A Conservative councillor has accused Cheshire East of cancelling this month’s full council meeting so the administration can hide from public scrutiny 'after taking a mauling at the October meeting’.

And Middlewich residents who had pledged to turn up at the meeting in Crewe on Thursday (November 18) have also slated the council’s decision to cancel and vowed to be at next month’s meeting to get answers to their questions.

Cllr Michael Beanland (Poynton West & Adlington) said: “Why is this Independent / Labour administration hiding from public scrutiny?

“It is cancelling the November council meeting after having taken a mauling at the October meeting for a harsh and uncaring winter gritting plan and a car parking policy lost to the wilderness.”

And he questioned some of the council's financial decisions.

“The recent finance sub committee report released on September 22, 2021, states expenditure on the capital programme is £105m against a forecast spend of £136.4m at the third quarter,” said Cllr Beanland.

“This £31.4m should be invested in the highways programme to grit the roads that will need clearing of snow and addressing the pot hole disease which is currently inflicted on everyone.

“This money should not be ‘slipped into 21/22’ as the report suggests and lost from sight in some snow drift soon to be near you.”

He continued: “Why should there be a delay to the Crewe Hub development? Waste disposal sites being closed?

“This Independent/Labour administration is running but there is nowhere to hide corporate funding underspends whilst the Conservatives are watching them.”

Meanwhile the organiser behind last week’s two Middlewich protests described the decision to cancel the meeting as ‘shameful’ when, she said, a question was to be asked on behalf of 2,000 Middlewich residents.

 

Knutsford Guardian:

Middlewich residents protesting out the council's HQ last Thursday

In an email to the council Laura Turner said: “Why didn't you all keep that date and meet all the Middlewich residents who have lots to report on?

“Our questions will be going to the December full council meeting now and I will keep going until I get in a room with you all.”

Cheshire East Council’s chief executive officer, Dr Lorraine O’Donnell, said: “In a normal council calendar year, we would not routinely have a meeting in November.

“The cancellation of the November meeting of full council was considered carefully and a due process of consultation was followed, involving all political group leaders.

“The majority of group leaders, representing many council members, were in favour of cancelling the meeting.”

She added: “The main item of scheduled council business, regarding the initial review of the new committee system, was not time-sensitive, and the only other item of business is being progressed via other decision-making arrangements.

“The committee system review papers have been published, were considered at corporate policy committee on Thursday November 4 and will be fully discussed at the next meeting of council.

“In making the decision to cancel the meeting, the mayor, Cllr Sarah Pochin, took into account a number of factors, including the fact that Covid rates continue to be high and the proximity to the next meeting of full council which will take place in four weeks, on December 15.”