Questions
In accordance with Procedure Rule 11, opportunity is provided for Members of the Council to ask the Mayor, the appropriate Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee any question about a matter which the Council, the Cabinet or the Committee has powers, duties or responsibilities. Questions must be sent in writing to the Monitoring Officer at least 3 clear working days before the meeting.
At Council meetings, there will be a maximum question time period of 30 minutes. Questions will be selected by the Mayor, using the criteria agreed by Council. Any questions which are accepted, but which cannot be dealt with during the allotted period will be answered in writing. Questions must be brief, clear and focussed.
Minutes:
The following questions had been submitted :-
Question 1- Support for Dairy Farmers – Submitted by Cllr Wilkinson
Can the Leader confirm that this Council is doing all it can to support the dairy farmers in Cheshire East as they face the huge decreases in the farm gate prices for their milk?
Response
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Michael Jones responded that he agreed that the Council must support the industry. He had prepared a full response , but due to the lateness in the day, this would be circulated to all Members of the Council, after the meeting.
Supplementary Question
Cllr Wilkinson thanked the Leader for his response and asked that if the Leader was minded to write to the Minister for Agriculture, would he point out that farm estates were suffering and that this could have an impact on the greater rural economy.
Cllr Jones agreed to work with Cllr Wilkinson on the submission of a letter to the Minister.
Question 2- Development in Shavington – Submitted by Cllr D Marren
A recent letter to the Crewe Chronicle captured the concerns of many residents of Shavington, in suggesting that Cheshire East Council is actively encouraging growth in and around Shavington. If true, the Council can expect a strong reaction from the village and sympathetic Councillors.
Can the Portfolio Holder detail which sites identified as deliverable in the 2011 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment around Shavington have had applications for development submitted; which sites officers expect applications for in the short and midterm; the names of the developers and what support and/or encouragement is being given/has been given to these applicants by this Council?
Response
Cllr Rachel Bailey undertook to provide a written response to the question to all Members of then Council, after the meeting.
Question 3 - Press Releases – Submitted Cllr Corcoran
This Council has been reported as stating that it shouldn't break the law.
1) Could we also have a clear statement that this Council should always tell the truth?
2) In particular, please can someone explain to me why this Council issued a press release stating that 'The disparity (of not allowing bus passes on Dial-a-Ride in the south of the borough) arose following the collapse of East Cheshire Community Transport' when in fact the disparity arose before then and indeed the withdrawal of the use of bus passes on Dial-a-Ride was partly responsible for the collapse of East Cheshire Community Transport?
3) Could some one also explain to me why this inaccuracy was not corrected promptly when I pointed it out to the Press Office?"
Response:
Cllr M Jones 1) Cllr Jones responded that the Council could not always tell the truth, for example where there were safeguarding issues and in the interest of the public it was not possible to disclose everything. The Council did not lie, but could not always tell the truth.
Cllr Menlove 2) From April 2 this year, there was a disparity between the north of the ... view the full minutes text for item 42