Agenda item

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport and Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services.

Following October Scrutiny Committees, the report provides further detail on the budget change proposals, taking into consideration the feedback received to date.

The appendix to this report outlines the change proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions.

The Committee is recommended to comment on the report and the proposals presented within that are relevant to the Committee’s remit.

Officer Contact: Gill Lawton on 0161 474 3686 or email: gill.lawton@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport and the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing further detail on the budget change proposals, taking into consideration the feedback received to date.

The appendix to the report outlined the budget proposals being considered by the Cabinet to address financial and demand challenges, enable longer term transformation, and ensure the delivery of shared strategic partnership ambitions.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) and the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport (Councillor Frankie Singleton) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

Library Services

·         Members thanked portfolio holders for arranging for a banner to be placed at Reddish Library which advertised that the library remained open during building works, along with details of the Open+ service.

·         In relation to proposed reductio in staffing hours within the borough’s library services, members queried whether that was likely to affect the additional services provided by libraries such as community hubs and gardens. In response it was stated that the services provided by libraries and library staff were important and that it was planned that librarians would continue to perform those important roles.

·         It was requested that consideration be given to the modernisation of library services, for example by introducing printing service and card payments for library fines; services which were currently only available at Stockport Central Library.

·         It was noted that there had been no library closures in the borough since 2010 which was a testament to the value placed upon the library service.

·         The benefits of the Open+ service were highlighted, in particular residents having extended access to spaces with lights and heating. However, having staff present at the library was important to ensure that residents could access council services.  Members queried whether funds could be diverted from other areas to boost library services.  The possibility of extending Open+ hours in some areas and increasing staff in others was also suggested.

·         In response it was stated that Council was under pressure to make savings.  The funding proposals did not involve the closing of any libraries but were designed to achieve savings whilst retaining as good a library service as possible.

·         A pilot had taken place in the Heatons to register all library users as Open+ users. This pilot had a successful outcome and there were plans to further extend this to four further areas within the borough followed by the borough as a whole.

·         In relation to the proposed reduction in Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staffing levels, it was stated that a consultation with library staff was underway and it was expected that the process would be achieved through natural vacancy management.  It might also involve moving staff to different libraries across the borough.

Car Park charges

·         It was stated that car parking charges were generally lower in Stockport than across neighbouring authorities.

·         It was requested that any previously free car park that were primarily used for residential parking should have an annual charge rather than a pay and display charging model.

·         Members also requested that consideration of match-day parking charges around the football ground in Edgely should be postponed. A survey of match-day parking was currently underway and the introduction of charges had the potential to impact the outcome. Members expressed further concern that match-day parking charges could displace parking onto residential roads. It was further commented that residents around the football ground found junctions blocked and cars blocked in on match days.

·         In response, it was stated that the proposal to charge on match-days around the Stockport County Football ground was an early stage proposal and the council was in talks with the football club. The expectation was that, following the introduction of charging at car parks around the football ground, the car parks would remain full and would allow the council to maximise income without displacing parking into residential roads.

·         It was reported that there were 52 free car parks across the borough and the proposal was to introduce charging where viable. Initially, charging was likely to be introduced at 15 car parks in district centres and at busy local or commuter locations. Consideration would be given to introducing residents’ permit parking.

·         In relation to a query about the effect of parking charges on local shops, it was considered that a benefit of charging for car parking could be an increase in the churn of car park users and, therefore shoppers.

·         Consideration would be given to allowing certain car park users, such as carers who used cars for work, to reclaim parking fees through tax allowance.

·         It was planned that the same machines used at other locations would be installed at those car parks where charging would be introduced, representing a one-off cost. Furthermore, Traffic Regulation Orders would be required.

·         In relation to civil enforcement officers, Members were invited to contact officers with any local parking issues which might require additional enforcement.

·         A consultation related to car park charging proposals was currently live on the council’s website. Residents were encouraged to engage with the consultation.

Taxis

·         Members commented that charges for taxi drivers had not increased for five years and an increase at this time was considered to be reasonable. However, concern was expressed about the almost 50 per cent increase for the knowledge test fee. Members queried whether this might increase the incidence of taxis licenced outside of the borough working in Stockport.

·         In response it was stated that the issue of out of borough licences was being considered at a Greater Manchester level.  The importance of Stockport Council operating a robust licencing scheme was emphasised and the charges for licenced drivers was reflective of the council’s costs.  It was also reported that the authority was in consultation with local traders in relation to the proposed changes and the overall approach was to keep Stockport residents safe.

·         It was reported that a Freedom of Information request had identified that one third of all taxi drivers within the Greater Manchester area were registered in Wolverhampton.  It was also noted that the Mayor of Greater Manchester had carried out some work on this issue and it was suggested that further political pressure was needed to address this matter in order to ensure that Stockport residents were able to use trustworthy taxis.

·         In response it was stated that efforts had been made to address this matter with Wolverhampton Council as a safeguarding issue.

Asylum seekers

·         It was reported that the Home Office was continuing to use hotels within Stockport to house refugees. The council had no control over this process.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.