Issue - meetings

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Joint Ward Committee.

No announcements were made.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Joint Ward Committee.

No announcements were made.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Joint Ward Committee.

The Chair explained that it would be Jane Bardsley’s last meeting in her current role, as she had taken on new duties in the directorate.

The Chair expressed his best wishes to Jane in her future role.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Joint Ward Committee.

The Chair reported that offensive messages had been posted online and intimidating phone calls had been made to Brinnington Councillors following their decision to support a recent planning application for new housing, which intrinsically linked to the building of a new Leisure Centre, in Brinnington. The abuse that the Brinnington and Central Councillors had suffered had been from residents outside of their ward and not from residents within their ward. The Brinnington Ward Councillors wished to thank the residents of their ward for their continued support.

Members of the public felt as strongly about many issues as Councillors did, and when they disagreed with a particular decision they were often disappointed, and sometimes angry about the situation. That was to be expected. However, this did not mean that they were entitled to be abusive and offensive towards others, including Councillors.

Whilst the Labour Group had never hidden the fact that there was a difference of opinion in the group about the particular issue, there was absolutely no difference in the complete support for colleagues in Brinnington in condemning those who were involved in the act. Brinnington Councillors always had, and always would, act in the best interests of their community, and they had an unequivocal right to continue to do so.

Councillors from all parties had a duty and a responsibility to represent the best interests of their electorate. Sometimes that duty resulted in Councillors from the same party disagreeing with each other and taking views that differ from one another.

In these instances all views and opinions would not be satisfied, and clearly not all people would be pleased with the outcome of every decision. It was sometimes impossible to reach a consensus. When this happened, whilst the group may not agree with a particular point of view, the right of fellow Councillors to make whatever decision they considered to be in the best interests of the residents they represented is supported.

However what should not have been expected is that Councillors be subjected to abuse, intimidation or harassment, whether this be online, by email or by phone.

Stockport Labour Group would never condone any such action towards Councillors, Council Employees or members of the public.

To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Joint Ward Committee.

The Chair reported that this would be his last meeting as Chair of the Ward Committee; as it was his intention to stand down in order to enable another Councillor to be elected Chair in the next municipal year. The chair further reported that he had agreed with a request from Cllr Kate Butler for an item to be placed on the next agenda of the Ward Committee to allow for a presentation from representatives of Reddish Vale Technology College.