Leader's and Deputy Leader's Announcements
To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader and Deputy Leader.
Minutes:
The Leader, in summary:
1 re-iterated the welcome to the Executive Director of Place – Jayne Traverse, and new Executive Director of Adults Health & Integration – Helen Charlesworth-May.
2 reported that the overall covid infection rate in Cheshire East was at a record high of over 700 per 100,000 and the number of people in hospital due to covid-19 remained low, which he credited to the effectiveness of the vaccinations.
3 encouraged all residents to get vaccinated, including the booster covid vaccination and flu vaccination, to help reduce pressures on the NHS over the winter period.
4 reminded all of the ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ message to reduce the spread of coughs, colds, flu, Covid-19, and winter vomiting.
5 referred to the challenges faced by politicians and that they must not allow those who use hate and division to further their personal aims to take over public debate.
6 referred to the challenges of climate change and the action being taken by the Council
7 invited Cllr A Farrall, Armed Forces Champion, to say a few words due to the fast-approaching Remembrance Day.
Councillor A Farrell, in summary:
1 reported that 2021 marked 100 years of the Royal British Legion and asked all to support their local branch.
2 asked those attending remembrance services with older veterans in attendance to give them space as they were still vulnerable to COVID.
3 provided an update on the Council’s work to achieve the Gold Standard as an armed forces covenant employer
4 reported that the Council had created a new role of Armed Forces Community Liaison Officer, who had already been involved with accommodation for Afghan interpreter families.
5 reported on the plans to open a veteran’s hub early next year.
Deputy Leader, in summary:
1 praised the efforts by the Council’s workforce over the last 12 months and reported that the waste and recycling services had been voted best service team for waste management and recycling by the Association for Public Sector Excellence and the Congleton link road project team had won the Civil Engineering Contractors’ North West award for ‘social value’, which recognised exceptional partnership work delivering local community initiatives.
2 reported that the new ‘on demand’ rural bus services had been launched with the new ‘go-too’ pilot scheme covering a wide area south of Nantwich, taking in Bunbury, Wrenbury and Audlem and other villages, where no commercial services were available.
3 informed that he had joined the Mayor of Macclesfield and Ward Members for the official re-opening of Castle Street in Macclesfield following the completion of the regeneration scheme.
4 declared that it was the Council’s intention to bid for headquarters of the newly formed Great British Railways
5 reported the launch of the recovery and growth grant scheme, which was a discretionary scheme, aimed at helping businesses to grow, adapt and diversify and was open until 17 December 2021.