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 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding 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 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.
Minutes:
Jenny Unsworth referred to the proliferation of hand car washes which she said were not covered by regulation. She expressed concern about the potential impact on residential amenities and health, and called for greater planning management. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Economic Regeneration responded that any new development or change of use to provide a car wash required planning permission. A report would be taken to the Strategic Planning Board in the next two months to review the current position and make any recommendations on additional planning policy.
Richard Hamilton referred to a S106 contribution of £20,000 which was being held by the Council but was no longer needed for the intended purpose. He asked why the contribution had not been returned to the developer. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Economic Regeneration responded that the relevant agreement stipulated that the money would have to be repaid if unused within 10 years, which would be in 2027. There was no requirement to repay the money at this time and given that circumstances could change, the money could still be needed for its intended purpose.
Sue Helliwell asked if the Council would install a defibrillator outside Westfields in Sandbach to follow the example of Alsager in having at least three defibrillators available 24 hours a day. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Economic Regeneration responded that given that Westfields was somewhat removed from the Town Centre, it would be more appropriate to approach Sandbach Town Council with a view to installing a defibrillator outside Sandbach Town Hall, which was more centrally located.
Jane Smith asked why glyphosate was being used routinely in and around parks and playgrounds in Cheshire East. She said that the pesticide had been labelled by one international agency as ‘probably carcinogenic’ and had been banned from use in public places in some cities. The Portfolio Holder for Health responded that the Council managed weeds by cutting and digging them out and by strimming, and only where necessary by the careful application of weed killing herbicides which were not routinely carried by maintenance teams. She added that various international agencies and authorities had concluded that there was no evidence to link glyphosate with cancer in humans, based on the available information.
Paul Redstone referred to the condition of The Avenue in Alsager and asked that the Council include it for treatment in next year’s road improvement programme, starting in April 2019. At the Chairman’s invitation, Councillor Glen Williams, Deputy Cabinet Member, responded that The Avenue had been inspected and would be prioritised against other roads in the Borough in preparation for next year’s programme. In the meantime, any defects found during the site inspection which were considered to be a safety hazard would be repaired.
Sylvia Dyke, speaking on behalf of residents of White Moss, asked why certain conditions relating to two planning applications had not been enforced by the Council, the application references being 7/14766 and 13/4132N. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Economic Regeneration responded that, whilst he acknowledged that White Moss Quarry remained a concern for local residents, the circumstances surrounding the site had been explained on numerous occasions, both in writing and in face-to-face meetings with Council officers. He added that there was a clause in the legal agreement and a condition in the planning permission which required a restoration plan for the site to be agreed before the housing permission was implemented.