Issue - meetings

To provide Members with an opportunity to raise any other matters for discussion in accordance with the Committee’s Terms of Reference.    

Net operating expenditure for 2012/2013 for the services (page 3) was estimated at £191,553.  The Committee was invited to consider whether it wished to recommend any enhancements or additions to the services identified. 

Members were reminded that the projected costs would ensure continuity of service and any additional costs would fall on the Council Tax payers of Crewe and would require a cut in funding in other areas.  The Head of Performance, Customer Services and Capacity reassured Members that this was not a change of position, rather it was a question of timing and the issue would be considered afresh in the future.    

The Committee therefore resolved to recommend to Cabinet that:

(1) A Special Expenses Levy be raised on each property in the un-parished area of Crewe to generate an amount not exceeding £191,553 as part of the Council Tax setting process to be approved by Council in February 2012 relating to 2012/13; and    

(2) Cheshire East members and officers be urged to focus concerted effort, within existing resources, to enhance the visibility and vibrancy of Crewe market and implement a range of improvements as discussed at the meeting on 24th November, including possible car parking incentives. The Committee would like to make the Cabinet aware that the Committee fully discussed the possibility of generating extra resource to improve the market and would have been minded to recommend this had it not been for the guidance received about the council tax freeze grant conditions. The Committee is minded to take such a decision on enhancement in the future through the special expenses mechanism, should this prove to be necessary. 

Note: Councillor Hogben voted against the motion which has been recorded in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 31.4.