A period of 20 minutes is allocated for questions to be put to Cabinet Members by members of the Council. Notice of questions need not be given in advance of the meeting. Questions must relate to the powers, duties or responsibilities of the Cabinet. Questions put to Cabinet Members must relate to their portfolio responsibilities.
The Leader will determine how Cabinet question time should be allocated where there are a number of Members wishing to ask questions. 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.
Minutes:
Councillor R Bailey referred to Notice of Motion to Council on climate change and asked if the environment strategy was still scheduled to come to the July Cabinet meeting. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration replied that work on the strategy was in progress and that it would be coming to Cabinet in September.
Councillor A Moran referred to an illegal encampment on the Barony, Nantwich and asked if the Everybody Leisure investment for the Barony would include fencing to prevent future occurrences. He also asked if the Council would look at providing a permanent transit site for travellers. The Portfolio Holder for Communities replied that it was his intention to work with the officers to provide solutions to address illegal encampments and to provide a permanent transit site.
Councillor S Akers Smith asked about the possibility of providing a cycle route alongside the HS2 railway line. The Deputy Leader replied that the Council could put the question to HS2 Ltd but it was not in the gift of the Council to determine the matter.
Councillor R Vernon referred to the Parkside cricket pitch which was used and maintained by Macclesfield Cricket Club but not owned by the Club. There had been discussions in the past between the Club, the landowner and the Council aimed at transferring ownership of the site to the Club but these had been inconclusive. The ownership issue was preventing the Club from making improvements to the site. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration undertook to look into the matter and provide a written response.
Councillor J Parry asked when work would start on the Middlewich Eastern Bypass. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste replied that based on programmes developed with Balfour Beatty, the main construction works were expected to start in January 2021 with the bypass open to traffic by October 2023. All dates remained subject to review until the Council had received final confirmation of Government funding for the scheme, which was expected at the end of 2020. The Portfolio Holder saw no reason why a quarterly project bulletin should not be made available to help local people keep abreast of the work programme.
Councillor Parry also asked, on behalf of Councillor S Brookfield, if the Council would consider making the Thomas Street Car Park in Crewe free of charge for users. The charges had presented a problem for local residents, workers and businesses in the town centre. At the request of the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste, the Executive Director of Place replied that he was looking at the matter following representations from Councillor Brookfield and would be advising the Portfolio Holder on an appropriate way forward.
Councillor A Critchley referred to the lack of a permanent transit site in the Borough which was letting down both travellers and local residents. The Portfolio Holder for Communities replied that he had made this a priority and was working with officers to address the issue.
Councillor P Williams referred to a situation in another part of the country whereby the change from the £2.30 allowance provided to children for school meals was being retained by the service provider rather than being put back into a fund to provide snacks for the children. He asked for an assurance that this did not happen in Cheshire East. The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families undertook to provide a written response.
Councillor R Fletcher indicated that he was still waiting for a written answer to a question he had asked at the December 2018 Council meeting. The Leader undertook to look into the matter.
Councillor Fletcher also said that he had been assured that he would receive details of the Council’s road maintenance programme by April and he had still not received them. The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste undertook to provide a written response.
Councillor J Clowes said that she would welcome an indication as to whether ESAR had yet submitted a business case to Cabinet regarding their plans for the Barony. At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor A Moran as local ward member indicated that he had been informed by ESAR that they were ready to proceed and would be submitting their business case to the Portfolio Holder for consideration. The Portfolio Holder for Communities added that he was awaiting a briefing on ESAR and would be more than pleased to share that with her.
Councillor Clowes also referred to the lack of information on the new administration’s financial priorities. The Leader replied that his party had provided fully costed proposals which had been available for inspection but had attracted little attention.
Councillor C Leach referred to an inquiry by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee into rural broadband and digital only services which required submissions to be made by midnight on 24th June 2019. She asked if the Council’s rural team could respond to the inquiry by the deadline. At the Leader’s request, the Executive Director Place indicated that the Council would be able to make a submission to the inquiry by the deadline.