Questions
In accordance with paragraph 1.18 of the Council Procedure Rules, opportunity is provided for Members of the Council to ask the Mayor, the appropriate Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee any question about a matter which the Council, the Cabinet or the Committee has powers, duties or responsibilities.
At Council meetings, there will be a maximum question time period of 30 minutes. A period of two minutes will be allowed for each member wishing to ask a question. The Mayor will have the discretion to vary this requirement where they consider it appropriate. Questions will be selected by the Mayor, using the criteria agreed by Council. Any questions which are accepted, but which cannot be dealt with during the allotted period will be answered in writing. Questions must be brief, clear and focussed.
Minutes:
Councillor S Brookfield asked if the Government had raised unrealistic expectations about visiting in care homes, and whether care homes in Cheshire East would have the necessary resources to undertake the additional work involved. The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care responded that officers were working closely with Public Health and the care homes to support the roll-out of testing.
Councillor M Simon asked how the Council could ensure that the work of the Crewe Town Board was adequately scrutinised. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration responded that information on the work of the Board was available on the Council’s website and that the work of the Board was adequately scrutinised by the Council in its role as the Accountable Body.
Councillor J P Findlow asked what had happened to the rejuvenation of Macclesfield Town. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration responded that he would be inviting local members to a briefing on the matter in the spring. Councillor Findlow also asked if the Council would be reviewing local service centres such as Prestbury. The Portfolio Holder was not aware of any plans relating to villages.
Councillor L Smetham asked for an update on the number of planning appeals still in the pipeline. Such update reports had regularly appeared on planning agendas until recently. The Portfolio Holder for Planning referred to a recent email to Members outlining current pressures on the Planning Department, but asked Cllr Smetham to email details of her concerns to her, whereupon she would respond in writing.
Councillor R Fletcher sought an assurance that the funding currently in the Medium Term Financial Strategy for highway improvements to Bank Corner, Alsager would not be removed from the Capital Programme. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste responded that the proposed junction improvement works were currently at the feasibility stage and that this would establish the scope of the necessary works and their costs which in turn would establish whether the scheme would proceed.
Councillor A Gage referred to a local resident who had an adult son with special care needs who until recently had attended the Beeches Day Care Centre. Earlier this year, Council funding had been withdrawn. He asked why the funding had been withdrawn. The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care undertook to provide a written response.
Councillor D Stockton wished to ask a question on a specific issue relating to environmental impacts. He had no evidence that the Council had followed up on, and enforced, an appeal decision by the Secretary of State. He provided a reference number for further information and asked that the Portfolio Holder for Planning provide a written response.
Councillor M Benson referred to the two-way cycling scheme introduced in Sandbach and said that he had not been consulted on the scheme which had resulted in the loss of much-needed parking and had attracted objections from local residents. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste responded that Councillor Benson had received an email on the matter on 4 ... view the full minutes text for item 33