Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides an update about the council’s strategic and systematic response to the cost of living crisis. It also details the developing anti-poverty approach which builds upon many years of supporting residents in need of financial support.

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

Officer contact: Emma Handby on 0161 474 3175 or email: emma.handby@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update about the council’s strategic and systematic response to the cost of living crisis. It also detailed the developing anti-poverty approach which built upon many years of supporting residents in need of financial support.

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport (Councillor Frankie Singleton) and the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members commented that the report was a useful resource for all councillors, particularly in helping to direct residents to relevant resources.

·         Members queried whether the update amounted to an anti-poverty strategy and, if so, what mechanisms were in place to analyse its efficacy.

·         In response it was stated that the report was currently in draft form with plans to circulate the final version to all members. The report captured the full spectrum of activity on anti-poverty work which had taken place in the past few years, some of which were strategic and some more immediate. In thinking about strategies for the coming years, the report focussed on actions and objectives in terms of what the council would hope to achieve. It was reported that there was no final date for the anti-poverty strategy but that it was expected to be completed soon.

·         Members commented on the statistics on pupil premiums and reported that, post-Covid, the educational performance of children with pupil premiums had worsened.

·         Members requested that a solution be identified to the lack of an accessible public toilet at the Citizens Advice facility at Stopford House; currently, users had to ask permission to use the toilets and be escorted. In response it was stated that this situation would be investigated.

·         In terms of taking account of lived experience, it was important to ensure that the anti-poverty work carried out within the borough took learning from other authorities but that it was the right approach for Stockport residents. The anti-poverty strategy would ensure that power and voice was front and centre in determining strategy.

·         Members commented that the case-studies included in the report were a useful addition and helped to bring the report to life.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.