Issue - meetings

To recommend a Cheshire East response – Reporting Officer: Andrew Ross  

         Following Government’s approval of Greater Manchester’s TIF proposals for Programme Entry Status, a consultation exercise had been launched to test whether the plans were publicly acceptable.  The deadline for comments was 10 October 2008.  The Panel was requested to consider the report on the TIF consultation exercise and, subject to any changes as a result of comments received, recommend that Cabinet approve it as the basis for the Cheshire East Council’s response, details of which were set out in the report.

          A number of schemes which would benefit Cheshire residents, should congestion charges be introduced, had been identified and these were set out in an appendix to the report.

          It was noted that Sir Howard Burnstein had suggested, as part of the public consultation exercise, that a mobile exhibition be used to promote the TIF scheme, which could be made available for use in neighbouring authorities.  Arrangements were now being made to ensure that the exhibition was made available at a number of locations in Cheshire and it was proposed that this would include Poynton and Wilmslow.  A short newsletter had also been prepared by GMPTE and had been made available to neighbouring authorities, to distribute in libraries and information points, as well as publication on websites.  A copy of the leaflet was appended to the report.

          In considering the report Members of the Panel raised the following issues:

          (i)      Concern was expressed that no real consultation had taken place with Macclesfield Borough Council or the Cheshire East Shadow Council and it was considered that, as traffic would come from the Cheshire East area, the Greater Manchester area could not be considered in isolation.

          (ii)     It was queried why the mobile exhibition could not go to other areas, including Disley.  It was reported that the exhibition had only been offered for two days and there was no opportunity for it to go to other areas.  It was noted that GMPTE had published a list of all the exhibition dates, however, all others were within the conurbation.

          (iii)    The proposal to improve the rail service, including improvements to some stations, was welcomed.  However, it was queried how some of the small stations would cope with this.  It was reported that, whilst there were limitations as to what could be achieved, there were a number of initiatives through the community Rail Partnerships, some of which could be realised, if the proposals went ahead.  In addition, a study of the Manchester Rail Hub was taking place, which would try to achieve capacity improvements on the rail network.  The study was vital in that it set out areas of improvement to the rail service connectivity for Cheshire East.

          (iv)    Reference was made to the inadequacy and congestion on the rail service from Buxton to Manchester.

          (v)     Concern was expressed that the proposals were not supported by all AGMA authorities and that they did not accord with the work that DEFRA had been carrying out relating to economic activity, particularly in rural areas.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12