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 A Moran referred to three recent incursions by travellers onto the Barony Park, Nantwich, all of which had been dealt with differently. He referred to the anti-social behaviour that had resulted and asked that urgent action be taken to resolve the matter.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities reiterated the comments he had made on the matter during public speaking.

Councillor P Groves welcomed the Council’s commitment to providing a transit site somewhere in the Borough but expressed disappointment that there had been local opposition to a transit site at Cledford.

The Leader replied that he was committed to consultation on the provision of a transit site and would await the outcome of that consultation. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration added that any planning proposals for a transit site would be dealt with by the appropriate planning committee.

Councillor J Saunders referred to the recent flooding in Poynton which had affected approximately 100 homes and she praised the emergency services and local town council staff and members for their work in addressing the problem. She asked if the Clerk to Poynton Town Council could attend the forthcoming multi-agency debriefing.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities agreed to the request. (Note: later in the meeting, the Portfolio Holder agreed to a similar request by Councillor J Nicholas in respect of the Clerk to Bollington Town Council.)

Councillor M Beanland also referred to the flooding in Poynton and expressed concern about communication problems with the Cheshire East Emergency Planning Team and a delay in their responding.

The Leader undertook to provide a written reply.

Councillor T Dean referred to a proposal in the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document for a site for travelling showmen in the centre of Knutsford. He felt that it was important to give priority to existing local businesses and to find an alternative site.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration undertook to meet Councillor Dean in the next few days to discuss the matter.

Councillor J Parry circulated information regarding Cledford Hall Farm, Middlewich which had been identified in the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document as a possible transit site. He felt that there were numerous planning reasons why this site was unsuitable for this purpose and he urged the Council to undertake a thorough review of the process involved and a re-evaluation of all sites identified for a transit site, with all local councillors being kept informed and allowed to provide input.  He also asked if a sustainable urban drainage report had been produced for the Cledford Lane site and, if so, whether he could receive a copy.

The Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Planning urged Councillor Parry to ensure that representations were made in response to the consultation on the SADPD document.

Councillor Parry also asked, on behalf of Councillor S Brookfield who was unable to attend the meeting, if the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families had any concerns about the number of planning applications for children’s homes in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31