Leader's Announcements
To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council, in summary:-
1. Responded to comments, made during public speaking time, with regard to the concerns about provision for the fire service in Crewe. She stated that she was clear that this Conservative led Council had used a scrutiny process cross party to consider the concerns with regard to provision at the fire station in Crewe and indeed that continued. The Leader stated that her comments in relation to Laura’s march and her understandable concern was simply to point out that actually this was a matter that had been considered cross party and was being considered within the Council’s governance and through its representatives on the Fire Authority. It was recognised that times were tough and that the public purse was tough, but equally the Council had to work within its budget. If this wasn’t done, whether it be Cheshire East Council the Fire Authority, or the Police Authority, it would not be possible to deliver any of the excellent services that they currently did.
2. Welcomed the comments made under public speaking time with regard to infrastructure, particularly with a focus on Alsager. She sated that she would urge the speaker to look at the Council agenda, not least with regard to Alsager School because its infrastructure was its health, education, and its highways, and it was that strategic infrastructure programme that she wanted to remind Council of, not least the successful bids made to Government by Cheshire East Council.
3. Stated that, with the adopted Local Plan and the future catalyst of HS2, she considered it more important than ever that Council ensured that it had the infrastructure to support these plans to benefit existing residents and support future growth.
4. Referred to the comments made during public speaking time, in relation to the use of 106 monies and affordable housing. She stated that there was a judgement to be made at the reserved matters stage, but that the overarching policy was for 30% affordable housing on the back of developments. However, within affordable housing, there was rightly consideration for provision in relation to the transit community, because they equally were deserving of support of a local area. She would, however, look to review the documentation that has been shared with Cllr Parry but this was her initial response.
5. Stated that in delivering the major schemes over recent years, including the Crewe Green Link Road, Basford West Spine Road, Alderley Edge Bypass and the M6 Junction 16 and 17 pinch point schemes, the Council had a strong pipeline of major strategic projects. A number of projects in the Council’s Local Plan Infrastructure Development Plan were either on site or being developed with major progresses made in the current year. She considered that these projects would make a significant contribution to the regional ambitions, as set out in the revised Cheshire and Warrington SEP and help prepare for the arrival of HS2 to the borough. Equally, she considered that the infrastructure investments ... view the full minutes text for item 46