Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the notes of the Meetings of Members of the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee held on 14 June and 1 July 2021.

The notes of the Meetings of Members of the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee held on 14 June and 1 July 2021 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests was declared-

Personal Interest

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of Councillor Adrian Nottingham, Scrutiny Review Panel Lead Councillor.

The report sets out the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel – The Council's Policy for Active Streets, School Streets and Play Streets

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and approve the final report for submission to the Cabinet.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor Adrian Nottingham (Lead Councillor for the scrutiny review) submitted the draft final report of the Scrutiny Committee’s Review of the Council's Policy for Active Streets, School Streets and Play Streets (copies of which had been circulated) that contained the findings and recommendations from the Review.  The Scrutiny Committee was invited to make amendments to the report prior to its submission to the Cabinet on 21 September 2021.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There had been a significant level of engagement in the review process from community groups, interested parties and stakeholders.

·         The viewership of webcasts of the scrutiny review meetings demonstrated a high level of public interest in the outcomes of this review.

·         It was disappointing that it had taken so long for the final report to be submitted for consideration following the last meeting of the review panel at which it made its recommendations.

·         The level of engagement demonstrated through this review sets an example for how future such reviews should be conducted.

·         The recommendations contained in the report were welcomed and endorsed, and the recommendation with regard to the removal of public liability insurance was specifically highlighted as underpinning the work of the review.

·         The level of participation from elected members who were not members of the review panel was also noted as being an exceptional feature of this review.

·         The use of remote meetings as the platform for conducting the review was considered to be a significant feature in its ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.

RESOLVED – (1) That the draft ‘Council's Policy for Active Streets, School Streets and Play Streets Review Final Report’ be approved and adopted.

(2) That the thanks of the Scrutiny Committee be extended to all those who took part in the Scrutiny Review.

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

As part of the Government’s progress on implementing the English Resources and Waste Strategy it has published a second consultation on consistency in household and business recycling in England. The proposals contained therein – if implemented as described – have the potential to significantly change household and business waste management.

This briefing note outlines the proposals within the consultation and summarises the potential impacts for Greater Manchester. This consultation sits alongside those for:

·         The National Waste Prevention Plan;

·         Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging; and

·         A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

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

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Government’s progress on implementing the English Resources and Waste Strategy including the publication of a second consultation on consistency in household and business recycling in England.  This report also outlined the proposals within the consultation and summarised the potential impacts for Greater Manchester.

Paul Morgan (Head of Commercial Services, Greater Manchester Combined Authority) attended the meeting and made a presentation on the proposed National Waste and Resources Strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) also attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A discussion took place in relation to proposals to increase the number of waste containers provided to each household with particular regard to the feasibility of many properties in the borough to store and present these for collection.

·         The impact of an increase in waste containers on the current collection regime was discussed and the productivity of each collection round.

·         It was noted that such collections schemes operated successfully elsewhere, including in Wales, where recycling rates were consistently higher than in England.

·         It was commented that in contrast, Cheshire East only had two waste receptacles per household yet had one of the highest recycling rates in the country.  In response, it was stated that it was unlikely that comingled collections would continue to be permitted in the future and as such was not a model that could be emulated.

·         It was possible for additional materials to be recycled in Greater Manchester should a market for such products emerge.

·         Stockport currently had a recycling rate of almost 60%.

RESOLVED – (1) That Paul Morgan be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

(2) That the report and presentation be noted..

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

The report provides an update on the Stockport Local Fund with a focus on programme investments and impact; updates from the wider programme of work to support a thriving third sector and early analysis from the State of the Sector report 2020; and sets out priority areas for development and next steps in delivering investment into the third sector in 2021/22.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Note the progress and impact of delivering the SLF in 20/21

(2) Support the ongoing development of the related programme of work including:-

·         The strategic investment in Sector3

·         Closer alignment of small grants with Sector3

·         Development of thematic networks and investment to support emerging priorities

·         Endorse the alignment of the Stockport Local Fund to the One Stockport brand

·         Support the launch of phase 6 in autumn

·         Receive a further update on the State of the Sector

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

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Stockport Local Fund with a focus on programme investments and impact; updates from the wider programme of work to support a thriving third sector and early analysis from the State of the Sector report 2020; and setting out priority areas for development and next steps in delivering investment into the third sector in 2021/22.

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods (Amanda Peers) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The allocation of funding to community groups and organisations was welcomed and was an approach that Stockport could be proud of.

·         Varying levels of monitoring of expenditure and outcomes was undertaken depending on the level of the allocation made.

·         There was a set criteria used for the allocation and distribution of funding.

·         It was confirmed that at present funding was delegated to Sector3 which ensured that the Council retained a degree of oversight.  It was suggested that the current wording the report be amended to properly reflect that relationship.

·         It would be useful for members to better understand the geographical spread of function allocations.

·         It was suggested that ‘One Stockport’ did not have the ‘profile and resonance’ suggested in the report.

·         There needed to be improved dialogue with local members in relation to the Stockport Local Fund as some members felt disconnected or unengaged with the process.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Under the long-term Management Agreement with Stockport Council, Stockport Homes is required to provide it with a five yearly Delivery Plan.  The Delivery Plan for the 2016 – 2021 was approved by the Council Executive in 2016 with an agreement that an annual report on progress would be submitted to the relevant Scrutiny Committee. This is the fifth and final annual report of the Delivery Plan 2016-2021 and demonstrates how Stockport Homes delivered against its aims and the Council’s objectives in 2020/21. A new Delivery Plan covering the period 2021-2026 was approved by the Council Cabinet on 27 April 2021 and annual outcomes report on the progress will be submitted to the Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee.

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

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report 9copies of which had been circulated) that stated that under the long term Management Agreement with Stockport Council, Stockport Homes was required to provide the Council with a five yearly Delivery Plan.  The Delivery Plan for the 2016 – 2021 was approved by the Council’s Executive in 2016 and it was agreed that an annual report on the progress against the five yearly plan would be submitted to the relevant Scrutiny Committee. This is the fifth and final annual report of the Delivery Plan 2016-2021 and demonstrated how Stockport Homes delivered against its aims and the Council’s objectives in 2020/21.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that the was a lack of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in senior management roles at Stockport Homes, and a discussion took place in relation to the work being undertaken to try and address this.

·         It was confirmed that following a hiatus in boiler inspections on a risk-assessed basis during the lockdown in response to the covid-19 pandemic, these had now resumed and every boiler had now received such a check.

·         It was noted that Stockport homes sent 25% of its waste to waste recovery to prevent sending material to landfill; however it was queried wat happened with the ash material left following incineration for energy purposes.

·         It was suggested that information be circulated to members of the scrutiny committee in relation to the work Stockport Homes had undertaken to identify its customer base.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

This report provides a summary of key achievements since the publication of the 2018 Stockport Armed Forces Covenant priorities and introduces our draft Covenant priorities for 2021-2024. The report includes:-

·         Background to the Armed Forces Covenant, including the purpose of the local covenants;

·         A summary of key achievements since the publication of our previous Stockport Armed Forces Covenant priorities in 2018;

·         Draft priorities for 2021-2024

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Comment on and endorse the priorities set out in the Stockport Armed Forces Covenant 2021-2024;

·         Comment on and endorse the Council’s intention to work towards the Gold award of the Employer Recognition Scheme

Officer contact: Kirsteen Roe on 0161 474 3376  or  email: kirsteen.roe@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of key achievements since the publication of the 2018 Stockport Armed Forces Covenant priorities and introducing the draft Covenant priorities for 2021-2024.

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods (Amanda Peers) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Council had put in place a number of mechanisms and initiatives to support current and former armed forces personnel into employment and had been awarded ‘silver status’ because of what the Council did to support those that worked directly for it.

·         Further information was requested don whether the covenant would apply to those who had assisted the armed forces abroad.

·         Work to rehome and accommodate those people who had supported UK forces abroad was being co-ordinated at a Greater Manchester level.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details a draft Zero-Emission Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (ZEVCI) Interim Policy Statement  has been produced to set out how the Council and partners will seek to deliver ZEVCI in the borough. This will act as a supporting document to the wider GM EVCI Strategy which is has been produced by TfGM.

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

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) that detailed a draft Zero-Emission Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (ZEVCI) Interim Policy Statement  that set out how the Council and partners would seek to deliver ZEVCI in the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was suggested that the one of the biggest barriers in the uptake of electric vehicles was the cost of purchasing a vehicle which was significantly more than conventionally powered vehicles.

·         More work needed to be done to ensure that EV charging points were in service at all times.

·         The lack of co-ordination between the different companies and providers of EV charging points made it difficult for the end user.

·         The introduction of new charging points should not be at the expense of space on the footway for pedestrians.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the proposed Interim Policy Statement  be endorsed.

To seek suggestions for Scrutiny Review topics for inclusion in the 2021/2022 scrutiny work programme.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a suggested process for the selection of scrutiny review topics and an explanation as to how the reviews would be supported.  The Committee was invited to choose a topic for their next review.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Council Meeting be recommended to include ‘Green spaces including how they are monitored’ within the 2021/22 Scrutiny Work Programme.

(2) That Councillors Lisa Walker (Lead Councillor); Malcolm Allan and Kerry Waters be nominated to sit on the proposed scrutiny review panel.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance).

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email: damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any relevant Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED  - (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive be requested to submit reports to a future meeting of the scrutiny committee on the following issues:-

·         The operation of the anti-social behaviour service by Stockport Homes.

·         An update on the work of the Council’s Climate Change Task Force; EPC ratings comparative analysis; and passive houses.