Agenda item

In accordance the Council Procedure Rules, opportunity is provided for Members of the Council to ask the Mayor or the Chair of a Committee any question about a matter which the Council, or the Committee has powers, duties or responsibilities.

At Council meeting, there will be a maximum question time period of 30 minutes. A period of two minutes will be allowed for each Councillor wishing to ask a question.  The Mayor will have the discretion to vary this requirement where they consider it appropriate.

Councillor K Hauge spoke in relation to several ongoing issues facing Pickmere residents. She stated that the bridge over Waterless Brook had been closed due to structural failures over a year ago and that there were still no planned repairs, only a commitment from the Council to investigate the issue in January 2026. Since the closure, no bus services had been arranged leaving residents and emergency services without reliable access. Councillor Hauge also referred to unreliable traffic lights on Cann Lane which had not yet been scheduled for repair. Fluttergate Lane had reopened following emergency gas works however the repairs to the road were poor and subsequently damaging cars. Councillor Hauge asked what audit work was undertaken by the Council and stated the importance of having reliable access for residents and emergency services.

Councillor M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, responded by stating that the emergency gas works undertaken on Fluttergate Lane would have a two-year warranty and that any concerns relating to poor repairs should be reported to the Council to investigate. Councillor Goldsmith confirmed that the Council did not inspect every repair but instead took a cross-sample. In relation to the repair of the Waterless Brook bridge, Councillor Goldsmith agreed to seek a written response from officers, providing an update on timescales for repair but did highlight that repairs to bridges were complex and costly and he hoped that funding would be allocated in future for such repairs.

Councillor N Cook spoke in relation to ongoing street lighting issues within her ward and highlighted that she had reported a broken streetlight on Hill Street and to date, had received an update or acknowledgement. Councillor Cook further stated that in November two lampposts were removed from Richmond Close without any consultation or engagement with herself as Ward Councillor or local residents. An update was awaited in relation to the installation of temporary lights which were due to be installed by the end of November. Two further reports of missing lampposts in Elworth had also been made with no acknowledgement or update. Councillor Cook stated the importance of adequate streetlighting and asked that her outstanding reports be reviewed and responded to as soon as possible.

Councillor M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, responded by agreeing that streetlighting played a key role in communities feeling safe and apologised that Councillor Cook had not yet received an update in relation to the repairs she had reported. Councillor Goldsmith confirmed that the removal of street lighting was sometimes necessary for operational reasons and to ensure that lighting columns were electrically and structurally safe. It was anticipated that Richmond Close would be completed within the next two weeks. Councillor Goldsmith confirmed that there was no strategy to reduce costs by removing street lighting.

Councillor L Wardlaw expressed her sympathy at the passing of the former Leader, Michael Jones and acknowledged the contribution she felt he had made to the Council. Separately, Councillor Wardlaw referred to the resilience of the Senior Leadership Team and its capacity to manage the challenges facing the Council, deliver transformation and asked what support was in place for staff being asked to act up.

Councillor N Mannion, Leader of the Council, provided assurance that there were interim measures in place to deliver in the absence of some members of the Senior Leadership Team. Work was underway to develop long-term solutions within the Place Directorate, following the departure of the Executive Director. Councillor Mannion committed to providing Members with an update on arrangements in the New Year and confirmed that the Executive Director – Adults, Health and Integration would keep all staff informed of arrangements as the Council moved forward.

Councillor M Brooks spoke in relation to the lack of public toilet provision for visitors at the Treacle Market in Macclesfield which last Sunday had attracted over 8,000 visitors. Councillor Brooks asked, given the increased parking revenue collected on Sundays, if it was possible to invest funding to facilitate the opening of the public toilet facilities (within the indoor market) on a Sunday to improve the experience of residents visiting future Treacle Markets in Macclesfield.

Councillor M Gorman, Chair of Economy and Growth Committee, responded by stating that opening the toilets for additional hours on a Sunday to cater for visitors to the Treacle Market would be beneficial for visitors, but would generate additional costs to cover staff attendance, additional cleaning services, and increased energy usage.  Car parking charges introduced on a Sunday helped to cover the rising costs of maintaining, managing, and enforcing car parks. At the present time, increasing the availability of a service such as a public toilet would be challenging for the Council given the current budget forecast gap. Councillor Gorman confirmed that new opportunities for funding the extended opening of the public toilets would be considered as they arose.

Councillor Gorman stated that, as a one off, both the Market Hall and the public toilets would be open for Christmas Treacle on Sunday 21 December 2025.

Councillor A Gage raised concerns regarding flooding on Eastern Road in Willaston due to a blocked gully. Councillor Gage requested that the flooding be investigated, with a thorough explanation of the issue, the intended resolution, and asked if the Chair of Highways and Transport Committee would commit to a speed assessment review of Eastern Road with a view to a safer limit being imposed.

Councillor M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, committed to providing a written response.

Councillor K Edwards asked if either the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, and/or the Chair of the Environment and Communities Committee, and/or the Chair of the joint S106 Working Group could confirm the date of the next Working Group meeting and requested that it be held as early as possible in the New Year.  Councillor Edwards highlighted that a meeting of the working group was needed so that the allocation of S106 funds could be discussed, explained, and resolved to the benefit of local communities.

Councillor Edwards asked the Chair of the Economy and Growth Committee to ensure that the numbers of social dwelling units built in Cheshire East, including those in use and those designed for social rents, are published on a quarterly basis.

Councillor D Jefferay, Chair of the Environment and Communities Committee, stated that the Head of Planning had been in discussions with the Chair of the S106 Working Group to arrange a meeting early in the New Year, and that it was hoped that this would be finalised soon. Councillor Jefferay stated that, S106 contributions were secured to mitigate the impact of development. Where monies were secured, further details of what, how and by when the monies should be spent would be set out in the respective legal agreement.

Councillor M Gorman, Chair of Economy and Growth Committee, committed to providing a written response.

Councillor R Fletcher raised concern regarding a handrail on a footway between Linley Lane and Foden Avenue in Alsager. Councillor Fletcher stated that the issue had been reported several times but there remained issues with the handle and brickwork. Councillor Fletcher asked the Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee to ensure that the brickwork and the rail were secure.

Councillor M Goldsmith, Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, committed to providing a written response.

Councillor B Puddicombe spoke in relation to Police presence and asked what level of police presence should be expected in wards across the Borough under neighbourhood policing. Councillor Puddicombe stated that, at a time when PCSOs were under threat of redundancy, should Members expect the communities of Cheshire East to continue to be served by officers who were visible, accessible, and focused on keeping people safe.

Councillor Mannion, Leader of the Council, responded by stating that the question, along with the Notice of Motion on Protecting the Role of Police Community Support Officers across Cheshire and Warrington, would be submitted to the Chief Constable and Commissioner for a written response. Councillor Mannion confirmed that the Police and Crime Commissioner was a consultee on the decision, and the Council was assured that they would hold the Chief Constable to account.

Councillor S Bennet-Wake spoke in relation to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and asked whether it was fair that councils like Cheshire East received a third of the amount of funding for the DSG High Needs Block. Councillor Bennet-Wake stated that Cheshire East received just over £1000 per pupil, whereas Camden Council received £3500 per pupil. The national cumulative SEND deficit had now reached £5 billion, Councillor Bennet-Wake stated that it was time that the funding formula be reviewed and updated, noting that it had not risen in line with inflation over the past 10 years, and asked that the Council request that Government cancel the debt. 

Councillor L Crane, Chair of Children and Families Committee, confirmed that Cheshire East was a member of the group F40 which was a lobbying group which represented the areas receiving the lowest levels of funding nationally.

Councillor Crane stated that, statistically it was clear that in F40 areas there was a greater demand for Education, Health and Care Plans, and it seemed to be linked to the funding levels received by mainstream schools. Councillor Crane encouraged all Members to lobby their local MPs to ensure the funding formula was revisited as soon as possible.

Councillor H Whitaker stated that, following Councillor O'Leary's FOI request received yesterday, officers were in discussions with developers for Adlington New Town, in both December 2024, and April 2025. In April 2025, officers were made aware that Belport had made a submission to the New Towns Task Force for Adlington. Councillor Whitaker asked the Leader of the Council, in order to ensure clarity and to overcome potential misinformation on social media, when he became aware of the meetings noted in the FOI response between Belport and Cheshire East officers and who instructed officers to have those discussions.

In response Councillor Mannion, Leader of the Council, stated that there were protocols in place and that he had not been aware of any scheduled meetings between any consortia about the New Towns initiative. Councillor Mannion stated that he was not present and did not see minutes or receive updates from these meetings.

Councillor A Moran spoke in relation to winter illnesses and highlighted that the NHS, including local hospitals, had seen a 50% increase in in-patients suffering from flu which had subsequently led to advice being issued from the NHS that consideration of wearing face masks should be given. It was noted that a key reason for this had been the low uptake of flu vaccinations this year. Councillor Moran stated that the government placed an age restriction on flu vaccinations and that for those that were not eligible for free flu vaccinations the average cost at a pharmacy was £20. Councillor Moran asked what the flu vaccination uptake was within Cheshire East.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Chair of Adults and Health Committee, committed to providing a written response.

Councillor B Wye referred to the loss of the Council’s previous Active Travel Champion, the late Councillor Chris Hilliard, earlier this year. Councillor Wye, as the   current Active Travel Champion, asked if the Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee welcomed the government announcement that Cheshire East would receive a higher rating for active travel capacity and therefore higher funding. Councillor Wye asked how the Chair felt this reflected the work of the late Councillor Hillard’s campaigns to improve safe and convenient transport options for residents.

In response Councillor M Goldsmith, Chair of the Highway and Transport Committee, stated that he was pleased that Active Travel England had released the publication of the Local Authority Active Travel capability ratings for 2025. Cheshire East had been upgraded from a level 1 to a level 2. Cheshire East was only 1 of 10 Councils across the country to be upgraded. The level 2 rating recognised strong local leadership and organisational capability with clear plans which formed the basis of an emerging network with a few elements already in place. Councillor Goldsmith thanked officers for their hard work and the work of the late Councillor Hillard who had made a strong contribution to the local walking and cycling plans, stating that he would have been delighted with the announcement made today.

Councillor S Adams spoke in relation to road sweeping carried out by Environmental Services and gully clearing which was carried out by Cheshire East Highways. Councillor Adams highlighted issues where leaves had formed a seal over gullies which had led to flooding and asked whether road sweeping could also fall under the remit of Cheshire East Highways rather than Environmental Services to enable better coordination of road sweeping and gully cleaning across the Borough.

In response, Councillor Goldsmith, Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee, stated that the officers who operated the road sweepers also carried out the ground maintenance of parks, which was common among councils.

Councillor Buchanan asked if it was possible for Shavington-Cum-Gresty Parish Council to meet with relevant officers to work collaboratively to identify land supply within the Shavington Ward,

In response Councillor D Jefferay, Chair of the Environment and Communities Committee, stated that the Council published it’s housing monitoring data annually via a Housing Completions and Supply Report which set out which sites had been granted permission and how many homes would be built, by settlement. The report was based on data available up until 31^st March 2025 and would be updated again in 2026. Councillor Jefferay stated that for those communities who wished to use their neighbourhood plans to identify housing need in their areas and allocate development sites to meet this need, the Council could provide an indicative housing figure to inform neighbourhood planning. Those engaged in the neighbourhood planning process could contact the Council’s Strategic Planning Team.