Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 April 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation)

The Council Plan sets the framework of priorities that drive the organisation’s resource allocation. The Medium Term Financial Plan, including the Executive’s Budget Proposals for 2013/15 and the Capital Programme, continues to provide the resources to deliver those services and exploit those opportunities necessary to deliver a Greener, Safer and Stronger, Thriving, and Healthy Stockport. The enclosed extract from the draft plan relates to the Communities and Sustainability, and Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolios that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the draft Council Plan.

Officer Contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or e mail: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation) setting out the framework of priorities that drive the organisation’s resource allocation. The Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), including the Executive’s Budget Proposals for 2013/15 and the Capital Programme, continued to provide the resources to deliver those services and exploit those opportunities necessary to deliver a Greener, Safer and Stronger, Thriving and Healthy Stockport. The extract from the draft plan enclosed with the report related to the Communities and Sustainability, and Economic Development and Regeneration Portfolios that fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive Councillor (Communities and Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) and Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

It was reported that the Executive would consider the report at its meeting on 11 June 2013.

A discussed ensued on the number of empty shops in the borough which were previously houses and whether any of the Government’s proposed changes to the planning system would help to counter this situation.

RESOLVED – That the draft Council Plan be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

The report requests the Scrutiny Committee to comment on the proposed introduction of play streets in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or e mail: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for the introduction of play streets in Stockport following a number of expressions of interest in the potential for closing roads for the purposes of children being able to play out near their homes. The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 11 June 2013.

An update on the current situation with regard to public liability insurance and risk assessment was circulated at the meeting.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•      A Member requested more information with regard to insurance required by residents and case studies from other parts of the country.

·         A Member felt that the play streets scheme should also be operative during school term time.

•      Whether the organisers of a particular scheme could prevent non-residents using the road.

·         How the costs of a particular scheme would be borne.

·         How many residents needed to be in favour of a scheme for it to take place on a particular street.

RESOLVED – That should the Executive Meeting approve the proposals, then the Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) be recommended to review the policy in a year’s time and review the schemes on a regular basis.

To note the resume of the meeting held on 11 April 2013

Officer contact: Charlotte Forrest on 0161 474 3208 or e mail: charlotte.forrest@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a resume (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 11 April 2013.

RESOLVED – That the resume of the meeting held on 11 April 2013 be noted.

To note the resume of the meeting held on 24 April 2013.

Officer contact: Charlotte Forrest on 0161 474 3208 or e mail: charlotte.forrest@stockport.gov.uik

The Scrutiny Committee considered a resume (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Stockport Economic Alliance held on 24 April 2013.

RESOLVED – That the resume of the meeting held on 24 April 2013 be noted

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager

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: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or e mail: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.