Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2024.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 February 2024 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 interest that they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider a verbal presentation of the Assistant Director Planning and Place Making.

The presentation will provide an update/overview on the consultation process.

The Development Party is requested to note the verbal presentation and offer any comments.

Officer contact: Steve Johnson 0161 474 3509 Email:  steven.johnson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director Planning and Place Making gave a verbal presentation which provided members with an update/overview on the consultation process.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members asked whether life leisure centres would be used also to ensure that different demographics of people were aware of the consultation.  In addition, whether something could be done in relation to district centre markets as these tended to get very busy and attract a lot of footfall.  In response, members were advised that officers would be happy to liaise with life leisure colleagues and markets.

·         Following a member question, it was confirmed that the Storymaps were linked to some of the government funding to develop the platform. Members asked if they could have prior sight of how the platform worked.

·         Members requested an update on the redraft of the local plan.

·         Members commented that there was a balance to be struck between speed and reaching out to the maximum numbers of individuals who have a stake in this and who we want to hear from. It would be beneficial to make good use of district centre managers who have can often have excellent contacts.  The wider the audience the better the quantitative response will be.  A good geographical spread of events will be vital and staff at these locations will need to be briefed. Furthermore, it is important to stress that people can respond in writing and that these written responses would be just as valued as other forms of communication.

·         Members expressed concern that the summer holiday period was not the optimum time to be carrying out such an important consultation and whether consideration could be given to moving it slightly to incorporate more of July and September. Members asked for an explanation as to what a good response to the consultation would look like. Is there a plan to monitor how the engagement is going and if necessary adapt the approach that is being taken?

·         It would be appropriate to ask schools if they could put out a statement in their newsletters regarding the consultation.  It is also important to ensure the engagement of young people, as it is their future that is being discussed.

·         Different ethnic communities also need to be made aware of the consultation.

·         Members requested clarification on how the call for sites fitted in to the consultation.

RESOLVED – That the verbal report be noted.

To be confirmed.

To be confirmed.