Agenda item

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, undertook to provide a written response.

Councillor G Marshall referred to the ongoing delay of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and highlighted that part of the scheme was to be funded by S106 contributions. Cllr Marshall asked if the S106 monies could be returned to Middlewich Town Council whilst the Council awaited the decision of the new government on the scheme. In response, Cllr M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, confirmed that the completion of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass scheme remained a priority for the Council to construct and that it was not possible for monies to be returned as they had been already allocated to the project.

Cllr B Puddicombe highlighted the parking problems caused when visitors attended matches at the Macclesfield Town football stadium. Visitor parking was often obstructive and dangerous. Cllr Puddicombe asked the Council to seek a practical and achievable solution to this problem. In response Cllr M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated that this was a national problem, and that the Council did not have any powers to deal with obstructive or pavement parking as this was a Police matter. It was confirmed that Council officers would participate in the football team’s safety advisory group.

Cllr A Burton refereed to the Emergency Assistance Scheme which had been funded by the Council until 31 March 2024 and to the Household Support Scheme, which would be funded by central government until the end of September 2024, and asked where the Council saw the future of these support provisions.  She sought assurance that it would not be picked up by the voluntary community and faith sectors.    Cllr J Rhodes, Chair of Adults and Health Committee undertook to provide a written response.

Cllr J Clowes stated that the council employed a third-party organisation to oversee claims relating to damage to vehicles from Cheshire East roads. Cllr Clowes highlighted that a large number of local residents identified how their claims had been rejected for compensation and that there seemed to be a lack of consistency for reasons for accepting and rejecting claims. Cllr Clowes asked for a set of criteria for the allocation for compensation to be provided to all elected members to enable them to guide and advise local residents. Cllr Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee undertook to provide a written response.