Cheshire East should not restrict members of the public from asking questions at future cabinet meeting just because the subject isn't on the agenda, a councillor has said.

The council is due to switch back from its current committee system of governance to a leader and cabinet style in May next year.

At Thursday's (November 27) meeting of the corporate policy committee, where the new procedures were being discussed, the Conservatives opposed the recommendation councillors and the public should have to give three clear working days' notice of questions before cabinet meetings and that the questions must relate to items on that day's agenda.

Leader of Cheshire East Council, Nick Mannion (Labour) (Photo: CEC).

And they weren't placated when council leader Nick Mannion (Macclesfield, Labour), moved an amendment that those requirements would be waived in circumstances of both urgency or emergency, at the discretion of the leaders and monitoring officer.

Conservative group leader, Stewart Gardiner, said it was important councillors abide by the council's rules, if three days' notice and only agenda items was agreed, but if members of the public wanted to ask a question at a meeting they should be allowed to.

"They shouldn't be told, 'sorry, the rules say you can't ask that question'," he said.

"Firstly, it is rude, and secondly, we need to respect they are the people we are here for.

"We are not here for ourselves, whether we're officers or members of the council, we are here to serve the public.

Conservative group leader, Stewart Gardiner (Photo: CEC).

"And, therefore, those members of the public should have a right to turn up to a meeting and ask the question whether it's on the agenda or whether it's not on the agenda, whether they've given three days' notice, or whether they've not given three days' notice.

"I do not think we should hamstring the public in the same way that we, as members of the council, have to comply with the rules."

Cllr Liz Wardlaw (Odd Rode, Conservative), said: "I am absolutely and completely against these restrictions because we have experienced with different chairs, different philosophies on how to manage meetings."

Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Conservative), said the Tories were 'made to feel like second class citizens, not elected members of council' when they were in opposition under the previous cabinet system.

Crewe councillor Jill Rhodes (Labour), a member of the task and finish group working on the transition, said: "We are trying to make sure we get a cabinet system that works well and shows respect for all individuals, and I think that is something the working group needs to consider."

Crewe councillor Jill Rhodes (Labour) (Photo: CEC).

Deputy leader Michael Gorman (Wilmslow, Independent), suggested the council see how the system operates and then take advantage of the review in October to make changes if needed.

The committee agreed the provisions required for the council to switch to a leader and cabinet system be recommended to the next meeting of full council for sign off.

The amendments put forward regarding urgent questions and a review of the situation in six months' time were also included.

Seven councillors voted in favour and the five Conservatives voted against.