Issue - meetings

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

The report details a proposal to submit Stockport Town Centre for Purple Flag Status.  Purple Flag is a National accreditation scheme run by the Association of Town Centre Management.  The current iteration of the scheme, launched in 2012, is an accreditation process similar to the Green Flag award for parks and the Blue Flag for beaches.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161-474-2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to submit Stockport Town Centre for Purple Flag Status. 

It was stated that Purple Flag was a National accreditation scheme run by the Association of Town Centre Management.  The current iteration of the scheme, launched in 2012, is an accreditation process similar to the Green Flag award for parks and the Blue Flag for beaches.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Pedestrian connectivity through the town centre was highlighted as an areas that needed improvement with a particular focus on the route from Redrock to the Underbanks.

·         Significant work was taking place to improve wayfinding and develop improved pedestrian links such as proposed bridge from the railway station that would draw people into the town centre.

·         The need to increase residential accommodation in the town centre as means of building footfall was discussed.

·         The boundary of the town centre defined in the proposal was aligned with the boundaries of the Stockport Business Improvement District.  It was stated that it was disappointing that St Mary’s Church was not included within the boundary as it was a significant and valuable asset within the traditional heart of the town centre.

·         In response to a comment relating to the use of resources in making the application, it was stated that there was no significant commitment of funding or officer time to the application process.

·         It was commented that it was important that the application and award of a Purple Flag did not necessitate the diversion of policing resources from elsewhere in the Borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.