Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report on those services the Committee might wish to see continued within the unparished area of Macclesfield, these services were consistent with those transferring to parished areas elsewhere in the Borough. 

An apology was made for some instances in the report where Crewe had been referred to instead of Macclesfield.

The Cabinet report of 5 September 2011 had been provided for information so that Members of the Committee were aware of the current position for the Boroughs’ existing Town and Parish Councils where negotiations had been taking place over the last 12 months regarding which assets, functions and services they wished to take over in their respective areas and for which they had existing powers and duties.  Following these negotiations all of the Town Councils, and some of the Parishes, had registered an interest in the transfer of certain assets and services; these were set out in appendices to the report and approval to their transfer had been given by Cabinet at its meeting on 5 September. 

In line with the assets and services to be transferred elsewhere a suggested list of services had been drawn up for Macclesfield along with an estimate of the financial implications.

In considering the report, and the list of suggested assets, Members expressed concern that the Committee was being asked to consider the special expenses payment that should be levied, the inclusion of costs associated with Town Centre Management, double taxation in general, the current (poor) condition of some of the assets on the list, what would happen to the Senior Citizens Hall at such time as approval was given to the Town Centre Redevelopment, and the exclusion of some assets which they might have liked to have seen on the list.

In view of the concerns expressed the Committee asked for further detailed information to be provided on each of the individual assets listed.  In addition it was requested that the relevant service managers attend in order assist the Committee in its considerations. 

RESOLVED

That further consideration be given to this matter at the next meeting of the Committee, that detailed financial information be provided for each individual asset as requested above, and that service managers be requested to attend.