Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Brown and H Gaddum.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

In order for an informed answer to be given, where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of a Cabinet Member three clear working days notice must be given and the question must be submitted in writing.  It is not required to give notice of the intention to make use of public speaking provision but, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours notice is encouraged.

Mr G Watmough attended the meeting and addressed the Cabinet regarding a number of his concerns: he was advised that he would receive a response in due course.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2010 were approved as a correct record.

To consider the draft Housing Local Investment Plan prior to its submission to the Homes and Communities Agency. 

Consideration was given to the draft Housing Local Investment Plan which focussed on housing investment over the next four years, and particularly the next twelve months.  The Plan would form the first chapter of an integrated planning process being put together through the Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Commission, and be part of the growth strategy for the sub-region entitled ‘Unleashing the Potential’.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

1. That approval be given for the Local Investment Plan to be submitted to the Homes and Communities Agency.

2. That the Local Investment Plan be further developed to include all economic, housing and transport priorities to deliver the ‘Unleashing the Potential’ sub-regional strategy.

To consider options for the delivery of affordable housing in Cheshire East.

Consideration was given to options for the delivery of affordable housing in Cheshire East.  The report identified the need for additional measures to be taken to achieve the development of new affordable housing in the Borough including the identification of sites and funding opportunities

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

1.      That officers identify a list of potential sites from sources such as the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, and information held by the Council’s Assets Service, which could be suitable for the development of affordable housing.

2. That approval be given for officers to explore the opportunities in relation to these sites from the options described in the report, and any other new initiatives that arise, consistent with the objectives of providing more affordable housing.

3. That officers start a process of identifying preferred partners for the development of housing sites, in conjunction with the Homes and Communities Agency.

4. That further reports be received by Cabinet or the relevant Portfolio Holders on the outcomes of the various assessments and business cases for land use and affordable housing developments.

To receive an update on the development of the draft Sustainable Community Strategy for consultation, and to approve it for consultation.

The Cabinet received an update on the development of the Sustainable Community Strategy and considered a draft for consultation.  It was noted that the draft would be considered by the relevant Scrutiny Committees as part of the Budget and Policy Framework procedure, and that it would be considered by the Cabinet again prior to its submission to Council on 22 July 2010. 

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

That approval be given to the draft Sustainable Community Strategy for consultation and for submission to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committees under Rule 2.1 of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, and that it be considered further by the Cabinet at its next meeting.

To receive an update on the development of the Corporate Plan, and to approve it for consultation.

The Cabinet received an update on the development of the Corporate Plan and considered a draft for consultation.  It was noted that the draft would be considered by the relevant Scrutiny Committees as part of the Budget and Policy Framework procedure, and that it would be considered by the Cabinet again prior to its submission to Council on 22 July 2010. 

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

That approval be given to the draft Corporate Plan for submission to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committees under Rule 2.1 of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, and that it be considered further by the Cabinet at its next meeting.

To note the assessment of the Councils performance in its first year, and to consider issues raised in relation to underperformance against targets and how these will be addressed.

Consideration was given to information on the performance of the Council in its first year, to issues raised in relation to under performance against targets, and to how they would be addressed.  The report reflected the developing performance management framework; during 2010/11 this would be further developed with formal challenge sessions on performance improvement and a clearer link between performance information and scrutiny activity.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

That the assessment of performance be noted.

To approve changes to representation on a number of the Category 1 outside organisations, and specific requests in respect of Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust and the Cheshire Police Appointments Joint Committee.

Consideration was given to a number of proposed changes to the Category 1 list of outside organisations, and to specific requests in respect of the Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust and the Cheshire Police Appointments Joint Committee.

At the meeting it was reported that since the report had been prepared the  proposed change of membership on the County Councils Network (ref 1-130) had been further revised; it was now proposed that Councillors A Arnold and R Domleo replace Councillors W Fitzgerald and A Moran.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

1. That the changes to outside organisations, as shown in bold and underlined on the appendix to the report, be approved.

2. That representation on Cheshire Peaks and Plains Housing Trust be reduced from five to three, and that Councillors R West, D Thompson and J Narraway be appointed as the Council’s three representatives.

3. That Councillors W Fitzgerald, A Arnold and H Murray be nominated to the Cheshire Police Appointments Joint Committee.

4. That Councillors A Arnold and R Domleo replace Councillors W Fitzgerald and A Moran on the County Councils Network.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

PART 2 – MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS PRESENT

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To consider the report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

That Cabinet supports the decision of the Chief Executive to release the employees whose roles are listed in Appendix A of the report, under the arrangements agreed in relation to voluntary severance provisions for employees in the Council.