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 A Moran asked whether, in the interests of transparency, it was morally correct for Cheshire East Councillors on the Strategic Planning Board, including the Cabinet Member, to determine a planning application from this Council to construct a waste transfer station at Cledford Lane, Middlewich, which was approved against much local opposition, and he asked if such applications should be determined by another method. The Leader replied that, whilst he did not intervene in planning applications, he was willing to meet any member to discuss any issue they had with a planning application to make it better and stronger and to see what the Council could do to make it more amenable.
Councillor S Corcoran asked if all young people leaving the Council’s care had a Cheshire Neighbours Credit Union account opened for them. The Leader replied that this was a good idea and the Council would ensure that they did from now on if this was not already the case. He asked the officers to write to Councillor Corcoran to confirm the position.
Councillor S Hogben asked if the Council’s representative on Rail North would make representations about passenger safety in view of proposals to take guards off certain passenger trains in the North West. The Leader replied that passenger safety was always a priority for the Council. The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Highways, as the Council’s representative on Rail North, indicated that the matter was under discussion as part of the new rail franchise and that the issue of passenger safety and assistance for elderly and disabled passengers would be taken into consideration.
Councillor T Dean asked whether, if there was local public support for a relief road at Knutsford, the Council would support such a project. The Leader replied that whilst the Council would give serious consideration to any proposal which was strongly supported by local residents and the town council, Cheshire East Council would have to consider the implications in terms of cost and the impact on the environment, including the green belt around Knutsford and local heritage.
Councillor G Williams asked if a partnership agreement between the Congleton Beartown bus service and Transport Service Solutions to provide free bus transport during the forthcoming school half term demonstrated the Council’s commitment to reducing congestion, improving air quality and boosting trade, which the Congleton Link Road would also achieve. In this context, he asked about progress with the Link Road. The Leader replied that the scheme was now being considered through the planning process.
Councillor G Baxendale referred to a complaint by a local resident who was unimpressed by the lack of progress in Congleton town centre on Bossons Mill, Bridestones and the high street, given the monies already announced. The Leader gave a brief update and stressed that Congleton was an important town and needed to have the best, and there was a need to work together to help deliver that.
Councillor M Warren referred to a recent announcement by the Chief Executive of the Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust that because of a shortfall in income, the Trust was having to lose 25 staff, including its neighbourhood enforcement officers, which would adversely affect the Trust’s ability to fulfil its responsibilities in preventing and tackling anti-social behaviour, as well as its safeguarding role. He asked if the Council had spoken to the Trust or the police about the matter or whether the Council had considered the implications for anti-social behaviour if the redundancies were to go ahead. The Leader undertook to meet the Trust to discuss the matter and to see if the Council could assist in some way; he asked the officers to arrange a meeting. The Leader further undertook to inform Councillor Warren of the outcome of any discussions. The Portfolio Holder for Communities added that discussions with the Trust were already underway but that the Leader’s involvement would serve to reinforce the process.