Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resources Report (PPRR) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee.   It provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a focus on the second quarter of the year (July to September). These include forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2021/22;

·         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

·         Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer Contacts: Officer Contacts: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk; and Lisa Joy on 0161 474 4044 or email: lisa.joy@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). The report also included a forecast on performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A Member requested additional information on district heating systems.

·         Part of the work to create an economic plan for Stockport included consideration of what green economy businesses would need to be attracted to Stockport as a place to be based, including employment land suitability/availability, infrastructure needs and skills/workforce training and supply. The work being carried out in this area was welcomed.

·         Drain cleaning was an area which needed to be addressed as a priority.

·         The number of young people starting on Kickstart had been much lower than expected across the country and a Member wondered if the scheme could be made more accessible to young people. Further information was requested on this issue.

·         An audit of completed schemes undertaken through the Mayoral Walking and Cycling Challenge Fund was requested so that it could be ascertained whether value for money was being achieved in terms of usage of the routes.

·         A Member enquired what programme of improvements to the highways infrastructure was planned for Hazel Grove.

·         Concern was expressed that the Greater Manchester Local Fibre Network may not reach all parts of the borough, including the more rural areas in the east of the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.