The Council Meeting of Stockport Council was scheduled to discuss a range of important matters, including the allocation of places on committees, an annual report on councillor conduct, and the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24. Several motions were also scheduled for consideration, covering topics such as the borough's grit bin policy, support for the LGBTQ+ community, the 2024 Government Budget, community ownership of assets, powers to tackle private developer neglect, and the delivery of the Edgeley > Stockport MCF scheme.

Allocation of Places on Committees in Accordance with Proportionality Rules

A report was scheduled for consideration regarding the allocation of seats on committees and sub-committees to ensure political balance, in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This review was prompted by recent by-elections. The report detailed the revised political composition of the Council and the resulting seat entitlements for each political party on various committees, including the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee and the Licensing, Environment and Safety Committee.

Annual Report Regarding Councillor Conduct

The Council was to consider an annual report on complaints received about the conduct of members during the 2023/24 municipal year. The report outlined that four complaints were received, with two being rejected and two partially upheld. One complaint related to the conduct of members of the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee, which was rejected. Another complaint concerning a member's failure to declare an interest at an Area Committee meeting was upheld, leading to a reminder from the Monitoring Officer. A third complaint found a member showed a lack of respect, resulting in a recommendation for training and an apology, though the member refused to apologise. The fourth complaint, regarding a member's decision not to correspond with a complainant, was not upheld but the member was recommended to provide a response.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24

The Council was scheduled to review the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24. This report detailed the role and remit of the scrutiny function, highlighting its function as a 'critical friend' to the Cabinet and its role in improving policies and services through evidence-based reviews and recommendations. It outlined the five Scrutiny Committees: Adult Social Care & Health, Children and Families, Communities & Transport, Corporate, Resource Management & Governance, and Economy, Regeneration & Climate Change, as well as the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee. The report also provided data on scrutiny activity, including the number of meetings, items of business considered, and pages of reports reviewed. It also covered the use of urgency provisions and the work undertaken by various Scrutiny Review Panels.

Motions

Several motions were scheduled for discussion and potential resolution:

Review of Borough's Grit Bin Policy

This motion noted the existing Winter Services Policy and Operational Plan from 2018, and highlighted that members could use ward highways budgets to fund grit bins. It referenced Section 41(1a) of the Highways Act 1980, which places a duty on local authorities to ensure safe passage along highways during snow or ice. The motion expressed concern that the current policy restricted new grit bin locations to high altitude areas, potentially at the expense of more populated central areas. It also referenced the A Plan for Walking and Cycling in Stockport 2019-2029 policy. The Council was asked to resolve that the relevant Cabinet Member arrange for an immediate review of the winter policy around grit bins to allow for a common-sense approach to grit bin requests and for Ward Members to use their delegated Highways budget as they see fit. It was also proposed that this review take place before freezing temperatures, with all members to be updated by December 2024.

Supporting Stockport's LGBTQ+ Community

This motion recognised that there should be no conflict between improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people and others, and that LGBTQ+ individuals face rising discrimination and hate crime. It acknowledged the systemic oppression faced by LGBTQ+ people and their historical presence in Stockport. The motion called on the government to fully ban conversion therapy, add a gender-neutral option to official documentation, produce and fund a plan to eliminate the causes of discrimination and hate crime, and improve access to essential services for LGBTQ+ people. The Council was asked to resolve to provide quarterly updates on the Safer Stockport Partnership's progress, progress its membership of Stonewall's Diversity scheme, encourage schools and colleges to sign up to programmes improving LGBTQ+ students' experiences, encourage GPs to sign up to the Pride in Practice initiative, use gender-neutral language in council documents, offer help to Stockport's LGBTQ+ groups, and encourage councillors and employees to attend LGBTQ+ events.

Support for the 2024 Government Budget

This motion welcomed the 2024 Government Budget, acknowledging its benefits for Stockport residents. It highlighted specific points, including the increase in the National Living Wage, additional funding for the NHS, increased local road maintenance funding, further investment in social care, increased investment in children's services, plans to simplify local funding, a boost to the Affordable Homes Programme, and the extension of the Household Support Fund. The Council was asked to express its support for the budget and its contributions to improving residents' quality of life.

Supporting Community Ownership in Stockport

This motion noted the essential role of local assets in vibrant communities and acknowledged the challenges facing high streets and slow economic growth contributing to the decline of community assets. It welcomed the UK Government's plans to introduce a Community Right to Buy. The Council was asked to commit to actively supporting community groups interested in acquiring assets, connecting them with funding sources and support organisations, and working with Council officers to promote the use of Assets of Community Value (ACVs), simplify the designation process, and celebrate successful ACV stories.

The Council Calls for More Powers to Tackle the Neglect and Blight Caused by Private Developers

This motion argued for amendments to laws relating to compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) and blighted land to give councils greater powers to take over derelict land, make CPOs cheaper and simpler, shift the emphasis to owners demonstrating scheme progression, consider increased taxation on blighted land, and enable councils to convert affected land into community assets or for housing construction. The Council was asked to request the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to highlight the need for change and the council's lack of powers and resources.

Delivering the Remainder of the Edgeley > Stockport MCF Scheme Before the Armoury Roundabout Civil Engineering Works Commence

This motion noted the upcoming civil engineering works at the Armoury Roundabout, which would cause widespread disruption. It expressed disappointment that the Edgeley > Stockport MCF scheme, intended for public realm improvements, remained unfunded despite a pledge that it would be in place before the bridge closure. The motion highlighted that the current diversionary route between Edgeley and Thomson Street Bridge was not fit for purpose. The Council was asked to resolve to write to the GMCA, Transport for Greater Manchester, the GM Transport Commissioner, the Chair of the Bee Network Committee, and the GM Mayor's Office to request allocation of CRSTS ATF monies for the scheme. Alternatively, it recommended that the Cabinet agree to draw capital funding internally to deliver the scheme before the Armoury Roundabout replacement.