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 asked why the Council was embarking on a review of its constitution at a time when the Council was in a state of flux with several senior officers missing and others occupying temporary posts. The Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Legal Services responded that the review of the constitution was being undertaken as part of an improvement agenda that aimed to bring greater efficiency and transparency into the Council’s decision-making processes. The Leader added that with regard to the reference to the Council being in a state of flux, the Council was addressing a number of historic issues in an open and transparent way. At the Leader’s invitation, the Acting Chief Executive commented that whilst it was the case that the Council was having to deal with a number of historic matters, it was seeking to ensure that its current arrangements were as robust as possible. Other members of the Cabinet then outlined ways in which the Council was moving forward positively.
Councillor S Corcoran referred to a culture of bullying at Cheshire East Council and suggested that an external review, as previously proposed by his group, would help to restore the reputation of the Council. The Leader responded that the issue of bullying had been referred to the body responsible for such matters under the Council’s governance arrangements, namely the Staffing Committee, and that there was now a regular agenda item on the wellbeing of the Council’s staff. At the Leader’s invitation, the Acting Chief Executive reiterated comments made previously that the staff were the Council’s greatest asset and that without them the Council could not deliver the high quality services to its residents that it desired. Senior managers were looking at a range of ways in which to provide greater support for staff and to improve channels of communication.
Councillor G Williams referred to the successful international ‘Chalk it Up’ festival in Crewe and asked if the Portfolio Holder could provide an update on the wider visitor economy. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Infrastructure responded that the festival had attracted a considerable number of visitors into Crewe and it was a phenomenal success as the first event of its kind in the UK. A formal report on the outcome of the event was awaited. As regards the wider visitor economy, this grew at just under 5% last year, with 16 million visitors coming into the Borough, worth £895M to the local economy. 400 new jobs had been created in the sector.
Councillor M Grant welcomed the new plans for Crewe town centre, including the market, but stressed that this needed to be done as quickly as possible. The Leader appreciated her comments.
Councillor S Gardiner asked if the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Infrastructure would join him in thanking Sarah Flannery and others involved in organising a recent event in Knutsford featuring the 65th anniversary of the trial of Alan Turing. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Infrastructure agreed that the event had been very well done and had been very moving. The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Communities referred to a letter from Sarah Flannery thanking various members and officers at Cheshire East for helping to make the four day event a success.
Councillor Gardiner also asked about progress with the bus service review. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Infrastructure responded that following the consultation, a report would be submitted to Cabinet in November. He reaffirmed his willingness to meet with representatives of town and parish councils.