Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an update on employment and skills data, and issues in Stockport. The report covers the current key data on Stockport’s labour market and benefit claimants, outlines local context and provides information on employment and skills initiatives in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider and comment on the data and issues in the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on employment and skills data, and issues in Stockport. The report covered the current key data on Stockport’s labour market and benefit claimants, outlined local context and provided information on employment and skills initiatives in Stockport.

The Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Councillor Patrick McAuley) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Clarification was provided that the Stockport Central area referred to in the report was the Priority 1 Central Stockport area.

·         Members commended the reduction in the percentage of 16-18 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) in all the Neighbourhood Management Areas.

·         A Member requested information on the reduction of the 16-18 year olds who were NEETs and why this had reduced. It was noted that this figure was now higher in the Central Stockport area than Brinnington.

·         A Member enquired whether there was any analysis of whether the NEET cohort had moved into the Priority areas or whether they had been resident in those areas from a younger age.

·         The Employment Premium sought to address the issue of transport being a prohibitive factor in people getting to work

·         The Local Employment and Skills Agreement for the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme had just started and there were currently six apprentices employed.

·         The large number of small and medium-sized enterprises in Stockport was highlighted.

·         A Member requested information on the number of care leavers obtaining employment.

RESOLVED – (1) That the data and issues contained in the report be noted.

(2) That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on the overall reduction in the percentage of 16-18 year olds who were Not in Education, Employment or Training, the increase in the Central Stockport area and the reduction in Brinnington.