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 what assurances could be given that the Council would not take out the Active Travel emergency measures before there had been time to see if they were effective in helping people walk and cycle more. The Leader responded that the Council was listening to local people on the Active Travel Schemes and making changes where appropriate, and he encouraged residents to engage with the schemes.
Councillor M Benson asked how the decision had been taken to implement the new streamlined process for al fresco dining pavement licences and why the Licensing Committee had not been involved. The Leader responded that the decision had been taken under urgency provisions. He undertook to ask the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste to provide a written response. The Deputy Leader added that the timescale allowed for considering the licence applications meant that a meeting of the relevant committee could not be convened in time.
Councillor J Buckley asked about sink holes in Alsager, mainly on Crewe Road and Lawton Road, which she said were usually due to faults in the main sewer, and that United Utilities usually denied responsibility for them, with the Council having to take action itself. She asked if the Council could take action against United Utilities for wasting the Council’s time. The Deputy Leader responded that Cheshire East Highways were in constant contact with all utility companies operating across Cheshire East. The Highway authority was responsible for addressing sink holes and making the road safe and for addressing the root cause, recharging the utility company where appropriate. Highways officers would be meeting United Utilities on 15th September to discuss the condition of the main sewer in Crewe Road, Alsager and agree an action plan.
Councillor J Clowes referred to a new Town and County Planning Order coming into force on 24th September as part of the preparations for leaving the EU, which provided for temporary planning permission for the use of land for the stationing of goods vehicles entering and leaving Great Britain. She asked which sites had been identified in Cheshire East for this purpose. The Leader responded that the Council had not been consulted by the Government prior to the making of the Order and he was concerned that it bypassed the normal planning process. He was still awaiting information from the Government on where the sites were likely to be.
Councillor L Gilbert referred to a Council policy which prevented new street lighting being provided in Manor Road, Holmes Chapel. The lack of street lighting discouraged active travel through the hours of darkness. He also referred to the fact that the parish council was unable to submit its tree planting programme for approval because there was a tree policy in development. The Leader encouraged the parish council to submit a proposal for street lighting in Manor Road through the Active Travel scheme. He also undertook to look into the matter of the Council’s tree policy.
Councillor P Groves referred to the commissioning by the Council of Cushman and Wakefield to produce town centre vitality plans and sought confirmation that the forthcoming review would include a full and comprehensive review of car parking across the Borough. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration responded that there would be consultation on car parking this autumn, the results of which would inform town centre recovery plans.
Councillor M Simon referred to vehicle engines idling outside schools which was not good for air quality, nor for the health of pupils, staff and local residents. She asked if a directive could be issued to schools for parents to be asked not to leave their engines running while waiting to pick up their children from school. The Portfolio Holders for Communities and for Children and Families agreed to consider a joint exercise to raise awareness of the issue in schools and with parents.