Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

There were no apologies for absence.

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

In relation to Item 6 – Review of Cheshire East Common Allocations Policy, Councillor J Knight declared in the interests of openness that his landlord was one of the organisations listed as advertising 100% of their properties with Cheshire Homechoice.

In relation to Item 5 – Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and Item 6 – Review of the Cheshire East Common Allocations Policy, Councillor C O’Leary declared in the interest of openness that these were both areas of his published current research.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2025.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2025 be approved as a correct record.

In accordance with the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.

Petitions - To receive any petitions which have met the criteria - Petitions Scheme Criteria, and falls within the remit of the Committee. Petition organisers will be allowed up to three minutes to speak.

Councillor D Brown arrived at the meeting during this item.

Mr Robert Brunt, Cheshire NFU County Chairman, spoke in relation to the Farms Policy Review and highlighted the values of the Council’s Farm holdings, drawing on this personal experience and wider agricultural data. He highlighted the strong financial contribution the farms made to the Council, the economic importance of farming in Cheshire and the environmental benefits modern farming provided. He stated the Council farms helped new entrants into farming, supported the rural economy, and helped protect farmland.

Mr Philip Jenkinson, tenant of a Council farm, spoke in relation to the Farms Policy Review and on the challenges created by 15-year tenancies. He was now in the last third of his tenancy and felt unable to invest further in the farm as six years was not long enough to recover costs. His family were settled at the farm and employed three local people and were reluctant to move as the private sector offered fewer onward opportunities for council tenants because dairy farming had declined over the past 30 years. Whilst he recognised why the Council offered 15?year tenancies to support new entrants, he stated that proven, reliable tenants should be offered longer terms which would allow tenants to invest significantly. He welcomed aspects of the Farms Policy review but felt it lacked clarity for tenants like himself and could unsettle the wider farming community.

To consider the proposed Farm Estate Policy (2026-2031).

The Committee considered the report on the findings, conclusions and considerations of the Farms Policy Advisory Group which formed the recommendations for adoption as policy in the management of the farms service and portfolio of assets for the next 5 years.

During consideration of the report, it was asked if all the farms the Council currently owned were let, and in response officers stated that that some farms and buildings were vacant, either awaiting sale or being held pending decisions. It was explained that over the past 10 years the Council had been rationalising the Farms estate by reducing the number of smaller, less viable farms and creating larger, more sustainable ones. Surplus buildings were often more expensive to repair and maintain than they were worth in income, so the Council had chosen to sell them rather than let them.

The Committee highlighted the importance of supporting new entrants into farming, especially those without the traditional farming background or family resources and the farms allowed tenants to gain experience, build capital, and eventually progress to their own or larger farms.

Reference was made to food security and the environmental benefits of localised food production and reducing the reliance on imported foods.

With regards to paragraph 4 of the proposed Farms Estate Policy, set out in Appendix 1 to the report, it was proposed and accepted that the third line be amended to read “…use, will be encouraged and considered for their appropriateness…”

RESOLVED (Unanimously): That the Committee

1               note the role and findings of the Farms Policy Member Advisory Group.

2               endorse the recommended proposed Farms Estate Policy (2026-2031), with the amendment to paragraph 4, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

3        note that the Policy is for a 5-year period and will be subject to further review, with any policy changes or update being reported to Cabinet.

To consider the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2030 consultation and proposed changes.

Councillor J Pearson arrived at the meeting during this item.

The Committee considered the report which provided a summary of the consultation responses on the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2030 and sought the approval and adoption of the final version of the Strategy.

The Committee thanked Nic Abbott, Housing Options and Homeless Manager, and her team for the hard work undertaken on the Strategy and noted that it contained many strong elements and emphasised the importance of keeping the Strategy under review.   A concern was raised around tenancy readiness, particularly for people who had experienced homelessness, who often faced instability and risked losing their accommodation within a year, and suggested that alongside tenancy readiness, there should also be a focus on tenancy sustainability to help people maintain their tenancies long-term.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):  That the Committee

1               approve the final version of the Strategy.

2        authorise the implementation of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2030.

To consider the proposed amendments to the Cheshire East Common Allocations Policy and approve for consultation.

The Committee considered the report on the review of the Cheshire East Common Allocations Policy Review. 

The current Policy had been approved in 2018 with minor amendments in the subsequent years to bring the Policy in line with legislation. With the introduction of new Statutory Duties within the Renters Rights Act and the Supported Accommodation Regulator Act, the Housing Options Team in partnership with registered provides and other statutory agencies had identified areas of risk and improvements to the existing Policy.

The sections of the Policy for amendment were set out in paragraph 11 of the report, with the draft revised policy for consultation being set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

A 12-week period of consultation would be undertaken from 1 June 2026 to 21 August 2026 using a number of mechanisms including an on-line questionnaire, internal and external briefing sessions, and promotion through social media, press releases and direct communication with existing customers. The final draft Policy would then be presented to Cabinet for adoption.

During consideration of the report questions were asked about the local connection criteria to ensure residents in rural areas have priority access to affordable and social housing, whist still protecting access for survivors of domestic abuse. An illustrative example was raised from a recent meeting of the Northern Planning Committee where members discussed whether a Section 106 agreement for an affordable housing development in rural Chelford could legally require that homes be allocated to people with a direct local connection.

In response, the Housing Options and Homeless Manager explaining that the Allocations Policy already included two key mechanisms:-

The first being the Rural Communities Connection Criteria, which applies to rural settlements with 3,000 residents/households. This criterion permits for a priority to local residents, people who have employment in the settlement, people with first line relatives’ resident in the settlement for all allocations, existing or newly built properties.

The second was the New Build Criteria which applied where a development did not meet the rural population threshold and ensured that first lets of new homes prioritised applicants with the same local connection criteria, though not future lets.

The Housing Options and Homeless Manager offered to provide written guidance to support planning members, which the Committee agreed would be useful for planning training as it would clarify how Section 106 agreements could enforce local priority in line with the allocations policy.

The Committee sought clarification on whether all Cheshire East Care Leavers, included those placed outside the Borough, were in included in the local connection definition. In response, the Housing Options and Homeless Manager, confirmed that this was correct and that the Policy would be made clearer on this.

Reference was made to the Renters Reform Act and if this would affect the availability of properties. In response, it was stated that the Act mainly affected the private rented sector, not social housing. It was expected that there could be a short-term increase in no-fault evictions but in the longer term the Act should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider the changes to the Crewe Towns Fund budget proposals.

The Committee considered the report which sought approval to amend the allocation of external grant funding for projects that formed part of the Crewe town centre regeneration programme, and to cease the Council’s interest in developing the former Flag Lane Baths site for use as an Alternative Provision School and dispose of the property following a marketing exercise.

During consideration of the report reference was made to the need to provide alternative provision schooling if Flag Lane Baths’ proposals were not going ahead and it was reported that officers were working with a Multi Academy Trust to explore alternative sites in Crewe, but no details could be shared at the present time.

The Committee asked about the local community group that had expressed interest in restoring the former swimming baths and in response officers stated that they had met with the group a number of times and explained to them that the Council need to follow a proper competitive process and that a marketing exercise would take place to ensure best value for the site. Any agree sale of the site would include safeguards to ensure that the site was actively used and not left derelict.

Reference was made to the unallocated Towns Fund grant money, and it was asked if this could be redirected to rural bus service for children. It was explained that as this was capital funding and not revenue funding it could not be redirected.  The Youth Zone was however exploring transport options for young people.

It was asked if the art deco frontage of Flag Lane Baths could be protected in any redevelopment and in response it was stated that too many restrictive conditions could undermine viability of the site or affect best value.  The Council was not advocating demolition, and any decision would depend on submitted plans.  The previous proposal for the site had proposed to retain the whole structure but this had stalled due to rising post-pandemic construction costs.

In response to a question on the cost of maintaining the building, officers undertook to circulate this to the committee and stated that the costs include security, rates and general maintenance.

RESOLVED (by majority):  That the Committee

1               approve the following changes to Towns Fund project capital grant allocations:

a)    reduce the allocation for Valley Brook Green Corridor by up to £1.25m from £3.339m to £2.089m;

b)    increase the allocation for Cumberland Arena by £0.519m from £3.093m to £3.612m;

c)    increase the allocation for Warm & Healthy Homes by up to £0.207m from £2.126m to £2.333m;

d)    increase the allocation for Repurposing Our High Streets by up to £0.02m from £1.132m to £1.152m;

e)    increase the allocation for Crewe YouthZone by £0.318m from £5.830m to £6.148m, noting that this comprises an increase of £0.28m for Crewe YouthZone (‘The Dome’) at Oak Street from £4.639m to £4.919m and an increase of £0.038m for Crewe Youth Club at Mirion Street from £1.19m to £1.228m.

2               approve adjustments to the council’s Medium Term  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To consider the report on the Third Financial Review of 2025-26.

The Committee considered the report which set out the Third Financial Review 2025-26 position based on income, expenditure and known commitments as at the end of November 2025.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):  That the Committee

1               note the overall Council’s Financial position as described within the Executive Summary – Council Financial Position.

2               note the latest revenue forecast for Economy and Growth Directorate, review progress on the delivery of the MTFS approved budget policy change items (Table 3 in the report), the RAG ratings and to understand the actions to be taken to address any adverse variances from the approved budget.

3               note the overall in-year forecast capital spending for Economy and Growth Directorate of £37.803m against a revised MTFS budget of £56.535m in Tables 4 and 5 in the report.

4               note the Delegated Decisions made for Supplementary Capital estimates up to £500,000 as per Table 6 in the report.

5               approve the Supplementary Capital Estimate above £500,000 up to and including £1,000,000 as per Table 7 in the report.

6               note the Capital Budget Reductions asper Table 8 in the report,

7        note the available reserves position as per Table 9 in the report.