Agenda and minutes

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.

No declarations were made.

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

The report sets out the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules and suggests that the Panel should adopt them for the purpose of conducting the review.

The Panel are requested to formally adopt the Scrutiny Review Panel Rules for the purpose of conducting the review.

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

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Panel to formally adopt the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules for this review.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Review Procedure Rules be adopted for this review.

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

The report outlines the proposed scope and brief for the review.

The Panel is requested to determine the scope of the review and outline any areas which they wish to scrutinise further.

Officer contact: Ian Walmsley on 0161 474 4382 or email: ian.walmsley@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which aimed to assist the Panel to scope the review and determine the areas which they wish to explore and scrutinise further as part of the review of how the borough’s greenspaces are monitored for their individual quality and the benefits they brought to the communities they served.

Ian Walmsley (Head of Neighbourhoods, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to answer councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It would be useful for the Panel to understand the extent, quality and geographical spread of greenspace across the borough.

·         It was important that there was an equitable distribution of facilities.

·         As a starting point, the Panel should consider a quality assessment methodology for greenspaces.

·         The accessibility of greenspace needed to be considered as part of this.

·         A discussion took place in relation to the definition of greenspace for the purposes of this review, and whether this would include all areas of greenspace.  It was stated that the focus should be on those areas used primarily for recreation.

·         Consideration needed to be given to what would be an appropriate standard for access to greenspace, and secondly the distribution of facilities within them.

·         Accurate and readily understandable mapping the distribution of greenspace within the borough alongside population centres was fundamental to understanding where there were identifiable gaps in provision.  As part of this it was suggested that areas of deprivation should be highlighted to demonstrated whether access to quality greenspace was equitable across all sectors of society.

·         It would be useful to hear from external agencies and partners as part of the review process.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to scope of the review as detailed in paragraph 3.3. of the report.

To agree the dates of future meetings and the timescales for undertaking the review.

RESOLVED – That the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) be authorised to determine the date for the next meeting of the Panel in consultation with the Chair and members of the Panel.