Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor M Parsons

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

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the Agenda

There were no whipping declarations

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: in order for officers to undertake and background research, it would be helpful if members of the public notified the Scrutiny Officer listed at the foot of the Agenda at least one working day before the meeting with brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak.

The Committee agreed that from March 2017 all meetings of the Committee would be held at 2pm and that the Scrutiny Officer would find a suitable date and venue for meetings and consult with Members accordingly.

To consider Budget proposals as set out in the Council’s Pre-Budget Consultation 2017/20 document, specifically in relation to Outcome Two (Cheshire East has a strong and resilient economy) and Outcome Four (Cheshire East is a green and sustainable place).

The Pre-Budget Consultation 2017/20 Document has previously been circulated to Members.  Available online at: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/your_council/council_finance_and_governance/cheshire_east_budget/cheshire_east_budget.aspx

The Committee considered the Pre-Budget Consultation 2017/20 relating to Environment and Regeneration, specifically outcome 2 (Cheshire East has a strong and Resilient Economy) and outcome 4 (Cheshire East is a Green and Sustainable Place) of the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The Director – Places, gave a presentation on the key proposals in the budget book relating to the responsibilities covered by the Committee.

Members raised questions relating to:

·         Increased support for bus services and changes to subsidised bus services

·         Housing starter homes

·         Investment in the planning service

·         Investment and maintenance of the highway

·         Improvement to the junction between Alderley Road and A34, Wilmlsow

It was noted that the bus service review would include creating a new network based on demand, the review would need to be innovative and involve a consultation process which would be open to all residents and users. The methodology for the review would be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

Investment in the planning service was required to help implement the three stages of the Local Plan and deal with an increased number of planning applications.

An increase in enforcement officers would generate a net income in the region of £100,000, which would be used across the highway and parking services.

RESOLVED- That the report be received and noted.

To review the current Work Programme

A revised work programme, incorporating the work of the former Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Jobs, Regeneration and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee was circulated to the Committee. It was agreed that Members would review the programme and bring any comments or amendments to the next meeting of the Committee. It was also agreed that an update on the progress and viability of the energy company be brought to a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED

1.    That the revised work programme be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

2.    That an update on the progress and viability of the energy company be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

To note the current Forward Plan, identifying new items, to determine whether any further examination of new issues is appropriate.

Consideration was given to the areas of the forward plan which fell within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be received.