Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an update on the measures being taken to coordinate the delivery, governance and promotion of the Town Centre Capital Programme in order to maximise benefits and mitigate potential impacts. The latter includes potential interruptions to the flow of traffic into and around the town centre, the potential loss of car parking and the subsequent effects on existing businesses and customers.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Nicola Turner on 0161 218 1635 or email: nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the measures being taken to coordinate the delivery, governance and promotion of the Town Centre Capital Programme in order to maximise benefits and mitigate potential impacts. The latter included potential interruptions to the flow of traffic into and around the town centre, the potential loss of car parking and the subsequent effects on existing businesses and customers.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts), deputising for the Executive Councillor (Thriving Economy) (Patrick McAuley), attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Member expressed concern about the capacity of Officers to deliver the projects, given that the only additional staffing resources which had been secured were a secondment which had been funded from within the Growth Service, a secondment from Transport for Greater Manchester and an interim post funded from project budgets.

·         A number of the projects would be on site in Summer 2016 and this would be a particularly problematical period for Officers.

·         Concern was expressed that shoppers would be lost to the area when they were advised to park at Heaton Lane car park (as opposed to Great Egerton Street) once the Redrock development started.

·         There would be ongoing support to local businesses during the capital programme works, as outlined in the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.