Agenda item

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet on the conduct of Cabinet business since the last Council Meeting.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) reported that the Order to establish the Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation had been laid before parliament on 26 June 2019.  It was further reported that on the same day, the Council had won the MJ Digital Transformation Award at the MJ Awards.  Finally, Councillor Wilson announced that she had been appointed as the Digital City Region lead for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) reported that consultations were due to commence within the month with the residents of the first five tower blocks to have sprinklers fitted.  It was stated that the Council had previously unanimously agreed to support the retrofitting of sprinklers in all of its tower blocks, with the first five being prioritised on the basis that they had only one stairwell.

Councillor Bailey then reported on the ongoing regeneration work in the Brinnington area that included 166 new homes and a new leisure centre.  It was stated that connected to this, she had recently attended the opening of a new play area within Brinnington Park.

It was then stated that there was a proposal to install rapid charging points in Council owned car parks as part of a scheme by Transport for Greater Manchester to increase the number of charging points across Greater Manchester.  It was confirmed that the first two car parks to have them installed would be at Newbridge Lane, Stockport and Massie Street, Cheadle.

Councillor Bailey then referred to the public question posed earlier in the meeting relating to wildflower meadows, and stated that there was a significant amount of work that would need to be invested in such a proposal to ensure that the ground was suitable for wildflower planting.  It was confirmed that work was taking place to establish the costs of such work and the environmental benefits.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Family Services & Education (Councillor Colin Foster) thanked the Deputy Mayor for opening an event that was recently held in the Town Hall by the Normandy Veterans Association in conjunction with local schools.

Councillor Foster then reported that the Stockport Family Conference had taken place in the previous week which involved approximately 250 members of staff and which had been attended by the Chancellor of Manchester University.

It was then stated that the head teacher of the Pendlebury Pupil Referral Unit, Janice Cahill, had received an OBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the education of vulnerable young learners and child and adolescent mental health in Stockport.  It was further stated that Sue Westwood, who was formerly the head of Stockport’s Adoption Service prior to its amalgamation with four other local authorities to become the regional lead for Adoption Counts had been awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable children and families.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance (Councillor Tom McGee) reported that work was underway to develop a budget for 2020/21 that would require further savings of approximately £10 million.  It was stated that there were particular pressures in adult social care and children’s services resulting from increased demand and the largest population of older people in Greater Manchester. 

Councillor McGee also reported on the wide ranging work taking place as part of the capital programme which included the Stockport Exchange development which continued to attract significant interest from potential occupiers.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) reported that the Light Cinema in the Redrock development was now expanding with the introduction of a further two screens by taking another unit within the development.  It was further reported that the Produce Hall was shortly due to welcome a new independent trader.

Councillor Meller then reported on the ongoing work to welcome the Tour of Britain to Stockport as part of the final stage of the Tour.  It was stated that £10,000 had been set aside to undertake promotional activities linked to the event.

Councillor Mellor commented on the recent live music event at Edgeley Park, Edgeley and the success of the arrangements for them.  It was stated that there had been a significant boost to the local economy as a result and local residents were thanked for their patience during the short-term inconvenience.