Agenda item

To receive a statement by the Leader of the Council on the activities and decisions of Cabinet and items included on the Forward Plan.

To follow..

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg submitted a report which provided an update to Members on the activities and decisions of the Cabinet, together with the Forward Plan.

The Statement was taken a paragraph at a time to allow for questions to be asked.

Paragraph 2.1

Councillor John Cooper asked the Leader if Paul Farrelly MP had replied to

the letter sent to him by the Leader.

The Leader confirmed that no response had yet been received.

Councillor Kearon stated that this was a problem shared with Stoke on Trent City Council and asked if any attempt had been made by their officers/Administration for support from their MP’s

It was confirmed that meetings had taken place with civil servants and Stoke on Trent Public Protection Committee members.  However, the Leader was not aware if Stoke City Council had contacted their MP’s.

Councillor Kearon also asked what the evidence base was that there were achievable options for public transport.

Councillor Holland stated that the bus engine retrofit design was a separate scheme and reminded members that the buses were not owned by the Council.  The Council’s Cabinet was eager to find a solution that did not include a chargeable clean air zone.  In time the emissions would reduce as more vehicles became hybrid.

Paragraph 3.1

Councillor Helena Maxfield was pleased that the Kidsgrove Community Group had involvement in the Lyme Lottery but stated that a more rigorous promotion of this was required.

Councillor Kyle Robinson spoke in favour of this  and asked how it could be improved upon.

The Leader agreed that more promotion was needed.

Paragraph 3.3

Councillor Jenny Cooper referred to the funding of £74,000 given by the Government to improve parks and open spaces.  Councillor Cooper asked where this extra money would be spent.

The Leader stated that it would be used in various parks across the Borough including Lyme Valley, Bradwell, Orme Road, a skate Park in Silverdale, Clough Hall Park, Cross Heath, Chesterton and Knutton.  Money would also be spent on clean-ups in Newcastle and Kidsgrove Town Centres.  The Leader agreed to circulate a list of sites which would benefit from this funding.

Paragraph 4

Councillor Emily Horsfall asked how much of the £420,000 Future High streets Fund bid would be spent on consultants.

The Leader stated that some of the Fund would be put towards the asbestos issue at the former Civic Offices and that expertise would need to be brought in from outside of the Council.  Members would be sent the Executive Summary of the bid.

Councillor Gary White asked about a commitment which he felt had previously been given for a Joint Working Group.

The Leader would speak with Councillor White after the meeting.

Councillor Sylvia Dymond enquired why Kidsgrove had not been considered for a slice of the Fund.

The Leader stated that only one bid could be made as a Borough.  However, this did not include other ideas that the council had for Kidsgrove. In addition, a Task Force would be set up.

Paragraph 5

Councillor Robinson asked about item 8 J2 marketing support and asked what opportunities there were to maximise this and if there was any chance of promoting Kidsgrove Sports Centre.

The Leader stated that this was for existing, open facilities but the Council was working with the group in Kidsgrove and would be supporting them in marketing.  The matter would be brought to the next Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Brian Johnson asked about the ‘One Public Estate’, what money had been allocated and how would it be spent.

Councillor Paul Northcott did not have the required information at present but it would be used for masterplanning for the area.