Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking approval for the draft 2023/24 Council Plan.

RESOLVED – That the Council Plan 2023/24 be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The Council Plan accompanies the budget and sets out the priorities for the council for the next year. It is a public-facing summary document that sits above annual (detailed) Portfolio Agreements.  The plan is developed by Cabinet, supported by officers, and includes an overview of council services. It does not attempt to describe everything the council does, focussing instead on those things that are of crucial importance in a specific year. 

The 2023/24 Council Plan has been developed around four “Big Ambitions” and two cross-cutting issues. These are linked to the One Stockport Borough Plan’s three core themes (One Heart, One Home, One Future).

The Cabinet is requested to recommend that the Council Meeting approves and adopts the 2023/24 Council Plan.

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees on 0161 474 3174 or email: akthryn.rees@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) submitted the Council Plan (copies of which had been circulated) that accompanied the budget and set a high-level framework for decision making throughout the financial year.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       The Plan articulated the Council’s aims and ambitions for the future.

·       None of aims and ambitions contained in the plan could be delivered without the skill and commitment of its workforce.

·       Fairness and inclusivity along with action on climate change were cross-cutting issues.

·       The report noted the recent Corporate Peer Challenge undertaken by the LGA which had confirmed many of the Council’s assumptions and its understanding of its position that it was moving in the right direction.

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the draft Council Plan for 2023/24.

To consider a report of the Council Leader and Deputy Leader.

The Council Plan has been developed by Cabinet, supported by officers, and is an opportunity to reflect on performance to date and policy priorities for the future. Priorities in the plan are included by exception. Though the plan includes an overview of council services, it does not attempt to describe everything the council does, focussing instead on those things that are of crucial importance in a specific year. 

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees, Kathryn.rees@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the council plan 2023/ 2024, including priorities for the future.

Service Director for Corporate and Support Services, Kathryn Rees, attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         A council plan was drafted annually and set out the council’s ambitions for the year ahead. There was a particular focus on education, work and skills this year in light of the cost of living crisis.

·         A new Director of Education, Work and Skills, Tim Bowman, had been appointed to Stockport Council in December 2022.

·         It was suggested that the importance of strategic partnerships and the interplay between the council and partners be strengthened in the plan.

·         The council were working closely with the Department for Education to deliver school places in borough for local children.

·         It was also suggested that the document be reviewed in terms of accessibility.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.