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.
Four public questions were submitted as follows:-
· Relating to how the ward councillors for Edgeley & Cheadle Health intended to prioritise the interests of residents of the ward and restore confidence.
Councillor Matt Wynne responded that in the light of recent press reporting, residents had a right to be concerned. Councillor Wynne stated that he had been stopped from standing again as a Labour candidate, however he retained Labour values as an elected member. Councillor Wynne expressed concern in relation to ongoing issues within the Labour Party in Stockport and the impact that this might have on a number of members within the Group. Councillor Wynne started that he was proud of achievements of the last Labour administration, with specific reference to the creation of a company to drive the development of new Council houses and the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation, however in the light of situation he now found himself in he considered it necessary to resign from the Labour Group with immediate effect.
Councillor Louise Heywood further responded that she was proud to be a councillor for Edgeley & Cheadle Heath and that she had spent the time since her election talking to residents and looked forward to meeting with the questioner in the future.
· Relating to recent press reports regarding derogatory comments being made about a resident as part of a WhatsApp group which included the MP for Stockport and Labour councillors amongst its members.
Councillor Andy Sorton responded that the resident concerned lived within the Brinnington & Central ward that he represented. He stated that regardless of the consequences for himself, personally or as a councillor, he would not stand by and tolerate discriminatory abuse. Councillor Sorton stated that he was proud of the transition to a more open and tolerate society that had taken place over a number of decades, and it was not acceptable that the type of abuse reported on in the press was being made today. Councillor Sorton then requested that any members of the Labour Group that spoke at the meeting should state that they stood with the victim of this abuse and that they called on the MP for Stockport to make a statement condemning this behaviour.
· Relating to the Climate and Ecology Bill and whether this council would express its support for it becoming law.
The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) responded that the Council was closely following ongoing developments with the Bill and that Liberal Democrat MPs had already indicated their support for its passage into law. The Council was considering its position with a view to hopefully putting its name to supporting the Bill as well.
The Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment further responded that a number of members of the Council had already given their personal support to the Bill and that he was working together with officers since the Summer so that the Council was also able to endorse this position.
· Relating to whether the Council would conduct a further public consultation on the change of use of the Central Library building to a hybrid facility including adult education provision, including an option to oppose the changes so retaining the current library service in full within the Central Library building.
The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) responded that he was pleased that the Central Library building would remain open for library use and library services would be retained for the public. Councillor Hunter stated that the previous consultation exercise undertaken was thorough, and that he was keen to pursue the exciting plans for the future of the library that included access to all library services from the building rather than undertake a further round of consultation.
A further public question was submitted where the questioner was not in attendance at the meeting and in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Chief Executive was requested to respond to the questioners in writing.