Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive.

This report builds on the One Stockport update presented to Area Committees in November 2020 where there was discussion about the shape of One Stockport to outline our approach to developing a shared One Stockport borough plan. This report covers how we are progressing the borough plan, our approach to capturing the views of our residents, businesses and workforce, the data and insight we are considering - and how this will inform our priorities for the future

We previously presented to Area Committees in November 2020 to outline our approach to One Stockport and our emerging borough plan. We committed to bringing an update on the progress of the borough plan and as such this report sets out our approach to engagement, data and insight that will inform our priorities for the future.

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

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing how the Council was proposing to progress the development of the borough plan; the approach to capturing the views of residents, businesses and the workforce; the data and insight that would be considered, and how this would inform the priorities for the future.

Holly Rae (CSS Service Head, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to present the item and to respond to questions from councillors.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that while the campaign was based on a correct assessment of opportunities the Committee were of the view that many residents would identify more with their local area (e.g. High Lane) than Stockport as a whole.

·         It was commented that active community groups have been established over COVID-19 such as in Marple and discussions with these groups would be useful to progress the campaign.

·         It was stated that Stockport was a polarised borough and some ‘One Stockport’ activity may cross into what should instead be part of a local plan and there was a need to tackle inequality while still reflecting on local positions and the responsibilities of normal Council/Cabinet activity.

·         Members expressed their concerns that the campaign should seek to understand local groups better and what they do as this would provide a greater understanding of what needs to be done in the Marple area for the plan to be successful.

·         It was noted that the ‘One Stockport’ campaign should recognise that Stockport is not an all-encompassing community but was an amalgamation of many independent local areas and communities.

Holly Rae welcomed the comments from the Area Committee and reassured the Committee that the feedback would be taken on board to continue to shape the plan going forward and would seek to identify a shared place and shared identity. She also stated that the work being done by the community and mutual aid groups in Marple was great and it would be useful to link in with those local groups.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.