Issue - meetings

A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. A maximum period of two minutes will be allowed for each member wishing to ask a question.  The Leader will have discretion to vary this requirement where he considers it appropriate.  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.

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 J Clowes sought further details about proposals to plant 6,000 trees across the Borough during the planting season ending in March 2020, including the source of funding and whether any further tree planting was planned beyond the current planting season. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration gave details of the locations concerned and indicated that he would be bringing forward proposals for further planting in the autumn, including hedgerows. The proposals were fully funded from the Council’s resources although residents and businesses were being encouraged to take similar action.

Councillor L Wardlaw referred to damage done to member relationships by the Administration not supporting the Conservative nominee for Mayor. The Leader referred to previous Deputy Mayors who had stood down from their political positions. The Deputy Leader referred to a statement he had made at Council which he said had been factual, balanced and measured.

Councillor J Saunders expressed concern that the Brighter Future Programme meeting had been cancelled at short notice without explanation. The Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Corporate Services apologised for the urgent cancellation.

Councillor T Dean referred to a report on the agenda concerning safer roads and asked how the roads submitted for funding bids had been selected. The Deputy Leader replied that the roads had been selected by the Department for Transport in conjunction with the Road Safety Foundation with the aim of prioritising accident hot spots.

Councillor S Hogben referred to the fact that there were no Council representatives on the boards of the Guinness Partnership or Plus Dane and asked how housing associations could be held to account. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration replied that local authority representation on the boards of social housing providers had been reduced in recent years. He added that it would be for the relevant overview and scrutiny committee to decide whether to consider the issue of accountability.

Councillor J Parry sought clarification of the Council’s advice to events organisers on the holding of large scale events in the light of coronavirus. The Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Corporate Services replied that there were currently no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Cheshire East and that the Council was working closely with its partners and stakeholders. The UK currently remained in the containment phase and the Council would update its emergency plan and guidance as necessary.