Agenda item

In accordance the Council Procedure Rules, opportunity is provided for Members of the Council to ask the Mayor or the Chair of a Committee any question about a matter which the Council, or the Committee has powers, duties or responsibilities.

At Council meeting, there will be a maximum question time period of 30 minutes. A period of two minutes will be allowed for each Councillor wishing to ask a question.  The Mayor will have the discretion to vary this requirement where they consider it appropriate.

Cllr Arthur Moran asked if information could be provided on the grant which Cheshire East has received to plant a new woodland near Nantwich. 

Cllr Mick Warren, Chair of Environment and Communities Committee, responded that the Council had been awarded around £478,000 as part of Trees for Climate grant to plant two new woodlands near Nantwich and Cranage. This project would help the Council to beat its target to offset 37,500 tonnes of CO².

Cllr Chris Hilliard asked when the construction of the Handforth to Wilmslow Active Travel Route would commence and finish.

In response Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated that Active Travel England, who provided funding for this project, had agreed in principle to the plans for the scheme, from Handforth Train Station to Style Road in Wilmslow. The route would connect the two towns and integrate with wider cycle routes. The design would soon go out to public consultation.  Local cycling schemes and Town Councils had already been consulted and were supportive. Installation was being scheduled for the 2025 school summer holidays to limit disruption, with final works to complete in 2026.

Cllr Andrew Kolker referred to the prevalence of Bird Flu in Cheshire East and asked if the Public Health Team could issue a notice to all Councillors on what residents should do, and how to keep safe if they found a sick or dead bird.

Cllr Jill Rhodes, Chair of Adults and Health Committee, agreed to ask the Public Health Team to provide a written response.

Cllr Chris O’Leary stated that the B5470 Macclesfield Road had been closed for some time, and investigations were ongoing to identify what caused the road to collapse. In the meantime, several businesses along the road were being adversely affected as were local farmers and parents doing the school run. Cllr O’Leary sought assurance that once the Council knew what happened, that immediate action would be taken to repair and reopen the Macclesfield Road.

In response from Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated the dealing with the collapse of the road was technically complex, with 3 phases to resolving the issue - ground investigations,design and construction.  The Council was working hard to understand the causes of the failure and were currently undertaking ground investigations of the embankment and surrounding area. This would inform the design and delivery of the solution. A solution would be delivered as soon as it was practicable.  The Council had a web page dedicated to the issue, which would be updated with a programme of work as soon as a solution had been identified. 

Cllr Rod Fletcher asked if the Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee could provide information on how much income had been received from the Well Lane car park in Alsager between 2 December 2024 and 2 March 2025.

In response from Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee stated he would provide a written response after 2 March 2025.

Cllr Lata Anderson stated that the main road through Wilmslow, MacLean Way, was resurfaced in 2024 but within weeks it was damaged with loose stones on the surface. Highways had confirmed that they would be sweeping the road surface and assurances were given that the road would be resurfaced again. She asked when the resurfacing would take place and what should be done for those who had suffered damaged windscreens as a result of the loose stones on the road.

Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee responded that repair work was due to be carried out in April / May 2025, and that claims could be made on the Council’s website and that these would be reviewed by an independent claims company.

Cllr David Jefferay stated that for the past two years in late March, a car park in Wilmslow had been used by members of the Iranian community to celebrate the Iranian Festival of Nature. Whilst the visitors were welcome, it had previously caused issues with traffic congestion, unsafe parking, public toilet provision, and overflowing bins. He asked if Cheshire East could provide support for this event, such as traffic officers, temporary toilets, rubbish skips, liaison with police, and enforcement officers.

Cllr Mick Warren, Chair of Environment and Communities Committee, undertook to provide a written response.

Cllr Brian Puddicombe stated that parking outside schools at pick up and drop off times could be chaotic and potentially dangerous. He stated that the Safe Haven Pilot Parking scheme had chosen four schools in Macclesfield and asked if the Chair of Highways and Transport Committee could explain how the schools were chosen, what was the cost to Cheshire East Council, where would the revenue from fines be spent, and how were parents being encouraged to use more Active Travel means to get their children to school.

In response from Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated that a recent press release had detailed Cheshire East Council’s intention to explore the benefits of using cameras to enforce school Keep Clear markings. Priority locations for the pilot had been identified from reports and monitoring from Parking Services. Contracts with service providers were being finalised. Prior to the cameras being installed there would be consultation with schools, residents, and Ward Members would be briefed in advance. The priority was to change driver behaviour, and not to generate revenue.

Cllr Fiona Wilson asked if the Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee could confirm that the pot hole funding grants from the Government have been, and would continue to be, all spent on pot holes. She also asked if the Chair could comment on the difference kind of repairs undertaken.

Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, responded that it had been confirmed at the Highways and Transport Committee that all money received from the Government on pot holes was spent. There were specific rules concerning what money can be spent on different type of emergency pot hole repairs. He stated that the three levels of repair were:

Level 1 – Emergency repairs to pot holes caused by icy weather. It was common for there to be a large number of these around the Borough in a short space of time following cold wet weather, and emergency repairs were carried out on these to ensure that they do not damage vehicles where possible. These repairs were designed to make the roads as safe as possible as quickly as possible.

Level 2 and 3 – Larger resurfacing repairs and making good Level 1 repairs. These were time consuming and expensive.

Cllr Linda Buchanan stated that complaints had been received regarding the state of the road surface of the A500 from Roundabout Three to Cheerbrook Roundabout and that the road surface is peeling away causing stones to damage wind screens. She had been informed that remedial work would be carried out by the contractor in May 2025 at no cost to tax payer. Cllr Buchanan asked if the Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee could confirm that members of the public who had submitted claims for damaged windscreens as a result of the road surface issues, would not be burdened by covering legal and reimbursements costs, and these would be covered by contractor.

In response Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee stated that it had been confirmed that the contractor would cover all remedial costs. The issue in question was as a result of faulty bitumen, but unfortunately the repairs could not happen until the weather warmed up in April / May 2025. In the meantime, roads were being inspected and swept. Members of the public were encouraged to report damages caused by the road surface on the Council’s website.

Cllr John Bird asked what assurances Cheshire East could provide to small towns and rural communities in relation to benefits and improvements to services following devolution.

In response Cllr Michael Gorman, Chair of Economy and Growth Committee, stated that the Cheshire East Member Reference Group for Devolution would focus on integrated transport, jobs and skills, affordable housing, planning, digital isolation and the dairy industry. The rural community was a major and central focus in any devolution deal. Cheshire East also chaired a housing and regeneration working group which would look at the regeneration of towns in Cheshire East. The position of Town Councils would also be looked into in any devolution deal.

Cllr Liz Wardlaw asked how roads were repaired in colder climates.

Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, responded that emergency repairs could be carried out in winter in colder weather, but they do not last well. Warmer weather in spring and summer is required for repairs in the UK.

Cllr Allen Gage referred to the statement released by the Chair of Highways and Transport Committee regarding contactor maintenance issues concerning the A500. He asked if details of the issues could be provided, and what assurances could be provided that residents would be reimbursed for any damages incurred to their vehicles.

In response Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated that these issues had already been covered in previous questions.

Cllr Sam Corcoran stated that there has been a significant increase in house sale boards being placed on Council owned green spaces in Sandbach, which effected the looks of the area. He stated that other councils issued fines for estate agents boards on council land and asked if this could be something that the Council would consider and whether this could also be extended to vinyl signs on railings advertising businesses.

In response Cllr Mick Warren, Chair of Environment and Communities Committee, stated that he thought it was a good idea and worth investigating.  Local town and parish councils could enact bylaws to remove banners from roundabouts and fences.

Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee. responded that there was a legal right for yellow housing development signs to be erected, but Cheshire East must approve them beforehand. The Council did not currently charge for this, but other councils did, so officers had been asked to look into this.

Cllr Kate Hague stated that the Tabley Brook Bridge had been closed due to structural damage which had led to the suspension of the bus route 89 for 12 months which was of concern to residents. The closure would also impact local roads during the Cheshire Show. The Cheshire East Flexi Bus was designed to help rural areas with poor public transport options; however, it had limited criteria for use.   She asked if there were any plans to reroute the 89 bus to serve the residents of Pickmere during the bridge closure and would the Flexi Bus be used as an interim solution to this, with fares aligned.   She also asked if a timeline for the bridge was to be reopened could be provided and if there were any plans to mitigate disruption in connection with the Cheshire Show.

Cllr Mark Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, undertook to provide a written response.