Questions to Cabinet Members
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.
Minutes:
Councillor G Baxendale, as Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee, asked that the Leader request the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee to undertake a complete overview of the air quality management within the authority. The Leader undertook to raise the matter with the Committee’s Chairman at the earliest opportunity.
Councillor D Flude asked if the Council had enough out of hours social work cover for people under 18. The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families undertook to look into the matter and provide a written response.
Councillor J Jackson asked what action was being taken to identify the person or persons responsible for the deliberate manipulation of air quality figures. She also asked what assurances could be given that this would not happen again. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning gave an assurance that as a result of action now taken, the manipulation of air quality data could not be replicated. The Leader and the Acting Chief Executive added that any similar issues arising in the future would be investigated in a transparent way.
Councillor M Grant asked about undertakings given to the Berkeley Academy in relation to parking and sought assurances that this would not happen again. The Leader responded that this would be addressed when considering the agenda item later in the meeting.
Councillor M Deakin commented that from September, residents of Alsager would not be able to take a bus direct to Leighton Hospital in Crewe, owing to the withdrawal of D&G’s commercial services. He asked what the scope was for TSS getting another tender in place and could the Portfolio Holder confirm when this service would be up for tender. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Infrastructure undertook to provide a written response.
Councillor R Menlove referred to his inability to find any information on the media hub in relation to complaints against the Council to the Ombudsman, particularly in relation to planning matters, and the outcome of those complaints. He asked to be directed to the relevant part of the Council’s website. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning referred to a press statement issued on 11th August concerning a number of complaints against the Council in relation to planning matters, only one of which had been upheld.
Councillor I Faseyi referred to the number of HMO applications for Crewe town centre and asked what could be done to address this. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning responded that members concerned about such applications could call them in for consideration by the Southern Planning Committee. The Leader added that a piece of work on the matter was being undertaken. She undertook that a written response would be provided, drawing together the planning and other aspects.
Councillor N Mannion referred to a decision taken at the Council meeting on 27th July to approve £2.4M for the completion of the ANSA Environmental Hub in Middlewich. There had been an indication given to Council during that meeting by the Portfolio Holder for ... view the full minutes text for item 31