Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The report details the findings of the Scrutiny Review Panel around a Stockport Greenspace Standard, providing scrutiny with an update on the application of the findings.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1)  Endorse the methodology trialled to date as a means to assess the extent to which Stockport’s residents have access to a good quality greenspace.

(2) Give approval to the adoption of monitoring the boroughs greenspaces that will be referred to as the Stockport Greenspace Standard.

(3) Note that the following Performance Measure is adopted and reported on annually: The percentage of Stockport residents who have access to a good quality greenspace.

Officer contact: Emma Stubbs at emma.stubbs@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment (Councillor Mark Roberts) submitted the final report of the Scrutiny Review into a ‘Stockport Greenspace Standard’ (copies of which had been circulated).

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The report accurately conveyed the high quality of the greenspace across the borough which was a tribute to the hard work of council staff and the many friends of parks groups.

·         Greenspace had value even where it existed outside of the green belt.

·         Both green belt land and other greenspace were of high value and were a contributory factor in what made Stockport a great place to live.

RESOLVED - (1) That the methodology trialled to date as a means to assess the extent to which Stockport’s residents have access to a good quality greenspace be endorsed.

(2) That approval be given to the adoption of monitoring the boroughs greenspaces that will be referred to as the Stockport Greenspace Standard.

(3) That the following Performance Measure be adopted and reported on annually: ‘The percentage of Stockport residents who have access to a good quality greenspace’.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report details the findings of the Scrutiny Review Panel around a Stockport Greenspace Standard, providing scrutiny with an update on the application of the findings.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider and adopt the final report for submission to the Cabinet.

Officer contact: Emma Stubbs at emma.stubbs@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the findings of the Scrutiny Review Panel around a Stockport Greenspace Standard, providing scrutiny with an update on the application of the findings.

The Scrutiny Committee was invited to make amendments to the report prior to its submission to the Cabinet on 6 December 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – (1) That the draft ‘Stockport Greenspace Standard Final Report’ be approved and adopted.

(2) That the thanks of the Scrutiny Committee be extended to all those who took part in the Scrutiny Review.