Issue - meetings

The following Notice of Motion was withdrawn by the proposer:-

1.       Deputy Leader

Proposed by Cllr Sam Corcoran

This Council notes that Cllr David Brown has stepped down from his Cabinet responsibilities.

This Council also notes that Cllr David Brown currently remains as Deputy Leader of the Council and will therefore be leading the Council and representing the Council at times when the Leader is unavailable.

This Council calls on Cllr David Brown, in order to protect the reputation of the Council, to step away completely from all of his current posts, as Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and on outside bodies, while the awarding of £70,000 to the Berkeley Academy for a new car park is investigated by Cheshire Constabulary.

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motion, which had been submitted to Council in accordance with Procedure Rule 12:-

2.       A Cabinet of Unity to rescue the reputation of Cheshire East Council

Proposed by Cllr Nick Mannion and seconded by Cllr Craig Browne

There are currently no less than FOUR police investigations into conduct and activities by officers and/or elected members at Cheshire East Council.

There are also several senior officers either suspended or away from their jobs on extended leave of absence.

Finally, there are persistent concerns over the culture at Cheshire East Council, and that the Council has been aware that it was in breach of the regulations governing the payment of the National Minimum Wage to staff for several years.

As a consequence, the reputation of the Council is under almost daily attack, and is a cause of great concern to many residents and businesses in the Borough.

Therefore, it is proposed that:

1. For a period not exceeding one year, a new cabinet, whose membership is drawn from across the political complexion of the Council be appointed. Membership being closed to anyone touched by any of the current police or internal investigations.

2. Appointment to the new Cabinet should be on the basis of relevant skills and a willingness to work across the political divide in the spirit of rebuilding the image, repute and performance of Cheshire East Council.

3. As soon as possible, and within three months, an interim report on the investigation of the culture at Cheshire East Council be published, with a final report along with any recommendations for changes to the Council’s organisation, governance and culture be published for consideration at Annual Council in May 2018.

RESOLVED

That the motion be not accepted.

3.       The Sun Newspaper

Proposed by Councillor J Bratherton and seconded by Cllr D Bailey

On 15th April 1989, a disaster at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield led, ultimately, to the death of 96 innocent fans who had left home that morning to watch a football match.

Due to crowd control mis-management those fans, whose ages ranged from 10 to 67 years of age, had the life crushed out of them. Contrary to the facts, The Sun published a front page story with the banner headline "The Truth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39