Agenda and minutes

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.

In accordance with paragraph 3.33 of the Cabinet Procedure Rules, 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 Cabinet. Individual members of the public may speak for up to two minutes. The Chairman or person presiding will have discretion to vary this requirement where he/she considers it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question or make a statement at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Sue Helliwell, speaking as an Alsager Town Councillor, referred to the Lodge Road Active Travel Scheme and its impact on surrounding roads. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste responded that such temporary projects were aimed at encouraging people to become active and to cycle and walk more. They were experimental in nature and the Council was seeking feedback via its consultation website. The Council was aware of concerns about potential impacts on Pikemere Road and was monitoring traffic levels to assess the need for any measures.

Haf Barlow, Town Clerk of Poynton Town Council, spoke on behalf of the Town Council in relation to Item 9 on the agenda: Section 19 Flood Investigation Report. The Town Council felt that the report did not accurately reflect the number of properties impacted by the flood and it asked Cheshire East Council to amend the report to categorise all flooding in the same way as Stockport Council had done. The Town Council was aware of significant issues with a number of culverted watercourses in Poynton and would be submitting a detailed list of questions to the Risk Management Authority.

David Rutley MP, speaking with regard to the same item, mentioned the lack of a comprehensive action plan in the report. He urged the Council to develop a plan covering all aspects of flood management, and to involve local councillors and flood action groups.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste responded that arising from consideration of the matter by the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a task and finish group was to be established to investigate the action plan and she encouraged local councillors and others to become involved.

Brian Silvester had asked a question about the A&E walk-in service but was not present at the meeting. The Leader indicated that a written response would be provided.

Gary Wilson, Henry Brooks, Elaine Mitchell, Peter Yates, Michael Burdekin, Derek Hough and Kevin Waite all spoke in connection with Item 8 on the agenda: Site Allocations and Development Policies Document - Revised Publication Draft. Mr Yates had also submitted two questions in writing for the Portfolio Holder for Planning. The Leader indicated that the matter would be debated further under Item 8 and that Mr Yates would receive a written response to his questions. The Portfolio Holder for Planning thanked the speakers for their comments and indicated that any concerns raised about specific sites would be dealt with at the planning application stage, but that this would only be as and when safeguarded sites were released for development.

A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. A maximum period of two minutes will be allowed for each member wishing to ask a question. The Leader will have discretion to vary this requirement where he considers it appropriate. Members wishing to ask a question at the meeting should register to do so in writing by not later than 4.00 pm on the Friday in the week preceding the meeting. Members should include the general topic their question will relate to and indicate if it relates to an item on the agenda. Questions must relate to the powers, duties or responsibilities of the Cabinet. Questions put to Cabinet Members must relate to their portfolio responsibilities.

Where a question relates to a matter which appears on the agenda, the Leader may allow the question to be asked at the beginning of consideration of that item.

Councillor R Fletcher referred to a response given to a public question at the previous meeting regarding the decision to proceed with the trial active travel scheme on Lodge Road, Alsager. The Deputy Leader had been minuted as saying that the three ward councillors had been consulted by email on 4th August when in fact the email had stated that ward councillors were being advised in advance of public advertising. The Deputy Leader briefly reprised the timeline involved. He indicated that he would be proposing a minor amendment to the minutes to state that local ward members were advised of the scheme on 4^th August rather than consulted on it, but he refuted any suggestion that the information he gave at the previous meeting had been incorrect. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste added that whilst the word ‘consultation’ may not have been used, there had been an opportunity for ward members to feed back their comments.

Councillor P Williams sought clarification on claims that the Council aimed to remove bus subsidies on services around Congleton and Alsager. He also asked if the Deputy Leader had received a response to his representation to East Midlands Rail asking them to resume stopping services at Alsager station. The Deputy Leader responded that the bus services in question were being supported by the time limited Covid bus service support grant from central government which was in addition to the funding provided by this Council in supporting the local bus network, and the two should not be confused. With regard to Councillor Williams’s second question, the Deputy Leader indicated that he had not as yet received a response to his letter.

Councillor S Pochin referred to the government’s Covid policy of the ‘rule of six’ which was potentially in place until next March, and asked if the Council would do everything it could to support the events industry in Cheshire East. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration responded that since March the Council had been doing all that it could to support the entertainment, leisure and hospitality sector by providing grant funding to support local businesses and it had asked the government to make additional funding available to support the sector.

Councillor N Wylie asked if schools had been asked about the new winter gritting routes. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste responded that the area highways groups would be meeting over the next couple of weeks and that local ward members had the opportunity to ensure that local residents and stakeholders were able to feed their comments into those meetings.

Councillor H Faddes referred to a proposed bid to the Next Steps fund to encourage the private rented sector to provide accommodation for those wishing to move on from emergency accommodation. She asked if this scheme would be cost-effective in comparison with the current arrangements for accommodating the homeless. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration undertook to provide a written response.

Councillor Fletcher had submitted a second question  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th September 2020.

RESOLVED

That subject to the following amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th September 2020 be approved as a correct record:

Minute 22 – Public Speaking

With regard to a question by Jo Dale, the sentence:

“The Deputy Leader responded that the three ward councillors had been consulted on the scheme by email on 4^th August”

is amended to:

“The Deputy Leader responded that the three ward councillors had been advised of the scheme by email on 4^th August”.

To consider a further update report on the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cabinet considered a further update report on the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prior to consideration of the report, the Leader reported that a meeting of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board had been held last week in response to increasing levels of Covid-19 cases in Cheshire East. Last Thursday, Cheshire East, along with Cheshire West and Chester, had been placed on the Government’s watchlist. The Council had been working with its partners, neighbouring councils and the LEP to share with Government their assessment of the actions and resources needed to address the situation. The Council had written to the Secretary of State for Health on the matter and would be working with its partners to agree a plan to tackle the latest outbreak.

The Deputy Leader added that the Government had been asked to provide additional resources and accompanying measures for testing, contact tracing, support for vulnerable people, support for businesses, support to educate the public and to provide enforcement, and support to maintain essential public services. It was important to note that the Council and its partners were seeking this support in order to prevent the disease from spreading and to avoid a local lockdown.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet notes the issues outlined in the report.

To consider a report on the Mid-Year Review (FINANCE) 2020/21.

Cabinet considered a report on the Mid-Year Review (FINANCE) 2020/21.

The report included an update on the financial impact of the pandemic on the Council.

Councillor J Clowes, as Chairman of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reported the Committee’s comments on the report and referred to a number of matters on which the Committee had sought further clarification. She requested a written response.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    notes the contents of the report;

2.    notes the contents of Annex 1 to the report, and the current financial impact of Covid-19, of up to £26m, being partially mitigated by non Covid-19 activity;

3.    notes the mitigating actions under consideration in order to manage the financial impact of Covid-19 (Section 3 – Reasons for Recommendations);

4.    notes the supplementary estimates approved to date in relation to Covid-19 activity (Appendix 2, Table 2);

5.    approves the supplementary revenue estimates of £774,000 (155,000 received and £619,000 is pending) relating to the additional grants for Covid-19 Emergency Active Travel Fund (Appendix 2, Table 1);

6.    approves the capital virement of £1,700,000 to increase the pothole and challenge funding (Appendix 4, Annex C);

7.    notes the approved supplementary capital estimate of £6,855,000 relating to additional Department for Transport grant received (Appendix 4, Annex D); and

8.    recommends to Council to approve a fully funded supplementary revenue estimate above £1,000,000 in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules as detailed in (Appendix 2 Table 1).

To consider a report on the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document – Revised Publication Draft.

Cabinet considered a report on the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document – Revised Publication Draft.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning gave a detailed introduction to the report.

Councillor S Gardiner, Vice-Chairman of the Strategic Planning Board, who chaired the meeting of the Board on 2^nd October, thanked the Portfolio Holder for her detailed introduction to the report and asked if the text of her statement could be made available to all members of the Strategic Planning Board. Councillor Gardiner then reported the Board’s recommendations to Cabinet as follows:

(1)  The Revised Publication Draft version of the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document (Appendix 1), its Sustainability Appraisal (Appendices 2 and 2a) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (Appendix 3) be approved for publication so that representations could be made about them over a period of six weeks.

(2)  That alongside the documents listed in 2.1.1 of the report Cabinet be recommended to approve and publish the draft Plan’s supporting evidence base (listed in Appendix 6), including the draft Statement of Common Ground (Appendix 8).

(3)  That Cabinet consider the following matters:

(i)    The ‘soundness’ of the housing land supply position: whether the evidence supporting the proposed change in the revised publication draft SADPD to remove the previously proposed allocation of housing sites at LSCs was robust;

(ii)  The consistency of approach between the policies of Neighbourhood Plans and the SADPD to ensure there was no conflict, on matters such as settlement and town/village centre boundaries;

(iii)The need for safeguarded land in the SADPD, with reference to robust evidence, and with a particular focus on Bollington, Disley and Prestbury.

RESOLVED

That, having considered the views of the Strategic Planning Board, Cabinet

1.    approves the Revised Publication Draft version of the Site Allocations and Development Policies Document (Appendix 1), its Sustainability Appraisal (Appendices 2 and 2a) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (Appendix 3) for publication so that representations can be made about them over a period of six weeks, and approve and publish the draft Plan’s supporting evidence base;

2.    approves for publication the draft Statement of Common Ground (Appendix 8); and

3.    authorises the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to make any additional non-material changes to the Plan documents or supporting information ahead of the period for representations and prepare any additional explanatory information to support this.

To consider a report which reviews the flood event in the catchments of Poynton Brook, River Dean, River Bollin, Harrop Brook and tributary of Todd Brookin July 2019.

Cabinet considered a report which reviewed the flood event in the catchments of Poynton Brook, River Dean, River Bollin, Harrop Brook and tributary of Todd Brookin July 2019.

Councillor J P Findlow, as Chairman of the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reported the Committee’s comments on the report, including a proposal by the Committee that a task and finish group be established to undertake an in-depth review of flooding and flood risk management in Cheshire East.

The Leader expressed his thanks to David Rutley MP for his efforts in attempting to recover from the government some of the £3m which the Council had spent in dealing with the flooding and its aftermath. 

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    approves the Section 19 report as a factual report on the significant flood event that occurred in the catchments of Poynton Brook, River Dean, River Bollin, Harrop Brook and tributary of Todd Brookin July 2019; and

2.    approves that the Section 19 report be published on the Council’s website in compliance with the statutory requirements placed on the Council as Lead Local Flood Authority under theFlood and Water Management Act (2010).

To consider a report which introduces the findings, conclusions and recommendations made by the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee following its Spotlight Review on Children’s Mental Health Services.

Cabinet considered a report of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee following its Spotlight Review on Children’s Mental Health Services.

Councillor J Saunders introduced the report as Chairman of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    receives the report of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

2.    will respond to the recommendations in the report.

To consider a report on a proposed youth facility in Crewe.

Cabinet considered a report on a proposed youth facility in Crewe.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    notes that an open market testing exercise will be undertaken to understand the ability of charitable organisations to become an effective partner of the Council for the purposes of submitting a funding bid to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport;

2.    delegates authority to the Executive Director People in consultation with the  Portfolio Holder for Children and Families to:   

(a)  evaluate the market testing and ensure an appropriate due process is undertaken to select a preferred partner in order to enter into a Partnership Agreement to deliver this scheme; and

(b)  review a detailed options appraisal to be prepared by the Council’s Assets Department on potential sites for the delivery of a Youth Zone in Crewe; and

3.    notes that a further Cabinet report will be prepared to seek approval for:

(a)  the final detailed proposal for the scheme;

(b)  the business case, including any required capital and revenue contributions; and

(c)  authority for the disposal and/or use of the Council’s land to enable the delivery of the scheme.

To consider a report on the re-procurement of Case Management Systems: Adult’s and Children’s Social Care.

Cabinet considered a report on the re-procurement of Case Management Systems: Adult’s and Children’s Social Care.

Councillor J Clowes, as Chairman of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reported that Committee’s comments on the report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet authorises the Executive Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, ICT and Communication to award and enter into a contract to deliver Case Management Systems: Adult’s and Children’s Social Care for Cheshire East Council, via GCloud11 framework, within the existing budget over a 4-year period.

To consider a report on a revised draft tenancy strategy.

Cabinet considered a report on a revised draft tenancy strategy.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    authorises Officers to consult formally on the draft Tenancy Strategy for a period of 12 weeks;

2.    notes that the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee will consider the revised draft and result of consultation once that is completed; and

3.    delegates authority to the Director of Growth and Enterprise in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration to consider the results of the consultation and to approve the final version of the strategy.

To consider a report which seeks to extend the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) made in October 2017, relating to Dog Fouling and Dog Control, and to transfer the legal status of the previous gating schemes that required a “Gating Order” across the Borough to a consolidating PSPO.

Cabinet considered a report which sought to extend the Public Space Protection Orders made in October 2017, relating to Dog Fouling and Dog Control, and to transfer the legal status of the previous gating schemes that required a “Gating Order” across the Borough to a consolidating Public Space Protection Order.

Councillor J P Findlow, as Chairman of the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reported that the Committee had endorsed the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the extension of the existing Public Space Protection Orders in accordance with s.60 (2) of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2014 for a further period of 3 years from 20^th October 2020 relating to the Borough wide Dog Fouling and Dog Control, Carrs Park, Wilmslow, and the transfer of the legal status of the previous gating schemes that required a “Gating Order” (under the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environmental Act 2005) across the Borough to a consolidating Public Space Protection Order.