Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies were received from Councillors J Barber and P Groves.

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

In the interests of openness, the following declarations were made:

Councillor N Mannion declared that he was a member of the Tatton Park Board and a member of the Rural Strategy Group

Councillor M Goldsmith declared that he was the Council’s nomination to Marketing Cheshire.

Councillor B Puddicombe declared that he was the Council’s nomination to Peak and Plains Housing Trust.

Councillor D Brown declared that he was a member of the Finance Sub Committee and a member of its Shareholder Working Group.

Councillor J Clowes declared that she was the relevant Portfolio Holder when the Rural Action Plan was approved in March 2019.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2021 be approved as a correct record.

In accordance with paragraph 2.24 of the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, set out in the Constitution, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this 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.

There were no public speakers.

To consider and approve the Tourism Recovery Plan.

The Committee considered the Tourism Recovery Plan, which set out the approach to supporting tourism and the visitor economy in Cheshire East following an economic downturn in the sector due to the Covid pandemic.

RESOLVED:

That the Tourism Recovery Plan be approved as the basis of the Council’s approach to economic recovery in the Visitor Economy sector.

To receive an update on Tatton Park.

The Committee considered the update on Tatton Park, which set out the effects of the covid pandemic and the recovery plans.  The report also explained the role of Tatton Park Board and its governance arrangements.

RESOLVED:

That the update on Tatton Park be noted.

To consider the arrangements to update and refresh the Rural Action Plan for the period 2022 to 2025.

The Committee considered the report which set out the background to the Rural Action Plan and the proposed arrangements to update and refresh the Plan for the period 2022 to 2025.

It was proposed that the informal Members Advisory Panel should consist of up to five members from the Committee rather than three, and subject to nominations received and appointments approved by the Head of Governance and Democratic Services in line with the relevant protocols in the Constitution.

RESOLVED:  That

1             the preparation of a Rural Action Plan 2022-25 be approved;

2             the workstreams, as identified in paragraph 6.2, be approved;

3             a Member Advisory Panel, comprising of up to 5 members, be set up to      provide guidance on the scope and priorities within the workstreams and drafting of the Rural Action Plan; and

4             it be noted that the Rural Action Plan 2022-2025 will be brought back to the Economy and Growth Committee in 2022.

The Committee adjourned for a short break.  Councillor D Stockton left the meeting and did not return.

To note the consultation responses and amendments made to the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021–2025 and approve and adopt as the final version.

The Committee considered the report which provided a summary of the consultation responses on the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2025 and sought the approval and adoption of the final version of the Strategy.

RESOLVED:  That the Committee

1             note the consultation responses and amendments to the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2025;

2             approves and adopts the final version of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-2025;

3             note that the funding arrangements are in place to enable the delivery of the Strategy; and

4             note that the delivery of the Strategy will be overseen by the Homelessness Strategy Steering Group.

To note that a Housing Supplementary Planning Document is being developed and approve the process for the allocation of financial contributions for the provision of affordable housing.

The Committee considered the report which provided an update on the types of affordable housing which were delivered in Cheshire East and details on the new Government affordable housing product – First Home.  The report also outlined the mechanisms in which the Council secured affordable housing on site or as a financial contribution in lieu of affordable housing.

RESOLVED:  That the Committee

1             note that a Housing Supplementary Document is being currently developed and will be considered by the Environment and Communities Committee at a future meeting; and

2          approves the process, outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, for the allocation of financial contributions for the provision of affordable housing.               

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

Consideration was given to the Committee’s Work Programme.

It was reported that there could be an additional item for the November committee meeting relating to Domestic Adaptations and Retrofit Contract.

Other items suggested for the Work Programme were an update on the Connecting Cheshire Broadband programme, and the availability of suitable accommodation for micro businesses to develop.  It was agreed that officers would discuss these outside of the meeting to see what the issues were as it may be more suitable to provide a briefing note  on them for committee members.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be received and noted.