Agenda item

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Devolution and the Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning & Governance.

This report covers how partners across Stockport have approached the development of a shared borough plan, including an overview of the insight which has informed the development of the priorities, and introduces a draft borough plan for scrutiny comment and consideration. The draft plan is being shared with all scrutiny committees and comment is invited on the whole plan however to support discussions Table 1 indicates where borough plan priorities more directly relate to the remit of this committee. The draft plan is also accompanied by a full engagement report (appendix 1) and an equality impact assessment (appendix 2).

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing how the the Council was proposing to progress the development of the Borough Plan; the approach to capturing the views of residents, businesses and the workforce; the data and insight that would be considered, and how this would inform the priorities for the future.

Kirsteen Roe (Service Director – Citizen Focus) attended the meeting to present the item and to respond to questions from Councillors.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commented that this was a visionary plan which was about setting sights high and having ambition.  Delivery plans would emerge later which would support the Borough Plan.

·         Members felt that it was important to emphasise individual duty and responsibility within the plan.

·         In response to a Member’s question relating to who had been consulted and what the feedback had been, Members were advised that a wide range of groups had been engaged with.  For example, discussions had been held with the business community, the voluntary community and the social enterprise sector.  Workshops had also been arranged with various forums, including the inter-faith forum.  Public engagement had started with schools, but this was currently paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  A number of surveys had taken place, for example a survey relating to people’s experiences of lockdown and the challenges and situations, both positive and negative, that may have resulted.

·         In terms of feedback, there had been a focus on how the plan tackled inclusion and inequality across the Borough.  It was also felt that case studies, photographs and stories would help in ‘bringing the plan to life’.

·         Members commented that digital infrastructure and access to lifelong learning would be paramount in the future.

·         Members commended the collaborative work with organisations who put Stockport first and who were ambitious for Stockport.

·         Members would like to see more information presented in a digital format as often this was easier to engage with than in a written form.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.