(a) Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel
To appoint Councillor Amanda Peers to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.
Councillor Peers to then answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.
(b) Greater Manchester Combined Authority
To appoint the following spokespersons to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority:-
Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Councillor Elise Wilson
Greater Manchester Transport Committee - Councillor David Meller
Greater Manchester Waste Committee - Councillor Roy Driver
The appointed councillors to then answer questions, if any, on the business of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Greater Manchester Transport Committee and the Greater Manchester Waste Committee.
Minutes:
(a) Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel
RESOLVED – That Councillor Amanda Peers be appointed to answer questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.
There were no questions in relation to the business of the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.
(b) Greater Manchester Combined Authority
RESOLVED - That the following councillors be appointed to answer questions in relation to the discharge of the functions of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee and the Greater Manchester Waste Committee:-
Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Councillor Elise Wilson
Transport for Greater Manchester Committee - Councillor David Meller
Greater Manchester Waste Committee - Councillor Roy Driver
Questions
Councillor Mark Hunter asked the Leader of the Council whether she shared his concerns about the ongoing uncertainties over the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and the government requirement to base future housing needs on out of date national population and growth estimates that did not account for the economic impact of either Brexit or Covid-19. Councillor Hunter further stated that there had been a failure to properly fund ‘brownfield first’ development and the necessary infrastructure improvements meant that the government was forcing all ten Greater Manchester authorities to build on far more green belt land than may be necessary.
The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) responded that the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework had been in progress for a significant period of time and that prior to the current Covid-19 pandemic, there had been a consultation undertaken the responses to which were currently being analysed along with further viability and feasibility work to ensure that the proposals were robust. It was further stated that the government had recently made announcements in relation to funding to kickstart brownfield development. Councillor Wilson also confirmed that the decision in relation to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework would come before the Council Meeting.
Councillor Hunter then asked the Leader of the Council whether she would confirm that as the schedule presently stood, the Council would be taking a decision on this matter in October of this year and then the final public engagement would follow that in November and that this final public engagement would be for only six weeks as opposed to the 12 weeks that had previously been undertaken.
The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) responded that the final proposition would come before the Council Meeting for approval, which would then be subject to public consultation, the responses to which along with that final proposition would then be submitted to the government and the Inspector who would then make recommendations which would return to Greater Manchester for formal adoption.
Councillor Lisa Smart asked the Leader of the Council whether Stockport Council was getting the coronavirus data it needed to do its job of protecting residents.
The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) responded that Greater Manchester was working together to set up ‘track and trace’ which was a crucial component of being able to ease the current lockdown measures. It was confirmed that the council received postcode data, however it did not currently receive specific patient level information and representations were being made to government in relation to the need for that data.
Councillor Brian Bagnall whether the Leader of the Council would confirm whether it would be a decision of Stockport Council whether it took part in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework; that if the Council pulled out of the GMSF at this stage then it would be required to provide further homes; and that the GMSF was not just about building on the green belt but also about providing infrastructure, schools and jobs.
The Leader of the Council (Councillor Elise Wilson) confirmed again that the matter would be decided by the Council Meeting. Councillor Wilson stated that she disagreed with Councillor Bagnall in that the GMSF was never about building on the green belt, but rather about protecting the green belt and trying to impact as little as possible on the green belt and green spaces. It was further stated that in Stockport this has been about prioritising and delivering ‘brownfield first’ through ambitious developments such as the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation.