Issue - meetings

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’.  The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provided supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrated how commuted sums would be used in maintaining and enhancing open space assets across the borough.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the cost of play equipment cited within the report was prohibitively expensive, and it was queried whether the Council was achieving value for money through regular tendering exercises.

·         There had been instances in the past where developers had abrogated their maintenance responsibilities for equipment they had installed, and the burden had subsequently fallen to the Council.  It was hoped that this policy would mitigate against the potential for this to occur in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Area Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current supplementary Planning Guidance provided supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrated how commuted sums would be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space and open space assets across the borough.

Members supported the proposal that a review of the rates for commuted sums for play and formal support would now be undertaken on an annual basis.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) explaining the revision to the Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments Supplementary Planning Guidance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Area Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’.  The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provided supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrated how commuted sums would be used in maintaining and enhancing open space assets across the borough.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration was present and responded to questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The overall ‘direction of travel’ of the guidance was welcomed.

·         The inclusion of more definitive guidance on design should be considered.

·         It was queried whether the changes to contributions would discourage development. In response it was stated that it was not anticipated to have a negative effect and the changes were required to ensure the contributions received were more reflective of the costs involved.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Area Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current supplementary Planning Guidance provided supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrated how commuted sums would be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space and open space assets across the borough.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The document suggested that smaller areas of play may be permitted in larger developments and clarification was sought on this issue.
• Permitted development removed the control allowed to local authorities through Section 106 Agreements.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’.  The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provided supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrated how commuted sums would be used in maintaining and enhancing open space assets across the borough.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the cost of play equipment cited within the report was prohibitively expensive, and it was enquired whether the Council was able to achieve better value for money through joint procurement arrangements with other local authorities through STaR Procurement.

·         It was important that contributions obtained from development towards play equipment should be spent within the community from which that sum was obtained.

·         A member explained that the final specification for play provision in Bredbury Park had been agreed following consultation with local young people who used the park, and that this was best practice that should be used elsewhere in the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Area Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) explaining how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open spaces assets throughout the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provided supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrated how commuted sums would be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Whether the new figures would be subject to increases in inflation in the future.
• Whether there would be a regular review of the policy in the future. Members expressed concern that the policy had not been renewed since 2006.
• The problem in acquiring enough commuted sums to support the construction or improvements to changing facilities or park buildings associated with sport ie bowls pavilions was highlighted. The pooling of commuted sums was prevented under the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations. Reports on commuted sums in each area were reported to each Area Committee on an annual basis.
• With regard to the development of local areas of play by developers, it had to be borne in mind that the SPG was guidance and not policy.
• The cost of play equipment appeared to be expensive and it was important that the Council secured best value in procuring play equipment
• Information was requested on what electronic play was and why is was so expensive.
• A Member enquired what the ‘six acre standard’ was and it was agreed that Members be provided with information in this regard.
• A request was made for a map to be produced showing the network of Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play (NEAPS) and  Local Equipped Areas for Play (LEAPS) at existing sites within the Borough.
• A Member enquired whether there were any powers of enforcement against developers who did not maintain areas of open space.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.