Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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 relating 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.

No members of the public were present.

To consider support for the development of community hubs for the Upton Priory Estate, Macclesfield and the Lacey Green Estate, Wilmslow.

That approval be given to the award of £100,000 for the refurbishment of Upton Priory Church, Macclesfield; and of £13,400 for the upgrade of the kitchen at Lacey Green Pavilion, Wilmslow.

Consideration was given to the provision of financial support to aid the development of community hubs on the Upton Priory and Lacey Green Estates.  The outcomes of a recent Stronger Communities Review demonstrated that there was real enthusiasm and commitment from the voluntary, community and faith sector to get involved in making a difference.  In these two areas, however, there was a desperate need of some financial pump priming in order to assist in the developments and so build on the great community spirit that exists and enable new opportunities to be created which will assist people into work and training and provide facilities for children which will help their development at an early stage in their lives. 

It was reported that no community facilities currently existed for the residents of the Upton Priory Estate but that the planned development of the Upton Priory Church would enable these facilities to be created and further developed.  Additional funding would need to be found but the £100,000 now requested, along with an additional £90,000 to be provided by other means, meant it would be eligible to receive additional match funding.  The two ward councillors for the area attended the meeting and were able to confirm how this was to be achieved.

For Lacey Green the financial assistance was needed for improvements to kitchen facilities which would then enable the building to be used for a much wider range of purposes.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that he was happy to agree to the decision requested on the basis that in neither case would there be an ongoing call on the Council’s resources and that these were particularly unusual circumstances.  As a residents first Council, Cheshire East was keen to support local initiatives which would help to make communities stronger and promote independence of individuals and communities.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the award of £100,000 for the refurbishment of Upton Priory Church, Macclesfield; and of £13,400 for the upgrade of the kitchen at Lacey Green Pavilion, Wilmslow.