Questions
In accordance with paragraph 1.19 of the Council Procedure Rules, opportunity is provided for Members of the Council to ask the Mayor or the Chair of a Committee any question about a matter which the Council, or the Committee has powers, duties or responsibilities.
At Council meeting, there will be a maximum question time period of 30 minutes. A period of two minutes will be allowed for each Councillor wishing to ask a question. The Mayor will have the discretion to vary this requirement where they consider it appropriate.
Minutes:
Cllr A Farrall referred to sink hole in Hobson Street, Macclesfield and asked when the hole would be fixed. Cllr C Browne, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, responded that it was complex issue as it involved multiple agencies and landowners and that negotiations and discussion were on-going with all involved but unfortunately local authorities did not have the powers to oblige them to work with the Council to solve the matter. Information was available on the Council’s website and affected residents kept informed by direct correspondence.
Cllr S Akers Smith referred to the removed of roads from the winter gritting route programme and asked when would the volume of complaints received trigger a review of the policy. Cllr C Browne, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, responded that the policy was to have a common assessment framework which treated all roads, in all wards, fairly and assessed all roads using the same criteria. A report was due to come to the Highways and Transport Committee in March 2022.
Cllr S Gardiner asked when day-services and day centres would re-opening following closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic as he had inquiries from Knutsford residents and the Knutsford Lions. Cllr A Moran, Vice Chair Adult and Health Committee, undertook to provide a written answer.
Cllr L Smetham referred to the quality of highways maintenance carried out, the Top Up pilot for Town and Parish Councils and that highway maintenance was a matter for the Brough Council and asked what sensible ideas the administration had to access better value for highways work. Cllr C Browne, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, responded that the contract did not provide for a quality assurance process on highways maintenance work carried out and that it was proposed to bring forward a process of checking of the quality of maintenance work by engineers not employed by the contractor.
Cllr R Bailey sought clarity on when grit bins would be provided in her Ward. She indicated that in February 2020 the Portfolio Holder had committed to this. Cllr D Browne, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, agreed to provide clarification in writing.
Cllr D Brown sought clarification over electric charging points which he understood were to be removed from Congleton and re-installed in Wilmslow. Cllr S Corcoran, Leader of the Council, agreed to provide a written response.
Cllr S Holland expressed concern about the charges faced by Travelling Fairs to operate in Congleton and asked if these could come to Congleton at no cost. Cllr Mannion, Chair of Economy and Growth Committee undertook to provide a written response if further information was provided to him by Cllr Holland.
Cllr L Wardlaw asked that, in the light of tragic death of an MP, was it an opportune moment to re-energise and refresh the Brighter Future programme. Cllr S Corcoran responded that the Members Forum would be the correct place to take body to deal with this question.
Cllr L Gilbert referred to the Highways Top Up Scheme and ... view the full minutes text for item 35