Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C Browne, M Hardy, and H Wells Bradshaw.

To give consideration to the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2018

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2018.

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no whipping declarations

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit 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.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered. 

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak

To receive the performance report for Engine of the North

Consideration was given to the performance of Engine of the North (EoTN), which detailed the future schemes to be delivered and a programme overview and provided a financial review and performance review.

Members raised concern regarding the length of time it took to sell some of the empty council owned assets, particularly in the Crewe area.  A Kehoe explained that this was due to the complexity of the sites, requiring a credible offer and legacy issues.

It was noted that Engine of the North complied with IFRS15. It was agreed that further information would be circulated to the Committee on the governance arrangements for the company and Council owned land available to sell.

RESOLVED

1.    That further information on the governance arrangement of EoTN and assets available to sell be circulated to the Committee.

2.    That an update report be received in 6 months time.

To give consideration to the Local Transport Plan Refresh

Consideration was give to the pre-consultation draft of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and the proposed approach to public consultation.  The Committee made the following comments to be considered by Cabinet:

·         The consultation plan should ensure that there is an effort to engage young people and students (16-25years) as it was felt that the new LTP strategy had longer term impacts on travel across Cheshire East.

·         The consultation should seek to engage businesses and transport operators, especially freight and logistics companies.

·         Members were concerned that the strategy did not provide sufficient clarity on investment plans.  It was considered necessary to ensure that people had the opportunity to comment on their priorities for investment through the LTP.

·         It was considered that the LTP should make provision for alternatives for the car, considering the need for reduced use of conventionally-powered cars to 2040.

·         The LTP should be clearer on any policy commitments arising from the refresh, in particular there was reference to policies relating to transport provision for new developments.

·         The High Level Parking Strategy should include a programme for the town parking studies, with a view to addressing the imbalances in parking throughout the Borough.

·         Members generally welcomed the place-based approach to the LTP, whilst noting that Local Service Centres as well as Principal towns and Key Service Centres should be considered.

·         There was specific reference to a number of major projects which should be stated more clearly in the LTP, including Middlewich rail station and a possible A6 Disley bypass.

It was agreed that the results of public consultation and amendments to the LTP would be considered by the Committee in June 2018, and the final plan in September 2018.

The Committee also agreed that a Task and Finish Group would be established following the public consultation to review the Parking Strategy.

RESOLVED

1.    That Cabinet be requested to give consideration to the comments highlighted above.

2.    That the results of the public consultation be considered by the Committee in June 2018, and the final plan in September 2018.

3.    That a Task and Finish Group be established following the consultation to review the Parking Strategy.