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 D Flude referred to the health implications of people spitting in the street and asked how many offenders had been prosecuted. She also asked if the Council had criteria which it used consistently when assessing children requiring special educational needs. The Leader undertook to provide written replies to the questions.

Councillor S Corcoran asked what contingencies the Council had in place in case the Local Plan was not ready in time. The Leader responded that there were a number of contingencies including neighbourhood plans.

Councillor D Bailey paid homage to the service provided at Lincoln House, and he thanked the staff there for the care a family member of his had received. In this respect, he regretted the proposal to provide respite services elsewhere in the independent sector. The Leader responded that the Council had to take tough decisions in tough times and that local authorities across the north-west were doing the same, many having taken these decisions some time ago.

Councillor B Dooley asked whether, if Hollins View remained open, Council tax would have to increase. Councillor Clowes responded that if the Council did not start providing social care and health care in different ways the situation would become unsustainable.