The Communities & Transport Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 2 September 2026.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Preferred Supplier

The Director of Place Management submitted a report providing an update on the procurement exercise undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester to appoint a supplier to deliver the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund. The committee noted the report. Discussions covered the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, safeguards within the proposed 20-year contract, and how the arrangements would remain fit for purpose as technology evolves.

Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Annual Update

The Executive Director for Corporate and Support Services submitted a report updating the delivery of Stockport's Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Strategy. The committee noted the report and the achievements, risks, future priorities, and progress outlined within it. Discussions covered challenges faced by the sector, including increased demand and rising costs, efforts to strengthen investment, capacity building, and community power, the promotion of grant opportunities, support for younger volunteers, and the financial resilience of organisations. The report also detailed Sector 3's work in securing funding for community venues and organisational capacity, and the Pride in Place Early Adopter programme.

2026-28 Anti-Racist Organisation Framework and Action Plan

The Executive Director of Corporate Support Services submitted a report providing an overview of Stockport Council's Anti-Racist Organisation Framework and proposed action plan. The committee noted the background and rationale for the framework's development, endorsed the framework and action plan, and supported the continued implementation, monitoring, and governance arrangements. It was noted that progress would be reported through appropriate governance and scrutiny arrangements. Discussions covered how the framework would improve services for residents, the importance of cultural competence, and the evaluation of reporting tools. Progress on community cohesion programmes was also noted.

Strategic Investment Assets: Scheme of Delegation

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report considering the existing governance arrangements for a specified set of strategic investment assets held by the council and proposing updated delegations and authorisations to support more effective and agile decision-making. The committee noted the report. Concerns were raised regarding democratic oversight, reporting to scrutiny and Cabinet, and the absence of a financial ceiling for unlimited delegation. The importance of transparency and timely reporting to scrutiny was emphasised.

Scrutiny Review 2025/26 Cabinet Response - The Council Enforcement of Parking

The Director of Place Management submitted a report setting out the Cabinet's proposed response to the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Committee following its review of the Council's Enforcement of Parking. The committee noted the Cabinet response. Discussions included the challenges of recruiting and retaining civil enforcement officers and the need for public engagement on parking enforcement.

Scrutiny Work Programme

A representative of the Chief Governance Officer and Monitoring Officer submitted a report setting out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee's next meeting and Forward Plan items that fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee. The committee noted the report and recommended that the Chief Governance Officer and Monitoring Officer consider the requests for inclusion in the work programme. Members requested the inclusion of several new items in the work programme, including annual updates on the council's estate, car park charging performance, the impact of Stockroom and Central Library, and vacant buildings in parks. There was also a request for greater scrutiny of policing matters and a broader examination of community safety and neighbourhood confidence.