In accordance with paragraph 2.24 of the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, set out in the Constitution, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.
Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.
Petitions - To receive any petitions which have met the criteria - Petitions Scheme Criteria and falls within the remit of the Committee. Petition organisers will be allowed up to three minutes to speak.
Minutes:
Councillor R Douglas addressed the committee in relation to agenda item 6 (HWRC booking system changes). Councillor Douglas stated that both councillors and residents should be informed of further key information such as the number of days per week that the booking system would be introduced for. Councillor Douglas asked what impact the proposed recommendations would have in respect of recycling and fly-tipping levels, stating that this could be discriminatory against those unable to access online systems. Finally, Councillor Douglas suggested that the decision be deferred until such a time that further clarification was provided on the proposals and their impact, and further consideration being given to extending opening hours across all sites.
In response, officers confirmed that the report sought delegated authority to allow flexibility in amending the booking system and that no options had been ruled out. It was advised that alternative arrangements, including onsite queue management, would be considered alongside other potential solutions. It was confirmed that further options would be trialled in consultation with Members.
Ms T Blueman addressed the committee in relation to agenda Item 6 (HWRC booking system changes). Ms Blueman set out the impact of recent boundary changes and HWRC closures on local communities and issues experienced with missed household waste collections. Ms Blueman shared her concerns with the booking system and accessibility for some residents. Recent HWRC closures had increased pressure at the Macclesfield HWRC site, and that any further barriers could results in increased fly-tipping. In summary, Ms Blueman felt that the full-time booking system was not inclusive or equitable.
Mr M Winder addressed the committee in relation to agenda Item 6 (HWRC booking system changes). Mr Winder stated that he had observed ongoing issues at the Macclesfield HWRC, including long queues, access difficulties, and general pressure on the site. Mr Winder asked whether the council had modelled current and future demand at the site, particularly following the closure of nearby sites, and whether this information could be made public. Mr Winder suggested that changes to booking or queuing systems would only be effective if underlying capacity matched demand and that, without addressing capacity, residents might continue to experience problems regardless of how access was managed.
Ms D Jamison addressed the committee in relation to agenda item 5 (Strategic Leisure Review). Ms Jamison stated her longstanding involvement in leisure services and neighbourhood planning. Ms Jamison stated that the review failed to adequately address the role of property services and the contract in relation to maintenance, project delivery, and cost overruns, particularly in relation to changing room projects. Ms Jamison requested that this issue be referred for further consideration. Ms Jamison sought clarification on the recommissioning process, urging Members not to delegate the decision on the Holmes Chapel closure to officers, stating that alternative arrangements sould be explored. Ms Jamison encouraged Members to scrutinise and challenge the report and delegations robustly, in line with recommendations made through the LGA Peer Review.
In response, officers acknowledged the issues raised regarding property and project costs and confirmed that these were being actively managed and reported through established project management processes. It was confirmed that the current leisure contract expired in 2029 and that work was underway to consider future commissioning arrangements. It was confirmed that this would involve officers and Members initially, followed by wider stakeholder engagement. It was highlighted that there had been a number of positive outcomes from the leisure review, including increased asset availability, enhanced facilities through investment in infrastructure and equipment, and growth in participation. Officers highlighted increased membership levels over the life of the contract and noted positive public health outcomes associated with increased physical activity.