Agenda and minutes

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

No declarations of interest were made.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the meeting. 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. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide three clear working days’ notice, in writing, in order for an informed answer to be given.

Mr T Lightfoot and Mrs C Lightfoot spoke in support of the Crewe  and Nantwich Twinning Association’s application for grant funding, due to be considered later in the meeting.

To consider a request by Crewe and Nantwich Twinning Association (CANTA) for grant funding.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Capacity considered an application from the Crewe and Nantwich Twinning Association (CANTA) for grant funding in the current financial year.

Cabinet had considered a report on twinning on 14^th July and had asked the Cabinet Member to advise it upon how twinning for the new authority should be taken forward. It was acknowledged that a review of twinning arrangements would take between 12 and 18 months to complete.  In the meantime, the Council could expect to receive requests for grants relating to twinning. These would need to be determined prior to implementation of the Council’s review recommendation.

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council used to provide an annual grant to CANTA in the sum of £5,000. 

Cheshire East Council had a net budget of just over £17,000 for the whole of the Borough; this included a specific budget for the £5,000 previously paid to CANTA.

Councillor Betty Howell attended both as a Local Ward Member and as Cheshire East Council’s representative on CANTA. Councillor Howell, who declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest as the Council’s representative on the body, spoke in support of the grant application.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £5,000 be awarded to the Crewe and Nantwich Twinning Association (CANTA) in the current financial year.

To appoint Councillor Peter Mason to replace Councillor Jamie Macrae on the LGA Urban Commission.

The Cabinet Member for Prosperity considered the appointment of a representative to the LGA Urban Commission.

At its meeting on 3 March 2009, the Cabinet had made appointments to all outside organisations on the Category 1 Schedule (high level strategic or statutory organisations). Councillors B G Silvester and J Macrae had been appointed to the LGA Urban Commission.

The LGA Urban Commission provided the forum within the Local Government Association (LGA) for member authorities whose areas were wholly or partly urban.

Councillor Macrae had since resigned from the appointment and a replacement was required. Councillor P Mason had expressed a willingness to be appointed.

RESOLVED

That

(1)   Councillor Peter Mason be appointed to the LGA Urban Commission, with immediate effect, to replace Councillor Jamie Macrae; and

(2)   the appointment terminate on 5 May 2011 (the date of the local elections).

To consider the adoption of an Assisted Purchase Scheme for Cheshire East.

This item was withdrawn and would be considered at a future date.