The Communities & Transport Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 02 September 2024 to discuss a range of important local issues. Key topics included an update on Stockport's Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector Strategy, progress on anti-poverty initiatives, and plans for improving transport infrastructure. The committee also reviewed the council's approach to gritting and grit bin provision, considered the Greater Manchester Rapid Transit Strategy, and discussed the A6 Corridor Improving Journeys project. Finally, the committee received the final report from a scrutiny review into Stockport's communal corridors and reviewed the committee's work programme.

Stockport's Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector Strategy Progress

The committee received an update on the progress of Stockport's VCFSE Sector Strategy for the period April 2023 to March 2024. The report highlighted achievements in VCFSE investment, capacity building, and fostering community power. Councillor Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection, was present to answer questions. Members noted the strategy's alignment with the Neighbourhoods and Prevention Programme and the importance of VCFSE partners in building community cohesion. The report detailed various funding streams, including the Community Investment through the One Stockport Local Fund, the GM Standing Together Grant, and Warm and Well Grants. It also outlined support for social enterprises through the Proper Good initiative and the ongoing work of Sector 3, the VCFSE infrastructure organisation. The committee was informed about efforts to grow and support volunteering, including the Stockport Rocks! Volunteer awards and the Stockport Volunteer Hub. The strategy's focus on digital inclusion through the DigiKnow partnership and support for migrant communities was also discussed. Future priorities for 2024-2025 include continued investment in Sector 3, developing digital inclusion initiatives, supporting migrant communities, and a strong focus on community cohesion in response to recent events. The committee resolved to note the report and provide feedback on future priorities.

Anti-Poverty Update

An update on anti-poverty activity was presented, framed by the Anti-Poverty Objectives 2024-2027. Councillor Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection, attended to respond to questions. Members welcomed the report, particularly the focus on support for those in work poverty and care leavers, and requested more detailed neighbourhood-specific data to identify pockets of deprivation. The report highlighted Stockport's polarised nature regarding poverty and the importance of understanding residents' circumstances. Progress was noted on day-to-day issues in schools and communities, with a welcome inclusion of housing quality and tenant support. The committee was informed about the use of various data sets to understand poverty across the borough and ongoing efforts to provide more detailed data. The School Uniform Project was highlighted as a welcome scheme, and discussions covered how the council could further facilitate it, including encouraging schools to adopt uniform swap-shops. The end of the school meal support scheme was noted, with ongoing work to ensure continued support for families. The report detailed the implementation of the socio-economic duty policy, aiming to embed it in service provision. The establishment of an anti-poverty network was discussed as a mechanism for holding the council accountable. The committee resolved to note the main report and Appendix 1 for submission to Cabinet.

City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements – A6 Corridor Improving Journeys

The committee considered the 'City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) – A6 Corridor Improving Journeys' project. Councillor Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, was present to answer questions. Representatives from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) explained that the scheme aims to improve bus reliability and support active travel, with plans for future cycle lane integration. A bus driver representative expressed support for the continuous bus lane. Concerns were raised about pedestrian crossing accessibility and the need for longer bus stop bays. TfGM confirmed regular consultations with bus drivers and union representatives. The report noted that the scheme's alignment with the council's net-zero target would be addressed in the next stage. Challenges in creating parallel cycle routes were acknowledged, and TfGM committed to working with Stockport Council to address concerns. Further consultation on signage and speed bumps was planned. The committee resolved to note the report and made recommendations for further consultations with bus drivers and unions, investigation into protected junctions, the production of a clear future ambition statement for the A6, and stronger alignment with the council's carbon neutrality aims by prioritising modal shift to active travel.

Gritting and the Provision of Grit Bins in Stockport

A report clarifying the council's position on grit bin placement, usage, and the process for considering requests for additional bins was presented. Councillor Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, attended to respond to questions. Members commented that the 250 grit bins across Stockport were not evenly distributed and that pavement gritting was absent in some areas, which was seen as incompatible with encouraging residents out of cars. The council's risk-based approach to pavement gritting, prioritising locations near stations and schools, was explained as being within funding and resource limitations. The possibility of exceptional basis for new grit bins in high-risk locations, such as steep hills, was noted. Members requested that steep residential areas with a high elderly population be included in the gritting programme. The report indicated that while individual requests for gritting roads could be considered, a wholesale change to the programme was not possible due to funding. Members were advised that ward highways budgets could be used to fund grit bins. The committee resolved to note the report.

Rapid Transit Strategy

The committee reviewed the Greater Manchester Rapid Transit Strategy, which outlines aspirations for increasing connectivity across Greater Manchester and building the Bee Network. Councillor Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, was present. Members suggested raising the issue of Metrolink service to Stockport at the next Bee Network Committee meeting, noting the long-standing public discussion on this matter. The report detailed the significant work underway to deliver an integrated transport network for Stockport and expressed confidence in securing funding for the Metrolink business case. The strategy's potential to add value to the Metrolink network was highlighted, given Stockport's distinguishing features. Concerns were raised about past promises regarding Metrolink to Stockport not being fulfilled. The committee resolved to welcome the strategic opportunity the strategy presents for the borough and noted that funding had been identified for developing the business case for Next Stop Stockport as one of three Metrolink schemes prioritised for early development.

Stockport's Communal Corridors: Securing the Safety, Cleanliness and Biodiversity

The committee considered the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel into Stockport's Communal Corridors. Councillor Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, attended to respond to questions. The report's recommendations focused on improving communications, including updates on gully cleansing at ward briefings. The suggestion of providing residents with information on greening local spaces was welcomed. Members requested that the council educate residents about the harm caused by putting concrete down gullies and provide further guidance on unadopted highways. A report on the three-year gully cleansing programme was expected in Autumn 2025, with work planned to continue beyond that. The committee resolved to approve and adopt the draft report and extended thanks to all participants in the scrutiny review.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee reviewed its planned agenda items and Forward Plan items. Members requested consideration of the apparent lack of communication between utility companies when digging up highways and suggested inviting representatives from major utility companies to a future meeting. The committee resolved to note the report.