Agenda item

To consider a joint report of the Director for Place Management and Director of Development & Regeneration.

The report presents the Year-End Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Climate Change & Environment and Economy, Regeneration & Housing Portfolios. The Year-End Reports focuses on delivery of the portfolio priorities from October 2023 to March 2024. It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to:

1)    consider the Year-End Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

2)    review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2023/24;

3)    highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

4)    highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet; and

5)    identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Alan Lawson 0161 474 5397 | alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management and Director of Development & Regeneration submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the Year-End Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Climate Change & Environment and Economy, Regeneration & Housing Portfolios.

The Year-End PPRRs focused on delivery of the portfolio priorities from October 2023 to March 2024 and included forecast performance and financial data (where this was available) for the portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

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

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

·         The Cabinet Member was proud of the work that had been achieved but recognised that there was more work to be done.

·         It was noted that resilience had been improved within the Waste Team. Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) had been recognised by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as the local authority with the best recycling rates in the North West owing to the efforts of residents and council staff.

·         Priority 1: Mainstreaming CAN

a)    It was recognised that, although green house gas accountancy was improving, gathering data on a reduction in emissions proved difficult and trends were not easy to determine. Data from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research confirmed the need for work to progress quicker to reduce emissions. Emissions data was anticipated to present an upwards trajectory owing to a readjustment period post covid-19 pandemic.

b)    The council continued to engage with residents to support the reduction in borough-wide emissions e.g., promoting ECO Flex and ECO Flex 4 schemes which enabled homeowners to retrofit their homes. An issue remained with the private-rented sector, which required intervention from government. Members were encouraged to advise residents about the Your Home Better service that could help residents improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

·         Priority 3: Council CAN engagement activity

a)    CCE 3.2: Number of people undertaking Carbon Literacy training for businesses - the target was a stretch target. Members were advised that Carbon Literacy was a developing field and the council worked closely with the green business forum to encourage businesses to undergo carbon literacy accreditation. It was reported that Stockport company Robinsons Brewery had been carbon literate accredited.

b)    CCE 3.3(a): Number of schools/colleges taking part in the Schools Climate Assembly – it was noted that there were challenges for schools in facilitating extra-curricular work; the team would take up members’ offer to promote the Schools Climate Assembly within their wards. The target was a stretch target and work was largely beyond the council’s control. However, it was important that the council continued to apply pressure to schools and recognised that a minimal approach with certain elements of the work delivered could be more appropriate for some schools. It was reported that the Schools Climate Assembly idea was being mimicked across other local authorities in the United Kingdom.

c)    It was reported that there was a requirement on schools to appoint a Climate Action Lead by 2025.

d)    The young people with the winning ideas from the Schools Climate Assembly 2024 were expected to attend the Council Meeting in July to present their ideas as to how to tackle climate change.

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

·         It was reported that the Stockport MDC Team had been awarded ‘Small Team of the Year’ in the national Local Government Chronicle awards. The Scrutiny Committee asked that congratulations be passed on to the team.

·         Despite the exciting work that had recently taken place in the borough e.g., the opening on the interchange and new park, significant challenges remained. Thanks were expressed to staff for their work in supporting the unprecedented number of families presenting as homeless.

·         Priority 1: Delivering ambitious housing projects

a)    ERH 1.2: Additional Homes Provided – it was suggested that this measure be reviewed to consider a rolling figure over a number of years.

b)    It was asked that the portfolio dashboard be circulated to members for their information.

·         Priority 2: Managing and maintaining housing stock and tackling homelessness

It was noted that the council were taking a number of actions to tackle homelessness which included but was not limited to, purchasing accommodation and supporting prevention and early intervention. Alternative solutions to the use of temporary accommodation were continuously sought by the team.

·         Priority 4: Supporting the business base in Stockport

It was suggested that the data provided for vacant properties be split into two sets of figures - office and retail respectively. The team would enquire with the local data company about the data presentation.  

·         Priority 5: Improving access to work for all and working to ensure our workforce have the skills that employers need

ERH 5.5: Total number of Stockport employers signed up to the GM Good Employment Charter - the council continued to strongly encourage businesses to join the charter as a key element of the council’s economic plan. It was advised that companies operating the real living wage experienced staff retention and less staff sickness, and that advocacy from business encouraged others to sign up. Members offered to help spread the word locally.

RESOLVED – That the reports be noted.