deputy Leader responded that the Council’s preference would be against the use of access controls unless there was a persistent and significant problem of antisocial moped or motorcycle usage or regular incursions leading to fly-tipping. Where a level of access control was required, the provision of bollards would be considered that still allowed all types of cycle and mobility scooter to gain access. He would advise against unnecessary advisory signing as it led to additional maintenance costs and had a very limited legal basis and it problematic to enforce effectively.
Councillor R Bailey referred to her Notice of Motion at the February Council meeting asking for an open letter or media release from the Mayor and group leaders thanking all those who had worked in reponse to the Covid pandemic.
The Leader responded that a press release would be released shortly and he took the opportunity of this meeting to praise the local vaccination programme.
Councillor M Benson referred to the Active Travel tranche 1 scheme for Sandbach and asked when a decision would be taken to abandon the scheme. He also referred to the revised 20mph speed limits proposed for Sandbach and sought an indication as to when a decision would be taken on that proposal.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste responded that the feedback from the consultation on the scheme was being reviewed and a decision would be made in the coming weeks. She added that the intention was not to abandon the scheme but to make changes.
Councillor J Buckley asked how much of the waste collected by the Council was recyclable, garden or residual waste. She asked if a task and finish group could be set up to consider how to encourage residents to reduce waste.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste provided a breakdown between garden/food, recycled and residual waste, and suggested that the question of a task and finish group be raised with the appropriate committee under the new committee system.
Councillor R Fletcher referred to the problem of flooding in Linley Lane, Alsager and asked if the Council would arrange a meeting with the five landowners to discuss the matter.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste undertook to provide a written response.
Councillor S Gardiner asked if the way in which parking contravention notices were being issued had changed in response to Covid Regulations.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste undertook to provide a written response.
Councillor P Groves referred to the need for a stimulus to attract shoppers and visitors back into town centres. He suggested that free parking be provided for the months of May, June and July this year.
The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration responded that the Council was working with town councils on a town centre recovery plan. 30th March was Cheshire Day and the Council would be using the event to mount a campaign to promote towns throughout the Borough. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste added that the Council would have to consider carefully the implications of any parking proposals for the highways budget.
Councillor S Holland asked for a breakdown of the £4m cost of a replacement Household Waste Recycling Centre for Congleton.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste undertook to provide a written response.
Councillor D Murphy referred to the possible closure of the household waste recycling centre in Congleton and asked if the Council had produced an equality impact statement on the effect of the closure on residents who did not have use of a vehicle.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste responded that this issue was due to be considered by the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15th March, and an impact statement was included with the agenda papers.
The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration undertook to provide a written response, and to make it available to other members.
Councillor P Williams referred to the Council’s engatement with residents through various consultations and asked what could be done to allay what seemed to him to be a lack of public confidence in the consultation process.
The Portfolio Holder for Finance, IT and Communication responded that the Council’s approach to consultation and engagement had been affected recently by Covid-19 restrictions and consultations were currently undertaken predominantly online. This still enabled the Council to obtain valuable feedback from residents and other stakeholders. She assured Councillor Williams that all feedback was considered and taken into account. The Leader referred to the impact that the consultation response had made on the Corporate Plan and the Budget.