Agenda item

At the meeting of the Community Governance Review (Macclesfield) Sub-Committee (CGR Sub-Cttee) on 16 January it was resolved that this matter be referred to the Local Service Delivery Committee for consideration. 

As this meeting had already been convened, and in order to be able to report back to the CGR Sub-Cttee at its next meeting, the Chairman has, in accordance with Section 100B (4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, agreed to allow consideration as of this item as a matter of urgent business. 

At the meeting of the Community Governance Review (Macclesfield) Sub-Committee (CGR Sub-Committee) on 16 January it had been resolved that this matter be referred to the Local Service Delivery Committee for consideration. 

As the Local Service Delivery Committee meeting had already been convened, and in order to be able to report back to the CGR Sub-Committee at its next meeting, the Chairman had, in accordance with Section 100B (4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, agreed to allow consideration of this item as a matter of urgent business. 

Consideration was given to a report requesting the Committee to give consideration to the proposed role of an Enhanced Local Service Delivery Committee and Assembly Meetings. In considering the report the Committee made the following comments and suggested amendments.

·         Macclesfield Assembly – Amend to say no voting powers for non

           elected members, who should be invited to a general meeting

           and not  be part of  the decision making body. Suggested that the 

           general meeting  take place  once a year, as an AGM.

·         Consideration to be given to extending the period of notice for questions - 24 hours notice is not long enough.

·         Add faith group representatives.

·          make it clear that the forum is the “Make it  Macclesfield – Macclesfield  Economic Forum”  

·        Delete the word “principal “ from paragraph 3 of appendix A (page 4)

           to reflect the legal advice  

• Amend point 10 – appendix A (page 4) to reflect the legal advice re: management of assets.

• Amend point 1 – appendix A (page 4) to read “To investigate and monitor the delivery….”

• Consultation document – (page 14) – Under the paragraph on cost of SDC change the words “ … may be met from part of the Council Tax … to read “may be met from an additional tax …”

• Make it clear in communication materials that a Town or Parish Council will not be the same as the former Macclesfield Borough Council

• Page 14  - Need to make the costs clear. Other areas of the Borough could claim that the cost of a Service Delivery Committee would be “double taxation” for Cheshire east residents outside of Macclesfield. The cost of the Service Delivery Committee may need to be met by a special expense levy.  Financial advice would be sought on this point.

•  Once the role of the Service Delivery Committee is clear, it will be necessary to explain the main differences between Parish Councils and a Service Delivery Committee – e.g. LSDC may just be advisory, whereas a Parish Council has powers to act. A mandate via a community governance review would be needed to proceed with establishing a Parish Council as it is a precepting body, whereas all the other options could be set up by a Council decision. 

• In the draft leaflet , option 2 (page 13)  – Take out the paragraph on the  Local Area Partnership and change the order of the remaining paragraphs, so that “An Enhanced Service Delivery Committee” comes first, followed by the paragraph on the “Macclesfield Charter Trustees”.      

Suggested additional powers and duties for an Enhanced Service Delivery Committee         

·         Traffic Management Issues (explore what is possible – e.g. comment on proposals / make recommendations) .

·         To encourage the provision of leisure facilities (such as parks and play areas).

·         Dealing with Grant Aid Applications.

·         To consider formulation of schemes for progression utilising monies paid to the council as developer contributions under section 106 Town and Country planning Act 1990.

·         To approve the allocation of street names for new developments or the alteration of existing names to avoid confusion.

·         Liaise and consult with local people and the voluntary sector, in order to formulate a response to consultation exercises about strategic issues where the views of local communities are sought.

·         To be responsible for making recommendations to the Council on matters that concern the local community and which have been referred to the area consultative group  by the Council

·         To investigate and then be responsible for making recommendations to cabinet  in so far as they relate to the area on the following:

§  Car parks

§  Markets

§  Community centres

§  Leisure centres

§  Parks

§  Allotments

§  Visitor centres

§  Toilets

·         Receive presentations on key strategic initiatives likely to affect the district and local residents.

·         Scope to hold an annual public forum on a topic chosen by the committee. Such a debate to include the suspension of formal council procedure rules to allow flexibility for extended public participation and comment.

·         Representatives from relevant organisations be invited to attend committee meetings to provide updates on current performance / initiatives and to be questioned by the committee or members of the public.

RESOLVED

That the above comments be reported to the Community Governance Review Sub-committee, when considering this matter.