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
From Councillor D Brickhill
Parking at the rear of the Municipal Buildings, Crewe
On Monday 17 September, on the occasion of a Cabinet meeting at the Municipal Buildings, Crewe, the only properly marked disabled spot, was occupied by a cone with a notice marked “Reserved for Councillor Michael Jones”. I am glad to say he is not disabled. However this contravened both the disabled space regulations and the notice that Councillors (and he is just one of 82) are not permitted to use ANY of the car parking spaces behind the Municipal building. He was not expected at the meeting and had given his apologies. Will you please explain this?
Will you please detail the steps you are taking to ensure that disabled spots are only used by disabled people displaying their disabled badge and the way you will deal with offenders to prevent them using these spots again, preferably with some kind of penalty.
If you are not able to produce such evidence, I would like to hear who gave the authority to issue the notice saying “Members be aware that they are not permitted to park at the rear of the Municipal Buildings, as parking is very restricted and they need to keep this for visitors and deliveries as well as disabled parking.”
Response from Cllr Macrae
As Members will be aware, there is minimal parking at the Municipal Buildings, in Crewe, however, there are currently three clearly marked disabled spaces. The Asset Management Service is currently reviewing this provision, with the aim of creating one further disabled parking space and improving the area as a whole.
Unfortunately, the note sent to Members was badly worded and an apology has been offered.
The Building Support Officers monitor this car park throughout the day and issue notices to offenders, this will continue in the future. Can I also encourage Members to sign in when visiting so that illegal parking can be monitored.
QUESTION 2
From Councillor S Hogben
Crewe Heritage Centre
The Council is planning to grant a 125 year lease on the Crewe Heritage Centre site for a peppercorn rent. This effectively gives away an asset valued at £1m.
Could we have an assurance that there will be adequate safeguards within the lease agreement that
1) the site will be used for the benefit of the people of Crewe and that the site will be subject always to the objective that it shall be used for railway heritage and that any other use must be ancillary to this purpose, and
2) the existing rights of the Crewe Heritage Centre Trust will be fully protected, and
3) the new lease holders shall be prevented from extracting profits derived from the rent free site by paying high salaries, management charges or by raising loans secured on the lease?
Response from Cllr Macrae
Following on from the Notice of Motion of 13/10/ 11, I would respectfully remind Councillor Hogben that the matter ... view the full minutes text for item 63