Issue - meetings

A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. Notice of questions need not be given in advance of the meeting. Questions must relate to the powers, duties or responsibilities of the Cabinet. Questions put to Cabinet Members must relate to their portfolio responsibilities.

The Leader will determine how Cabinet question time should be allocated where there are a number of Members wishing to ask questions. Where a question relates to a matter which appears on the agenda, the Leader may allow the question to be asked at the beginning of consideration of that item.

Councillor K Edwards asked what had been done to address criticisms of the Council by an Ofsted report into the care of children. The Leader responded that the Council had accepted the criticisms and was taken positive steps to address any weaknesses in procedures. The Children and Family Services Portfolio Holder added that the Council was working closely with its partners to address any issues and would be circulating a newsletter detailing how it had responded to the Ofsted report.

Councillor K Edwards referred to a recent case involving a family and their cared for son in which the Council had not acted on the instructions of Local Government Ombudsman. He asked what would be done to prevent a recurrence of this. The Leader responded that this related to a failure of mediation involving the individual concerned and his family but had no direct implications for the individual’s care.

Councillor K Edwards asked the Finance Portfolio Holder if he would meet him to discuss the method by which the Council had disposed of the Priors Hill Children’s Home. The Finance Portfolio Holder agreed to discuss the matter with Councillor Edwards.

Councillor A Moran asked when would members know who would be the directors of the new arms-length companies, what scrutiny arrangements would be put in place to monitor the performance of the companies and why streetscape had been included in the Environmental Services delivery model and not offered to town councils as a devolved function. The Leader responded that the Council was in the process of identifying directors for the companies, that the new companies would be placed under strong scrutiny, with a range of proposals coming forward, and that he was not convinced that the devolution of streetscape services to town councils could be achieved at no cost to Cheshire East Council. The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder added that the original intention had been to hand over streetscape services to Ringway Jacobs but that following meetings with the staff and unions he was convinced that a better service would be provided if the service were retained in-house.

Councillor J Jackson referred to the future purchase of domiciliary care services and asked if the Council intended to enter into agreements with providers who operated zero hours contracts or provided care in as little as 15 minute slots. The Leader responded that the Council would not support 15 minute slots but that zero hours contracts were often the choice of the individual although the Council would not impose such contracts. The Health and Adult Care Portfolio Holder added that the new framework would enable the Council to ensure that quality care was provided efficiently.

Councillor W Livesley asked if the Council would be working closely with Macclesfield Town Football Club now that it had become a Community Interest Club. The Leader responded that he commended the Club for what it was doing and looked forward to continuing to work with the Club in the future.