Decisions

That the ‘Repurposing Our High Streets’ grant scheme policy and procedures, including the process for awarding of grant payments, be approved.

The Committee considered a report which informed of the acceptance under urgency powers of a Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund Grant of up to £7.8m, in three lots. The urgent decision also delegated powers to the Economy and Growth Committee to administer the grant.

RESOLVED (unanimously):  That the Committee

1          note the acceptance, under urgency powers, of the grants awarded up to £7,800,000 from BEIS for the purpose of decarbonising the Council’s estate and enable the low carbon transition across selected schools, museum, leisure centres and Tatton Park.

2          note the approval, under urgency powers, of a fully funded Supplementary Capital Estimate up to the value of the grant offer(s).

3          note that the match-funding required from the Council to finance the schemes will be identified from existing budgets, and that approvals for virements will be obtained, in that regard, in accordance with the Finance Procedure Rules in the Constitution.

4          authorise the Director of Growth and Enterprise and the Section 151 Officer to enter into the Grant Offer Agreement on behalf of the Council and to take all necessary measures to administer, spend and distribute the grant.

5          authorise the Director of Growth and Enterprise to approve the delivery of the programme of work, in line with the conditions of grant, and the identification of local match-funding resources, and to obtain further approvals as required by the Council’s financial procedure and procurement rules.

To receive an update on the financial position for 2022/23. To note or approve virements and supplementary estimates as required.

The Committee received a report which provided an overview of the Cheshire East Council forecast outturn for the financial year 2022/23 and a financial update and forecast outturn for the Economy and Growth Committee’s areas of responsibility.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That the Committee

1          note the report of the Finance Sub Committee held on 8 March 2023 and the recommendations of that Committee to Service Committees to

1.1       note the financial update and forecast outturn relevant to their terms of reference.

1.2       note the delegated decisions relating to supplementary revenue estimates for specific grants coded directly to services in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, as detailed in Appendix 4 to the report - Section 2, Table 2 and Table 3.

2          note Appendix 4 to the report and the following sections specific to the Economy and Growth Committee:

·         Changes to Revenue budget 2022/23

·         Corporate Grants Register

·         Debt Management

·         Capital Strategy

·         Reserve Strategy

To provide an update on the progress of the carbon programme and to seek from the committee such decisions as shall be necessary in order to further the programme to its agreed conclusion.

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the progress made by the Council to becoming a carbon neutral Council by 2025 and a carbon neutral Borough by 2045.

In May 2020, the Council had adopted a Carbon Action Plan which set out how the Council would become carbon neutral. The Action Plan set a carbon reduction target at 46% and an insetting target of 60% by 2025 from 2019 baseline levels. To date the Council had achieved carbon reduction of 11% and delivered 30% of its insetting target. The report detailed the progress in carbon reduction in the areas of Council’s operations set out in the Action Plan.

RESOLVED:  That the Committee

1          note the progress made towards the Council’s target to be carbon neutral for its own emissions by 2025 and the contents of the Borough wide baseline report 2045 (Appendix 1 to the report).

2          delegates authority to the Executive Director for Place to take all necessary actions including without limitation contract award and the execution of all necessary agreements and ancillary documentation to implement solar projects on the land referenced in Appendix 2 to the report.

3          delegates authority to the Head of Environmental Services in conjunction with relevant council teams to investigate emerging opportunities for domestic retrofit options for the residents of Cheshire East and proceed to procurement of a suitable solution.

To approve a refreshed CEC Cultural Framework for 2023 - 2028.

The Committee considered the report which sought approval for the Cheshire East Council Cultural Framework 2023 to 2028.

The Framework set out the priorities and mechanisms for commissioning of cultural activity across the Council and with external partners.

The report also responded to the Notice Motion on Public Art Consultation, submitted to Council in October 2022 by Councillors A Gage and S Edgar, with proposals for the process for commission of public art, which following adoption would become part of the Cultural Framework.

The Chair read out a statement from the proposer of the Notice of Motion which asked that the Committee considered locking in the automatic requirement to hold a public consultation of at least 21 days when proposing public art and that this could be carried out at almost no cost via the Council’s website.

During consideration of the process for public art consultation it was proposed that in Stage 7, the wording in the second box be amended to read ‘Further consultation must take place at this point if identified in the engagement and consultation plan’.

RESOVED: That the Committee

1          approve the revised Cultural Framework 2023-2028, as set out in appendix A to the report.

2          approve the process set out for the commissioning of public art, as set out in appendix B to the report, and incorporate into the Cultural Framework, subject to the amendment of the wording in Stage 7 from ‘may’ to ‘must’.

Councillor A Kolker left the meeting before consideration of the next item.

To seek authority to accept a grant from NLHF and seek confirmation of delivery mechanisms and governance for the delivery phase of Cheshire Archives - A Story Shared project.

The Committee considered the report which provided an update on the ‘Cheshire Archives – A Story Shared’ project and provided the context for the delivery phase of the project, which included the building of a new History Centre in Crewe.

It was noted that the late Councillor Dorothy Flude had been very involved with the Archives Project and it was proposed that, subject to consultation, the new centre be named in her honour.

RESOLVED (unanimously):  That the Committee

1          delegate to the Executive Director Place to take all necessary actions to enable the delivery stage of the ‘Cheshire Archives – A Story Shared’ project.

2          delegate authority to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Compliance, to enter into or approve any contracts or agreements (including professional consultants and building contracts etc.) required for the delivery phase.

3          approve the entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address all relevant terms for collaborative delivery of the project with CWAC.

4          approve the participation as required in the acceptance of the offer of grant aid from the Heritage Fund by CWAC by the exercise of the delegated authority to proceed with this project.

5          consideration be given to naming the History Centre in honour of the late Councillor Dorothy Flude, subject to public consultation.

The meeting adjourned for a short break during which Councillor Kolker returned to the meeting.

To consider the Notice of Motion, referred to the Committee by Council on 14 December 2022.

The Committee considered a report in response to a Notice of Motion relating to the development of Council Housing. Council on 14 December 2022 had referred the Notice of Motion to the Economy and Growth Committee for consideration.

The motion, was proposed by Councillor C Naismith and Seconded by Councillor A Critchley, read as follows:

That the Council commits to

1)       creating a Cheshire East Council housing revenue account.

2)         the development of a long-term strategy for the construction of high-quality, genuinely affordable council housing across the borough, underpinned by long-term secure tenancy agreements, with rents relative to the average wage of the geographical area. Thus, providing residents with security, health, education and social mobility opportunity that they deserve.

It was reported that as the Council was a non-stock holding Council, the proposals in the Motion would require significant financial commitment and outlay in establishing and developing the housing required to form a Housing Revenue Account. The proposal did not form part of the Corporate Plan and was not within the current MTFS proposals and would therefore require additional capital and revenue funds outside of the MTFS programme.

The Committee noted that the Council was developing its Housing Strategy and proposed that options to increase the number of houses for social rent and for specialist housing be including in the development of the Housing Strategy and be reported back to the Committee.

RESOLVED (unanimously):  That

1          the Notice of Motion be noted; and

2          that options to increase the number of houses for social rent and for specialist housing be including the development of the Housing Strategy.

To receive an update on the progress made to date on the proposal for a Technical & Digital Innovation Centre (TADIC) in Crewe Town Centre.

The Committee considered a report on the progress to date on the proposal for a Technical and Digital Innovation Centre in Crewe Town Centre.

The Technical and Digital Innovation Campus was part of the Future High Street Fund programme to revitalise Crewe, funded in full by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The aim was to provide flexible workspace and co-working offer in Crewe focusing on supporting start-up and growing companies in the fast growing digital and creative sector, and also improvements to the heritage assets at Christ Church.

The project had undergone feasibility work and considered the potential of using both the chancel at Christ Church and the Municipal Buildings Extension. This had determined that the only financially and operationally viable approach was to use the Municipal Buildings Extension.

RESOLVED (unanimously): That the Committee

1       subject to DLUHC Agreement, approve the appropriation of the Municipal Buildings extension for the delivery of the Technical and Digital Innovation Centre project, by appropriation it was meant the lease or procurement of the building to a third party operator, cease occupation of the building by the Council, and carry out a refurbishment of the building to meet Future High Street Fund outputs.

2       delegate authority to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Chair of Economic & Growth Committee, Section 151 Officer, and Director of Governance and Compliance, to secure the DLUHC Agreement and, subject to DLUHC Agreement, take all necessary actions to deliver the TADIC project, including and without limitation:

·               commencing staff engagement and consultation as necessary on the proposals, and relocation of the affected staff;

·               submission of necessary applications for planning, building regulations, etc and implement consent as appropriate;

·               procurement, contract award and/or execution of all necessary leases, agreements and documentation for both the refurbishment or modifications required at the Municipal Offices and other Council assets affected as consequence of relocated functions, and for the operational delivery of the project, including negotiation commercial terms with the operator/tenant including Council contributions to the fit-out of the premises; and

·               to amend or stop the project in the event that any issues or risks emerge that would fundamentally affect the deliverability of the project, or impact on the Council’s financial position.

3          note that the historic Municipal Buildings fronting Earle Street is not part of this proposal and will be retained for civic use, including the Registrar function.

4          note that the Christ Church Chancel building will not be used for the project, but that heritage improvements to Christ Church are planned to be delivered as part of this project.

To consider and approve the Digital Investment Plan, which will shape activity and priorities relating to the broader digital agenda.

The Committee considered a report on the Digital Investment Plan 2023-2025 which provided an update on the progress with digital connectivity in the Cheshire sub-region and sought approval of the Connecting Cheshire Digital Investment Plan.

RESOLVED (unanimously):  That the Committee

1      adopt the Digital Investment Plan as the guiding strategy and plan to shape future outward facing Digital Investments and outward Digital Support activities of the Authority, utilising the ring-fenced Digital Funds.

2    note the current misalignment between project delivery up to and beyond 2026 and the staffing which is currently in place until 2023.

3      delegated authority to the Executive Director Place to ensure that the staffing required to support delivery and implementation of the interventions currently being undertaken as outlined in the Digital Investment Plan.

4      approve the establishment of a £500,000 “Alt Tech” grant scheme to support the hardest to reach premises across the Cheshire sub-region and delegate to the Executive Director Place the authority to determine the terms on which it operates, noting that it may be delivered by a partner authority.

4      approve a £300,000 business support package to ensure that businesses across the Cheshire sub-region have the skills necessary to harness the benefits of digital growth.

5    approve a £120,000 package of measures to stimulate local demand led digital upgrades and provide for stakeholder engagement to ensure that local communities are supported as they strive to upgrade digital services

6      provide delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place to enable the above projects, initiatives, and activities that support the plan to be implemented Funds.

Officer Delegated Decision: TPCA 1847 Wilmslow Artisan Market May 2023.

Officer Delegated Decision: TPCA 1847 Wilmslow Artisan Market April 2023

Officer Delegated Decision: TPCA 1847 Open Air Service

Officer Delegated Decision: Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) Longhill Lane, Hankelow.

Officer Delegated Decision: TPCA 1847 Alderley Edge Bypass 10k Sunday 7 May 2023.

Officer Delegated Decision: TPCA King Charles III Coronation in Congleton Park Monday 8 May 2023.

PARK ROAD, CONGLETON

From the junction of Worrall Street to limit

Officer Delegated Decision: TPCA 1847 Love Bollington Market Sunday 11 June 2023.

Officer Delegated Decision: TCPA 1847 Knutsford Royal Mayday Parade May 2023.

Officer Delegated Decision: Former Oaklands School.

Officer Delegated Decision: Knutsford Road, Chelford.

Officer Delegated Decision: Viking Way, Congleton.

Officer Delegated Decision: Mobberley Riding School.

Officer Delegated Decision: Gresty Green Road, Shavington.

Officer Delegated Decision: Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) Pinsley Green Road.

Officer Delegated Decision: TPCA Temporary Road Closure 1847 - Well Dressing Opening Ceremony July 2023.

Officer Delegated Decision: Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) Poynton Relief Road.

50mph Speed Limit

Roy Chadwick Way, Adlington/Poynton

For its full extent

40mph Speed Limit-

London Road, Adlington

From outside Marfields Hall to outside Pennyloaves

Brookledge Lane, Adlington

From the junction of London Road to the junction of Legh Road

Mill Lane, Prestbury

From the junction of London Road to outside the Lodge

A523 Poynton Relief Road, Adlington

From the junction of London Road to the junction of Roy Chadwick Way

Officer Delegated Decision: TTPCA 1847 Temporary Road Closure - Alsager Carnival June 2023

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Alsager Carnival to take place on Saturday17 June 2023.

CHURCH ROAD, ALSAGER

For its full extent

LODGE ROAD, ALSAGER

For its full extent

SANDBACH ROAD NORTH, ALSAGER

From the junction with Lodge Road to the junction with Lawton Road

LAWTON ROAD, ALSAGER

From the junction with Crewe Road to the junction with Fields Road

Officer Delegated Decision: Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO): June 2023 (Royal Cheshire Show)

Officer Delegated Decision: Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) - Temporary Road Closures Various

It is anticipated that the works will commence on Monday 24th April 2023 and will be completed by Sunday 31st March 2024.

DOG LANE, BRERETON

For its full extent

MOW LANE, NEWBOLD ASTBURY

For its full extent

KNUTSFORD ROAD, MOBBERLEY

For its full extent

PLUMLEY MOOR ROAD, PLUMLEY/PEOVER INFERIOR

For its full extent

WREXHAM ROAD, FADDILEY/ BRINDLEY/ BURLAND

For its full extent

LONDON ROAD NORTH, POYNTON

For its full extent

WOODFORD ROAD, POYNTON

For its full extent

Officer Delegated Decision: TTPCA 1847 Temporary Road Closures Wilmslow Artisan Market March 2024

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 15 March 2024 to 1900 on Saturday 16 March 2024.

SERVICE ROAD OFF ALDERLEY ROAD, WILMSLOW

From the junction with Alderley Road to the junction with Parkway

SOUTH DRIVE, WILMSLOW

For its full extent

Officer Delegated Decision: TTPCA 1847 Temporary Road Closures Wilmslow Artisan Market Feb 2024

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 16 February 2024 to 1900 on Saturday 17 February 2024.

SERVICE ROAD OFF ALDERLEY ROAD, WILMSLOW

From the junction with Alderley Road to the junction with Parkway

SOUTH DRIVE, WILMSLOW

For its full extent

Officer Delegated Decision: TTPCA 1847 Temporary Road Closures Wilmslow Artisan Market December 2023

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 15 December 2023 to 19:00 on Saturday 16 December 2023

SERVICE ROAD OFF ALDERLEY ROAD, WILMSLOW

From the junction with Alderley Road to the junction with Parkway

SOUTH DRIVE, WILMSLOW

For its full extent

Officer Delegated Decision: TTPCA 1847 Temporary Road Closures Wilmslow Artisan November 2023

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 17 November 2023 to 19:00 on Saturday 18 November 2023

SERVICE ROAD OFF ALDERLEY ROAD, WILMSLOW

From the junction with Alderley Road to the junction with Parkway

SOUTH DRIVE, WILMSLOW

For its full extent

To make a temporary road closure order under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 20 October 2023 to 1900 on Saturday 21 October 2023.

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 20 October 2023 to 19:00 on Saturday 21 October 2023.

SERVICE ROAD OFF ALDERLEY ROAD, WILMSLOW

From the junction with Alderley Road to the junction with Parkway

SOUTH DRIVE, WILMSLOW

For its full extent

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 15 September 2023 to 19:00 on Saturday 16 September 2023

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 15 September 2023 to 19:00 on Saturday 16 September 2023.

SERVICE ROAD OFF ALDERLEY ROAD, WILMSLOW

From the junction with Alderley Road to the junction with Parkway

SOUTH DRIVE, WILMSLOW

For its full extent

To make a temporary road closure order under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 1800 on Friday 18 August 2023 to 1900 on Saturday 19 August 2023.

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 18 August 2023 to 19:00 on Saturday 19 August 2023.

SERVICE ROAD OFF ALDERLEY ROAD, WILMSLOW

From the junction with Alderley Road to the junction with Parkway

SOUTH DRIVE, WILMSLOW

For its full extent

To make a temporary road closure order under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 1800 on Friday 14 July 2023 to 1900 on Saturday 15 July 2023.

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 18:00 on Friday 14 July to 1900 on Saturday 15 July 2023.

SERVICE ROAD OFF ALDERLEY ROAD, WILMSLOW

From the junction with Alderley Road to the junction with Parkway

SOUTH DRIVE, WILMSLOW

For its full extent

To make a temporary road closure order under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets to enable the Wilmslow Artisan Market to take place between 1800 on Friday 16 June 2023 to 1900 on Saturday 17 June 2023.

Temporary road closures in Wilmslow on Sunday 7 May 2023 to enable the King’s Coronation Event to take place.

Being satisfied that traffic should be prohibited to facilitate works, to give public notice of and make a temporary road closure order under s14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, and all other enabling powers to prohibit traffic on Townfields, Sandbach from the junction of Third Avenue to the junction of Coronation Crescent for a period of 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner.

For cabling works to be carried out it is necessary to close Townfields, Sandbach from the junction of Third Avenue to the junction of Coronation Crescent

Being satisfied that traffic should be prohibited to facilitate works, to give public notice of and make a temporary road closure order under s14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, and all other enabling powers to prohibit traffic on Maxwell Street, Crewe from the junction of Edleston Road to outside number 24 for a period of 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner.

For sewer repairs to be carried out it is necessary to close Maxwell Street, Crewe from the junction of Edleston Road to outside number 24.

Being satisfied that traffic should be prohibited to facilitate works, to give public notice of and make a temporary road closure under s14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended, and all other enabling powers ot prohibit traffic on Congleton Road, Gawsworth, Macclesfield for its full extent for a period of 18 months or until the works have been completed whichever is sooner.

For highway maintenance/improvement works to be carried out it is necessary to close Congleton Road, Gawsworth/Macclesfield for its full extent.

The Sub-Committee considered an update report on financial management for the year 2022/23.

In response to members’ questions and comments, officers advised as follows:

§  Information would be included in future reports on the effect of interest rates, inflation and capital costs on the delivery of projects.

§  The forecast DSG deficit was being held as an accounting override; this applied to all English councils with DSG balances and was effectively a negative reserve. The accounting override could last for up to three years, and discussions would need to be held with the DfE and the Department of Levelling Up to determine what would happen when the accounting override ended.

RESOLVED

That the Sub-Committee

1.    notes the forecast adverse Net Revenue financial pressure of £7.7m against a revised budget of £328.3m, as previously reported to Finance Sub-Committee on 19 January 2023;

2.    notes the forecast Capital Spending of £125.2m against an approved MTFS budget £185.2m;

3.    notes the contents of Annex 1 to the report and each of the appendices;

4.    unanimously approves supplementary revenue estimates for specific grants coded directly to services up to and including £1,000,000 in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules as detailed in Appendix 6 Finance Sub-Committee, Section 3 Corporate Grants Register, Table 3;

5.    by majority approves the drawdown from the MTFS reserve for transport detailed in Appendix 6, Section 5;

6.    notes that Council will be asked to approve:

Fully funded supplementary revenue estimates for specific grants coded directly to services over £1,000,000 in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules as detailed in Appendix 1, Section 2 Corporate Grants Register, Table 2,  Appendix 2, Section 2 Corporate Grants Register, Table 2 and Appendix 3, Section 2 Corporate Grants Register, Table 2.

7.    by majority recommends to Service Committees to:

(a)  note the financial update and forecast outturn relevant to their terms of reference; and

(b)  note the delegated decisions relating to supplementary revenue estimates for specific grants coded directly to services in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules as detailed in Section 2 of each Committee Appendix.

The Sub-Committee considered a report which determined the allocation of the approved budgets to each of the service committees and informed the financial reporting cycle for 2023/24.

RESOLVED

That the Sub-Committee

1.    unanimously approves the allocation of the capital and revenue budgets, policy proposals and earmarked reserves to the following Committees in accordance with the approved MTFS, as set out in Appendix A to the report:

§  Adults & Health

§  Children & Families

§  Corporate Policy

§  Economy & Growth

§  Environment & Communities

§  Finance Sub-Committee

§  Highways & Transport

2.    notes the draft financial reporting timetable for 2023/24 set out in Appendix B.

The Sub-Committee considered an update report on ANSA service delivery.

Kevin Melling, Managing Director of Ansa, was present for part of this item and addressed members’ questions.

Tom Shuttleworth, Interim Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, was also in attendance for this item as the Director of CERF, the shareholder of Ansa.

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That

1.    the recommendations in the report be approved; and

2.    further updates be submitted to the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the appointment of a Business Rates Working Group.

The terms of reference for the Working Group were set out in the Appendix to the report for information.

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That a Business Rates Working Group be established comprising three members with the following composition: 1 Conservative; 1 Labour; 1 Independent Group, the members to be drawn from the membership of the Sub-Committee, and nominations be submitted by the relevant political groups to the Head of Democratic Services and Governance in due course.

The Sub-Committee considered a report which provided an update on the procurement pipeline for the Council and any contracts to be considered as business as usual, the contracts awarded since April 2022 and other procurement activity.

The detailed waivers referred to in the report would be considered in Part 2 of the meeting.

Members referred to the recent exercise in which a member working group had considered an overview of the procurement process, including a close examination of a number of specific procurements. Members had found this to be a useful exercise and asked that it be repeated for the coming year.

RESOLVED

That the Sub-Committee

1.    notes the procurement pipeline of activity in Appendix 1 to the report;

2.    unanimously approves the 3 pipeline projects in Appendix 1 as business as usual;

3.    notes the contracts awarded by the Council since April 2022 as set out in Appendix 2; and

4.    notes the reason for 4 waivers approved between 1^st November 2022 and 31^st January 2023 (22 in total in 2022/23).

Prior to the Sub-Committee moving into Part 2, the Chair took the opportunity to express her appreciation and thanks to the team of officers who had supported the Sub-Committee since its inception.

The Sub-Committee considered a report which provided feedback from the Shareholder Working Group in relation to the business plans of Ansa Environmental Services Ltd and Orbitas Bereavement Services Ltd.

RESOLVED

That the Sub-Committee

1.    notes the feedback from the Shareholder Working Group on the review of the business plans of Ansa Environmental Services Ltd and Orbitas Bereavement Services Ltd;

2.    notes that the delivery of company business plans during 2023/24 will be monitored at company board meetings, at which a Shareholder representative will be present; and

3.    notes that the quarterly accounts of the companies will be reported to the Shareholder (via the Shareholder Working Group), and year-end statutory accounts of companies will be reported to the Audit and Governance Committee, in accordance with governance arrangements determined by the Finance Sub-Committee on 7^th September 2022.

Acting under urgency powers, and following consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer, the Mayor and political group leaders, and the briefing of members of the Economy and Growth Committee, the Chief Executive has taken the decision to accept a grant offer of up to £7.8 million Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Grant from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for further decarbonisation of Council buildings and schools. The decision includes the approval of a supplementary capital estimate and arrangements for the grant to be administered.

The first phase of the grant must be formally accepted by 16 March 2023 with others to follow shortly thereafter. There was therefore no opportunity to secure the necessary Council approval to accept the grant, hence the use of urgency powers.

That

a.    Three separate grants of up to £7.8 million be accepted from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for further decarbonisation of Council buildings, including schools, museum, leisure centres and Tatton Park.

b.    A supplementary capital estimate be made for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Financial years, this to be funded from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Grants, which will be paid over two years.

c.    The Economy and Growth Committee authorise the Director of Growth and Enterprise and the Section 151 Officer to sign the grant offer agreements with Salix Finance on behalf of the Council and to take all necessary measures to administer, spend and distribute the grant.

d.    The Economy and Growth Committee authorise the Director of Growth and Enterprise to:

                  i.    take all necessary associated action to administer, spend and distribute the grant, including allocation of the grant monies in order to ensure the delivery of the necessary programmes of work, in line with the Council’s financial and procurement rules and the conditions of grant; and

                ii.    to approve the delivery of the programme of work, in line with the conditions of grant, and the identification of local match-funding resources, and to obtain further approvals as required by the Council’s financial procedure and procurement rules.

To approve the renewal of the Scrap Metal Dealers Collectors Licence, CEBC/SMD/115/2023, for the statutory period of 3 years

To approve the renewal of the Scrap Metal Dealers Collectors Licence, CEBC/SMD/115/2023, for the statutory period of 3 years

Officer Delegated Decision - Temporary Traffic Regulation Order: Maxwell Street, Crewe

Being satisfied that traffic should be prohibited to facilitate works, to give public notice of and make a temporary road closure order under S14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, and all other enabling powers to prohibit traffic on Maxwell Street, Crewe from the junction of Edleston Road to outside number 24 for a period of 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the sooner.

For sewer repairs to be carried out it is necessary to close Maxwell Street, Crewe from the junction of Edleston Road to outside number 24. The alternative route will be via Derrington Avenue, Edleston Road and visa versa which is considered the most suitable route.

It is anticipated that the works will commence on 24th

Monday April 2023 and will be completed by Friday 5^th May 2023.

Officer Delegated Decision - Town Police Clauses Act road closures: Alsager Christmas Light Switch-On 26 November 2023.

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Alsager Christmas lights switch on to take place on Sunday 26 November 2023.

CREWE ROAD, ALSAGER

From the junction of Station Road to the junction of Sandbach Road South

SANDBACH ROAD SOUTH, ALSAGER

From the junction with Lawton Road to the junction with Ashmore’s Lane

LAWTON ROAD, ALSAGER

From the junction of Fields Road to the junction of Crewe Road

SANDBACH ROAD NORTH, ALSAGER

From the junction with Crewe Road to the junction with Green Drive

BROOKHOUSE ROAD, ALSAGER

From the junction with Sandbach Road South to the junction of Station Road

CROSS STREET,

Officer Delegated Decision - Temporary Traffic Regulation Order: Congleton Road, Gawsworth/Macclesfield

Being satisfied that traffic should be prohibited to facilitate works, to give public notice of and make a temporary road closure order under S14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, and all other enabling powers to prohibit traffic on Congleton Road, Gawsworth/Macclesfield for its full extent for a period of 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is sooner.

Officer Delegated Decision - Temporary Traffic Regulation Order: Elton Lane, Haslington

Being satisfied that traffic should be prohibited to facilitate works, to give public notice of and make a temporary road closure under S14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, and all other enabling powers to prohibit traffic on Elton Lane, Haslington for its full extent for a period of 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is sooner.

Officer Delegated Decision: To make a temporary road closure: Congleton Food & Drink Festival Sunday 11th June 2023.

To make a temporary road closure order in relation to the below mentioned roads under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to close streets listed in the Schedule to the order to enable the Congleton Food and Drink Festival to take place between 07:00-18:00 on Sunday 11 June 2023.

MILL STREET/SWAN BANK, CONGLETON

For its full extent

HIGH STREET, CONGLETON

From the junction with Albert Place to the junction with Moody Street

MOODY STREET, CONGLETON

From outside number 2 to the junction with High Street

MARKET STREET, CONGLETON

From the junction with High Street to outside the bus station

To receive an update on the financial position for 2022/23.  To note or approve virements and supplementary estimates as required.

The Committee considered the report which provided an overview of the financial position for 2022-23.

Cllr Gilbert queried the £0.5m S106 capital investment allocated for the A50/A54 Holmes Chapel and asked when a discussion would take place with local ward members to agree how this funding could be repurposed. Tom Moody agreed to meet with Cllr Gilbert to progress this matter.

Cllr Crane thanked officers for their work in ensuring that key services continued to be provided within difficult financial constraints.  

RESOLVED:

That the Highways and Transport Committee

1.    Notes the report to the Finance Sub-Committee on 8th March 2023 and specifically the recommendation that service committees be recommended to (take in 1.1.1.1 and 1.1.1.2 from the report recommendations).

2.    Notes Appendix 7 and the following sections specific to the Highways and Transport Committee:

•   Changes to Revenue budget 2022/23

•   Corporate Grants Register

•   Debt Management

•   Capital Strategy

•   Reserve Strategy

To award a contract to CoWheels for the provision of a car club in Cheshire East to both replace the current pool car provision and be available to the general public.

Cheshire East Council is commissioning an EV Car Club to be used by the council to replace the current pool car facility and encourage the uptake of a car club to the wider public. The decision to direct award on the contract through the CCS framework has been taken after the issue of a PIN notice and consultation with procurement. The initial 4 vehicles will be a mix of three EV plus either a Hybrid EV/ICE or low emissions vehicles, targeted at becoming fully EV as infrastructure allows. As the success of the scheme is understood more vehicles may be provisioned for public use under a separate procurement. The total estimated contract value over 3 years is up to £65,000.