Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor L Durham.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

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.

Councillor Sue Helliwell, Alsager Town Council asked that if the Public Space Protection Order goes ahead, could the Council ensure that Alsager had enough litter bins for owners to dispose of their dogs mess.  She fully supported parts of the Public Space Protection Order but to due irresponsible dog owners, good dog owners would be unable to allow their dogs to chase a ball around a field.  She also had 1,500 empty dog poo bags and would very much like to become involved in a campaign run across Alsager to encourage dog fouling free pavements and green spaces.

Councillor Bates responded by thanking Councillor Helliwell for her question and comments and said that the consultation feedback had identified a number of places where additional bins were being asked for.  The Council would look to see what resources were available to put more bins in these locations, included in Alsager.  With regards to the comments about dogs chasing a ball, this would still be allowed, but the Order would give powers to intervene and require that a dog is put on a lead, if the dog’s behaviour was intimidating or negatively impacting upon other users or the public space.

To consider a report on a Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme.

That approval be given to the Council’s Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme.

The Cabinet Member considered a report on the Business Rate Revaluation Relief Scheme.

A revaluation of all non-domestic properties and new rateable values had taken effect from 1 April 2017 and affected the amount of business rates many businesses across Cheshire East had to pay.  A number of individual businesses had seen a significant increase.

The Government had announced that a number of support schemes would be made available to mitigate the impact on businesses from the revaluation.  Cheshire East Council would receive £1.3 million over the 4 years of the scheme to award to local business. 

The report detailed the proposed scheme for distributing the funding to businesses in Cheshire East.

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the Council’s Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme.

To consider a report on the implementation of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to dealing with Dog Fouling and Dog Control from 1^st November 2017.

That approval be given to the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) from 1^st November 2017.

The Cabinet Member considered a report on the proposed Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to Dog Fouling and Dog Control across the Cheshire East borough.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the Council could make a Public Spaces Protection Order to control certain activities in a specified area if those activities were likely to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of people in that area.

The proposed PSPO would replace and extend the existing dog controls and bylaws and would create a more comprehensive and consistent approach when dealing with dog fouling and dogs under control.

Public consultation had taken place on the proposed PSPO between 12 September and 10 October 2017, with over 1400 responses being received.  The vast majority of these supported the proposed PSPO. 

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order from 1^st November 2017.