A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. Notice of questions need not be given in advance of the meeting. Questions must relate to the powers, duties or responsibilities of the Cabinet. Questions put to Cabinet Members must relate to their portfolio responsibilities.
The Leader will determine how Cabinet question time should be allocated where there are a number of Members wishing to ask questions. Where a question relates to a matter which appears on the agenda, the Leader may allow the question to be asked at the beginning of consideration of that item.
Minutes:
Councillor L Jeuda expressed concern about a rumour about the closure of Hollins View, a community support centre in Macclesfield. She had learned of the matter from local residents. She said that if the services at the centre were withdrawn, this would cause hardship for carers, and she sought assurances that this would not happen. The Leader responded that the Council would always do the right thing for its residents in order to achieve the right quality of service.
Councillor S Corcoran asked why the Cabinet had had a change of heart on supporting community plans. The Leader responded that neighbourhood plans were important in defending green areas against development and the Council was committed to protecting the Borough’s villages and neighbourhoods.
Councillor D Flude referred to rumours that Crewe Police Station was to be re-located to the former Redsands building. The Leader responded that there were no firm proposals at present but that the Council would support any move which would benefit local residents.
Councillor Flude also asked about the future of Lincoln House in Crewe. The Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Care and Health in the Community responded that Lincoln House was an excellent facility which would continue to receive the Council’s support.
Councillor Rhoda Bailey referred to the Council’s budget underspend of £900,000 and asked if this should be returned to the residents of Cheshire East. The Leader responded that it was the residents’ money and not the Council’s and that the Council had a duty to get the best value out of it.
Councillor B Murphy asked why there appeared to be a veil of secrecy around the future of Hollins View, Macclesfield and why local members had learned about it from distressed local residents instead of being informed as local ward members or as members of the Macclesfield Local Service Delivery Committee. The Leader responded that the Council needed to address dementia and respite care as a priority and was working closely with its staff and the unions on any changes at Hollins View. In addition, the Council had to work with its partners and could not base public information on supposition.
Councillor Murphy also referred to complaints by the Alsager Residents Action Group that their proposal for the establishment of a University Technical College on the former MMU site in Alsager was being ‘stymied’ by Cheshire East Council because the latter wished to see the site developed for housing. The Leader responded that the Council did not own the MMU site and therefore could not block any proposals in relation to its future use. The Council was committed to delivering a technical college for the people of Crewe and Alsager and if the Alsager Group owned a suitable site the Council would give it serious consideration. The Council would also seek to ensure that any housing developments in Alsager provided infrastructure benefits for the area.
Councillor A Thwaite sought assurances that local groups would be consulted on any proposals for the Congleton Library meeting rooms. The Leader responded that the Council would be meeting local groups and would listen seriously to what they had to say.
Councillor L Smetham asked for an update on the green waste collection service. The Leader responded that the Council was currently consulting on the matter. The Portfolio Holder for Service Commissioning added that the consultation process was a fair one and that all suggestions would be taken into consideration. The Council had to address the issue of wagons collecting very little waste at a high cost.