Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor D Flude declared a non-pecuniary interest in the item on Schools Funding Formula as Vice-Chairman of the Schools Forum.

In accordance with paragraph 3.33 of the Cabinet Procedure Rules, a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the Cabinet. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Sue Helliwell asked if the Council could look into a one ticket issue for all operators of buses leaving Leighton Hospital. The Portfolio Holder for Environment responded that the prospects for a multi-operator ticket in Cheshire East had been improved considerably through Transport for the North’s smart ticketing Initiative which aimed to have smart card tickets that were acceptable on over 175 different bus companies across the north, including all the main operators in Cheshire East. These tickets were due to be rolled out to local bus services over the next two years.

Michael Unett wished to speak in relation to the report on Schools Funding Formula. The Leader indicated that she would invite Mr Unett to speak when the item was under consideration.

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 Fletcher had raised a question at the December meeting regarding car parks in Alsager and inconsistencies in conditions of service in Alsager from other areas of the Borough. He indicated that he was still awaiting a reply. The Chairman assured Councillor Fletcher that his question was still logged and under consideration. At the Leader’s invitation, the Executive Director Place added that the matter was being looked at in detail with a view to providing a precise answer as soon as possible.

Councillor S Hogben asked about the facility to report environmental services and highways issues via the “Fix My Street” app, and why this no longer redirected to the appropriate Cheshire East Council website. He also asked whether there should be some communication around this to make it clear to those wishing to use the facility. The Portfolio Holder for Environment stated that the Council’s own website for reporting issues was a more efficient and effective way of reporting highways and other matters. The Leader noted the concern around the need for communication and agreed to take this away for further consideration.

Councillor D Flude referred to the insanitary and untidy condition of the car park under the old library building in Crewe. There had also been reports of cars being vandalised. She asked whether there were any plans to provide CCTV surveillance at the car park, and whether consideration had been given to a reduction in the parking charges at this car park in recognition of the issues with the car park. The Leader indicated that a written response would be provided.

Councillor B Moran asked a number of detailed questions relating to housing land supply and housing need in Cheshire East. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Regeneration answered each question in detail.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January 2019.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January 2019 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report setting out the process to determine the schools funding formula for 2019/20 and requesting approval of the formula.

Cabinet considered a report on the schools funding formula for 2019/20.

The report set out the process to determine the schools funding formula and followed detailed consideration of the matter by the Schools Forum in December 2018.

At the invitation of the Chairman, David Hermitt, Chairman of the Schools Forum, spoke in support of the recommendations in the report. He also urged the Council to support those organisations that were working to improve the national funding available for Cheshire East schools.

Michael Unett referred to the loss of funding for a number of schools in Alsager as an example of what was happening to schools across the Borough. He urged the Council to lobby for fair funding for Cheshire East schools.

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families indicated that the Council was lobbying Members of Parliament for Cheshire East who were tabling the issue of funding for schools for debate in Parliament as well as arranging to meet Ministers. She undertook to send a detailed response to Mr Unett in relation to the funding of schools in Alsager. She also thanked the Schools Forum for supporting the proposals in the report.

The Leader added that the Council would continue to lobby and press for improved funding for Cheshire East Schools.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves

1.    the use of the local formula Cheshire East which delivers the minimum per pupil funding level of £3,500 for primary schools and £4,800 to secondary schools;

2.    the use of -1.5% as the minimum funding guarantee percentage. Meaning that no school can lose more than 1.5% per annum, excluding pupil number changes;

3.    the transfer of 0.5% of funding from the schools block to the high needs block to manage expenditure pressures in that area and fund projects to achieve sustainability; and

4.    the continuation of the current early years hourly funding rates into 2019/20. The average rate for 3 and 4 year olds is £4.09 per hour and the rate for 2 year olds is £5.02 per hour.

To consider a report on the third quarter review of performance for 2018/19.

Cabinet considered a report on the third quarter review of performance for 2018/19.

The report outlined how the Council was managing resources to provide value for money services during the 2018/19 financial year. Annex 1 to the report set out details of how the Council was performing in 2018/19.

Councillor M Simon, Chairman of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reported the Committee’s comments and recommendations on the report as appended to these minutes.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    notes the contents of the report and each appendix; and

2.    recommends that Council approve:

(a)  fully funded supplementary capital estimates above £1,000,000 in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules as detailed in Appendix 8 to the report; and

(b)  a supplementary revenue estimate of £1,450,638 relating to Adult Social Care Winter Funding as detailed in Appendix 11.

To consider a report presenting the Medium Term Financial Strategy for Cheshire East Council for the years 2019/20 to 2021/22.

Cabinet considered a report presenting the Medium Term Financial Strategy for Cheshire East Council for the years 2019/20 to 2021/22.

The report set out how the Council would approach the financial challenges over the medium term and forecast a balanced budget for 2019/20.

The resolutions that Cabinet was requested to recommend to Council were set out at Appendix A. The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Report (containing the Budget) for the period 2019/20 to 2021/22 was set out at Appendix C.

Councillor M Simon, Chairman of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reported the Committee’s comments and recommendations on the report as appended to these minutes.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    recommends to Council the items at Appendix A to the report; and

2.    notes:

(a)    the summary results of the Budget Consultation, attached at Appendix B, and the Budget Engagement exercise undertaken by the Council, as set out in Appendix C, Annex 2;

(b)    the comments of the Council’s Acting Section 151 Officer, contained within the MTFS Report, regarding the robustness of estimates and level of reserves held by the Council based on these budget proposals (Appendix C, Comment from the Acting Section 151 Officer); and

(c)    that the Council’s Finance Procedure Rules provide a control framework to support decisions should any changes in spending requirements be identified, and for specific spending over certain limits (Appendix C).

To consider a report seeking approval for the adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Cabinet considered a report on the adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The recommendations were based on the main findings of the independent examiner appointed to review the Council’s CIL draft Charging Schedule.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    endorses the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule attached as Appendix 1 to the report, including the identified charging rates and zones; and

2.    recommends to Council that the Community Infrastructure Levy be adopted with an implementation date of 1^st March 2019.

To consider a report recommending that Cabinet adopt the Macclesfield Local Development Order in order to support regeneration and the delivery of housing in Macclesfield.

Cabinet considered a report on the adoption of the Macclesfield Local Development Order the purpose of which was to support regeneration and the delivery of housing in Macclesfield.

At the Chairman’s invitation, the Director of Planning and Environment advised that the Local Development Order would not remove the checks and balances that controlled the quality of development. It would simply streamline the planning process by removing the need for developers to submit a planning application for the area covered by the Order. Any development proposals would be considered in relation to the requirements of the Order. There would also continue to be engagement with local communities on proposed developments.

RESOLVED

That the Macclesfield Local Development Order attached at Appendix A to the report be adopted for a period of 5 years with effect from the 13^th February 2019 and the Statement of Reasons at Appendix B be published.

To consider a report on the proposed expansion of Elworth Church of England Primary School.

Cabinet considered a report on the proposed expansion of Elworth Church of England Primary School.

An analysis of the latest pupil forecasts had identified the need to provide an extra 105 school places. The Head Teacher and Governing Body of the school were fully supportive of the proposed increase.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    approves the proposed expansion of Elworth Church of England Primary School from 1.5 form entry (315 pupil places) to 2 form entry (420 pupil places) for implementation in September 2020, having given due consideration to the response to the statutory public notice; and

2.    delegates authority to the Executive Director People to enter into a construction contract for additional places at Elworth Church of England Primary School.

To consider a report on the re-commissioning of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme.

Cabinet considered a report on the re-commissioning of the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme. The existing contract was due to expire on 30^th September 2020. The programme aimed to ensure that every child had the good start they needed to lay the foundations of a healthy life.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    approves the commissioning of a 0-19 Healthy Child Programme; and

2.    delegates authority to the Executive Director of People, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families and the Portfolio Holder for Health, to award the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme contract to the successful supplier or suppliers.

To consider a report recommending the re-commissioning of integrated lifestyle services in order to continue to improve health outcomes for the local population.

Cabinet considered a report on the re-commissioning of integrated lifestyle services. These services aimed to improve the long term health of the people of Cheshire East whilst also reducing health inequality.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    approves that a new procurement exercise be undertaken for the provision of lifestyle services in Cheshire East, funded at circa £1,264,038 a year; and

2.    delegates authority to the Executive Director of People to award lifestyle-related contracts  for a period of 3 years (with options to extend for up to a further 2 years).

The report or a part thereof relating to the remaining item on the agenda has been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matter may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Cabinet may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and the public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

PART 2 – MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS PRESENT

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3  and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and the public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To consider a report on the provision of catering services at Tatton Park.

Cabinet considered a report on the provision of catering services at Tatton Park.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    approves the award of a contract to Tatton Park Enterprises Ltd for an initial period of 3 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years; and

2.    delegates authority to the Executive Director Place to take all necessary steps to negotiate, agree and conclude the terms of a contract with Tatton Park Enterprises Ltd.