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 what the Labour Party can say that will re-assure women that men in the Labour Party cannot get away with degrading women following reports of members of the party being part of a WhatsApp group that belittled a woman from the Brinnington community.
Councillor Amanda Peers responded by agreeing with the questioner that it was frustrating that abuse of this kind was going unchallenged. Councillor Peers stated that the Council had agreed a motion to sign up to the White Ribbon campaign which advocates for men and boys taking responsibility for tackling male violence and abuse against women. Councillor Peers further stated that holders of public office were expected to abide by the Council’s Code of Conduct that included the Nolan principles of public life.
Councillor Peers stated that she was unable to speak on behalf of the Labour Party, but made a commitment that she would follow up on progress on the commencement of investigations by the local and regional party offices.
Councillor Andy Sorton further responded that local councillors had done all they could to get a response on this issue and it was frustrating that so little progress had yet been made. Councillor Sorton stated that those involved did not understand the damage that had been done in the community and it was concerning that they had not accepted responsibility and apologised.
· Relating to the impact that the government’s Autumn Statement would have on the people of Stockport.
The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resource (Councillor Malcolm Allan) responded that there was some positive news in that benefits the level of the Living Wage were due to rise in line with inflation. However, the level of the government settlement for local authorities was due to remain the same as last year which because of inflationary pressures would represent a 10% reduction in spending power.
As a consequence, the Council would need to look at the level of Council Tax it needed to raise to support the budget, and it was noted that the government had decided to raise the threshold of an increase that would trigger a local referendum.
The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Hunter) further responded that the announcement made today had, on the whole, not been helpful and the Council could expect to pay more for the services that it received. It was stated that further statements would be made later in the meeting in relation to the Council’s approach to tackling the cost of living crisis.
· Relating to the proposed Hempshaw Lane Highway Scheme and whether members supported the objections made by residents in relation to certain elements of the scheme.
The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) responded that she supported the views of local residents and had expressed her own concerns to officers in relation to the removal of safety barriers and the construction of build outs.
The Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks & Leisure Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) responded that the petition submitted by residents would be considered as part of the consultation on the proposals and encouraged residents to maintain and open dialogue with their ward councillors.
· Relating to the cessation of the school street trials held at St Matthew's and Our Lady's Primary Schools in Edgeley despite their success at addressing road safety concerns and whether a price was being put on the head of children in Edgeley.
Councillor Matt Wynne responded that it seemed like a lot of work had gone into producing a very negative report evaluating the trials of school street schemes in the borough that aimed to block progressive policies such as this. Councillor Wynne stated that as a consequence of this report, it was now more likely that school streets would only be implemented in more affluent areas of Stockport.
The Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks & Leisure Services responded that the Council supported the school streets trials that were funded by Transport for Greater Manchester. It was stated that traffic regulation orders associated with the schemes remained in place which meant that schools had the option to continue to run the schemes. Councillor Baynham commented that the schemes were always intended to be self-sustaining after the initial set-up and that there was never an offer of ongoing revenue funding available from Greater Manchester.
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 questioner in writing.