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 where the local plan policies dealt specifically with the issues of linking green belt to strengthen communities and the use of CIL and S106 agreements to strengthen community infrastructure. The Deputy Leader of the Council responded that both issues were dealt with on page 161 of the Council papers and page 91 of the Local Plan. Councillor L Gilbert, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Regulatory Services, added that, independently of the Local Plan, the Council had an energetic localism agenda and would be bringing forward a range of proposals for strengthening local communities.

Councillor D Brickhill referred to the poor quality of the food provided at the last Council meeting compared to that provided at a recent ASPIRE event at Crewe Hall. He also expressed concern that the food had been left out all day, which had implications for health and hygiene. The Leader acknowledged the concerns and gave an assurance that the catering arrangements for Council meetings would be reviewed.

Councillor W Livesley sought assurances that the Council would give no further financial support to Macclesfield Town Football Club in the event that the Club decided not to become a community interest company, as appeared to be the case. The Leader responded that the Council had saved the Club and he was disappointed with the Club’s decision. The Council would continue to support sport throughout the Borough, but would not use its financial resources or its assets to support private sports clubs.

Councillor Livesley also referred to the problems schools in the Bollington area were having with their banking arrangements following the Council’s recent change of Bank from the Co-op to Barclays. The Finance Portfolio Holder invited Councillor Livesley to discuss the matter with him after the meeting.