Agenda and minutes

There are no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 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 meeting. 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.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Councillor Rhoda Bailey asked if geothermal energy production would lead to fracking taking place.

Cllr David Brown replied that the geothermal energy and fracking were two different processes – geothermal energy was gained by drilling down to access water at a temperature up to 100^oC, which was then pumped to the surface to use directly as a heat supply or for electricity production.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2013 be approved as a correct record.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval of the transport options to be taken forward for further appraisal using the Congleton Traffic Model.

In line with best practice Department of Transport Guidance, three transport options – ‘Preferred’, ‘Next Best’ and ‘Low Cost’, had been identified to be taken forward for further appraisal. 

The ‘Preferred’ option had been identified based upon the scale of transport benefits it was likely to deliver against the endorsed objectives of the study and its key role in facilitating the successful delivery of the Local Plan housing and employment allocations within the Congleton area.    

RESOLVED:  That

1          the Preferred transport solution to be taken forward for further appraisal using the Congleton Traffic Model is a link road connecting the A534 Sandbach Road to the A536 Macclesfield Road.

2          the Next Best transport solution to be taken forward for further appraisal using the Congleton Traffic Model is a link road connecting the A54 Holmes Chapel Road to the A34 Manchester Road.

3          the Low Cost transport solution to be taken forward for further appraisal using the Congleton Traffic Model is on-line improvements on the A34.

4          it be noted that alternative options need to be considered to access certain funding streams.

5          it be noted that public consultation on detailed route options is planned for late 2013/early 2014.

Cabinet considered a report which sought approval to progress the Crewe Deep Geothermal Energy Project.

Geothermal energy was widely regarded as a sustainable, renewable and reliable source of heat and energy, with little or no visual, noise or air quality impact once in place.

The Cheshire Basin had been identified as one of only six places in the UK with the potential to supply heat and electricity from geothermal resources.  A potential site on Council-owned land had bee identified at Leighton West.  This site had been identified in the Local Plan Development Strategy as a potential site for geothermal exploration. 

The first stage of the project would undertake a feasibility study to test the overall benefits/risks of the opportunity and in particular carry out a site investigation and assess whether any planning and site specific or environmental health constraints might affect delivery and scope out the delivery which would be of optimum benefit to the Council and the local community.

RESOLVED:  That

1          the Leighton West site be the preferred site;

2          it be noted that a viability study will carry out a site investigation and assess whether any planning and site specific or environmental health constraints might affect delivery and to include consideration of the pros and cons of this form of energy; the work to be funded by virement of existing budget; and

3          the decision on the route delivery be delegated to the Portfolio Holder, Chief Executive and Director for Economic Growth and Prosperity.

Cabinet considered a report on the introduction of a Health Impact Assessment Policy.

The Health and Adults Social Care Policy Development Group had spent some time considering the merits of Health Impact Assessments and how they were used by other Authorities. 

The Policy Development Group had noted that one of the recommendations contained in ‘Fair Society, Healthy Lives: Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post 2010’ led by Michael Marmot, was the need to create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities.  In order to achieve this outcome, local areas needed to integrate planning, transport, housing and health policies to address the social determinants of health.  Health Impact Assessments allowed these interrelationships to be considered as decisions were being made and also gave an opportunity for potential negative and positive impacts to be identified.  

The Policy Development Group had identified a number of areas where Health Impact Assessments could add value, specifically in relation to changes of use of premises, strategy development, and decisions to commission or decommission services and the Group considered that there was an immediate need for a specific toolkit to be produced in respect of planning decisions.

The Policy Development Group, at its meeting on 15 July 2013, had recommended to Cabinet that a Health Impact Assessment Policy be adopted.  Councillor M Simon, as Chairman of the Health and Adults Social Care Policy Development Group, attended the meeting and spoke on the matter.

RESOLVED:  That

1          the Health Impact Assessment Policy be endorsed and adopted; and

2          Officers be authorised to take all necessary actions to implement the Policy.

Cabinet considered a report on the Council’s Budget Setting process for 2014-17 onwards.

Significant internal changes were taking place within the Council as it moved on from successfully delivering to budget in 2012-13, to implementing the 2013-14 Budget and Capital Programme and considering the requirements for the next three year period 2014-15 to 2016-17. 

These changes included the move to a Strategic Commissioning model and a new senior management team and on-going review of all management posts. There were major challenges in managing these changes whilst continuing to deliver the Council’s ambitions and deals with reducing levels of funding.  A strong Budget Setting framework was required to enable this to happen. 

The key steps to achieving a fully updated Budget Report and Medium Term Financial Strategy for Cabinet and Council in February 2014 were detailed in the Appendices to the Report.

RESOLVED

That the Budget Setting Process to develop a Budget Report for 2014-17 be approved.

Cabinet considered a report on an updated Risk Management Policy.

The Council’s Risk Management Policy formed part of the overall internal control framework and corporate governance arrangements.  The present Risk Management Policy was last amended and approved by Cabinet in August 2012 and it was agreed that the Policy would be reviewed annually. 

The outcome of the review of the Policy was that although the Risk Management Policy remained fit for purpose, a number of minor amendments could be made to strengthen the Policy.  The amendments were highlighted in a copy of the Risk Management Policy attached to the Report.

RESOLVED:  That

1          the updated Risk Management Policy be approved; and

2          the Risk Management Policy to be reviewed annually.

Cabinet considered a report on the Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants 2013-14.

The Council operated a Community Grants Scheme within the local authority boundaries.  The Policy addressed the governance arrangements, procedures and monitoring process to be followed when awarding a Community Grant.

All sections of the Policy had been reviewed and refreshed in order to bring the Policy up to date, in accordance with legal guidance, and provide comprehensive guidance for those Organisations wishing to apply to the Community Grants Scheme. 

RESOLVED:  That

1          the Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants 2013-14 be approved and adopted; and

2          the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Communities (or whichever Portfolio Holder has responsibility for Community Grants at the time of making the grants decision) be responsible for the awarding of Community Grants and be given delegated authority to approve applications for grants from local organisations to assist in developing community-based activities and projects in accordance with the Policy.