Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To give consideration to the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March, 2019.

Due to a printing error, it was agreed that this item be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2019 be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

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 any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered. 

C Jones attended the meeting to speak in respect of the Local Transport Plan, highlighting that there were too many cars on the road and an inadequate public transport service. There was not a bus service to Leighton Hospital on Sundays, which would affect the health and well being of residents.

To discuss and agree the process for undertaking further member engagement and public consultation on the development of the Local Transport Plan.

Consideration was given to a presentation on the Local Transport Plan (LTP) which detailed:

·         An LTP considered the travel needs and transport problems affecting Cheshire East and sets out evidence to support the Council’s policies, proposals and priorities for local transport infrastructure and services.

·         Why Cheshire East needed a new plan.

·         Strategy development

·         Public consultation

·         Vison and objectives

·         Strategy

·         Integrating plans

·         SEMMM strategy refresh

·         Local area delivery plans

·         Approval process and timescales

Members made the following comments:

·         More emphasis needed to be made on the use of, and improvements to public transport. Public transport was particularly poor in rural areas.

·         It was not sustainable to continue to build new roads.

·         Improvements to existing highways needed to made to assist cyclists and pedestrians.

·         The possibility of TSS providing a Sunday service to Leighton hospital be investigated.

·         The plan needed to contain a section on sustainable connectivity.

·         The ways in which the Council consults with the public be reviewed, and members forward any suggestions to officers.

It was noted that if there were any significant changes to the plan following the consultation exercise then it would be brought back to the Committee for further consideration.

RESOLVED

That the Portfolio Holder give consideration to the comments highlighted above.

Consideration was given to a presentation and the draft Economic Strategy, which is aimed at improving the opportunities for local residents to support their social, economic and environmental wellbeing and also to support the revenue funding of the Council enabling it to support the delivery of essential services.

The Committee made the following comments:

·         In relation to strategic objective 1, the market towns be listed.

·         More attention needed to be paid to renewable energy.

·         Efforts be made to retain business rates within Cheshire East.

·         A section on the green economy be included in the strategy.

·         Small businesses be acknowledged.

·         In relation to objective 8, the cultural offer highlight smaller attractions.

·         Economic growth needed to be achieved in a sustainable way.

·         The environment should be protected and enhanced.

·         The individual characteristics of town centres should be retained.

·         The strategy was dependant on HS2, which was not guaranteed.

·         The Council should be a member of the living wage foundation.

·         Apprenticeships and diversity of employment be encouraged.

·         Attention needed to be paid to employing 20 to 40 year olds.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Portfolio Holder give consideration to the comments outlined above.

2.    That following the consultation process, the strategy be brought back to the Committee for final consideration.

In accordance with the constitution, consideration was given to the revised Statement of Gambling Principles. The Gambling Act 2005, required local authorities to prepare and publish a statement of the principles that they proposed to apply when exercising their functions under the Act and the three year period to which the statement applied. The Council was required to review its existing statement of principles and publish a revised version.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet be recommended to approve the revised Statement of Gambling Principles.

Consideration was given to an update on the A500 Duelling and Middlewich Eastern Bypass. In relation to the A500 Duelling, it was noted that the Council had identified a latent defect in the existing road and that a major utility diversion was required, this had resulted in increased costs from £58.5m to £68.7m. Additional contributions from DfT would be received to address this. 

It was agreed that officers would provide a briefing to Middlewich Town Council on progress of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass.

RESOLVED

That officers would provide a briefing to Middlewich Town Council on progress of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass.

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.

Consideration was given to the work programme, it was agreed that the Local Transport Plan and Economic Strategy be considered by the Committee at a later date.

RESOLVED

That the Local Transport Plan and Economic Strategy be added to the work programme.