Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director Places on the Notice of Motion submitted to the Council at its meeting on 17 December 2009.

On 17^th December 2009, in accordance with Standing Orders, Council remitted the following motion to Cabinet –

 “This Council calls upon the Executive to recognise the need to improve the conduct of decision-making and consultation in relation to all matters relating to the Council’s responsibilities as a Highways Authority and its responsibilities through its Transport Policies.

In particular, the Council calls upon the Executive Members with responsibility for Strategic Planning and the Environment to recommend the establishment of bodies, which would effectively carry out the public functions which were previously the responsibility of the three Joint Highways Committees and the Public Transport Liaison Committees, within the area now governed by Cheshire East. These responsibilities should include the public consideration of decisions in relation to parking, Traffic Regulation Orders, Speed limits and engineering improvements and all other matters where effective transparent consultation and decision making is required.

The Council asks for Committees of local Councillors to be established in each of the previous areas covered by Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe and Nantwich Borough Councils and provision to be made for the involvement of the police and where relevant town and Parish Councils. The Committees to be empowered to receive and consider representations by the public where these are appropriate.”

Cabinet considered a suggested approach to the implementation of local engagement on highways and transportation issues across Cheshire East.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

That -

1.      Highways and Transportation forums be established, based on the Local Area Partnership boundaries, to provide a mechanism for local Ward Members and other interested parties to discuss highways and transportation issues, such as local investment priorities, traffic management and public transport arrangements; and

2.      a Cheshire East Transport Forum be established to bring together transport operators across the Borough with the Council to discuss strategic transport issues.