Agenda

Councillors who require a substitute to be appointed should inform Democratic Services by 4.00pm on Thursday, 12 January 2023 (Councillors who wish to arrange their own substitute should inform Democratic Services of their substitute prior to the commencement of the meeting).

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2022.

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

To consider call-in items (if any).

To consider a report of the Cabinet Members for Communities & Housing; Highways, Parks & Leisure Services; and Climate Change & Environment.

Within this report and appendix we provide a further update on our strategic approach in responding to the review of the medium-term financial plan. This follows on from the report presented at the Cabinet meeting on the 28th September 2022 and scrutiny committees during October. In particular it includes updated proposals within the appendix for scrutiny comment ahead of budget council in February.

The report outlines the budget proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions.

The Scrutiny 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

To consider a joint Report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Place Management.

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on an illustrative Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget. The Cabinet will be meeting on 31 January to recommend to Council a HRA budget for 2023/24, including the level of rent and service charges.  The illustrative budget is based on a number of key assumptions set out in the report which includes income from rent and service charges, expenditure commitments contained within the HRA 30 year Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy, indicative spending requirements to support inflationary pressures, and identified investment priorities.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report and the illustrative HRA Budget for 2023/24. 

Officer contact: Michael Cullen  on 0161 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

This report sets out the methodology for reporting the Council’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which will form the scientific basis for developing interventions to meet the council’s commitment to carbon neutrality and measuring progress. It also outlines the methodology for GHG emission data gathering and reporting, discusses next steps in this process, and highlights the best practice the Council will employ in order to maintain integrity and transparency in the way the Council reports its operational GHG emissions.

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

Officer contact: Nick Leslie by email at: nick.leslie@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides an update on the delivery of the Walking and Cycling Strategy and the wider commitment to active travel.

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

To consider a report of the Director of Strategy.

This report contains the proposed Equality Objectives for 2023-2027.

Through consultation with the groups and individuals listed below we have identified four objectives:

·         Stockport is a Fair and Inclusive Borough

·         To support all staff to achieve their full potential and ensure that our workforce reflects the communities we serve

·         To understand our diverse communities and their specific needs

·         To address inequality in our services

The report details the actions and measures required by each objective.

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

Officer contact: Julie Jarman by email at: julie.jarman@stockport.gov.uk

To consider a joint report of the Director of Place Management and the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Governance.

The report details a proposal to establish a Greater Manchester Joint Scrutiny Committee to scrutinise decisions of the Clean Air Charging Authorities Committee and the Clean Air Administration Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report as appropriate and to:-

(1) Note the request to Cabinet to the establishment of a GM Clean Air Joint Scrutiny Committee.

(2) Note the request to Cabinet to agree the Terms of Reference of the Committee as set out in Appendix A.

(3) Note the request to Cabinet to agree to appoint a member and substitute to the Committee.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee has the opportunity to consider the portfolio dashboards for the Climate Change & Environment; Communities & Housing; and Highways Parks & Leisure Services portfolios and raise any issues with regard to performance.

Members can view the portfolio dashboards on the Portfolio Performance Dashboard website.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal and 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