Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Development and Regeneration.

The report provides information about the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter initiative (the Charter) and Stockport’s performance on getting local businesses to sign up initially as supporters and then moving on to achieving full membership.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to continue to support and endorse the work of the Economic Plan and the ambition to have at least 500 businesses engaged with the Charter as either supporters or members by 2030.

Officer contact: Richard Mortimer 0161 474 3864 | richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk  

The Director of Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided information on the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter initiative (the Charter) and Stockport’s performance on getting local businesses to sign up.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Housing (Councillor Colin MacAlister) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Charter was a voluntary membership and assessment scheme for employers which aimed to raise employment standards across Greater Manchester (GM) for all organisations of any size, sector, or geography.

·         It was reported that Stockport was ‘on track’ to have at least 500 Stockport businesses signed up as supporters or members by 2030.

·         Of the 10 GM boroughs, Stockport was ranked third in the take up of the Charter by local businesses.

·         The District Centre Managers were looking to run twilight sessions within district centres to promote take up from across the borough. Officers were also able to support local businesses with completing the relevant paperwork.

·         It was asked whether employers not paying staff the living wage would be excluded from the scheme, and members were advised that, in this case, businesses could be ‘supporters’ but not ‘members’ and had a 3-year period to be compliant with membership.

·         It was reported that, following the success of last year’s Job Fair, a Jobs Fair was scheduled to take place on 21 October 2023 in Offerton. The fair would enable networking with businesses and the promotion of the Charter.

·         It was suggested that a target be set for achieving full membership.

RESOLVED – That the work of the Economic Plan and the ambition to have at least 500 businesses engaged with the Charter as either supporters or members by 2030 be supported and endorsed.