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 Dorothy Flude asked whether the future of Carter House in Crewe was under consideration. Councillor Clowes responded that there were currently no proposals in relation to Carter House.

Councillor Sam Corcoran referred to an Ombudsman report in relation to White Moss Quarry in which the Council had been found guilty of knowingly and persistently misleading the public. He asked what had caused a second entry on the audit trail and who had instigated it. The Leader asked the Chief Executive to ensure that Councillor Corcoran was given a definitive answer by the end of the year. He also asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Jobs, Councillor Don Stockton, and the officers to ensure that for the future the process in relation to certificates of lawfulness was made more robust; he asked that Councillor Corcoran be invited to participate in reviewing the process.

Councillor Ken Edwards referred to the current arrangements whereby youngsters with special educational needs were currently being reassessed and were understandably concerned about the process even though the aim was to provide them with a better service. He asked if the Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding Children and Adults, Councillor Rachel Bailey, could ensure that the process was handled with sensitivity. Councillor Bailey in response indicated that she intended to bring an update report to the next Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Brendan Murphy referred to the Macclesfield Local Service Delivery Committee and wondered if it was ceasing to have any official role or recognition. He mentioned in particular that the Committee did not appear to have a formal role in considering the transfer of assets to the new town council. The Leader undertook to give Councillor Murphy a definitive response when he had received further legal advice on the matter.