Public Speaking Time/Open Session
A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.
Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.
Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered.
Minutes:
There were several members of the public who wished to speak and one visiting Member.
Mr. Joseph Cosby was a resident in Crewe and wished to speak on minute number 34: Cheshire East Flytipping Update. He advised the Committee that there have been a prolific number of flytipping incidents where he lives, particularly at the rear of terraced houses. He had come to speak to request help from Cheshire East Council, for a period of 12 months to assess the contamination of bins.
Currently incidents of flytipping had been cleared but the problem had not been sorted. The problems had led to it being dangerous for children to play out and neighbours deciding to move out of the area.
Kirstie Hercules, Partnerships Manager advised the Committee she would make a commitment to contact Mr. Cosby after the meeting.
Councillor Simon Yates from Crewe Town Council addressed the Committee on minute number 34, Cheshire East Update on Flytipping. Councillor Yates advised the Committee that flytipping was a criminal act, the number of instances of flytipping in Crewe were a bad advert for Crewe and the Council and demonstrated a lack of pride in the area and gave no incentive for anyone outside of the area to be involved with Crewe.
Councillor Yates described the low moral that residents affected by the flytipping had. Crewe Town Council had provided an Enhanced Crewe Ranger Service however Councillor Yates advised that in his opinion flytipping was part of a bigger problem of under performance by Cheshire East Council.
Other considerations were population density the indifference of private landlords and the cost to clear the flytipping.
Councillor Yates acknowledged the report to this Committee was welcome but did not tackle the causes of the issue.
Councillor Yates asked the Committee for consideration of a Landlord Registration Scheme and surveillance of streets most at risk of flytipping.
Councillor Amanda Stott addressed the Committee in respect of Minute number 29: Minutes of the Previous Meeting, specifically the item related to New Homes Bonus. Councillor Stott advised that she was present, in the capacity of a substitute, at the previous meeting of this Committee in April where the New Homes Bonus was being discussed. Councillor Stott was concerned that the draft of the Cabinet papers had areas that did not reflect what was said during the Committee.
The £10k cap on projects was an idea not well received by this Committee.
RESOLVED: That Kirstie Hercules, Partnerships Manager to contact Mr. Joseph Cosby after the Committee meeting;