The Housing, Economy and Environment Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 27 November 2025 to discuss a range of important issues affecting the borough. Key decisions included noting the progress on the draft Stockport Local Plan update, reviewing performance reports from Stockport Homes, and considering the council's response to the medium-term financial plan. The committee also discussed the 2025/26 mid-year portfolio performance reports for the Economy, Regeneration & Skills and Housing & Environment portfolios, as well as the draft Stockport Council Specialist & Supported Housing Strategy 2026-2040.

Draft Stockport Local Plan Update

Councillor Jake Austin, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, provided a verbal update on the draft Stockport Local Plan. He acknowledged the committee's previous request for written updates and assured them that future substantial updates would be provided in writing. The consultation process for the local plan had received over 1,000 responses so far, with in-person events continuing. The council is focusing further consultation efforts on geographical areas with lower response rates to ensure broad engagement. Councillor Austin stressed that significant work remains, including reaching Regulation 19 and undergoing public examination, with scrutiny and all members to be kept informed.

Councillor Shan Alexander raised concerns about two requests from a previous extraordinary scrutiny committee meeting that she believed had not been actioned. These included circulating FAQs with density assumptions for each site, recirculating training materials on housing policy, and circulating a list of community groups engaged with the local plan. Councillor Austin assured that these would be addressed as soon as possible. Steve Johnson, from the council's planning department, clarified that density assumptions were site-specific and that Emma Curl had previously responded to Councillor Alexander on this matter. Lawrence Ratcliffe would be providing the list of community groups. Training materials were intended to be on the SharePoint site.

Councillor Liz Crix inquired if another session could be arranged for community groups that may have missed out on engagement. Steve Johnson confirmed that they would explore arranging another session or speaking to those groups individually.

Customer Feedback, Experience and Voice (Stockport Homes)

Councillor Jake Austin presented a report on customer feedback, experience, and voice from Stockport Homes Group (SHG). He highlighted positive developments, including a 24% year-on-year reduction in formal complaints, an increase in repair satisfaction from 73% to 81%, and strong compliance with Housing Ombudsman timescales. The Customer Voice and Influence Strategy has seen 15 out of 20 actions completed, with the remainder ongoing. Challenges remain, including meeting repairs and maintenance targets and a 39% increase in MP and councillor inquiries, which Councillor Austin attributed to general housing pressures.

Carmel Chambers, Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services for Stockport Homes Group, and Chris Hartley, Assistant Director of Customer Excellence, provided further detail. They acknowledged the increase in MP and councillor inquiries and expressed a desire to collaboratively identify patterns and reduce them. Mark Lynn, Director of Place Management, noted the emphasis on engaging with those from whom SHG doesn't usually hear, feeding into deep dives in six identified locations.

Councillor Shan Alexander expressed concern about the length of the agenda and the two lengthy papers from Stockport Homes, suggesting that housing deserved a separate scrutiny committee. She also voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the Cabinet Housing Subcommittee, noting its last meeting lasted less than seven minutes. Councillor Austin acknowledged these points, stating that the committee was still in the early stages of its governance process and that more items would be coming to scrutiny and the subcommittee in the future.

The committee discussed the increase in inquiries from MPs and councillors. Councillor Austin interpreted this as a positive sign of collaboration, but also a prompt to ensure customers felt they could approach Stockport Homes directly. Carmel Chambers explained that the increase in inquiries reflected national housing pressures and the active role of councillors and MPs. She also noted that inquiries were not always complaints and that Stockport Homes aimed for customers to feel confident approaching them directly.

Councillor Asa Caton expressed frustration that while formal complaints were down, MP and councillor complaints were up, suggesting tenants felt they had to go through elected officials to be heard. Councillor Austin acknowledged this point and offered further context, explaining that some inquiries were first points of contact for residents and that the number of MP/councillor complaints was relatively small compared to the overall volume. Carmel Chambers added that inquiries were not necessarily complaints and that zero complaints was the aspiration.

Councillor Rachel Wise praised the partnership working and the Finding Our Silences initiative. She questioned the data on maintenance closures, asking if the reduction was due to fewer complaints or longer processing times. Chris Hartley clarified that there were fewer complaints around repairs. Councillor Wise also inquired about the increase in complaints from global majority customers, asking if it was linked to a specific incident or better engagement. Carmel Chambers stated that while quarter two data showed a shift, full-year data was needed for trends.

Councillor Shan Alexander sought clarification on the close complaints outcome percentage and the MP/councillor inquiries, questioning if inquiries were being miscategorised as complaints. Chris Hartley explained that inquiries were logged separately from formal complaints. Councillor Alexander also questioned why residents were coming to councillors if Stockport Homes had a good system for answering queries. Carmel Chambers confirmed that Stockport Homes' website and feedback team were accessible. Councillor Alexander also raised concerns about the disproportionate number of complaints from ethnically diverse backgrounds compared to the tenant base. Carmel Chambers stated that while quarter two showed a difference, the full year data was representative.

Councillor Rachel Wise commended the work on green inspectors and the recognition of communal spaces. She also inquired about the data on maintenance closures and the increase in complaints from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Councillor Huma Khan asked for clarification on the specific groups represented within the ethnically diverse bracket in the pie charts. Carmel Chambers stated she would clarify and come back with a response.

The committee noted the contents of appendices one and two of the reports and provided comment on the draft Customer Experience Strategy.

Stockport Homes Corporate Performance Report

Councillor Jake Austin presented the Stockport Homes Corporate Performance Report. He reiterated the yes, but approach to Stockport Homes' performance, acknowledging good work while emphasizing the need for continuous improvement. The report was presented during a recruitment drive for a new Chief Executive at Stockport Homes. Positives highlighted included improving emergency repair performance (99.35% in September), an average relet time of 14.7 days (nationally competitive), consistently outperforming tenant satisfaction measures, and strong building safety compliance. Challenges identified included repairs performance (85% against a 91% target) and 12 outstanding properties not meeting the decent homes standard.

Mark Lynn, Director of Place Management, drew attention to section 6.3 of the report, which provided third-party assurance on performance data, offering an independent verification of the figures presented.

Councillor Shan Alexander questioned the Decent Home Standard figures on pages 80 and 85, asking for an update on thermal comfort and low-level insulation work. She also inquired about the reasons for the increase in July/August for homes not meeting the decent home standard, despite improvements in repairs. The team explained this was due to updated information from RAPLIS surveys. Councillor Alexander also asked about the increase in men accessing housing support and lettings compared to the base, and the higher applicant profile for disability compared to the tenant profile. The team committed to providing more detailed responses on these points.

Councillor Asa Caton inquired about paragraph 214 on page 79, concerning incidents in ASB cases involving hate crime, and whether there had been an increase in racial incidents. The team confirmed that cases were predominantly racial in nature and linked to current events, and offered to provide specifics on the proportion of increase.

Councillor Rachel Wise questioned the data on Stage 1 complaints not being responded to within timescales, asking if it was a staffing issue or related to the nature of complaints. The team explained it was due to resource issues, with half the team being vacant at one point, but that it was back to full resource this month. Councillor Wise also noted the shift from green to red for rent arrears, attributing it to Universal Credit migration. The team confirmed this was explained by the changes around Universal Credit and that arrears were still on track for year-end targets.

Councillor Liz Crix asked about the increase in July/August for homes not meeting the decent home standard, questioning if it was odd given improvements in repairs. The team explained this was due to updated information from RAPLIS surveys.

Councillor Claire Vibert, Chair of the committee, noted the positive work on green inspectors.

Responding to Our Medium-Term Financial Plan

Councillor Jake Austin presented the report on responding to the medium-term financial plan (MTFP). He acknowledged the council's reliance on central government funding and stated that the MTFP position involved modest savings focused on digital automation and productivity, with minimal anticipated impact on services. Councillor Michaela Meikle added that it was important to maintain a critical eye on efficiency and adding value. The committee acknowledged the situation outlined.

2025/26 Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports: Economy, Regeneration & Skills and Housing & Environment

Councillor Michaela Meikle, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills, presented her portfolio's mid-year report. She highlighted strong results across the three priorities: driving investment and regeneration, supporting the business base, and improving access to work and skills. She specifically mentioned the Launch and Street Regeneration Framework, Town Centre East, and the expansion of the Mayoral Development Corporation boundary as groundbreaking. Councillor Meikle also expressed pride in the delivery of affordable housing and the collaboration with businesses.

Paul Richards, Deputy Chief Executive, provided context on the Membership of the Good Employment Charter, noting Stockport's second-highest sign-up rate in Greater Manchester. He acknowledged that the Real Living Wage requirement remained a hurdle for businesses.

Councillor Rachel Wise questioned programme amendments on page 176, specifically reductions in Mayoral Development Corporation schemes and associated savings, asking for clarification on what was being reduced and why. Councillor Meikle explained that the schemes themselves were not reduced, but rather the source of funding was changing, with significant funding secured from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for projects like Stockport 8 and Fletcher Street.

Councillor Will Dawson asked about the compulsory purchase order for 72-74 Wellington Road South, inquiring about a fallback position if it didn't go through. Councillor Meikle stated that negotiations were ongoing to avoid a CPO and offered to discuss tactics offline. Councillor Dawson also raised concerns about the mention of affordable homes in some housing developments but not others, questioning if this meant no affordable homes were included. Councillor Meikle clarified that affordable homes were driven by scheme viability, but that across the capital programme, around 25% affordable homes were being delivered, with some schemes being 100% affordable. She also noted that the Local Plan's allocation of sites on grey belt land would enable significant affordable housing delivery.

Councillor Shan Alexander sought clarification on portfolio savings marked as 'amber' on page 175, noting the position was unclear. Councillor Meikle explained this was a moving target due to vacancy management, not redundancies, and that they were managing the situation with an expectation of meeting the number. Councillor Alexander also asked about the demolition of A6 properties on page 179, linking it to the CPO question. Councillor Meikle explained this was phased due to ownership issues and would form phases six and seven of the Stockport Exchange development.

Councillor Asa Caton raised concerns about the sticking plaster nature of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for district centres, arguing that while events were positive, underlying issues remained. He cautioned against overstating progress in communications. Councillor Meikle acknowledged the point, stating that from a footfall and engagement perspective, good work was being done, but recognised there were still things to do, particularly regarding ownership of properties. She also mentioned the Edgley Christmas light switch-on.

The Chair, Councillor Claire Vibert, asked about measures on pages 165-166 that had gone down significantly, and the youth unemployment figure. Councillor Meikle explained the half-year figures were being compared against previous year-end figures. Regarding youth unemployment, she acknowledged the rise and stated that work was ongoing to tailor approaches, and that context from GM and national trends would be helpful.

Councillor Jake Austin presented his portfolio report on Housing and Environment. He highlighted the release of the Climate and Nature Strategy and the Climate and Nature Summit. He acknowledged the significant challenge of homelessness and temporary accommodation, noting that while figures were stark, work was ongoing with the homelessness prevention team, who had prevented homelessness in approximately 60% of cases. He expressed optimism about cross-party engagement on these issues. Councillor Austin also preempted questions about bin collections, stating that collection failure rates had increased due to route changes and new staff but were now decreasing. He assured the committee that the waste team had resilience to respond to miscollections.

Councillor Suzanne Wyatt inquired about the selection process for renewable energy and decarbonisation projects on council estates. Councillor Austin explained that selection was often based on viability and the ability to secure grant funding, with schemes ready to go as soon as funding became available. Paul Richards added that they had benefited from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and awaited the next round.

Councillor Will Dawson asked about bringing empty homes back into use and stalled housing developments. Councillor Austin stated that they worked with developers to bring schemes forward, and that most stalled schemes were due to viability issues, with work ongoing with Homes England and the Combined Authority to find solutions. Councillor Dawson also questioned the forecast for homelessness engagement and the Stockport Green Network. Councillor Austin expressed confidence in reaching the forecast for the Green Network and acknowledged the need for more detail on street cleaning grading.

Councillor Caleb Harris asked about the bin collection failure rate doubling, and how confident the council was in returning to a tolerable rate. Councillor Austin reassured him that while the number had doubled, it represented a small percentage of overall collections and was expected to improve as staff became more familiar with routes. He also noted that garden waste was now a chargeable service, leading to increased scrutiny. Councillor Harris also raised questions about the Disabled Facilities Grant, the discrepancy with Royal British Legion data, and the capital budget dropping significantly after this year. Councillor Austin committed to investigating the Disabled Facilities Grant discrepancy and stated that the capital budget drop was due to funding not yet being secured for subsequent years. He also clarified that the Housing Revenue Account figure was not earmarked for Lancashire Hill.

Councillor Rachel Wise asked about the capital programme drop, and if it was due to the Mayoral Development Corporation or grant funding. Paul Richards explained that the capital programme included schemes where funding for future years was not yet secured. He also noted that the Supporting Affordable Housing Programme from Homes England would provide more certainty in future years. Councillor Wise also highlighted the pilot to identify households at risk of homelessness and urged the council to make the most of funding for bringing empty homes back into use. Councillor Austin confirmed the pilot was broad and that results would take time to assess.

Biodiversity Net Gain

Councillor Jake Austin presented a report on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), explaining the need for developers to contribute to biodiversity enhancement. He highlighted the council's draft policy requiring a 20% BNG contribution, exceeding the standard 10%. The council's plan is to partner with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), which is establishing a Responsible Body (RB) for BNG across Greater Manchester. This approach is seen as lowering risk and operational costs, with the potential to generate income through selling BNG units on council land. Challenges include the untested market for BNG units and the careful selection of sites.

Councillor Shan Alexander found the report technically detailed but difficult to read due to the extensive use of acronyms, requesting an index. She also asked if the three proposed sites for habitat banks were fixed or movable. Councillor Austin agreed to provide an abbreviation index and explained that site selection was complex, considering factors like area committees, local nature recovery strategies, land ownership, and ecological condition. He confirmed the three sites were favoured but subject to legal and financial decisions. Councillor Austin added that BNG was new and the council would learn and adapt, potentially expanding to more sites in the future.

Councillor Will Dawson asked if sites needed to be a particular size to be worthwhile. The team explained that while scale was important for efficiency, the ecological diversity and condition of the land were key factors in unlocking units. They also noted that a critical mass of land was beneficial for maintenance over the 30-year period. Councillor Dawson suggested schools as potential sites, which was acknowledged as an excellent idea for future consideration.

Councillor Rachel Wise inquired about the council's capacity to assess land suitability for BNG units and whether new staff would be needed. Councillor Austin confirmed the council had a strong ecology team but acknowledged that planning officers' time would be required, and that fees paid to the RB would cover legal aspects and auditing.

One Stockport Construction Hub

Councillor Michaela Meikle introduced the report on the One Stockport Construction Hub, describing it as an amazing piece of work aimed at harnessing opportunities from the Mayoral Development Corporation's investment and job creation. Frances Jones, from the council, elaborated on the Hub's development, emphasizing the partnership approach with contractors, voluntary sector skills providers, and the college. She highlighted the enthusiasm from residents for construction careers but acknowledged the struggle to find clear routes into the industry. The Hub aims to provide a one-stop entry point for residents and contractors. Next steps include establishing a fully resourced brokerage system, expanding the traineeship program, and working with contractors to bring them into the teaching workforce at the college. The Hub's launch was scheduled for January 28th, and committee members were invited to attend.

Councillor Will Dawson praised the green credentials of the Hub, particularly its focus on sustainable building methods. Councillor Asa Caton inquired about the number of contractors expected and the selection criteria. Frances Jones explained the ambition was for every active local contractor to engage, with publicly funded contractors being key partners. She noted interest from private scheme contractors and the potential to scale up from tens to hundreds of contractors.

Councillor Rachel Wise asked about the council's powers to require contractor involvement and the balance between mandating participation and offering a quality service. Frances Jones explained that the Hub's approach was tested over a year to allow for strident mandating through social value clauses in construction contracts and planning requirements for non-public schemes. She highlighted that contractors found the one-stop-shop approach beneficial.

Draft Stockport Council Specialist & Supported Housing Strategy 2026-2040

Councillor Jake Austin presented the draft Specialist and Supported Housing Strategy. He emphasized the importance of understanding current and future needs, demographics, and aligning the plan with the One Stockport Borough Plan. He highlighted the collaborative development of the strategy with residents, those with lived experience, housing providers, and other organizations. Challenges foreseen include dependence on external funding and balancing specialist housing needs with wider housing pressures.

Councillor Rachel Wise raised a terminology point, suggesting autistic people instead of autistic adults and people with autism. She also inquired about the council's confidence in reassuring developers about shared housing contributions and how this would be reflected in their contributions. Councillor Austin agreed to pass on the phrasing suggestion and confirmed that planning officers were involved in the strategy's development, feeding into the local plan and future development needs. Paul Richards added that the strategy could be used as a material consideration in developer conversations. Councillor Wise also noted the concerning statistic that only 21% of beds for children in residential placements started in Stockport, despite the presence of children's homes.

Update on the Delivery of the One Stockport Economic Plan

Councillor Michaela Meikle introduced the updated One Stockport Economic Plan, highlighting its reflection of changes in economic conditions and the adoption of the socioeconomic duty. She emphasized the plan's mission to create a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking Stockport with a growing local economy that supports resilient businesses, better-paid jobs, and accessible opportunities for all residents.

Richard Mortimer provided further details, emphasizing the development of stronger partnerships with businesses and the plan's fair and inclusive elements, including engagement with the Good Employment Charter. He noted the cultural shift and understanding around key businesses and partners. The plan is a two-year delivery cycle, reflecting the changing economic climate.

Councillor Will Dawson asked for more information on working with training providers to support smaller employers, specifically about barriers faced and approaches being taken. Richard Mortimer explained that smaller employers often struggle with releasing staff for training due to time constraints. He also mentioned that while training costs for apprenticeships are covered, wage costs remain a barrier. He highlighted the council's wider powers to influence course content and curriculum design to better match business needs.

Update on Economy, Work and Skills Activity in Stockport

Councillor Michaela Meikle presented the update on Economy, Work and Skills (EWS) activity, emphasizing its importance in supporting residents and businesses. She highlighted the alignment of the EWS team with the One Stockport vision and its role in the delivery plan. Richard Mortimer provided further details, noting the improvement in business survival rates and the strong relationships with organizations like the Business Growth Hub and the college. He also flagged the growth in partnership working with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector and the success of the Work and Skills Navigators program, citing a powerful testimony from an individual who found employment after receiving support.

Councillor Will Dawson suggested incorporating more human-interest stories into the reports to illustrate the impact of the work.

District and Local Centres – Best Practice and Building Upon It Scrutiny Review – Cabinet Response

Councillor Michaela Meikle presented the Cabinet's response to the scrutiny review on District and Local Centres. She reported that many recommendations had been embraced, with significant progress on developing web resources for businesses, which were in prototype stage. She noted that a communications plan for rolling out these resources was still needed. The playbook for councillors had been included in inductions. Councillor Meikle acknowledged that there was no one-size-fits-all solution and that more work was needed on the structure and format of local vision meetings.

Councillor Rachel Wise reported on Recommendation 6 in Reddish, detailing a walkabout with the district centre manager to identify vacant units and engage with landlords. She expressed interest in seeing how many new businesses could be attracted, potentially through lower rates.

Councillor Asa Caton echoed the appreciation for the report and the tools provided to district centre managers. He emphasized the need to understand why properties remained empty and how to counter this, citing Edgley as an example where traders struggled to access vacant properties. He also mentioned the loss of banking businesses in Castle Street and the potential for a banking hub in a vacant bank property. Councillor Meikle agreed that energizing shuttered properties was important and that listening to councillors' suggestions was valuable, even if not all issues could be forced. She acknowledged the potential of a banking hub and the need for active engagement.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee considered the Scrutiny Work Programme, which outlines planned agenda items for future meetings and forward plan items within the committee's remit. No specific items were raised for discussion.

Cheadle Eco Park & Adswood Depot: Update Report

Paul Richards, Deputy Chief Executive, presented the update report on the Cheadle Eco Park and Adswood Depot. He explained that the Cheadle Eco Park aimed to create a sustainable light industrial workspace on Birdell Lane, with high environmental performance standards (BREEAM outstanding). He confirmed that demolition on the former depot site had begun and construction was planned to start in early the new year. The report also referenced the temporary move of Totally Local Company to a site in the Mayoral Development Corporation and their permanent move to Adswood Depot.

Councillor Shan Alexander requested an abbreviation index for the technical report and asked about the selection of the three proposed sites for habitat banks. Paul Richards agreed to provide an index and explained the site selection process was complex, involving various factors. He confirmed the three sites were favoured but subject to legal and financial decisions. He also noted that the market for BNG units was still developing.

Councillor Rachel Wise inquired about the council's capacity to assess land suitability for BNG and whether new staff would be needed. Councillor Austin confirmed the council had a strong ecology team but acknowledged that planning officers' time would be required, and that fees paid to the GMCA Responsible Body would cover legal and auditing costs.

Councillor Rachel Wise also expressed interest in the scheme and asked about the table at the end detailing the cost of various habitat types, clarifying if it was specific to Stockport. The team explained the table was from a national report and that there were currently no units for sale in Stockport. They would be carrying out their own financial assessments. Councillor Wise also asked if the land was council-owned and if fringe groups were being consulted. The team confirmed the report was about council land and that community group involvement was still to be determined.

The committee commented on and noted the report.

One Stockport Construction Hub

Councillor Michaela Meikle introduced the report on the One Stockport Construction Hub, describing it as an amazing piece of work aimed at harnessing opportunities from the Mayoral Development Corporation's investment and job creation. Frances Jones elaborated on the Hub's development, highlighting the partnership approach with contractors, voluntary sector skills providers, and the college. She noted the enthusiasm from residents for construction careers but acknowledged the struggle to find clear routes into the industry. The Hub aims to provide a one-stop entry point for residents and contractors. Next steps include establishing a fully resourced brokerage system, expanding the traineeship program, and working with contractors to bring them into the teaching workforce at the college. The Hub's launch was scheduled for January 28th, and committee members were invited to attend.

Councillor Will Dawson praised the green credentials of the Hub, particularly its focus on sustainable building methods. Councillor Asa Caton inquired about the number of contractors expected and the selection criteria. Frances Jones explained the ambition was for every active local contractor to engage, with publicly funded contractors being key partners. She noted interest from private scheme contractors and the potential to scale up from tens to hundreds of contractors.

Councillor Rachel Wise asked about the council's powers to require contractor involvement and the balance between mandating participation and offering a quality service. Frances Jones explained that the Hub's approach was tested over a year to allow for strident mandating through social value clauses in construction contracts and planning requirements for non-public schemes. She highlighted that contractors found the one-stop-shop approach beneficial.

Draft Stockport Council Specialist & Supported Housing Strategy 2026-2040

Councillor Jake Austin presented the draft Specialist and Supported Housing Strategy. He emphasized the importance of understanding current and future needs, demographics, and aligning the plan with the One Stockport Borough Plan. He highlighted the collaborative development of the strategy with residents, those with lived experience, housing providers, and other organizations. Challenges foreseen include dependence on external funding and balancing specialist housing needs with wider housing pressures.

Councillor Rachel Wise raised a terminology point, suggesting autistic people instead of autistic adults and people with autism. She also inquired about the council's confidence in reassuring developers about shared housing contributions and how this would be reflected in their contributions. Councillor Austin agreed to pass on the phrasing suggestion and confirmed that planning officers were involved in the strategy's development, feeding into the local plan and future development needs. Paul Richards added that the strategy could be used as a material consideration in developer conversations. Councillor Wise also noted the concerning statistic that only 21% of beds for children in residential placements started in Stockport, despite the presence of children's homes.

Update on the Delivery of the One Stockport Economic Plan

Councillor Michaela Meikle introduced the updated One Stockport Economic Plan, highlighting its reflection of changes in economic conditions and the adoption of the socioeconomic duty. She emphasized the plan's mission to create a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking Stockport with a growing local economy that supports resilient businesses, better-paid jobs, and accessible opportunities for all residents.

Richard Mortimer provided further details, emphasizing the development of stronger partnerships with businesses and the plan's fair and inclusive elements, including engagement with the Good Employment Charter. He noted the cultural shift and understanding around key businesses and partners. The plan is a two-year delivery cycle, reflecting the changing economic climate.

Councillor Will Dawson asked for more information on working with training providers to support smaller employers, specifically about barriers faced and approaches being taken. Richard Mortimer explained that smaller employers often struggle with releasing staff for training due to time constraints. He also mentioned that while training costs for apprenticeships are covered, wage costs remain a barrier. He highlighted the council's wider powers to influence course content and curriculum design to better match business needs.

Update on Economy, Work and Skills Activity in Stockport

Councillor Michaela Meikle presented the update on Economy, Work and Skills (EWS) activity, emphasizing its importance in supporting residents and businesses. She highlighted the alignment of the EWS team with the One Stockport vision and its role in the delivery plan. Richard Mortimer provided further details, noting the improvement in business survival rates and the strong relationships with organizations like the Business Growth Hub and the college. He also flagged the growth in partnership working with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector and the success of the Work and Skills Navigators program, citing a powerful testimony from an individual who found employment after receiving support.

Councillor Will Dawson suggested incorporating more human-interest stories into the reports to illustrate the impact of the work.

District and Local Centres – Best Practice and Building Upon It Scrutiny Review – Cabinet Response

Councillor Michaela Meikle presented the Cabinet's response to the scrutiny review on District and Local Centres. She reported that many recommendations had been embraced, with significant progress on developing web resources for businesses, which were in prototype stage. She noted that a communications plan for rolling out these resources was still needed. The playbook for councillors had been included in inductions. Councillor Meikle acknowledged that there was no one-size-fits-all solution and that more work was needed on the structure and format of local vision meetings.

Councillor Rachel Wise reported on Recommendation 6 in Reddish, detailing a walkabout with the district centre manager to identify vacant units and engage with landlords. She expressed interest in seeing how many new businesses could be attracted, potentially through lower rates.

Councillor Asa Caton echoed the appreciation for the report and the tools provided to district centre managers. He emphasized the need to understand why properties remained empty and how to counter this, citing Edgley as an example where traders struggled to access vacant properties. He also mentioned the loss of banking businesses in Castle Street and the potential for a banking hub in a vacant bank property. Councillor Meikle agreed that energizing shuttered properties was important and that listening to councillors' suggestions was valuable, even if not all issues could be forced. She acknowledged the potential of a banking hub and the need for active engagement.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee considered the Scrutiny Work Programme, which outlines planned agenda items for future meetings and forward plan items within the committee's remit. No specific items were raised for discussion.

Cheadle Eco Park & Adswood Depot: Update Report

Paul Richards, Deputy Chief Executive, presented the update report on the Cheadle Eco Park and Adswood Depot. He explained that the Cheadle Eco Park aimed to create a sustainable light industrial workspace on Birdell Lane, with high environmental performance standards (BREEAM outstanding). He confirmed that demolition on the former depot site had begun and construction was planned to start in early the new year. The report also referenced the temporary move of Totally Local Company to a site in the Mayoral Development Corporation and their permanent move to Adswood Depot.

Councillor Shan Alexander requested an abbreviation index for the technical report and asked about the selection of the three proposed sites for habitat banks. Paul Richards agreed to provide an index and explained the site selection process was complex, involving various factors. He confirmed the three sites were favoured but subject to legal and financial decisions. He also noted that the market for BNG units was still developing.

Councillor Rachel Wise inquired about the council's capacity to assess land suitability for BNG and whether new staff would be needed. Councillor Austin confirmed the council had a strong ecology team but acknowledged that planning officers' time would be required, and that fees paid to the GMCA Responsible Body would cover legal and auditing costs.

Councillor Rachel Wise also expressed interest in the scheme and asked about the table at the end detailing the cost of various habitat types, clarifying if it was specific to Stockport. The team explained the table was from a national report and that there were currently no units for sale in Stockport. They would be carrying out their own financial assessments. Councillor Wise also asked if the land was council-owned and if fringe groups were being consulted. The team confirmed the report was about council land and that community group involvement was still to be determined.

The committee commented on and noted the report.

One Stockport Construction Hub

Councillor Michaela Meikle introduced the report on the One Stockport Construction Hub, describing it as an amazing piece of work aimed at harnessing opportunities from the Mayoral Development Corporation's investment and job creation. Frances Jones elaborated on the Hub's development, highlighting the partnership approach with contractors, voluntary sector skills providers, and the college. She noted the enthusiasm from residents for construction careers but acknowledged the struggle to find clear routes into the industry. The Hub aims to provide a one-stop entry point for residents and contractors. Next steps include establishing a fully resourced brokerage system, expanding the traineeship program, and working with contractors to bring them into the teaching workforce at the college. The Hub's launch was scheduled for January 28th, and committee members were invited to attend.

Councillor Will Dawson praised the green credentials of the Hub, particularly its focus on sustainable building methods. Councillor Asa Caton inquired about the number of contractors expected and the selection criteria. Frances Jones explained the ambition was for every active local contractor to engage, with publicly funded contractors being key partners. She noted interest from private scheme contractors and the potential to scale up from tens to hundreds of contractors.

Councillor Rachel Wise asked about the council's powers to require contractor involvement and the balance between mandating participation and offering a quality service. Frances Jones explained that the Hub's approach was tested over a year to allow for strident mandating through social value clauses in construction contracts and planning requirements for non-public schemes. She highlighted that contractors found the one-stop-shop approach beneficial.

Draft Stockport Council Specialist & Supported Housing Strategy 2026-2040

Councillor Jake Austin presented the draft Specialist and Supported Housing Strategy. He emphasized the importance of understanding current and future needs, demographics, and aligning the plan with the One Stockport Borough Plan. He highlighted the collaborative development of the strategy with residents, those with lived experience, housing providers, and other organizations. Challenges foreseen include dependence on external funding and balancing specialist housing needs with wider housing pressures.

Councillor Rachel Wise raised a terminology point, suggesting autistic people instead of autistic adults and people with autism. She also inquired about the council's confidence in reassuring developers about shared housing contributions and how this would be reflected in their contributions. Councillor Austin agreed to pass on the phrasing suggestion and confirmed that planning officers were involved in the strategy's development, feeding into the local plan and future development needs. Paul Richards added that the strategy could be used as a material consideration in developer conversations. Councillor Wise also noted the concerning statistic that only 21% of beds for children in residential placements started in Stockport, despite the presence of children's homes.

Update on the Delivery of the One Stockport Economic Plan

Councillor Michaela Meikle introduced the updated One Stockport Economic Plan, highlighting its reflection of changes in economic conditions and the adoption of the socioeconomic duty. She emphasized the plan's mission to create a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking Stockport with a growing local economy that supports resilient businesses, better-paid jobs, and accessible opportunities for all residents.

Richard Mortimer provided further details, emphasizing the development of stronger partnerships with businesses and the plan's fair and inclusive elements, including engagement with the Good Employment Charter. He noted the cultural shift and understanding around key businesses and partners. The plan is a two-year delivery cycle, reflecting the changing economic climate.

Councillor Will Dawson asked for more information on working with training providers to support smaller employers, specifically about barriers faced and approaches being taken. Richard Mortimer explained that smaller employers often struggle with releasing staff for training due to time constraints. He also mentioned that while training costs for apprenticeships are covered, wage costs remain a barrier. He highlighted the council's wider powers to influence course content and curriculum design to better match business needs.

Update on Economy, Work and Skills Activity in Stockport

Councillor Michaela Meikle presented the update on Economy, Work and Skills (EWS) activity, emphasizing its importance in supporting residents and businesses. She highlighted the alignment of the EWS team with the One Stockport vision and its role in the delivery plan. Richard Mortimer provided further details, noting the improvement in business survival rates and the strong relationships with organizations like the Business Growth Hub and the college. He also flagged the growth in partnership working with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector and the success of the Work and Skills Navigators program, citing a powerful testimony from an individual who found employment after receiving support.

Councillor Will Dawson suggested incorporating more human-interest stories into the reports to illustrate the impact of the work.

District and Local Centres – Best Practice and Building Upon It Scrutiny Review – Cabinet Response

Councillor Michaela Meikle presented the Cabinet's response to the scrutiny review on District and Local Centres. She reported that many recommendations had been embraced, with significant progress on developing web resources for businesses, which were in prototype stage. She noted that a communications plan for rolling out these resources was still needed. The playbook for councillors had been included in inductions. Councillor Meikle acknowledged that there was no one-size-fits-all solution and that more work was needed on the structure and format of local vision meetings.

Councillor Rachel Wise reported on Recommendation 6 in Reddish, detailing a walkabout with the district centre manager to identify vacant units and engage with landlords. She expressed interest in seeing how many new businesses could be attracted, potentially through lower rates.

Councillor Asa Caton echoed the appreciation for the report and the tools provided to district centre managers. He emphasized the need to understand why properties remained empty and how to counter this, citing Edgley as an example where traders struggled to access vacant properties. He also mentioned the loss of banking businesses in Castle Street and the potential for a banking hub in a vacant bank property. Councillor Meikle agreed that energizing shuttered properties was important and that listening to councillors' suggestions was valuable, even if not all issues could be forced. She acknowledged the potential of a banking hub and the need for active engagement.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee considered the Scrutiny Work Programme, which outlines planned agenda items for future meetings and forward plan items within the committee's remit. No specific items were raised for discussion.

Cheadle Eco Park & Adswood Depot: Update Report

Paul Richards, Deputy Chief Executive, presented the update report on the Cheadle Eco Park and Adswood Depot. He explained that the Cheadle Eco Park aimed to create a sustainable light industrial workspace on Birdell Lane, with high environmental performance standards (BREEAM outstanding). He confirmed that demolition on the former depot site had begun and construction was planned to start in early the new year. The report also referenced the temporary move of Totally Local Company to a site in the Mayoral Development Corporation and their permanent move to Adswood Depot.

Councillor Shan Alexander requested an abbreviation index for the technical report and asked about the selection of the three proposed sites for habitat banks. Paul Richards agreed to provide an index and explained the site selection process was complex, involving various factors. He confirmed the three sites were favoured but subject to legal and financial decisions. He also noted that the market for BNG units was still developing.

Councillor Rachel Wise inquired about the council's capacity to assess land suitability for BNG and whether new staff would be needed. Councillor Austin confirmed the council had a strong ecology team but acknowledged that planning officers' time would be required, and that fees paid to the GMCA Responsible Body would cover legal and auditing costs.

Councillor Rachel Wise also expressed interest in the scheme and asked about the table at the end detailing the cost of various habitat types, clarifying if it was specific to Stockport. The team explained the table was from a national report and that there were currently no units for sale in Stockport. They would be carrying out their own financial assessments. Councillor Wise also asked if the land was council-owned and if fringe groups were being consulted. The team confirmed the report was about council land and that community group involvement was still to be determined.

The committee commented on and noted the report.