To receive a report from the Executive Leader and other members of the Executive on the conduct of Executive business since the last Council Meeting.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council (Policy, Finance & Devolution) (Councillor Alex Ganotis) reported that following the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority’s decision to terminate early its Recycling and Waste Management contract with Viridor Laing, a report would be brought to the next meeting of the Council Meeting asking for approval to be given the development of a new inter-authority agreement.
It was further reported that following the publication of the latest round of reports to scrutiny committees relating to the Council’s budget for 2018/19, the Council was now seeking to make savings amounting to £60m for the period until 2020 as opposed to the £50m that had previously been discussed. It was stated that the apparent discrepancy in the figures was the result of the inclusion of additional demand associated with adult social care and children’s services projected ahead until 2022 to allow the Council to plan its finances accordingly in the longer-term.
Councillor Ganotis also confirmed that in view of the severe budgetary constraints on the Council, the Cabinet was proposing an increase in Council Tax for 2018/19 of 4.99%.
The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) reported that since the allocation of funding to bring the health suite and pool flumes back into use at the Grand Central Leisure Centre, significant problems had been identified with the contractual and tendering process which had meant that the opening date of the facilities would be pushed back until February 2018.
Councillor Bailey then reported that in conjunction with Keep Britain Tidy, the Council’s Recycling and Environmental Campaign had been launched the previous day which aimed to make Stockport the best in North West for recycling and keeping the streets clear of waste, and to ensure that fly tipping was dramatically reduced.
The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) reported that the public consultation on the Local Plan Issues and Options Paper had recently closed and extended her thanks to councillors and members of the public that had engaged with the process. An analysis of the consultation responses was currently being undertaken, the outcome of which would be shared with councillors as soon as it was available.
Councillor Butler then referred to recent upgrade works that had taken during the closure of the A6 and extended her thanks to all who had been involved in ensuring that the works were undertaken expediently and with as little disruption as possible.
Councillor Butler then stated that the annual Stockport Jobs Fair had taken place on 26 September 207 which had attracted a record number of job seekers, employers and jobs on offer and early feedback had been extremely positive.
The Cabinet Member for Education (Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick) reported that there were a number of active consultations taking place with the Education portfolio area including two in relation to the apprenticeship store, one in relation to free school transport and one in relation to Offerton Hall Nursery and Dial Park Primary School. Councillor Fitzpatrick encouraged as many people as possible to participate in those consultations which were available on the Council’s website
Councillor Fitzpatrick then referred to his recent announcement of £25m of capital investment in Stockport’s schools, and that discussions were continuing to take place in relation to the governance model, and that the first Executive Board meeting would take place during November, and that a wider all-party steering group would be kept informed of progress.
The Deputy Leader of the Council (Adult Social Care) (Councillor Wendy Wild) reported that during the Summer an intensive listening exercise had been undertaken in relation to health and adult social care matters that were being addressed through the Stockport Together Programme, and Councillor Wild thanked all those who attended and participated. A further consultation exercise had commenced on 10 October which provided an opportunity to share views with NHS Stockport CCG and the Council on whether to adopt the plans as a joint strategy. It was stated that feedback from this exercise would be published in January 2018.