Issue - meetings

A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. Notice of questions need not be given in advance of the meeting. Questions must relate to the powers, duties or responsibilities of the Cabinet. Questions put to Cabinet Members must relate to their portfolio responsibilities.

The Leader will determine how Cabinet question time should be allocated where there are a number of Members wishing to ask questions. Where a question relates to a matter which appears on the agenda, the Leader may allow the question to be asked at the beginning of consideration of that item.

Councillor N Mannion asked for an update on the Council’s pilot schemes in Crewe and Macclesfield in relation to the problem of verge parking. He also referred to a Local Government Association proposal that the powers of the London Boroughs in relation to dangerous and anti-social parking should be extended to the highway network outside Greater London. He asked for the Portfolio Holder’s views on the matter. The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Highways and Infrastructure responded that the highways and parking team were currently examining suitable sites for the pilot schemes and were considering alternative solutions for addressing verge parking. He also welcomed the proposal by the LGA and was prepared to consider incorporating appropriate measures into the Council’s policies. He undertook to give a further update at the next Cabinet meeting.

Councillor D Flude asked for confirmation that discussions were taking place between Cheshire East Council and the Police and Fire Services about new stations in Crewe. The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Health confirmed that discussions had taken place with the Police regarding Crewe, but not the Fire Service.

Councillor Flude also asked a question on behalf of Councillor L Jeuda who had been unable to attend the meeting. It concerned a report by Independent Age which found that seven of the eight worst local authorities for care home quality in England were in the north-west. She asked the Portfolio Holder to comment on the position in Cheshire East. The Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Integration responded that Cheshire East was one of the better performing authorities in the north-west. She was awaiting the authority specific report by Independent Age and would study it carefully. She undertook to give an update to a future meeting.