Issue - meetings

A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. A maximum period of two minutes will be allowed for each member wishing to ask a question. The Leader will have discretion to vary this requirement where he considers it appropriate. Members wishing to ask a question at the meeting should register to do so in writing by not later than 4.00 pm on the Friday in the week preceding the meeting. Members should include the general topic their question will relate to and indicate if it relates to an item on the agenda. Questions must relate to the powers, duties or responsibilities of the Cabinet. Questions put to Cabinet Members must relate to their portfolio responsibilities.

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 S Akers Smith asked if highways and planning officers could work together to ensure that all outstanding S106 agreements were completed to ensure that cycling and pedestrian infrastructure was built, and that developers be made more accountable for its delivery. She also asked if the Parkgate, Knutsford roundabout and the new Kings School, Macclesfield roundabout could be re-designed to accommodate cycle and pedestrian safety.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning undertook to provide a written response.

Councillor R Bailey asked if stakeholders and partners, such as the NFU, would be involved in the delivery of the Council’s Environment Strategy and Carbon Action Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration responded that stakeholders and partners, such as the NFU, and landowners, would be involved in the implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan.

Councillor K Parkinson, on behalf of Councillor M Beanland, asked what measures the Council had in place to ensure the successful implementation of Track and Trace.

In responding, the Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Corporate Services stressed that the system would be operated by the NHS and that the Council was not responsible for it and had no control over it. The Council would have a supporting role. There were still unanswered questions as to how the system would work and how data would be shared with the Council. The Council’s officers would continue to work closely with the regional branch of Public Health England.

Councillor J Buckley asked about progress with connecting the footpath between the Coppice Estate and the Poppy Fields Estate, Alsager, completion of which had been expected two years ago.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning responded that officers would discuss the matter with the developer to resolve any outstanding issues.

Councillor P Groves referred to changes to the town centre review format announced last week and asked if a full car parking review was still part of that agenda. He also referred to a Cheshire East bus strategy which was due to be published in the summer and asked when members would be consulted on the document prior to its publication.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste confirmed that the car parking review would still go ahead but had been delayed until later in the year, along with other reviews, because of the pandemic. The Deputy Leader confirmed that the bus strategy had been similarly delayed but that members would be consulted.

Councillor G Hayes asked what additional support the Council had provided to schools, and in particular to vulnerable children and their families, given the impact of Covid-19.

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families referred to a report on the agenda relating to the Council’s response to Covid-19 which addressed this question. She was happy to follow up with a written response if required.

Councillor B Puddicombe referred to the procurement of a housing development framework approved at the previous meeting and asked for confirmation that the framework only related to Council-owned sites, whether sites in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3