Issue - meetings

To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader.

The Leader of the Council:-

1.     Congratulated the Mayor on her fantastic achievement with her sponsored slim.

2.     Welcomed two new officers to the Council; namely Frank Jordan, Executive Director-Place and Mark Palethorpe, Strategic Director of Adult Social Care and Health.She considered that these appointments would help towards the important cohesion work under the Caring Together programme and heralded an approach of working together.

3.     Referred to mental wellbeing in Cheshire East. She believed that this should be key to everything that the Council did and particularly in working with local communities and groups and opportunities in taking on parks and open spaces. She referred to her recent visit to South Park, Macclesfield, where she had officially opened the Action Zone sports and leisure facility, which had been established by volunteers on the tennis court site. She had also visited Queens Park in Crewe, which had been awarded the Green Flag Award. She also referred to her recent visit to Teggs Nose Country Park, where she had met an individual who obtained respite there. Cllr David Brown, Deputy Leader of the Council and Highways and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, reported that Congleton Park had also received the Green Flag Award.

4.     Referred to the success of local Olympians and Paralympians. She felt it appropriate to recognise their achievements and announced that it was proposed to arrange a special meeting of Council in December to honour them.

5.     With regard to highways issues, reported that progress was being made with the Congleton Link Road and that the public consultation had commenced in respect of the proposed Middlewich bypass.

6.     Reported that the final stage of the six week Local Plan hearing had now been reached. She thanked all those who had been involved in the process.

7.     Announced that she proposed to set up a cross-party working group to explore what the aspirations were for Cheshire East in terms of devolution. She considered that large scale infrastructure projects would be key, together with public transport, skills and health services. There would also need to be discussion around a joined-up approach to higher and further education.

8.     Stated that she was aware that the Council would need to decide how to appoint external auditors in the future.  There was a national scheme to be operated by the Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd (PSAA), who already administered the current audit contracts.  The decision to opt into the national scheme required approval by full Council, but would be considered by the Audit and Governance Committee in the first instance.

9.     Reported that the Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder had submitted the Council’s financial forecasts to the Department of Communities and Local Government on the previous Friday.

10.Referred to the recent Tour of Britain Cycle race, where Cheshire East had been showcased via national television and through visitors to the area. She also referred to the positive feedback which had been received from local businesses. Cllr David Brown, Deputy Leader of the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50