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 S Corcoran asked if the Council intended to take legal action against one of its members regarding an alleged breach of the Member Code of Conduct. The Leader replied that in his opinion it would not be a good use of taxpayers’ money but that the matter would be for officers to determine.

Councillor W Livesley asked about allegations reported by the BBC regarding the improper use of the Leader’s private Twitter account. The Leader was concerned that the matter was more of a political game and he felt that the focus should be on policies and achievements rather than personalities with this new form of media.

Councillor B Murphy, referring to comments made in public recently by another member about an officer, questioned whether it was appropriate to target officers in this way rather than those with political responsibility.

Councillor Murphy also asked about the waiting times for accident and emergency services in Cheshire East, a matter he had also raised at a recent overview and scrutiny committee meeting. The Leader replied that hospital waiting times and doctors’ appointments were an important issue but not one for which the Council was directly responsible.

Councillor I Faseyi asked for assurances that new residents to Crewe Central would be registered for voting in time for the forthcoming elections. The Leader replied that the Council would ensure that as many new residents as possible across the Borough would be registered.

Councillor S Wilkinson asked about progress with the preferred route for HS2. The Leader replied that he was still waiting for confirmation from the Secretary of State that the Northern Hub would be at Crewe. He stressed that efforts would be made to minimise the impact of residents affected by the route.

Councillor K Edwards asked the Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding Children and Adults about progress with the assessment of youngsters with special educational needs. Councillor Rachel Bailey referred to the reply she had given at the previous meeting and at a recent overview and scrutiny committee meeting.

Councillor Bailey took the opportunity to again highlight recent news that Cheshire East Council was one of the top three schools authorities in the country, with 93.6% of schools being rated as good or outstanding.