To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader and Deputy Leader.
Minutes:
The Leader, in summary:
1 thanked those who had shared their experiences with domestic violence and committed to improving services for victims and their families.
2 announced that Councillor Anthony Harrison had been appointed as the Armed Forces Member Champion.
3 reported that Councillor Anna Burton had been a finalist for the National Association of Local Councillors’ Staff Award, which was a notable achievement for a newly elected councillor.
4 reported that the Council continued to make good progress with the Transformation Programme.
5 reported that key senior management appointments had been made with the appointment of the Executive Director of Resources (s151) being on the agenda for the meeting.
6 reported that the Assurance Panel was providing ongoing oversight on the recommendations from the Peer Challenge and that regular meetings were held between council leaders and LGA colleagues. Out of the 73 recommendations, 35 were now completed with further formal feedback due in coming weeks.
7 reported that the Ofsted monitoring visit on the Children’s Services was underway with the Inspectors monitoring and reporting on progress since the inspection. They would also check that performance in other areas had not declined since the inspection.
8 reported that projected supported by the Future High Street Fund and Towns Fund were due to be completed soon. Work was progressing well with the Cheshire Family History Centre on the old library site in Crewe and the refurbishment of Macclesfield Indoor Market was expected to be completed by mid-2025.
9 reported that the Government was progressing devolution across England and that Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Council had successfully submitted an expression of interest for a new strategic authority and, if approved, would see the election for a Mayor in May 2026.
10 encouraged all councillors to actively involve their communities in the devolution consultation process.
The Deputy Leader, in summary:
1 reported that a recent LGA survey found that 80% of councillors nationally had experienced harassment or abuse, including face-to-face, by mail, or online. A Member Reference Group had been set up which had commissioned a survey to gather details of harassment and abuse suffered by Cheshire East Council Members and the results would be used to help develop support policies. He encouraged all councillors to complete the survey.
2 reported that the Council in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions JobCentre Plus team would be hosting a jobs fair on 27 February 2025 in the Crewe Market Hall.
3 reported that the Council had launched a consultation on the Local Transport Plan, which was open for responses until 21 April 2025.
4 stated that from 31 March 2025 there would be an hourly service on bus routes 391/392 between Poynton and Stockport, and the reintroduced 71/72/73 Nantwich rural services would provide Nantwich, Wrenbury and Audlem with a direct bus connection to Leighton Hospital.
5 reported that he and the Leader had met with the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust to discuss the £1.2 billion Healthier Futures campus at Leighton Hospital, aimed at improving health, education, jobs, and community connections.
6 reported that he and the Leader had met with Cheshire West and Chester, Warrington and Greater Manchester leaders to discuss transport developments, particularly in rail.
7 reported that the Council would be launching a prospectus for Crewe Hub, initially at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum conference in May, to promote its 360o connectivity and its major investment opportunities.
8 reported that the Local Government and English Devolution minister, Jim McMahon, had visited Ellesmere Port on 13 February and had met with the leaders of Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Council to discuss plans for devolution in the region.
9 reported that Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington had secured £9m for their new Skills Bootcamp programme, which would help to provide technical training for over 2,600 learners.
10 reported that he had recently visited Middlewich, Congleton and Nantwich Town Councils and invited town and parish councils to invite him to meet with them.
11 highlighted that ‘Rock the Civic 2’ live music event was taking place at Nantwich Civic Hall on Friday 28 February 2025.