Agenda and minutes

Council 26 Feb 2025 - Start of Meeting until Item 7 MTFS commencement of recorded vote

Council 26 Feb 2025 - Item 7 MTFS recorded vote to Item 20 Questions

Council 26 Feb 2025 - Item 20 to end of meeting

Apologies were received from Councillors P Coan, A Farrall and M Simon.

Councillor P Redstone arrived at the meeting during Item 6 – Leader’s and Deputy Leader’s Announcements.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests in any item on the agenda.

In relation to Item 16 – Swimming Pool Support Fund Grant, Councillor L Buchanan declared a pecuniary interest as she was an employee of Everybody Health and Leisure and stated that she would leave the Chamber during consideration of this item.

In relation to Item 10 – Supporting Effective Engagement: Cheshire and Warrington Devolution, Councillor S Gardiner stated that he was a named person in the report as he was the deputy leader of the Conservative Group, and the membership of the Members Reference Group was being approved at the meeting.

In relation to Item 16 – Swimming Pool Support Fund Grant, Councillor B Wye declared a pecuniary interest as he was an employee of Everybody Health and Leisure and stated that he would leave the Chamber during consideration of this item.

In relation to Item 16 – Swimming Pool Support Fund Grant, Councillor A Kolker declared that he was a trustee of the Everybody Health and Leisure and stated that he would leave the Chamber during consideration of this item.

In relation to Item 16 – Swimming Pool Support Fund Grant, Councillor L Anderson declared that she was a trustee of the Everybody Health and Leisure and stated that she would leave the Chamber during consideration of this item.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 11 December 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The Mayor announced the passing of Honorary Alderman Ray Stafford and Honorary Alderman Margaret Martin and invited all present to stand in a minute’s silence in remembrance.

In accordance the Council Procedural Rules, a total period of 30 minutes is allocated for members of the public to speak at Council meetings. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 2 minutes, but the Chair will have discretion to vary this requirement where they consider it appropriate. 

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting and should include the question with that notice.  Questions should be submitted to: katie.small@cheshireeast.gov.uk or brian.reed@cheshireeast.gov.uk.

Petitions - To receive any petitions which have met the criteria - Petitions Scheme Criteria, and falls within the remit of the Committee. Petition organisers will be allowed up to three minutes to speak.

Mr R Slater referred to the decision to remove cash payments from the majority of car parks in Macclesfield and asked what research had been undertaken to assess the potential damage to retail businesses in Macclesfield as shoppers may be opting to shop out of town or on-line.  He asked what the reduction in car park revenue was since cashless payments had been introduced and stated that the more vulnerable were more likely to fall victim to theft or scam or have their phones or cards stolen at the ticket machine.  Mr Slater referred to the decision to remove the access road to Whalley Hayes Car Park and the car park entrance ramp from the gritting route, which had led to parking difficulties particularly during snowy conditions and asked how this decision was justified as it had directly affected shoppers, who were unable to park, and the car park likely generated a substantial amount of revenue.

In response Councillor M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated that contactless payments were popular with consumers and retailers with only 12% of transactions now in cash and this trend was likely to continue. A full Equalities Impact Assessment was undertaken to ensure no one was discriminated against or adversely effected. Anybody with a Blue Badge does have to pay to use the car parks.  Shoppers had the ability to pay by smartphone and the Ringo App, which they could do so safely in their own car.   In terms of overall revenue, payments were down across Cheshire East because of the weather affecting all car parks and people staying at home.  The Whalley Hayes Car Park revenue was £1500 a week and the severe weather may have cost only a few hundred pounds in lost charges.

Mr P Roos asked why it was continually being stated that changes to bin collections will/could go to 3 weekly.  He stated that he lived in a block of 26 flats with almost 50 people.  The flats had 4 recycle bins and 4 general waste bins and that these got full on fortnightly collections and worse still when tenants move out and new ones move in.  He stated missed bin collections were a frequent occurrence, with Fridays being the collection day and if they were missed it was not possible to report it until Monday and then if lucky a clean-up crew might come by the following Friday, and it was therefore unacceptable to even think about going from 2-week to 3-week collections.

Councillor M Warren, Chair of the Environment and Communities Committee, responded that the Environment and Communities Committee had approved the move from two to three weekly residual waste (black bin) collections at its meeting in November 2024. This change would be implemented in parallel with the introduction of weekly food waste collections, which are mandated by legislation to be offered to all households from April 2026. Cllr Warren stated that as part of the same proposal residents would see an increased level of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader and Deputy Leader.

The Leader, in summary:

1               thanked those who had shared their experiences with domestic violence and committed to improving services for victims and their families.

2               announced that Councillor Anthony Harrison had been appointed as the Armed Forces Member Champion.

3               reported that Councillor Anna Burton had been a finalist for the National Association of Local Councillors’ Staff Award, which was a notable achievement for a newly elected councillor.

4               reported that the Council continued to make good progress with the Transformation Programme.

5               reported that key senior management appointments had been made with the appointment of the Executive Director of Resources (s151) being on the agenda for the meeting.

6               reported that the Assurance Panel was providing ongoing oversight on the recommendations from the Peer Challenge and that regular meetings were held between council leaders and LGA colleagues.   Out of the 73 recommendations, 35 were now completed with further formal feedback due in coming weeks.

7               reported that the Ofsted monitoring visit on the Children’s Services was underway with the Inspectors monitoring and reporting on progress since the inspection. They would also check that performance in other areas had not declined since the inspection.

8               reported that projected supported by the Future High Street Fund and Towns Fund were due to be completed soon. Work was progressing well with the Cheshire Family History Centre on the old library site in Crewe and the refurbishment of Macclesfield Indoor Market was expected to be completed by mid-2025.

9               reported that the Government was progressing devolution across England and that Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Council had successfully submitted an expression of interest for a new strategic authority and, if approved, would see the election for a Mayor in May 2026.

10           encouraged all councillors to actively involve their communities in the devolution consultation process.

The Deputy Leader, in summary:

1               reported that a recent LGA survey found that 80% of councillors nationally had experienced harassment or abuse, including face-to-face, by mail, or online.  A Member Reference Group had been set up which had commissioned a survey to gather details of harassment and abuse suffered by Cheshire East Council Members and the results would be used to help develop support policies.  He encouraged all councillors to complete the survey.

2               reported that the Council in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions JobCentre Plus team would be hosting a jobs fair on 27 February 2025 in the Crewe Market Hall.

3               reported that the Council had launched a consultation on the Local Transport Plan, which was open for responses until 21 April 2025.

4               stated that from 31 March 2025 there would be an hourly service on bus routes 391/392 between Poynton and Stockport, and the reintroduced 71/72/73 Nantwich rural services would provide Nantwich, Wrenbury and Audlem with a direct bus connection to Leighton Hospital.

5               reported that he and the Leader had met with the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust to discuss the £1.2  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

To consider the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee.

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 6 February 2025, had considered a report on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for Cheshire East Council for 2025-2029.

The Corporate Policy Committee had recommended to Council the recommendations set out on page 23 and 24 of the agenda pack.

It was reported that the table in paragraph 2.4 on page 91 of the agenda pack and the revenue budget summary table on page 136 of the agenda pack had been revised and circulated to Members.

Following debate, the recommendations were put to the vote, and in accordance with legislation, a recorded vote was carried out with the following results:

FOR

Councillors L Anderson, S Bennett-Wake, J Bird, L Braithwaite, J Bratherton, M Brooks, C Browne, L Buchanan, C Bulman, A Burton, C Chapman, D Clark, A Coiley, N Cook, S Corcoran, L Crane, B Drake, D Edwardes, K Edwards, M Edwards, H Faddes, E Gilman, M Goldsmith, M Gorman, C Hilliard, M Houston, D Jefferay, N Mannion, G Marshall, A Moran, R Moreton, J Place, J Priest, B Puddicombe, J Rhodes, H Seddon, G Smith, J Snowball, R Vernon, M Warren, F Wilson and B Wye.

AGAINST

Councillors S Adams, R Bailey, M Beanland, D Brown, R Chadwick, J Clowes, T Dean, S Edgar, R Fletcher, A Gage, S Gardiner, K Hague, E Hall, A Harrison,G Hayes,A Heler, S Holland, T Jackson, R Kain, A Kolker, R Morris, H Moss, M Muldoon,C O’Leary, J Pearson, B Posnett, J Pratt, P Redstone, J Saunders, M Sewart, L Smetham, John Smith, Julie Smith, L Smith, L Wardlaw, H Whitaker and J Wray.

The motion was declared carried with 42 votes for, 37 against and 0 not voting.

RESOLVED: That Council:

1.             note the report of the Council’s Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer), contained within the Medium-Term Financial Strategy report, regarding the robustness of estimates and level of reserves held by the Council based on these budget proposals (as set out in Appendix A to the report, Section 2, Section 25 Statement).

2.             approve the Revenue estimates for the 2025/26 budget (as set out in Appendix A to the report, Section 2, Overview) and the medium-term Capital Programme estimates 2025-2029, as detailed in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy report 2025-2029 (as set out in Appendix A to the report, Section 2, Capital budget).

3.             approve the setting of Band D Council Tax of £1,882.04 representing an increase of 4.99%. This is below the referendum limit (including 2% ringfenced for Adult Social Care) and arises from the provisional finance settlement (as set out in Appendix A to the report, Section 1, Key Funding Assumptions).

4.             approve the utilisation of up to £25.3m conditional Exceptional Financial Support (Capitalisation Direction) via borrowing to balance the 2025/26 budget shortfall (as reflected in Appendix A to the report, Section 2, Balancing the Budget) and to delegate to the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) to review the basis of funding through the 2025/26 year and report to the appropriate committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

To set the Council Tax for Cheshire East for the financial year 2025/26.

Consideration was given to a report relating to the setting of the Council Tax for 2025/26

As a billing authority Cheshire East Council was responsible for the billing and collection of Council Tax from local taxpayers and must, therefore, make a resolution to set the overall Council Tax level.  This meant the Authority also collected Council Tax income to cover not only its own services but also precepts set by other authorities.

The Council Tax levied was therefore made up of four elements:-

• Cheshire East Borough Council
• Town & Parish Council precepts
• Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire precept
• Cheshire Fire Authority precept.

The motion in respect of the setting of the Council Tax was proposed and seconded. Following debate, in accordance with legislation a recorded vote was carried out in respect to this item, with the following results: -

FOR

Councillors L Anderson, S Bennett-Wake, J Bird, L Braithwaite, J Bratherton, M Brooks, C Browne, L Buchanan, C Bulman, A Burton, C Chapman, D Clark, A Coiley, N Cook, S Corcoran, L Crane, B Drake, D Edwardes, K Edwards, M Edwards, H Faddes, E Gilman, M Goldsmith, M Gorman, C Hilliard, M Houston, D Jefferay, N Mannion, G Marshall, A Moran, R Moreton, J Place, J Priest, B Puddicombe, J Rhodes, H Seddon, G Smith, J Snowball, R Vernon, M Warren, F Wilson and B Wye.

AGAINST

Councillors S Adams, R Bailey, M Beanland, D Brown, R Chadwick, J Clowes, T Dean, S Edgar, A Gage, S Gardiner, K Hague, E Hall, A Harrison, G Hayes,A Heler, S Holland, T Jackson, R Kain, A Kolker, R Morris, H Moss, M Muldoon,C O’Leary, J Pearson, B Posnett, J Pratt, P Redstone, J Saunders, M Sewart, L Smetham, John Smith, Julie Smith, L Smith, L Wardlaw, H Whitaker and J Wray.

NOT VOTEING

Councillor R Fletcher

The motion was declared carried with 42 votes for, 36 against and 1 not voting.

RESOLVED:  That Council

1        approves a Council Tax for Cheshire East Council for the financial year 2025/26, at £307,263,921 in accordance with the formal resolutions as set out in paragraphs 20-24 of the report, as follows:

Formal Resolution

1               That it be noted that on 11 December 2024 the Council calculated the Council Tax base 2025/26.

(a)    for the whole Council area as 163,261.10 (item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)).

(b)    for individual parishes, as in Appendix A.

2               Calculated that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2025/26 (excluding Parish precepts) is £307,263,921.

3               That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2025/26 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

a.  £895,825,778      being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.

b.  £575,740,023      being the aggregate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

To consider the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee on 6 February 2025 in relation to the Cheshire East Corporate Plan 2025-2029.

RESOLVED: 

That Council approve the Cheshire East Plan 2025-29, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

To consider the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee on 6 February 2025 in relation to Supporting Effective Engagement: Cheshire and Warrington Devolution.

It was reported that there was an error in the Cheshire and Warrington Committee Terms of Reference, on page 349 of the agenda pack, and that in paragraph 5 the period for CEC should read with track change “CEC (until May 20278)”.

RESOLVED:  That Council

1               approve the expansion of the membership of Member Reference Group to include the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group. This will increase its membership to seven.

2               approve the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group to attend as a substitute to the Member Reference Group, in the event that the Leader of the Group cannot.

3               the Member Reference Group continues to provide guidance and advice towards identifying a devolution proposal for Cheshire and Warrington, enabling officers to further progress opportunities and discussions with government officials.

4               delegate authority to the Member Reference Group to make any further amendments its membership, such amendments to be approved by a majority of the members of the Member Reference Group.      

5               The Terms of Reference for the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee be amended to extend the rotation of the current Chair (Cheshire West and Chester Council) for a further 12 months to May 2026 and amend accordingly the dates for the following rotations by the same period, including the Vice Chair, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

To consider the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee in respect of the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26.

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 6 February 2025, had considered the draft Pay Policy Statement and resolved that Council be recommended to approve the Pay Policy Statement 2025/26 and that any in-year changes be approved by the Monitoring Officer and published accordingly.

RESOLVED:  That

1               the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 be approved; and

2               any in-year changes be approved by the Monitoring Officer and published accordingly.

To consider the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations from the Corporate Policy Committee on 6 February 2025 in relation to the Calendar of Meetings for the municipal year 2025/26.

RESOLVED:  That Council agrees

1               the approval of the Calendar of Meeting for Cheshire East Council for the municipal year 2025-26 and notes the draft Calendar for June to October 2026.

2               that the start times for morning meetings, excluding full Council, be 10.30 am.

3               that each committee determine whether their committee meetings during the 2025-26 municipal year should include twilight meetings, which should start no earlier than 5.30 pm.

To consider the recommendations from the Finance Sub Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Finance Sub Committee on 9 January 2025 in relation to the Supplementary Revenue Estimates for the allocation of additional grant funding over £1m, as set out in Annex 1, Section 3, Tables 1 to the report.

RESOLVED: That Council approve the following Supplementary Revenue Estimates for the allocation of additional grant funding:

1               Children and Families –

Dedicated Schools Grant                        £1,089,000

2               Economy and Growth –

Enterprise Cheshire Warrington              £1,717,000

     Skills Bootcamp

To consider the recommendation of the Appointments Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendation of the Appointments Committee held on 13 February 2025 in relation to the appointment of the Executive Director Resources (s151).

RESOLVED:  That Council

1               approve the recommendation of the Appointments Committee that
Ashely Hughes be appointed as Cheshire East Council’s Executive Director Resources (s151) as the Chief Finance Officer at an annual salary of £142,951 (CX3) at a date to be confirmed.

2        note that the Appointments Committee has decided not to proceed with the appointment to the role of Governance, Compliance and Monitoring Officer.

To receive the Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report 2023-24.

Cllr Michael Beanland, Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, presented the Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report 2023/24 to Council.

The report provided details of the work undertaken by the Committee and the assurances received during that year.

The Annual Report was received and noted.

To approve the Supplement Capital Estimate relating to the Sports England Swimming Pool Fund Grant.

Having previously declared an interest Councillors L Anderson, L Buchanan, A Kolker and B Wye left the meeting during consideration of this item.

Consideration was given to the report requesting the acceptance of a capital grant from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund to fund energy efficiency measures across three leisure centres within Cheshire East.

RESOLVED:  That Council

1               accept a capital grant of £625,933 from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund – Phase 2 to fund energy efficiency investments at Crewe Lifestyle Centre, Macclesfield Leisure Centre and Bollington Leisure Centre.

2               approve supplementary capital estimates of £365,235 to Crewe Lifestyle Centre SPSF and £209,961 to Macclesfield Leisure Centre SPSF.

3        note that a supplementary capital estimate for Bollington Leisure Centre was approved in November 2024 and noted by the Environment and Communities Committee in January 2024.

To approve the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme Delivery proposal for 2025/26.

Consideration was given to the report requesting the acceptance of a grant for the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme Delivery for 2025/26.

The Council had been allocated £908,330 of HAF funding. As £900,000 was included in the MTFS 2025/26 budget, Council was being asked to approve a supplementary revenue estimate of £8,330.

The Mayor proposed and it was agreed that recommendation 1 be amended to commence with “To accept the grant and …”.

RESOLVED:  That Council

1               accept the grant and approve the supplementary revenue estimate of £8,330, which is above the estimated value of £900,000 in the 2025/26 budget.

2               approve the extension of the delivery model of Holiday Activity and Food for a further year in line with the proposals set out in the report.

3        delegate authority to the Executive Director Children Services to incur expenditure in line with the grant conditions.

To consider making a nomination for Mayor for 2025/26, who will also act as Chair of the Council, and a nomination for Deputy Mayor for 2025/26

Consideration was given to the nominations for the office of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2025/26.

Mayor for 2025/26

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor David Edwardes should become Mayor Elect for 2025/26.

Councillor Edwardes declared an interest in respect of this item and left the Chamber during its consideration.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor David Edwardes be designated as the Mayor Elect with a view to their formal election and appointment as Mayor for Cheshire East for 2025/26, at the Mayor Making ceremony to be held on 14 May 2025.

Councillor Edwardes returned to the meeting.

Deputy Mayor for 2025/26

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Judy Snowball be designated as Deputy Mayor Elect.

Councillor Snowball declared an interest in respect of this item and left the Chamber during its consideration.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Judy Snowball be designated as the Deputy Mayor Elect, with a view to their formal election and appointment as Deputy Mayor for Cheshire East for 2025/26, at the Mayor Making ceremony to be held on 14 May 2025.

Councillors Snowball returned to the meeting.

To consider any Notices of Motion that have been received in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules.

Consideration was given to the following Notice of Motion which had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s Procedural Rules.

Motion 1      From Exceptional Weather Events to Securing Telecare Services: Meeting the Challenges presented by the Analogue to Digital Upgrade by 2027

Proposed by Councillor J Clowes and Seconded by Councillor A Kolker

“At December’s Full Council Meeting, a question was raised regarding the loss of power and digital communications for significant periods during Storm Darragh on the 6th – 9th December 2024.

Whilst many areas experienced power outages, they were most extreme in more rural and remote areas of the borough.

It highlighted that analogue landlines that had already been converted to digital systems failed as soon as the power failed. Mobile phone batteries failed a short time into the power outages which in some cases lasted 2 – 3 days.

These areas are also more vulnerable to intermittent power outages caused by aging and vulnerable power infrastructure, by digital “black spots”, poor reception and slower broadband speeds.

Nonetheless, the national digital upgrade continues apace and is due to be completed during 2027.

Whilst the Council Leader and Chairs of relevant committees acknowledged these problems at the December Council Meeting and identified potential strategies to address them, a more formal, multi-agency approach is urgently required, to bring these forward in the limited time-frame available.

 The Government has now recognised this issue in relation to telecare services. “…old landlines are still vital lifelines for very many people, including users of telecare, and it is crucial that we take people through the digital phone switchover safely. Upwards of 2 million people in the UK use telecare - the most common example being personal alarm pendants or buttons that many of us have seen family members use - and most of these telecare devices have historically relied on the analogue landline network”.

“Telecare users have been identified as being at risk during the digital phone switchover, with past serious incidents underscoring the importance of safeguarding these individuals”. (DHSC: 11.02.2025)

Working collaboratively and closely with stakeholders from across the telecommunications and adult social care sectors, a new Telecare National Action Plan was launched on 11th February 2025.

“Helping people to stay independent in their own homes, joining up services and improving the quality of care is essential to the future of Social Care. Technology enabled care (TEC) plays an important part in achieving this. The action plan sets out our vision for how to transition telecare provision into a modern, digital and resilient part of adult social care. The migration to digital telephone networks will lay the foundations for a next generation of telecare services so that care is personalised and preventative. “(DHSC: 11.02.2025)

This approach is not just a national requirement but is a necessity for Cheshire East Council, if it is to take control of social care expenditure and bring spiralling care costs under control.

It is therefore proposed that this Council moves:

1.             To implement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

In accordance the Council Procedure Rules, opportunity is provided for Members of the Council to ask the Mayor or the Chair of a Committee any question about a matter which the Council, or the Committee has powers, duties or responsibilities.

At Council meeting, there will be a maximum question time period of 30 minutes. A period of two minutes will be allowed for each Councillor wishing to ask a question.  The Mayor will have the discretion to vary this requirement where they consider it appropriate.

Cllr Arthur Moran asked if information could be provided on the grant which Cheshire East has received to plant a new woodland near Nantwich. 

Cllr Mick Warren, Chair of Environment and Communities Committee, responded that the Council had been awarded around £478,000 as part of Trees for Climate grant to plant two new woodlands near Nantwich and Cranage. This project would help the Council to beat its target to offset 37,500 tonnes of CO².

Cllr Chris Hilliard asked when the construction of the Handforth to Wilmslow Active Travel Route would commence and finish.

In response Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated that Active Travel England, who provided funding for this project, had agreed in principle to the plans for the scheme, from Handforth Train Station to Style Road in Wilmslow. The route would connect the two towns and integrate with wider cycle routes. The design would soon go out to public consultation.  Local cycling schemes and Town Councils had already been consulted and were supportive. Installation was being scheduled for the 2025 school summer holidays to limit disruption, with final works to complete in 2026.

Cllr Andrew Kolker referred to the prevalence of Bird Flu in Cheshire East and asked if the Public Health Team could issue a notice to all Councillors on what residents should do, and how to keep safe if they found a sick or dead bird.

Cllr Jill Rhodes, Chair of Adults and Health Committee, agreed to ask the Public Health Team to provide a written response.

Cllr Chris O’Leary stated that the B5470 Macclesfield Road had been closed for some time, and investigations were ongoing to identify what caused the road to collapse. In the meantime, several businesses along the road were being adversely affected as were local farmers and parents doing the school run. Cllr O’Leary sought assurance that once the Council knew what happened, that immediate action would be taken to repair and reopen the Macclesfield Road.

In response from Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated the dealing with the collapse of the road was technically complex, with 3 phases to resolving the issue - ground investigations,design and construction.  The Council was working hard to understand the causes of the failure and were currently undertaking ground investigations of the embankment and surrounding area. This would inform the design and delivery of the solution. A solution would be delivered as soon as it was practicable.  The Council had a web page dedicated to the issue, which would be updated with a programme of work as soon as a solution had been identified. 

Cllr Rod Fletcher asked if the Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee could provide information on how much income had been received from the Well Lane car park in Alsager between 2 December 2024 and 2 March 2025.

In response from Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee stated he would provide a written response after  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

To note the urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive on behalf of Council.

Council received a schedule of urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive on behalf of the Council, which were reported for information in accordance with the Council procedure rules.

RESOLVED:

That the schedule of urgent decisions be noted.