To receive any questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters relevant to the Council’s activities.
Minutes:
Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Mayor and Councillors on matters within the powers and duties of the Council.
Five public questions were submitted as follows:-
· Relating to why, in the light of evidence that enhancing community services and better integration between health and social care would not reduce the need for hospital beds and that the pressure on inpatient facilities has reached dangerous levels, did the council present the Stockport Together business case, which involves reduction in beds at Stepping Hill Hospital, as improving care.
The Executive Councillor for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) responded that hospital services were under a great deal of strain nationally but that Stockport had not suffered as badly as other areas where they were under a ‘code black’ emergency and that it needed to be recognised that Stockport’s systems had coped well over the last eight weeks in the circumstances. However, Councillor McGee stated that taking no action would not improve matters and that the continue to do things as they were would mean a requirement for another £120m which was not available. Councillor McGee further stated that there were many circumstances in which people would prefer to go home rather than stay in hospital, particularly around end of life care.
· Relating to the difficulties experienced by Stepping Hill Hospital over the holiday period and whether a full and efficient accident and emergency service could now be guaranteed with full staffing.
The Executive Councillor for Health (Councillor Tom McGee) responded that for several weeks leading up to Christmas, there had been lost of planning to ensure that there was sufficient flexibility to provide sufficient staffing capacity with the right services in the right place, and that some non-essential elective surgery was cancelled to free up staffing resources. However, it was stated that during that period there was an unexpected large admittance of people with respiratory diseases; and further a higher than expected number of staff were taken ill. It was commented that services and staffing were now returning to normal.
· Relating to whether Councillor Smart was still in favour of building a motorway through the Goyt Valley and whether she fully supported the building of the A6 Relief Road and whether in the light of this the stance of the Liberal Democrats on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework was hypocrisy.
Councillor Lisa Smart responded that it was correct to say that the Liberal Democrats had long supported the building of the road between the A6 and the M60. It was stated that the feasibility study in respect of this section of the relief road had been released this week which confirmed that there was a strong case for the development of this route. Councillor Smart confirmed that she supported the development of the road as it was needed by local residents and would therefore continue to press for the road to be built. Councillor Smart also confirmed that she would work to ensure that any environmental impact of the road would be minimised and appropriately mitigated.
· Relating to a statement previously made by Councillor Christine Corris relating to building on Reddish Vale Country Park that ‘Brinnington itself was built on green fields’ and that ‘it was sad that we have to build on this small part of country park, but it’s a price work paying’. In the light of this statement, why was it appropriate to build on the green belt in Brinnington but not in High Lane.
Councillor Lisa Smart responded that she was unable to speak for another member or on an issue that took place prior to her election to the Council. It was further stated that the development in question was part of a wider masterplan that had broad support from residents with support from local councillors which represented a key difference. With regard to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework it was stated that a development requirement had been formulated based on an evidence base that was not universally accepted which is why the Liberal Democrats had focussed on the development of a Local Plan for Stockport.
· Relating to whether instead of undermining the consultation process on the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, Councillor Hunter would work with his colleagues across the Chamber to ensure that we got a plan that was right for Stockport and helped address the huge Stockport Homes’ waiting list.
Councillor Mark Hunter responded that he made no apology for standing up for what he thought was right for Stockport and that there was a misplaced faith in the process around the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework which he considered was not the answer, but the cause of the problem. Councillor Hunter noted that as part of the ‘call for sites’ process, 20% of those sites identified were within Stockport and commented that Stockport was being targeted by landowners and developers and that a firm stance needed to be taken to defend the greenbelt.
Three further public questions had been submitted where the questioner was not present at the meeting and in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioners in writing.