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 if the Council should congratulate the people of Cheshire East for organising events to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. The Chairman agreed that local people had made a significant contribution to mark the event.
Councillor Moran also referred to discussions between Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington Councils regarding proposals to devolve powers to a combined authority with an elected mayor. He wondered when opposition members would be briefed. The Chairman replied that the Council had been exploring the feasibility and potential benefits of such an arrangement in discussion with the other two authorities but that Warrington had now decided to put the matter on hold. The Chief Executive added that similar discussions had been taking place around the country. He was happy to attend opposition group meetings to brief them on the matter.
Councillor M Warren asked what plans the Council had to ensure that it could enforce parking policy across the Borough, given that the number of enforcement officers had fallen to 10. The Chairman replied that a report on the matter would be coming to Cabinet on 12th July. The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Health undertook to provide further information in a written response.
Councillor R Fletcher referred to a number of housing developments which had taken place on land in Alsager, the planning permissions for which had required the provision of play areas; those play areas had not yet been provided. He sought further information about what was happening with the play areas and also raised a number of other issues regarding an unsafe bridge and improvements to footways and footpaths in the area. The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning confirmed that he had received a list of the issues raised by Councillor Fletcher and would respond to him in writing.
Councillor S Corcoran asked why a letter from Fiona Bruce MP had not been included in the results of the public consultation on children’s centres. The Chairman asked the Director of Education to look into the matter and to provide a written reply.
Councillor Corcoran also asked what progress was being made with regard to the resettling of Syrian refugees in Cheshire East. The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Health replied that there was an agreed plan to take refugees and current indications were that this would occur around about October.
Councillor S Hogben said he had raised a question about the Council’s municipal parks strategy at the April Cabinet meeting and had been promised a written response which he had not yet received. The Chairman apologised and undertook to chase this up.
Councillor D Flude, having raised the matter at a previous meeting, asked if Cheshire East Council was to become a multi-academy trust. At the request of the Chairman, the Director of Education replied that a full day conference had just taken place with head teachers from across the Borough which had enabled an initial dialogue on the matter to take place. The Council had not taken a position on the matter but was willing to consider proposals from schools. The officers were considering the feedback from the conference with a view to preparing a concept paper on the matter.