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 R Bailey referred to Notice of Motion to Council on climate change and asked if the environment strategy was still scheduled to come to the July Cabinet meeting. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration replied that work on the strategy was in progress and that it would be coming to Cabinet in September.

Councillor A Moran referred to an illegal encampment on the Barony, Nantwich and asked if the Everybody Leisure investment for the Barony would include fencing to prevent future occurrences. He also asked if the Council would look at providing a permanent transit site for travellers. The Portfolio Holder for Communities replied that it was his intention to work with the officers to provide solutions to address illegal encampments and to provide a permanent transit site.

Councillor S Akers Smith asked about the possibility of providing a cycle route alongside the HS2 railway line. The Deputy Leader replied that the Council could put the question to HS2 Ltd but it was not in the gift of the Council to determine the matter.

Councillor R Vernon referred to the Parkside cricket pitch which was used and maintained by Macclesfield Cricket Club but not owned by the Club. There had been discussions in the past between the Club, the landowner and the Council aimed at transferring ownership of the site to the Club but these had been inconclusive. The ownership issue was preventing the Club from making improvements to the site. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration undertook to look into the matter and provide a written response.

Councillor J Parry asked when work would start on the Middlewich Eastern Bypass. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste replied that based on programmes developed with Balfour Beatty, the main construction works were expected to start in January 2021 with the bypass open to traffic by October 2023. All dates remained subject to review until the Council had received final confirmation of Government funding for the scheme, which was expected at the end of 2020. The Portfolio Holder saw no reason why a quarterly project bulletin should not be made available to help local people keep abreast of the work programme.

Councillor Parry also asked, on behalf of Councillor S Brookfield, if the Council would consider making the Thomas Street Car Park in Crewe free of charge for users. The charges had presented a problem for local residents, workers and businesses in the town centre. At the request of the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste, the Executive Director of Place replied that he was looking at the matter following representations from Councillor Brookfield and would be advising the Portfolio Holder on an appropriate way forward.

Councillor A Critchley referred to the lack of a permanent transit site in the Borough which was letting down both travellers and local residents. The Portfolio Holder for Communities replied that he had made this a priority and was working with officers to address the issue.

Councillor P Williams referred to a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3