Public Speaking Time/Open Session
In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relating to the work of the body in question. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.
Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.
Minutes:
Councillor A Kolker spoke in support of the proposed right of way to link the parishes of Cranage and Holmes Chapel and of the link it would provide between two valuable areas of open space. In addition it would provide a safe route to school for the many children from Cranage who went to school in Holmes Chapel and for whom there was no such route at present as the A50 did not have a continuous footway and there was no formal crossing arrangement.
There were no questions from members of the public at this stage. The Chairman did however allow the public to speak during consideration of the matter.
Mr and Mrs P Wild, residents of Cranage, spoke in respect of their doubts that children would be able to use the proposed route as a safe walking route to school as it would be unlit and unsuitable in the winter months; of their concern that it would be for the mixed use of pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders which they did not consider mixed well together; and that progression was not evident at present with regard to the proposed playing field in Cranage, with which the proposed path was closely associated.
Mr Halstead, of Cranage Parish Council, spoke in respect of the amount of money spent by them over the last 8/9 years in order to reach the present position in relation to the playing fields.