A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. A maximum period of two minutes will be allowed for each member wishing to ask a question. The Leader will have discretion to vary this requirement where he considers it appropriate. Members wishing to ask a question at the meeting should register to do so in writing by not later than 4.00 pm on the Friday in the week preceding the meeting. Members should include the general topic their question will relate to and indicate if it relates to an item on the agenda. Questions must relate to the powers, duties or responsibilities of the Cabinet. Questions put to Cabinet Members must relate to their portfolio responsibilities.
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 S Akers Smith asked if highways and planning officers could work together to ensure that all outstanding S106 agreements were completed to ensure that cycling and pedestrian infrastructure was built, and that developers be made more accountable for its delivery. She also asked if the Parkgate, Knutsford roundabout and the new Kings School, Macclesfield roundabout could be re-designed to accommodate cycle and pedestrian safety.
The Portfolio Holder for Planning undertook to provide a written response.
Councillor R Bailey asked if stakeholders and partners, such as the NFU, would be involved in the delivery of the Council’s Environment Strategy and Carbon Action Plan.
The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration responded that stakeholders and partners, such as the NFU, and landowners, would be involved in the implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan.
Councillor K Parkinson, on behalf of Councillor M Beanland, asked what measures the Council had in place to ensure the successful implementation of Track and Trace.
In responding, the Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Corporate Services stressed that the system would be operated by the NHS and that the Council was not responsible for it and had no control over it. The Council would have a supporting role. There were still unanswered questions as to how the system would work and how data would be shared with the Council. The Council’s officers would continue to work closely with the regional branch of Public Health England.
Councillor J Buckley asked about progress with connecting the footpath between the Coppice Estate and the Poppy Fields Estate, Alsager, completion of which had been expected two years ago.
The Portfolio Holder for Planning responded that officers would discuss the matter with the developer to resolve any outstanding issues.
Councillor P Groves referred to changes to the town centre review format announced last week and asked if a full car parking review was still part of that agenda. He also referred to a Cheshire East bus strategy which was due to be published in the summer and asked when members would be consulted on the document prior to its publication.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste confirmed that the car parking review would still go ahead but had been delayed until later in the year, along with other reviews, because of the pandemic. The Deputy Leader confirmed that the bus strategy had been similarly delayed but that members would be consulted.
Councillor G Hayes asked what additional support the Council had provided to schools, and in particular to vulnerable children and their families, given the impact of Covid-19.
The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families referred to a report on the agenda relating to the Council’s response to Covid-19 which addressed this question. She was happy to follow up with a written response if required.
Councillor B Puddicombe referred to the procurement of a housing development framework approved at the previous meeting and asked for confirmation that the framework only related to Council-owned sites, whether sites in the green belt could be developed within the framework, and when the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee would consider the framework.
The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration confirmed that the framework only related to land in the ownership of the Council. Sites which were not allocated in the Local Plan for housing development would not be included in the framework. The matter was included on the agenda for the meeting of the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15th June 2020. The Portfolio Holder for Planning added that a press release had been issued to clear up any confusion about the framework.
Councillor J Saunders asked why the return to school of Year 6 primary school children had been delayed until 29th June.
The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families responded that the view had been taken by schools that the youngest children would find it most difficult to adapt to the changed circumstances in the schools and that they should be allowed to settle in first and get used to the different routines before the other children were brought back. It was also felt that Year 6 children had already covered much of their curriculum and were getting ready to transition to secondary school.
Councillor L Wardlaw referred to the Government funded initiative ‘Safer Public Places’ and asked how much money would be available, what criteria would be applied, and how many schemes had been brought forward. She also asked if now was the right time to re-introduce car parking fees.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste responded that the funding allocated to the Council would be targeted at built-up areas to ensure social distancing, including cycling and walking routes into town centres. It was necessary to re-introduce car parking charges at this time as an important source of income for the Council.
Councillor J Parry referred to the People Helping People scheme providing support for vulnerable families and individuals during the pandemic and asked that the Council’s thanks and recognition go out to all those involved in delivering the scheme.
The Portfolio Holder for Communities responded that he had already thanked volunteers in writing during Volunteer Week and agreed that it was appropriate to extend those thanks to everyone involved.
Councillor K Parkinson referred to the Government’s guidance to local authorities on the reduction of public transport capacity, and felt that this had been misinterpreted by officers. She asked that it be reconsidered and that new proposals be brought forward for consideration.
Because the final part of Councillor Parkinson’s question was obscured by audio interference, the Deputy Leader asked her to submit her question in writing and he would then provide a written response.