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.

Councillor D Brown declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of Congleton Parish Council.

Councillor K Edwards declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of Bollington Town Council and of Macclesfield Silk Heritage Trust.

Councillor A Moran declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of Nantwich Town Council and of Nantwich Town Football Club Supporters Club.

Councillor L Smetham declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of Gawsworth Parish Council and of Macclesfield Silk Heritage Trust.

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.

Councillor A Moran spoke in respect of the community grants proposed for the Guy Harvey Youth Club, and Nantwich Town Football Club, both of which were warmly welcomed.  In addition, and in respect of the proposal to decline the request from Nantwich Town Council for a war memorial grant, he expressed concern that the necessary work might not be completed in time for the forthcoming ceremonies to commemorate the outbreak of the first world war.

Councillor K Edwards, supported by Councillor B Livesley, welcomed the proposed award to Macclesfield Silk Heritage Trust.  With regard to the proposal to decline the award of a Memorial Grant to Bollington War Memorial Fund, he reported that Bollington Town Council wished to take over the responsibility for the maintenance, repair and renovation of the memorial and that early discussions on this matter had already taken place.  It would, therefore, be preferable if this decision could be deferred until such time as the transfer had taken place and for it then to be reconsidered as it would then be eligible for approval.

That the Community Grants listed in the Appendix attached to this Notice, be awarded, declined of deferred as indicated.

It was reported that Cheshire East Council had received various applications for community grants to be considered in line with the Council’s Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants. Each grant application was outlined in the report, as was the reason for the recommendation in respect of that application.  All of the proposed grants could be funded from within existing budgets approved as part of the Council’s Budget for 2014/15.

The aim of the grants was to support small scale community projects that would improve the quality of life for local communities. Grants could be awarded to organisations/project/events which met the priorities in the Cheshire East Sustainable Community Strategy.

It was confirmed that one of the aims of the Community Grants was to help in getting projects and schemes up and running but that in each case it was also then suggested where other funding might be obtained; the grant was not, however, dependent on the receipt of match funding.

RESOLVED

That the Community Grants listed in the Appendix to the report be awarded, declined or deferred as indicated.

That the War Memorial Grants listed in the Appendix attached to this notice be awarded, declined or deferred as indicated.

It was reported that Cheshire East Council had received various applications for War Memorial Grants to be considered in line with the Council’s Policy for the Allocation of War Memorial Grants. Each application was outlined in the report, as was the reason for the recommendation in respect of that application.  All the proposed grants could be funded from within existing budgets approved as part of the Council’s Budget for 2014/15.

The aim of the grants was to assist the funding of the repair and refurbishment of First World War memorials across the Borough in order to commemorate the anniversary of the start and end of the First World War.   In repairing and refurbishing these important community monuments, it was anticipated that there would be increased local community involvement and additional events planned around these monuments.

At the meeting it was reported that the grant requested by Alderley Edge Parish Council had been incorrectly typed in para 3.1 of the report and the figure of £500 needed to be amended to £3,500.

In response to the points raised by Councillor K Edwards in respect of a grant to Bollington War Memorial Fund, the Portfolio Holder reported that he intended to defer the decision on that application in order to allow time for the requested transfer of the asset to Bollington Town Council to take place; the application would be reconsidered as part of the next round of grant applications. 

In addition it was confirmed that the quinquennial inspections of the Council’s memorials had now be completed, and that the findings would be submitted to the July meeting for consideration of the work to be carried out and of the associated costs.   

RESOLVED

That the War Memorial Grants listed in the Appendix to the report be awarded, declined or deferred as indicated, with the exception of that to the Bollington War Memorial Fund which was to be deferred until the next meeting in mid-July.