Questions
In accordance with Procedure Rules 11, opportunity is provided for Members of the Council to ask the Chairman, the appropriate Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee any question about a matter which the Council, the Cabinet or the Committee has powers, duties or responsibilities.
Questions must be sent in writing to the Monitoring Officer at least 3 clear working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
Councillors Flude and Thorley had submitted the following questions to Council. They requested and Council agreed, that written responses be circulated to all Members of the Council, after the meeting, rather than the questions being answered at the meeting :-
(1) Boundary Committee Report
Question to the Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, submitted by Cllr Flude :-
The Local Government Boundary Commission has completed and published its review of Electoral Arrangements for the Borough of Cheshire East. The Commission recommends that there should be 82 members representing 28 single member wards, 18 two member wards and 6 3 member wards.
When accepted by Parliament, the Borough will be expected to put in place electoral arrangements to carry out the Borough elections of May 2011, based on the new wards.
Given the short time span to introduce these changes will the Cabinet Member;
1. Outline the expected time scale for the introduction of the new electoral system?
2. Exert all legitimate pressure for the Parliamentary Order to be laid and accepted as quickly as possible?
3. Assure the Council and the public that the resources are available to organise the changes?
4. Arrange to publicise the new arrangements to the electorate and all interested parties such as political parties and Town and Parish councils?
5. Ensure there is an appropriate induction process in place for prospective candidates in the 82 wards?
6. Run a campaign to encourage participation in the local elections?
(2) Affordable Housing
Question to the Cabinet Member with responsibility for strategic planning, submitted by Cllr Flude :-
Eric Pickles Secretary of State for Local Government announced that house building targets set by central government are to be scrapped.
There apparently has been established the need for 1200 houses per year to be provided in Cheshire East Borough to satisfy the need for affordable homes in urban and rural areas. Will the Cabinet member responsible.
1. Provide estimated figures for the affordable homes required in each of the 7 LAP areas divided into an urban category and a rural category for the next 5 years?
2. State how many affordable homes have been provided in Cheshire East in 2009/10 and where they have been provided?
3. State the planned provision of affordable homes in the LAP urban and rural areas for 2010/11 to 2014/15?
4. State what is being done by the Borough in partnership with other organisations to close the gap between estimated need and provision?
5. State how the newly formed service run by the Borough for the allocation of social housing will help those in need for that provision?
6. What encouragement is being given to Town and Parish Councils to work with housing associations to meet the need for affordable housing in rural areas of the Borough?
(3) Secondary Education in Macclesfield
Question to the Cabinet Member responsible for Children and Families, submitted by Cllr Flude :-
Parents and teachers are deeply concerned about the state of secondary education in the Macclesfield area of ... view the full minutes text for item 48