To receive any questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters relevant to the Council’s activities.
Minutes:
Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Mayor and Councillors on matters within the powers and duties of the Council.
Eight public questions were submitted as follows:-
· Relating to whether there would be consultation with residents over any proposed A6 to M60 relief road through the Poise Brook and Lower Goyt Valleys.
The Executive Councillor (Economy & Regeneration) (Councillor Kate Butler) responded that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority had been awarded funding for a feasibility study in respect of the proposed A6 to M60 relief road and that it was anticipated that this would be completed by Spring 2017. It was further stated that no decision had yet been made on the progression of the scheme and that the Council was committed to a full and open consultation with residents.
· Relating to what the Council’s contribution had been to ongoing consultation on rail services for the period to 2020 with the new operators of the Northern Rail franchise in relation to the campaign by the Friends of Reddish South Station for a regular passenger service from Stockport to Manchester Victoria.
Councillor John Taylor responded that Stockport Council would continue to support and promote the position it adopted in 2013 when it passed a motion to support a regular passenger service through Reddish South Station and that it would continue to support the Friends of Reddish South Station to achieve this.
· Relating to the impact of additional traffic that would be generated by the proposed A6 to M60 relief road.
The Executive Councillor (Economy & Regeneration) (Councillor Kate Butler) responded that the current feasibility study was part of an open process and that no decision had yet been made and that the Council was keen to hear from all local stakeholders.
· Relating to the safeguards that would be put in place to protect healthcare in Stockport from private companies; when residents would be consulted on the Stockport Together proposals; and why the Council had not opposed the plans for healthcare that are based on cuts to Council funding and the NHS.
The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that a logical conclusion of the current path being followed by the government on public spending on healthcare was an increase in the growth of private healthcare providers. It was commented that Stockport Together had been developed over the past two years and predated the government’s most recent initiatives and was a response to pressures in the local area. In relation to Stockport Together it was stated that this was the coming together of existing providers and that consideration of its future organisational form would take into account the associated risk of opening up the service to the private sector. Although he was unable to commit to no future private sector involvement in services, the new organisation would allow the Council to exert more control over the future form and provision of services.
· Relating to whether the Council would seek to find a greater proportion of its budgetary reductions from sources other than frontline services.
The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) (Councillor Alex Ganotis) stated that he considered that central government’s austerity drive was politically driven, was unnecessary and had gone too far. Councillor Ganotis commented that proposals would be brought forward within the next few months in relation to proposed savings that would drive down costs within the Council but which would not impact frontline services.
· Relating to whether being Leader of the Council was a full-time job.
The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) (Councillor Alex Ganotis) responded that he considered the role to be the equivalent of a full-time job.
· Relating to a whether the Bredbury Household Waste Recycling Centre was proposed for closure.
The Leader of the Conservative Group (Councillor Syd Lloyd) responded that the Bredbury Household Waste Recycling Centre was not proposed for closure.
· Relating to why information in relation to ward closures and staffing reductions at Stepping Hill Hospital was released to the media prior to staff being informed.
The Leader of the Conservative Group (Councillor Syd Lloyd) responded that he shared the questioner’s concern and that when an employer needed to share information of this nature with their employees it was only right that the first people to hear about this should be the staff themselves directly from their employer.
A further public question had been submitted where the questioner was not present at the meeting and in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioner in writing.