To receive a report from the Leader of the Council and other members of the Cabinet on the conduct of Cabinet business since the last Council Meeting.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Policy, Finance & Devolution (Councillor Alex Ganotis) reported that a number of local authorities had started to face significant financial difficulties, including most notably Northamptonshire County Council where services had been pared down to the provision of statutory services.
However, it was stated that was not the position that Stockport faced as a result of the difficult decisions that had been taken in recent years in terms of service reform and increasing Council Tax. It was further stated that in order to continue to provide decent levels of service, it would require more difficult decisions to be taken. The Council had published an overview of the approach that would be taken in relation to the next budget which would be a two year budget requiring savings of approximately £30 million. Councillor Ganotis stated that the Council had aimed to restrict any Council Tax increase in 2019/20 to no more than 2.99%, inclusive of a 1% adult social care precept, however it would be difficult to achieve that aim in the light of ongoing pressures on the Council’s budget.
Councillor Ganotis also reported on ongoing work to tackle air quality issues in Greater Manchester, including a major public campaign which aimed to show the impact of poor air quality.
In respect of the town centre, Councillor Ganotis reported that there were a large number of new developments taking place including new bars and restaurants opening before Christmas. It was stated that visitor numbers for Redrock had far exceeded expectations and that proposals would shortly be brought forward for the revamping of the Merseyway Shopping Centre.
Finally, Councillor Ganotis informed members of the CQC review that had been undertaken in respect of Stockport Together which recognised the positives and negatives in terms of the speed of implementation of Stockport Together and what had been delivered so far. The report praised the leadership of Stockport Council over Stockport Together and the changes that had been implemented in previous months, and great strides had been made since the publication of the report in addressing those areas of the report which needed further attention.
The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) reported that on Monday, 17 September the second Public Space Protection Order brought in under the current administration would come into force that aimed at improving the environment for Stockport’s residents. The first of these orders aimed to stop the nuisance of car cruises, whilst the second aimed to tackle the minority of dog owners that did not act responsibly.
Councillor Bailey then reported that the latest Viaduct Housing development had opened at Carrington Field Street and Charles Street, Heaviley. The two developments together comprised 171 properties which included a mix of two and three bedroom homes for affordable rent and shared ownership. It was stated that the next Viaduct Housing development to open would be the St Thomas’ development at Shaw Heath and later this year work would start on the development of 47 affordable homes at the site of the former Booth Street Depot.
Councillor Bailey confirmed that over 450 new trees would be planted during this year’s tree planting season, with similar numbers being planted in the following three years. When combined with last year’s tree planting, it was stated that this would provide just under 2,200 new trees in Stockport which would complete the backlog inherited by the administration by 2022.
Finally, Councillor Bailey reported that the street lighting programme would commence in October 2018 which would see the replacement of current street lighting with LED bulbs, and the replacement schedule would be circulated separately to councillors.
The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance (Councillor Elise Wilson) reported that the first application window for the Stockport Local Fund closed on 7 August 2018 which had seen 186 applications of which 34 were for less than £500 with the remainder applying for more than this amount. Successful applicants for less than £500 were due to be notified during the coming week. Those applying for more than £500 had been split into two rounds with those successful in the first round being invited to submit detailed bids for further consideration and a decision by November 2018. Unsuccessful applicants would be signposted to alternative sources of funding.
Councillor Wilson then provided an update on the roll-out of the ‘Open Plus’ technology that had been in place at Bramhall Library since 2015 and was now being provided at a further five libraries which included the Heatons, Marple, Hazel Grove and Cheadle Hulme.