Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 June 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and Officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

No public questions were submitted.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 6 and 7 which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 6’ Partnership Delivery Plan Performance Report’ and agenda item 7 ‘Partnership Delivery Plan Finance Report’.

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

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: - Peter Ashworth on Tel: 474 2392 or email: peter.ashworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated).  The report updated Members on the Partnership Delivery Plan between the Council and Life Leisure.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members noted that since the last meeting, the way in which key items were reported had changed and that from the next meeting onwards additional information relating to future planning would also be included in the report.

·         A short discussion took place relating to strategic priorities and what information Councillors wanted to see contained in the report and what would be the most useful and meaningful.

·         Members asked about how black and ethnic minority communities and people with disabilities were being encouraged to use facilities?  In response, members were advised that there had been a significant increase in this area and that an improvement strategy to identify where gaps were and how to remove barriers, was being developed. Older people were also a focus and work with Looked After Children was also ongoing.

·         Members emphasised the importance of everyone having a chance but acknowledged the difficulties and financial pressures involved.  Good progress continues to be made.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: - Peter Ashworth on Tel: 474 2392 or email: peter.ashworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated Members on the Financial Report for the Partnership Delivery Plan.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Concern was expressed about the increase in the public realm service charge and details were requested about why it had been increased in June.  It was agreed that all Members of the Committee be provided with more details about the service charge.

·         A Member expressed concern that performance sport was no longer one of the delivery objectives for Life Leisure.  In response, Members were advised that there were problems in acquiring grant funding for performance sport and sponsorship tended to be attracted to individuals rather than teams.

·         The proposed reduction in the Life Leisure management fee would have an impact on the opening hours of the centres but every effort would be made to minimise the impact.

·         In response to questions from Members, the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance agreed to discuss the proposed VAT scheme with the Borough Treasurer to see if it could be revisited.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Committee is invited to consider and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: - Peter Ashworth on Tel: 474 2392 or email: peter.ashworth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration gave a verbal presentation which updated members on the latest position relating to the Marple Pool Project.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Committee acknowledged that there were complex and sensitive issues connected to the Marple Pool project but they continued to be concerned at the lack of progress that had been made on this during the last twelve months.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a presentation by the Managing Director, Life Leisure.

The Managing Director Life Leisure made a presentation in respect of the Contribution to Sport England Local Delivery Pilot.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To note dates of future meetings as follows:-

12 February 2020 at 10am

15 April 2020 at 10am

RESOLVED – That the dates for future meetings of the Committee be noted.