Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. These focus on highlights and exceptions in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programmes and other key projects since the Mid-Year Report. It includes the latest forecast performance and financial data for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

This report is based on the 2019/20 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRAs), which was considered by the Committee on 11 July and approved by Cabinet on 23 July 2019.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;  

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2019/20;

·         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

·         Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer Contacts: Alan Lawson/Lisa Joy on 0161 474 5397/4044 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk / lisa.joy@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Third Quarter Update Portfolio Performance and Resources Report for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio. The report focussed on highlights and exceptions in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programmes and other key projects since the Mid-Year Report and included the latest forecast performance and financial data for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• With regard to the twenty two employers who had been offered and accepted a Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Grant Apprenticeships Grant, a Member asked for clarification on how many apprentices had benefited from this.
• Officers were in constant dialogue with the Market Place Management with regard to trying to boost footfall in the Market Place.
• The change in the budget reserve for the Seashell Trust was a reflection of the work that needed to be carried out.
• The zero amount in the Capital Asset Maintenance for the Pot Hole Programme for 2020/21 was a reflection of the one-off sum allocated for the programme.
• A Member enquired why the money allocated in the Capital Programme’s Asset Development and Improvement Schemes for District Centres in 2021/22 was zero.
• The re-phasing of the Capital Programme for the SEMMMS Relief Road was due to amendments to the programme. There was no change to the overall budget.
• Following the cross-party input into the Council’s response to the recent bus reform consultation, the Sub-Committee was advised that the Mayor of Greater Manchester was scheduled to announce his decision in March.
• In response to a Member’s question, it was clarified that the proposed route of the Metrolink service from East Didsbury to Stockport could be altered.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.