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 Rhoda Bailey asked how the extra funding the Council had received for road repairs would be spent and whether a programme of the roads to be repaired would be made available. The Portfolio Holder for Environment responded that the Council was prioritising repairs on the basis of an evidence-led asset management approach and that individual roads would be prioritised accordingly, taking into account the extra funding available.

Councillor Bailey also asked if the Council would be making a bid for part of the £6M funding available to provide support for the children of alcoholics. The Portfolio Holder for Health responded that the Cabinet was aware of the funding and was awaiting further clarification of the bidding criteria with a view to making a bid.

Councillor S Corcoran asked by what amount developer contributions for planning applications that had already been granted could be reduced when the Community Infrastructure Levy was introduced in Cheshire East, and what the Council was doing to mitigate this risk. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Regeneration undertook to give a written reply.

Councillor Corcoran also asked why a £45,000 payment had been made in 2013 to an officer who had been recommended for dismissal. At the invitation of the Leader, the Acting Director of Legal Services advised that the matter touched upon confidential staffing matters and there would be a limit to what information could be provided. He undertook to consider the matter further, with the relevant Cabinet members, and to respond accordingly.

Councillor S Hogben referred to a survey that had been sent to all local authority building control teams last November in connection with the Hackitt Review of building regulations and fire safety. He asked if the Council had responded to the survey and if so what answers had been given. He undertook to provide the questions in writing if necessary. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Regeneration asked Councillor Hogben to provide the questions in writing so that a written response could be given.

Councillor S Gardiner, in light of Councillor Hogben’s question, made a declaration that he was a Director of Civicance, the arms-length company with responsibility for the Council’s building control service.

Councillor R Fletcher referred to a developer contribution of £50,000 from the Coppice development in Alsager to provide a pedestrian crossing on the main road in the vicinity of Cranberry Lane. He had been informed by an officer that this amount may no longer be sufficient to fund the provision of the crossing because of increased costs. He therefore asked if additional funding could be made available. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Regeneration undertook to look into the matter and provide a written reply.