Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Executive Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice. (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided. These are available at the meeting and at local libraries and information centres. You may also submit your question by email to democratic.services@stockport.gov.uk).
Minutes:
Members of the public were invited to submit questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.
Six questions were asked.
(i) The first question sought a date for the results of the review of the future of the Peel Moat Leisure Centre and whether the need to sell the land of the former Heatons Campus of Stockport College to meet the redevelopment cost for the Town Centre Campus would mean the closure of the Peel Moat Centre.
The Executive Councillor (Leisure) responded that it was anticipated that the comprehensive consultation on the Leisure Review would commence in the near future, with results expected in the autumn. The statements made at an earlier time regarding how local demand for leisure services in the north of the Borough could be met would form part of the consultation.
In relation to the revenue generated from the sale of the former Heatons Campus site it was replied that this was a matter for Stockport College as land owners.
(ii) The second question related to the impact on road safety of the removal of school crossing patrols.
The questioner also presented a 165 signature petition objecting to the proposed removal of the crossing patrol at Gorton Road and Longford Road.
The Executive Councillor (Transportation) replied that the review of school crossing patrols had sought to bring provision in Stockport in line with government guidance to ensure their efficacy. Where patrols had been removed the Council would seek to use these resources to enhance road safety through road maintenance or improvements.
The Chair clarified that there was no facility to submit petitions to the meeting, however she agreed to use her discretion and accepted the petition.
(iii) The third question related to the impact on road safety of the proposed removal of three crossing patrols on the B6167 in Reddish.
The Executive Councillor (Transportation) replied that the answer was the same as the response given previously.
(iv) The fourth question related to the projected savings to the 2011/12 budget following changes to the schools crossing provision.
The Executive Councillor (Transportation) replied that the priority for the review was safety rather than savings, as had been stressed at the Council Meeting in February. Nonetheless it was anticipated that there would be a saving of approximately £40,000 in the current year rising to approximately £60,000 in subsequent years.
(v) The fifth question related to the delay caused by reassessing proposals to changes to schools crossing patrols by representations received to them and asking which crossing patrol changes had been reassessed following representations and whether any patrols had been changed from being retained to being removed.
The Executive Councillor (Transportation) replied that he had given consideration to all representations received and where there was a valid concern he had asked for the site to be reassessed.
The sites that had been retained following reassessment were those at Church Lane, Marple (All Saints RC Primary), Councillor Lane, Cheadle (Brookside Primary) and Hawthorne Road (Gatley Primary). No sites had been identified for removal that had previously been identified for retention.
(vi) The sixth question related to the proposed Highway Safety and Repairs Policy and whether the use of cones to cover missing grid covers should be considered an appropriate temporary repair, whether the target of 28 days for the replacement of missing grid covers was often exceeded and what was planned to address performance in this respect.
The Executive Councillor (Transportation) replied that when grids were being stolen the Council was responding as quickly as possible with the use of cones to mark the site and cover the hole, which was the best solution where the cover could not be immediately replaced. Due to a high demand nationally for grid covers the Council had to work hard to ensure an adequate supply, which it now had achieved, and covers should be being replaced straight away wherever possible.