Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors P Coan, K Hague and H Whitaker.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests in any item on the agenda.

The Mayor advised Members that they did not have to declare an interest as a Council Tax payer, or as a member of a town or parish council, on the item of business relating to the Council Tax, as there was a dispensation in place which removed this requirement.  The Mayor further advised that there was a dispensation in place for members in respect of any disclosable pecuniary interest which would arise as a result of a receipt of an allowance or other remuneration in respect of Council duties or directorship of Council owned ASDVs. Such Members were therefore permitted to participate and vote on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2024/25 – 2027/28 item.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 13 December 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The Mayor, in summary: -

The Mayor, in summary: -

1               reported the death of Honorary Alderman Tony Ranfield and stated that it had been his privilege to represent the Council at his funeral on 31 January.  He invited all present to stand in a minute’s silence in remembrance.

2               welcomed Councillor Roger Morris to his first meeting of Council following his success at the recent byelection for the Crewe Central Ward.

3        reported that this was Rob Polkinghorne, new Chief Executive’s, first Council meeting, and invited him to address Council.

Rob Polkinghorne responded by stating that it had been an absolute honour and pleasure to be the Council’s new Chief Executive.  He thanked Members and officers for making him feel welcome.  He had enjoyed meeting with Council employees, public and private sector partners and seeing the fantastic work which was being undertaken across the Borough to deliver great services.  He felt the Cheshire East was an amazing place to both live and work.

4               reported that he, along with the Mayoress and the Chief Executive, had the pleasure of meeting HRH The Princess Royal, when she visited Jodrell Bank to mark the opening of the First Light Pavilion.   Whilst at Jodrell Bank, Her Royal Highness planted a sapling apple tree, grown from a pip which originated from the ‘Flower of Kent’; the apple tree within Sir Isaac Newton’s Lincolnshire Garden, said to have inspired his Theory of Gravity. The pip, one of eight, had been taken on board the International Space Station as part of Astronaut Tim Peake’s mission in 2016. On their return to earth, the eight pips were taken to Kew Gardens where they were germinated. Jodrell Bank were successful in bidding for one of these amazing ‘Space Saplings’.

5        thanked Mr Ernie Hunter, from the Northern Holocaust Education Trust, who was the guest speaker at Cheshire East’s Holocaust Memorial Day Service, held at the end of January. Mr Hunter told the very moving story about his mother’s escape from Nazi Germany and the fate of many of his family in the death camps.

6        reported that on 7 February he had been privileged to attend, in Crewe, the 100^th birthday celebrations for Bernard Morgan. Mr Morgan was the youngest RAF sergeant to land on Gold Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944. His birthday celebrations were attended by the RAF, The Royal British Legion, Bentley Motors, Granada TV, and his beloved Crewe Alexandra Football Club, who presented him with a football shirt, with “Morgan 100” on the back. Mr Morgan planned to visit Normandy in June this year to take part in the 80^th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

7        reported that he had attended a 107^th birthday party for an amazing lady called Marie who lived at Twyford House Care Home in Alsager.

8        reported that on hearing the news of His Majesty the King’s illness, the Mayor had written to him to give his own, and the Council’s, best wishes for a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

In accordance the Council Procedural Rules, a total period of 30 minutes is allocated for members of the public to speak at Council meetings. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 2 minutes, but the Chair will have discretion to vary this requirement where they consider it appropriate. 

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting and should include the question with that notice.  Questions should be submitted to: katie.small@cheshireeast.gov.uk or brian.reed@cheshireeast.gov.uk.

Annabelle and Bella, Year 5 Pupils from Mossley Primary School, Congleton, spoke in relation to safer walking to school and requested that consideration be given to either installing a pedestrian or zebra crossing or appointing a Lollipop Lady, on Leek Road, Congleton. They stated that those who crossed the road to get to school and home felt that the road was very busy, very dangerous and took a long time to cross. They s requested that measures were put in place to ensure children and adults crossing the road felt safe.

In response, Councillor C Browne, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, congratulated both Annabelle and Bella for addressing Members and the efforts undertaken to gather evidence to support the request for a better crossing.  Councillor Browne confirmed that he would ask officers responsible for Safe Travel to Schools to investigate the issue further and that officers contact the school to ensure both Annabelle and Bella be involved in discussions to identify a solution to help children to carry on walking to school safely. Councillor Browne reminded all Members that the Council’s updated Pedestrian Crossings Strategy was out for consultation until 10 March and encouraged Members and residents to respond via the Council’s consultation webpage.

Mr Richard Slater spoke in relation to the Broken Cross Junction, Macclesfield, and expressed his concerns in relation to the incomplete works. Mr Slater highlighted that it had been 75 weeks since improvements started and 52 weeks since contractors had left the junction with the works unfinished, leaving the junction dangerous for residents.  Mr Slater asked questions relating to the lack of reference to the Tesco Express in outline planning permission, the outstanding 20 safety issues, the width of lanes on Chelford Road, positioning of arrows and lack of pedestrian crossing signals.

In response, Councillor M Warren, Chair of Environment and Communities Committee, stated that the highways work at Broken Cross were substantially completed, and the Council had now received a request from Bellway Homes for works to go ahead between 1 – 12 April, to address the outstanding matters concerning the highways safety audit. Councillor Warren undertook to provide a written response to Mr Slaters additional questions.

Ms Laura Turner addressed the Council in relation to the Council’s budgetary position. Ms Turner queried if Cheshire East would have the same level of budget pressures if sound financial decisions and rigid financial management had taken place over the last three years. Ms Turner felt that the Council’s reporting of setting a balanced 4-year budget was misleading for residents as it failed to reference underfunding, inflation, SEND costs and loan interest rates, leading to a false sense of security for members of the public and service users. She highlighted that member allowances increases caused further concern amongst local residents and it was asked why new innovative ways of working had not been put forward sooner.

In response, Councillor S Corcoran stated that he recognised the problems at Middlewich Town Council since Labour lost control 2 years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To receive such announcements as may be made by the Leader and Deputy Leader.

The Leader, in summary:

1               reported that he had taken on a new role as the Local Government Association representative at the Centre for Goverance and Scrutiny. He commended their work to Members, particularly the 10 Questions Guides which covered a range of topics such as cybersecurity, climate change and looked after children.

2               reported that the Ofsted Inspection had commenced on Monday 26 February and that the inspectors would be with the Council until Friday 8 March.

3               referred to climate change and the Council’s commitment to being carbon neutral by 2025 and highlighted the progress made towards the target, with the solar farm under construction, over 50,000 trees planted on council land, use of heat source pumps in Macclesfield Town Hall and the use of low energy light bulbs in street lighting. These were all saving money as well as reducing carbon emission.  He stated that it was a measure of the severity of the financial challenges faced by the Council that he has agreed that the target date be put back to 2027.

4               referred to the garden waste permit scheme and that the take up was exceeding expectations with nearly 70,000 households signed up.

5               referred to cybersecurity and an article in the LGA First magazine on the lessons learnt from the Gloucester City Council attached.  The initial breach of security had been a single spear phishing email that had been inserted into an existing email chain with a supplier.   Since reading the article he had been wary of using his private email address to any Council email address and asked people to be wary of any email purporting to be from him which was not from his official email address.   He asked if anybody clicked on a link that did not responds as expected to report this, as there were 2.7m attempted cyber-attacks on councils in 2022 and 90% of successful attacks were due to human error and that phishing was the most common form of attach.

The Deputy Leader, in summary:

1        reported that on the 4 March, the Council would be hosting both the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham and the Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram, alongside local and regional businesses, and political leaders at an event at Crewe Market Hall to demonstrate the importance of Crewe for the future of rail and the economic ambitions of the North West. He stated that with HS2 cancelled, it was more important than ever that the right level of investment at Crewe station and connectivity to/from and through Crewe was at the heart of current and future discussions about investment in the rail network north of Birmingham.   A selection of representatives of the local business community had been invited to the event where they would have the opportunity to raise questions and highlight how the cancellation of HS2 was impacting business confidence and investment decisions in Crewe and the asks that are needed of Government to remedy this.

2        reported that work had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To elect a Deputy Leader of the Council.

Nominations were sought for the position of Deputy Leader.

It was proposed and seconded that Cllr Michael Gorman be appointed as Deputy Leader.

The motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Michael Gorman be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council, with effect from 1 March 2024.

The Mayor invited the Deputy Leader Elect to speak.

Cllr M Gorman thanked Members for electing him as the Deputy Leader elect and paid tribute to his predecessor Cllr C Browne. Cllr Gorman pledged as the Deputy Leader to work with all members of the Council building trust, respecting differences, and promoting co-operation.

The Mayor invited Deputy Leader to announce the Independent Group chair and vice chair changes.

Cllr C Browne reported the following changes to the Independent Group chairs and vice chairs:

Chair of Economy and Growth Committee –Councillor Michael Gorman

Chair of Highways and Transport Committee – Councillor Mark Goldsmith

Vice Chair of Finance Sub Committee – Councillor Lata Anderson

Vice Chair of Children and Families Committee – Councillor Emma Gilman

Vice Chair of Corporate Policy Committee – Councillor Michael Gorman.

To consider the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee.

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 13 February 2024, had considered a report on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for Cheshire East Council for 2024/25 – 2027/28.

The Corporate Policy Committee had recommended to Council the recommendations set out in Appendix A to the report.

Following debate, the recommendations were put to the vote, and in accordance with legislation, a recorded vote was carried out with the following results:

FOR

Councillors L Anderson, S Bennett-Wake, J Bird, L Braithwaite, J Bratherton, M Brooks, C Browne, L Buchanan, C Bulman, A Burton, C Chapman, D Clark,  Coiley, N Cook, S Corcoran, L Crane, B Drake, D Edwardes, K Edwards, M Edwards, H Faddes, A Farrall, E Gilman, M Goldsmith, M Gorman, C Hilliard, D Jefferay, N Mannion, G Marshall, A Moran, R Moreton, C Naismith, J Place, B Puddicombe, J Rhodes, H Seddon, G Smith, John Smith, Julie Smith,
J Snowball, R Vernon, M Warren and F Wilson.

AGAINST

Councillors S Adams, R Bailey, M Beanland, D Brown, R Chadwick, J Clowes, T Dean, S Edgar, A Gage, S Gardiner, E Hall, A Harrison, G Hayes, A Heler, S Holland, T Jackson, R Kain, A Kolker, R Morris, H Moss, M Muldoon, C O’Leary, J Pearson, B Posnett, J Pratt, P Redstone, J Saunders, M Sewart, M Simon, L Smetham, L Wardlaw and J Wray.

NOT VOTING

Councillors R Fletcher, M Houston and L Smith.

The motion was declared carried with 43 votes for, 32 against and 3 not voting.

RESOLVED:    

That Council notes

1                  the Report of the Council’s Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer), contained within the MTFS Report, regarding the robustness of estimates and level of reserves held by the Council based on these budget proposals (Appendix C, Report from the Section 151 Officer).

That Council, having given due regard to the report of the Chief Finance Officer, approves:

2               the Revenue estimates for the 2024/25 budget and the medium-term Capital Programme estimates 2024-2028, as detailed in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy Report (MTFS) 2024-2028 (Appendix C to the report).

3               Band D Council Tax of £1,792.59 representing an increase of 4.99%. This is below the referendum limit (including 2% ringfenced for Adult Social Care) and arises from the provisional finance settlement (Appendix C to the report, Section 2).

4               the 2023/24 planned use of Flexible Capital Receipts is increased to £3.414m, an increase of £2.414m from the £1m approved in the 2023-27 Medium-Term Financial Strategy Report to fund transformational projects within the Council (Appendix C to the report, Section 2).

5               the 2024/25 planned use of Flexible Capital Receipts is £1.0m (Appendix C to the report, Section 10)

6               the allocation of Revenue Grant Funding for 2024/25 of £359.868m (Appendix C to the report, Annex 7), and delegates authority to the Chief Finance Officer, to approve supplementary estimates if the value of any named grant changes from the figures contained within Appendix C, Annex 7  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

To set the Council Tax for Cheshire East for the financial year 2024/25.

Consideration was given to a report relating to the setting of the Council Tax for 2024/25.

As a billing authority Cheshire East Council was responsible for the billing and collection of Council Tax from local taxpayers and must, therefore, make a resolution to set the overall Council Tax level.  This meant the Authority also collected Council Tax income to cover not only its own services but also precepts set by other authorities.

The Council Tax levied was therefore made up of four elements:-

• Cheshire East Borough Council
• Town & Parish Council precepts
• Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire precept
• Cheshire Fire Authority precept.

The Mayor reported that revised versions of Appendices C and D had been issued and that these versions should be referred to during considering of this item.

The motion in respect of the setting of the Council Tax was proposed and seconded. Following debate, in accordance with legislation a recorded vote was carried out in respect to this item, with the following results: -

FOR

Councillors L Anderson, S Bennett-Wake, J Bird, L Braithwaite, J Bratherton, M Brooks, C Browne, L Buchanan, C Bulman, A Burton, C Chapman, D Clark, A Coiley, N Cook, S Corcoran, L Crane, B Drake, D Edwardes, K Edwards, M Edwards, H Faddes, A Farrall, E Gilman, M Goldsmith, M Gorman, C Hilliard, M Houston, D Jefferay, N Mannion, G Marshall, A Moran, R Moreton, C Naismith, J Place, J Priest, P Puddicombe, J Rhodes, H Seddon, G Smith, John Smith, Julie Smith, J Snowball, R Vernon, M Warren and F Wilson.

AGAINST

Councillors S Adams, R Bailey, M Beanland, D Brown, R Chadwick, J Clowes, T Dean, S Edgar, A Gage, S Gardiner, E Hall, A Harrison, G Hayes, A Heler, S Holland, T Jackson, R Kain, A Kolker, R Morris, H Moss, M Muldoon, C O’Leary, B Posnett, J Pratt, P Redstone, J Saunders, M Sewart, M Simon, L Smetham, L Wardlaw and J Wray.

NOT VOTING

Councillors R Fletcher and L Smith.

The motion was declared carried with 45 votes for, 31 against and 2 not voting.

RESOLVED:  That Council:

1.             approves a Council Tax for Cheshire East Council for the financial year 2024/25, at £287,086,013 in accordance with the formal resolutions as shown in paragraphs 20-24 of the report, as follows:

Formal Resolution

1               That it be noted that on 13 December 2023 the Council calculated the Council Tax base 2024/25.

(a)       for the whole Council area as 160,151.52 (item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)).

(b)       for individual parishes, as in Appendix A.

2               Calculated that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2024/25 (excluding Parish precepts) is £287,086,013.

3               That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2024/25 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

To consider the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee. 

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee in respect of the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25.

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 18 January 2024, had considered the draft Pay Policy Statement and resolved that Council be recommended to approve and publish the Pay Policy Statement 2024/25 and that any in-year changes be approved by the Monitoring Officer and published accordingly.

RESOLVED:  That

1               the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 be approved; and

2               any in-year changes be approved by the Monitoring Officer and published accordingly.

To consider the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee in respect of the transfer of the Local Enterprise Partnership functions to Local Authority Control

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 13 February 2024, had considered the report and made recommendations to Council, as set out on page 677 and 678 of the agenda pack.

The recommendations were proposed and seconded.  During the debate an amendment was proposed and seconded.

Amendment

“Thatthis paperis deferreduntil electedmembers havebeen appropriately appraised of the wider sub-regional implications of these proposals.”

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

RESOLVED:  That Council

1.             agree the retention of the partnership approach between Warrington Borough Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council in respect of sub-regional functions.

2.             agree that Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (including Marketing Cheshire) functions should continue to be delivered by a Company jointly owned by all three Councils, based on the business case set out in Appendix A to the report.

3.             agree to set up a Joint Committee by 1 April 2024 with Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix B to the report.

4.             agree that a Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board be created to ensure a continued influential business voice in sub-regional economic strategy and priorities following the end of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership Board. Terms of Reference be agreed by the Joint Committee.

5.             that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Growth, in conjunction with the Council’s Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to effect non-material changes to the proposed changes to the Articles of Association of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership as referenced in Appendix C to the report.

6.             recommend to the Joint Committee that they then make changes to the Articles of Association and that the name of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership be changed to Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington.

7.             agree the findings of the due diligence report undertaken and set out in Appendix D, including finances, risks and liabilities that the Council will incur in respect of LEPCo.

8.             recommend to the Joint Committee that when established, one officer from Cheshire East Council, with appropriate corporate skills and experience is appointed as a Director of LEPCo. That the officer is identified through consultation with the Council’s Monitoring Officer, Place Director and Section 151 Officer.

9.             agree to enter into a Service Agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Council and LEPCo on the terms set out in Appendix E to the report, and to delegate final approval of the terms of the Service Agreement to the Director of Governance and Compliance in consultation with the Place Director and S151 Officer.

10.          recommend the Business Plan of the LEPCo to the Joint Committee as set out at Appendix F to the report.

11.          agree that Cheshire East Council should continue to be the Accountable Body for the purposes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

To consider the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee in respect of warding proposals for Cheshire East as part an electoral review of Cheshire East Council’s electoral arrangements by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 13 February 2024, had considered the report and recommendations of the Electoral Review Sub Committee and had made recommendations to Council, as set out on page 767 of the agenda pack.

The recommendations were proposed and seconded.  During the debate two amendments was proposed and seconded.

Amendment 1

“To amend the draft proposals for the Macclesfield Warding as set out in Appendix 1 to Agenda item 12 to replace the proposals for Macclesfield by those detailed in the Macclesfield Warding Option 1 paper as supported by the majority of Macclesfield members.”

The amendment was put go the vote and declared lost.

Amendment 2

“That Council agrees to delete from its Warding Submission, existing references to the proposed transfer of the Bluebell Green estate and changes these proposals so that the Bluebell Green area of Brereton parish will be included in Brereton ward, instead of Dane Valley ward.”

The amendment was put to the vote and declared won.  This then became part of the substantive motion.

RESOLVED:   That Council

1               approve the proposals for the future warding of Cheshire East, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, as the Council’s submission to the Boundary Commission, with the following amendments: -

·       that the “Wilmslow East” ward name be changed to “Wilmslow East and Dean Row” to retain the identity of Dean Row

·       that existing references to the proposed transfer of the Bluebell Green estate are deleted and that the proposals be changed so that the Bluebell Green area of Brereton parish will be included in Brereton ward, instead of Dane Valley ward.

2               that the Electoral Review Sub Committee be granted delegated authority:

(a)   to make any further changes to the proposals arising from the Council meeting on 27 February, or which become necessary after that meeting; and

(b)  to respond on the Council’s behalf to any further informal or formal consultation by the Boundary Commission which relates to the second period of consultation.

Post Meeting Note: Final submitted proposals to the Local Government Boundary Commission - Warding Proposals

To consider the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee in respect of the Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25.

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 13 February 2024, had considered the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2024/25 and had recommended to Council that the calendar be approved and that each Service Committee, including the Finance Sub Committee, arrange one twilight meeting over the course of its scheduled cycle of meetings during 2024/25.

RESOLVED:  That

1        the draft calendar of meetings for Cheshire East Council 2024/25 be approved, subject to delegated powers being granted to the Director of Governance and Compliance, in consultation with committee chairs and vice chairs, to make any changes to the calendar of meetings which might arise from the review of the committee structure.

2        each Service Committee, including the Finance Sub Committee, arrange one twilight meeting over the course of its scheduled cycle of meetings during 2024/25.

To consider the recommendations of the Corporate Policy Committee.

The Corporate Policy Committee, at its meeting on 13 February 2024, had considered the the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of a targeted review of Members’ Allowances in the context of the budget consultation on the Council’s financial position.

RESOLVED: That Council agree that

1        a)        the Constitution Working Group reviews the job descriptions for the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Service Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs and Opposition Spokespersons.

b)       the Working Group’s recommendations in respect of these job descriptions to be submitted to the Independent Remuneration Panel.

c)        the Independent Remuneration Panel consider and review these job descriptions and report back to Constitution Working Group; the Working Group to consider if the job descriptions should be referred onwards.

d)       a full review of all member allowances by the new Independent Remuneration Panel be carried out after the actions set out in a) to c) have been completed.  

2        agree that, where the annual NJC officer pay award is for a flat rate, and percentage increase to salaries and other allowances respectively, the percentage increase applicable to other allowances will be regarded as that year’s uplift in respect of Cheshire East’s Scheme of Members’ Allowances.

3        that no uplift to the Scheme of Members’ Allowances be implemented in 2023/2024.

To consider the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee.

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee in relation to the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

The Audit and Governance Committee, at its meeting on 7 December 2023, had considered the revised Terms of Reference, prepared by the Audit and Governance Terms of Reference Working Group, and had recommended to Council the adoption of the revised Audit and Governance Committee Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED: 

That the revised Audit and Governance Terms of Reference be adopted.

To determine the political representation on the Council's Committees and to appoint those Committees.

Consideration was given to a report relating to the political representation on the Council’s Committees which addressed the changes in political group memberships following the by-election in the Crewe Central Ward on 8 February 2024.

RESOLVED:   That

1               the political group and other representation, as set out in the Appendix to this report, and the methods, calculations and conventions used in determining this, as outlined in the report, be adopted.

2               and the allocation of places to Committees be approved with one Labour Group seat on the Audit and Governance Committee and one Labour Group seat on the Economy and Growth Committee, be transferred to the Conservative Group.

To consider making a nomination for Mayor for 2023/24, who will also act as Chair of the Council, and a nomination for Deputy Mayor for 2023/24.

Consideration was given to the nominations for the office of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2024/25.

Mayor for 2024/25

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Marilyn Houston should become Mayor Elect for 2024/25.

Councillor Houston declared an interest in respect of this item and left the Chamber during its consideration.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Marilyn Houston be designated as the Mayor Elect with a view to their formal election and appointment as Mayor for Cheshire East for 2024/25, at the Mayor Making ceremony to be held on 15 May 2024.

Councillor Houston returned to the meeting.

Deputy Mayor for 2024/25

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor David Edwardes be designated as Deputy Mayor Elect.

Councillor D Edwardes declared an interest in respect of this item and left the Chamber during its consideration.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor David Edwardes be designated as the Deputy Mayor Elect, with a view to their formal election and appointment as Deputy Mayor for Cheshire East for 2024/25, at the Mayor Making ceremony to be held on 15 May 2024.

Councillors D Edwardes returned to the meeting.

In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mayor has agreed that this item can be considered as an item of urgent business as it cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting of Council.

To consider the report on the arrangements for the appointment of the an interim, and permanent, Chief Financial Officer.

In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Mayor had agreed that this item could be considered as an item of urgent business as it could not wait until the next scheduled meeting of Council.  The Mayor explained that, if the Council had waited until the next scheduled meeting of Council to make the appointments, there would be an undesirable gap in Section 151 Officer cover at a time of financial challenge.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the arrangements to recruit an interim and permanent Chief Financial Officer, following the existing Chief Financial Officer- Section 151 Officer’s announcement that they would be leaving the Council.

RESOLVED: That Council

1              authorise the Chief Executive to recruit and appoint an Interim Chief Financial Officer in consultation with the Appointments Committee Chair and Vice Chair.

2        authorise the Appointments Committee to commence the process for appointing a permanent Chief Financial Officer, and to make recommendations to Council upon that appointment.

In accordance 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.

Councillor J Clowes stated that a number of residents in Wybunbury had submitted claims to Cheshire East Council relating to damage to their vehicles from the road surface. She was aware that claims were being passed to a third-party claims company which was extending time for a resolution for residents and asked how much did it cost the Council to commission and retain the services of a claims handling company? She asked how many claims for damage to vehicles had the Council and/or the claims handling company received from 1 April 2023 to date and how many of those claims had been successful or rejected? She further asked since 1 April 2023 what had been the cost to Cheshire East Council for successful claims for damage to vehicles caused by potholes and carriageway defects?

Councillor C Browne, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, undertook to provide a written response.

Councillor C O’Leary had submitted a written question in advance of the meeting which askedwhen the residents of Crooked Yard, Macclesfield Forest, would expect to see patch works or resurfacing works to their road.

In response Councillor C Browne, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, stated that the Council faced an incredibly challenging position of not being able to afford the significant and sustained investment that was needed to rehabilitate its highway infrastructure. Consequently, it was inevitable that potholes on the roads would occur, particularly after the excessively wet weather punctuated by cold snaps that had been seen recently.  The Council was aware of the condition of the section of the road identified. Following an inspection in November 2023 repairs were undertaken to 20 defects in January 2024 in line with the Safety Inspections Code of Practice and added signage to warn of the uneven road surface. A further 24 defects were repaired during February 2024.  It was proposed that some low-cost patching works would be carried out in April following confirmation of the 2024/25 budgets. These works would ensure that the road remained safe and available for use in line with the Council’s policy and statutory duties.

Councillor L Smetham stated thatfollowing the loss of life at Wood Treatments in Bosley in 2015 Cheshire East Highways had erected and installed fencing which to date had cost the Council £147,159.55 and was increasing every year. The fencing did not provide safety, was broken or bent and did not fulfil its purpose.   She stated that there was a screeching planer upsetting people in Bosley and North Staffordshire.  She referred to a retrospective planning application in place for an office and welfare facilities with future proposals for housing and also to a shed containing wood dust, which often had its doors left open and contained flammable material.   Councillor Smetham asked that the Council and any other bodies help resolve these issues.

In response Councillor C Browne stated that he and Cllr Smetham had attended a meeting of Bosley Parish Council and the Council, as a Highways Authority, was required to act  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.