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, in relation to the government money for business rate relief, if the Council would follow the example of Cheshire West and Chester Council by setting up a scheme to direct the money towards small and local businesses.

Councillor P Bates responded that this had been discussed and proposals for a scheme were being put together.

Councillor M Deakin spoke in relation to the installation of a shared space scheme in Alsgaer and referred to consultation on social media in which objections had been raised.  He asked that Cabinet support him in objecting to the shared space scheme and in pursing an alternative traffic management strategy that was safer for the residents of Alsager.

Councillor J Clowes responded that she was aware of concerns about shared space schemes in general and would want to know more detail.   Councillor D Brown referred to a report by a House of Lords special committee, which had recommended that shared space schemes should not be used any more.  Cllr P Bates referred to a hybrid system in Congleton which was acceptable to all users.