Agenda item

To consider reports of the Directors of Development and Regeneration and Place Management.

The reports detail the draft 2023/24 portfolio agreements for the Economy, Regeneration & Housing and the Climate Change & Environment portfolios for consideration.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to review and comment on the draft portfolio agreements.

Contact officers:

Economy, Regeneration & Housing – Alan Lawson (Strategy and Performance Manager) | alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

Climate Change & Environment - Aaron Madray (Senior CSS Officer) | aaron.madray@stockport.gov.uk  

Kora Yohannan (Specialist Strategic Financial Advisor) kora.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which detailed the draft 2023/24 portfolio agreements for the Economy, Regeneration and Housing and the Climate Change and Environment portfolios.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Housing (Councillor Colin MacAlister) and the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment (Councillor Mark Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised in relation to the Economy, Regeneration and Housing portfolio:

·         It was asked whether interim or indicative targets could be set for measure ERH 1.1 and ERH 1.2 within priority 1 ‘delivering ambitious housing projects’. It was noted that outturn would be difficult to predict, however the measures would be reviewed with planning colleagues to see whether interim targets could be set.

·         In relation to priority 2 ‘managing and maintaining our housing stock and tackling homelessness’, it was noted that the Member Committee oversaw the performance of Stockport Homes Group (SHG).

·         It was noted that measure ERH 2.1 related to the number of properties that had come back into use, including where the council had intervened.

·         Members were advised of the challenges the council, and other local authorities, faced in trying to tackle homelessness which included but was not limited to, the increasing number of people needing accommodation and the cost of private rented accommodation. The team were working hard to reduce the numbers as much as possible. It was suggested that additional narrative be included for measure ERH 2.23 relating to homelessness to enable members to better assess the situation.

·         Members were advised that there were three different types of measures, measures two and three were ‘partnership’ and ‘contextual’ measures respectively, and were more difficult for the council to control.

·         It was questioned as to whether damp, mould and condensation (DMC) in homes was a high enough priority within the portfolio.

·         It was expected that approximately 400 affordable homes would be delivered in the town centre in a proposed forthcoming scheme.

·         It was noted that measure ERH 3.2 should read ‘number of planning breaches as a % of all planning applications’.

·         It was noted that the vast majority of planning breaches were resolved by negotiation with the applicant. If further action was taken, this was then included within the measure.

·         Setting a numerical target for measure ERH 3.9 would prove difficult as footfall was impacted by a number of issues which included but was not limited to, the covid-19 pandemic, national rail strikes and hybrid working. It was noted that footfall had increased since the beginning of 2023.

·         Priority 4 ‘supporting the business base in Stockport’ - it was suggested that further narrative as to the break down by district centre be included within future reports.

·         Priority 5 ‘improving access to work for all and working to ensure our workforce have the skills that employers need’ - it was asked that data be sought as to the number of apprenticeships being provided by Stockport Council and other organisations, and circulated to the Scrutiny Committee for their information.

The following comments were made/ issues raised in relation to the Climate Change and Environment portfolio:

·         Priority 1 ‘mainstreaming Climate Action Now (CAN)’ – it was felt that community engagement and resident participation was important in helping to achieve CAN goals for Stockport; young people specifically were acutely aware about climate change.

·         Approximately 200 university students and leaders in marketing were involved in a piece of work to tackle messaging around climate change for a number of companies in the North of England; an update on the progress of this piece of work would be brought to a future meeting of the Climate Action Now Steering Group.

·         Priority 2 ‘renewable energy and efficiency’ – lots of work was being done to improve energy efficiency and the uptake of renewable energy sources across the council’s estate and the borough more widely. Specifically, members were encouraged to feedback any schools that they think would be interested in installing solar panels. The council were already engaging with schools to ascertain interest.

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.