Agenda item

To make a recommendation to Cabinet on the level of service and related budgets the Committee wishes to see continue to be provided in the unparished area of Macclesfield, potentially leading to the levying on a relevant charge. 

At the previous meeting of the Committee, Members had requested some additional information to help inform their recommendations to Cabinet on the level of service and related budgets they wished to see continue to be provided in the unparished area of Macclesfield.

 

This information was now been provided, together with a summary of the 2012/13 budget for Macclesfield, including individual service budgets and a breakdown of support services charges.

 

The Committee made recommendations to Cabinet in respect of each of the areas under consideration as follows :-

 

Allotments  

 

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet be informed that the Committee does not feel it is appropriate for these costs to be included in a special expenses levy, as they are a statutory duty of the lowest level of government, this being Cheshire East Council.

    

(Councillor Edwards abstained from voting).

 

Senior Citizens Hall

 

It was noted that, at the previous meeting of the Committee, it had been questioned whether this item should be considered, when the hall fell within the Macclesfield Town Centre Development area.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet be informed that that the Committee does not feel it is appropriate for these costs to be included in a special expenses levy, at this point in time, when the status of the hall is uncertain. The Committee may wish to reconsider its position when the hall’s status becomes more certain.

   

(Councillor Edwards abstained from voting).

 

Weston Community Centre

 

Concern was expressed regarding the condition of the Centre and it was felt that it needed to be brought up to a reasonable standard. It was also considered that the library room, situated within the Centre, was a vital cultural resource for the community and should be retained and that any future proposals relating to the library should be brought back to the Committee for consideration.

 

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet be recommended to defer the decision in respect of the Weston Community Centre, until such a time as the Centre is brought up to a reasonable standard and that the position regarding the library be the subject of further discussion.

 

(Councillor Edwards abstained from voting).

 

Markets

 

Further information was requested, for consideration at the next meeting, to include a budget forecast for the next five years for the indoor and outdoor markets, including an analysis with regard to assets and clarification regarding the figure relating to service management and support services for the markets. It was also suggested that the Council should review and reduce the figures in respect of overtime, as part of its harmonisation of terms and conditions. 

  

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet be informed that the Committee is minded to make a recommendation to accept that it is appropriate for these costs to be included in a special expenses levy, on condition that a five year forecast for the indoor and outdoor markets is provided for the next meeting of the Committee, to include an analysis with regard to assets; and that Cheshire East Council reviews and reduces the figures in respect of overtime, as part of its harmonisation of terms and conditions. 

 

(Councillor Edwards abstained from voting).

 

Town Centre Management

 

(Councillor Edwards had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this  matter and left the room during its consideration).

 

 RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet be informed that the Committee would wish to include this area in any special expenses levy and that the Committee would like to have an input into the job description for the Town Centre Manager and have influence over their job role and accountability.

 

 (Councillor Edwards returned to the meeting).

 

Christmas Lights

 

A detailed breakdown of the Council’s budget provision of £20,000 was requested.

 

RESOLVED

 

That a detailed breakdown of the following year’s costs, including the Christmas tree and decorations be provided, for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.  

  

(Councillor Edwards abstained from voting).

 

Public Conveniences

 

At the previous meeting of the Committee it had been suggested that consideration be given to closing of the existing public conveniences and paying an amount of money to suitable local retailers, to enable use of their toilets by the public.

  

RESOLVED

 

That Cabinet be informed that the Committee recommends that the possibility/feasibility of engaging local retailers to provide toilet facilities for the public be explored, including provision for the disabled, to replace the two current sites and accepts that the Committee would be responsible for any associated costs. 

 

(Councillor Edwards abstained from voting).

 

Floral Displays

 

It was noted that the figures relating to floral displays included baskets, troughs, planters and tubs, but excluded flowerbeds. A detailed breakdown of the costs was requested for consideration at the next meeting.

 

RESOLVED

 

That a detailed breakdown of the costs be provided for the next meeting.