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.

There were 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 body in question.  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.

The Chairman welcomed Annabel Wright and her family to the meeting. Annabel, who was aged 10 and lived on a dairy farm, had written to the Council asking if it would consider sourcing milk from local dairy farmers in Cheshire East. In response to the letter, the Chief Executive had invited Annabel and her family to attend the meeting to address elected members on the matter.

Annabel, her brother and father all addressed the meeting on the matter, and extended an invitation to Cabinet members to visit their farm.

The Chairman responded that the Council was keenly focussed on rural issues and recognised that many local businesses were situated in rural areas. The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families added that the Council’s policy was to source produce locally wherever possible. The Chairman thanked the whole family for their engagement with Members on this matter.

Sue Helliwell asked whether the Cabinet’s decision on 23^rd February 2016 on the de-designation of children’s centres could have been called in before the Council meeting two days later. At the Chairman’s request, the Director of Legal Services responded to the question. The Director advised that the Cabinet had considered the matter as part of the Council’s budget-setting process and had made a recommendation to Council which was the decision-making body; and Cabinet recommendations to Council were not subject to the call-in procedure.

Maeve Kelly raised a number of matters in relation to the de-designation of children’s centres which she had also raised at the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board on 15^th March 2016. In response, the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families indicated that the officers had now replied comprehensively to the questioner on the matters she had raised at the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting.

At the conclusion of public speaking time, the Chairman thanked those who had attended the meeting to speak.

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 D Flude asked how many referrals about elderly abuse the Council had received to date, how many of those people had had to be placed in a bed, and any other relevant information regarding the abuse. The Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Integration undertook to respond in writing. She added that the Adult Safeguarding Board was actively considering solutions to address the issue.

Councillor S Hogben referred to people falling over in the swimming area of the new Crewe Lifestyle Centre as a result of the slippery floor. The Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Integration replied that there had been two such incidents which had occurred in the changing rooms. The matter had been raised with the contractor although the flooring did comply with the necessary safety standards. However, as an extra precaution, additional safety matting had been placed throughout the changing rooms and the contractors were re-examining the flooring to ensure there were no faults.

Councillor Hogben also asked what would happen with the former Crewe Library building now that the library had moved into the Lifestyle Centre. The Chairman replied that she had already responded to some of the concerns expressed by Crewe councillors on this matter and would be discussing it further with Councillor D Newton.

Councillor G Baxendale commented that about 18 months ago Kinsey Street, Congleton had been de-designated as a residential parking area but that the signing had not yet been removed, thus deterring people from using the parking spaces. The Deputy Leader undertook to deal with the matter.

Councillor R Fletcher raised a number of questions relating to sites in Alsager, including a pavement at Goss Place; the fencing of the Swallow Drive play area; a footpath from the Coppice Estate; and a new play area opposite Goldfinch Drive. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning responded on each matter and undertook to reply in writing where appropriate.

Councillor B Walmsley welcomed the Leader’s recent comments about improving the infrastructure in Middlewich and progress with the link road. In this respect, she asked for a meeting with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Highways and Infrastructure to discuss HS2 developments. The Leader responded that such a meeting had already been arranged and that the Deputy Leader would be involved. The Deputy Leader looked forward to meeting Councillor Walmsley to discuss the matter.

Councillor M Warren mentioned that residents parking schemes for Macclesfield East had been put on hold pending an assessment of the parking needs of the town centre as part of the town centre regeneration scheme. Now that the regeneration scheme was in progress and the parking evaluation had been completed, he asked when it would be possible for residents parking schemes for residential areas abutting the town centre to be considered. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning undertook to look into the matter and respond in writing.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th March 2016.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th March 2016 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Task and Finish Group.

Cabinet considered the report of the Section 106 Agreements Task and Finish Group.

The Group had been established to consider how Member involvement in Section 106 agreements could be improved with a view to achieving better outcomes for communities. The Group’s recommendations were set out in section 2.0 of the report.

Councillor H Wells-Bradshaw, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, presented the Group’s report. Councillor J Weston, a member of the Group, also spoke on the matter.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning reported that an appointment had now been made to the post of Section 106 Officer, which was one of the Group’s recommendations.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the report of the Section 106 Agreements Task and Finish Group be received;

2.    the Task and Finish Group’s recommendations, as set out in section 2.1 of its report, be noted; and

3.    a response to the Task and Finish Group’s report be submitted to the Jobs Regeneration and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 18 July 2016.

To consider the report of the Task and Finish Group.

Cabinet considered the report of the Apprenticeships Task and Finish Group.

The Group had been established to consider how the Council could become a leader and best practice example of apprenticeship provision in Cheshire East to other local organisations. The Group’s recommendations were set out in section 2.0 of the report.

Councillor J Weston, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group, presented the Group’s report. Councillor H Wells-Bradshaw also spoke on the matter.

Councillor L Durham, having been a member of the Task and Finish Group prior to her appointment as a Deputy Cabinet Member and subsequently as a Cabinet Member, indicated her intention to abstain and did not vote on the matter.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the report of the Apprenticeships Task and Finish Group be received;

2.    the Task and Finish Group’s recommendations, as set out in section 2.1 of its report, be noted; and

3.    a response to the Task and Finish Group’s report be submitted to the Jobs Regeneration and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 18 July 2016.

To consider the adoption on the Visitor Economy Strategy 2016-20.

Cabinet considered a report on the adoption of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2016-20.

Cheshire East’s visitor economy was worth over £807m a year. It was an important economic sector that contributed to jobs, growth and prosperity. The report summarised the key elements of the Strategy to take the sector forward.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves and adopts the Visitor Economy Strategy 2016-20 for Cheshire East as the Council’s framework to deliver services and agree policy relating to the Visitor economy.

To consider the adoption of the Municipal Parks Strategy 2030.

Cabinet considered a report on the adoption of the Municipal Parks Strategy 2030.

The strategy provided the guiding principles for the future management and development of the Council’s municipal parks to ensure that they met the needs and aspirations of residents.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the Municipal Parks Strategy 2030 as attached at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted; and

2.    the strategy be used to guide policy and investment in the Council’s parks to meet the future needs of the residents of Cheshire East.

To seek approval to proceed with the procurement and award of contracts for nursery provision in Crewe following the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

This item was withdrawn and would be considered at a later date.

To consider a report on the redesign of residential homes for children in care.

Cabinet considered a report on the redesign of residential homes for children in care.

The purpose of the report was to start the process of redesign of residential homes for children in care. It was not intended to present a detailed analysis at this stage but to provide sufficient information about the broad direction of travel and plan a timeline to make decisions.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    approves the design of Children’s Homes to include retaining the three existing four bed properties and adding two additional two bed homes;

2.    delegates the decision of location of the two new homes to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Children and Families Portfolio Holder;

3.    approves a wholly commissioned model of service (ie no in-house delivery); and

4.    agrees the timeline for completion of the commissioning cycle to achieve the new model of provision by April 2017.

To consider a review of arrangements for the delivery of youth justice services in Cheshire East.

Cabinet considered a review of the arrangements for the delivery of youth justice services in Cheshire East.

In order to better ‘future proof’ both the statutory Youth Offending Services elements of the service, and retain an appropriate focus on prevention via youth and family support provision, it was proposed that the Council join Cheshire West, Halton and Warrington to create a ‘One Cheshire’ YOT whilst retaining the preventative services as part of a wider Cheshire East Youth and Family Support offer.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves that

1.    the Youth Offending Specialist Services be transferred into a One Cheshire YOT, with Cheshire East staff remaining employees of the Council and retaining their terms and conditions of employment, but working through the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between the partner authorities;

2.    the Preventative Youth Support aspects of the service be combined with the Council’s remaining/existing Youth and Family Support Services into a single service within the Children and Families Directorate;

3.    the implementation of the proposals be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Families; and

4.    proposals on the partnership arrangement, including ways of working and any reduction in the number of Cheshire East staff under new arrangements, form part of a formal Consultation with affected staff.

To consider the Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants 2016/17.

Cabinet considered the Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants 2016/17.

The Council recognised the valuable input that the voluntary, community and faith sector brought to the quality of life in the community. The Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants ensured that such organisations were assessed fairly and that grant awards were open and transparent and stood up to public scrutiny.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants 2016/17 be approved; and

2.    authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Health to make decisions on grant applications for each round of community grants within the financial year of 2016/17.

To consider the Community Right to Challenge policy.

Cabinet considered a report on the Community Right to Challenge policy.

The Localism Act 2011 required the Council to have a process in place to consider expressions of interest received under the Community Right to Challenge. The report provided Cabinet with an overview of the Community Right to Challenge legislation and recommended a policy for dealing with submissions of expressions of interest to put the required processes in place.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the Community Right to Challenge policy be approved;

2.    authority be delegated to the Head of Communities to develop the required application and guidance forms, ensuring that the statutory duty under Community Right to Challenge legislation is fully met;

3.    the implementation of the Community Right to Challenge policy be supported with the submission of expressions of interest between 1^st and 30^th September 2016;

4.    it be noted that the Head of Communities will, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder and relevant Heads of Service, review expressions of interest received and refer a recommendation for acceptance or refusal to Cabinet for a final decision; and

5.    Cabinet receive and consider all expressions of interest and make a final decision (acceptance or rejection).

To consider a proposed Social Value Policy for Cheshire East.

Cabinet considered a proposed Social Value Policy for Cheshire East.

The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 came into force on 31st January 2013. It was now a legal obligation for local authorities and other public bodies to consider the social good that could come from the procurement of services before they embarked upon it. The aim of the Act was not to alter the procurement processes but to ensure that, as part of those processes, councils gave consideration to the wider impact of the service’s delivery.The proposed Social Value Policy for Cheshire East Council was attached as an Appendix to the report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the Social Value Policy for Cheshire East Council, as attached as an Appendix to the report, which will be embedded within commissioning and procurement activity from a value of £5,000 wherever proportionate and practical to do so.

To seek approval for other named local authorities to join the Council’s Adult Equipment Procurement Framework.

This item was withdrawn and would be considered at a later date.