Agenda item

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the joint authorities:-

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

Councillor Wendy Wild to answer questions (if any) on the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(c)       Greater Manchester Combined Authority

The following councillors to answer questions (if any) on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee:-

(a)       Section 41 Spokespersons

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority.

(b)       Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel

There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.

(c)        Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Councillor McGahan commented on the confusion surrounding the recent nomination process for members of the scrutiny committees for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and asked whether the Leader of the Council would comment on the process whereby there had been no effective scrutiny of the Combined Authority as a result of this, and how this situation had been allowed to arise.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) stated that in his view the process could have been deal with more effectively and that it was regrettable that the final arrangements for membership would not be finalised until October, however the new arrangements in terms of the number, membership and remit of the scrutiny committees would in the future lead to better scrutiny of the Combined Authority.

Councillor Dowse asked a question of Councillor Taylor with regard to the recent launch of the ‘my get me there’ public transport smart card.  It was commented that as the smart card did not work with its corresponding mobile app; did not work on all buses operating in Greater Manchester; could not be used on trains within the region; and further that Metrolink did not operate within the Borough, how would it assist the residents of Stockport to travel around the conurbation.

Councillor Taylor responded that the new smart ticketing scheme was part of a wider approach to encourage the co-ordination of public transportation services throughout Greater Manchester, and that there was a package of additional measures, including those contained with the Bus Services Act 201 which could facilitate this in the future.  It was further commented that the Council had policies in place which aimed to bring Metrolink to Stockport in the future. 

Councillor Christine Corris asked Councillor Taylor a question in relation to the indicative rail timetable for May 2018 which had been shared on a confidential basis with a number of rail user groups, and which included potential changes to rail services within Stockport.  Councillor Corris asked whether Councillor Taylor agreed with her that this information should be placed in the public domain as soon as possible.

Councillor Taylor responded that he very much agreed with the premise of the question.

Councillor Christine Corris asked the Leader of the Council (Councillor Alex Ganotis) whether he agreed that information on proposed rails service changes should be shared with the travelling public in time for them to make representations to Northern Rail, and whether Councillor Ganotis would raise the matter at the next meeting of the Combined Authority to ensure that this happened.

Councillor Ganotis responded that there had been a recent consultation on rail timetable changes which had included a degree of confusion in relation to Northern Rail’s proposals, and that he would ensure that the matter was raised at the next meeting of the Combined Authority.

Councillor Lloyd asked a question of Councillor Taylor in relation to the costs associated with the introduction of the ‘my get me there’ smart ticketing system.

Councillor Taylor stated that he would provide a written response in relation to this matter.

Councillor Lloyd then asked whether Councillor Taylor agreed with the use of bimodal trains instead of the full electrification of the TransPennine line.

Councillor Taylor responded that bimodal trains were an inefficient way of providing propulsion for rail vehicles as they had to two forms of equipment, one of which would be redundant for part of the journey.

Councillor Hurleston asked a question of Councillor Brett in relation to the recent resignation of the County Fire Officer & Chief Executive and whether an update could be provided on this situation.

Councillor Brett responded that he was saddened by the resignation of Peter O’Reilly, but that he had resigned for personal and family reasons and requested that members respected that decision.