Agenda and minutes

Councillors and Officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during part of the consideration of the following agenda item which contains information “not for publication” by virtue of the appropriate category set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That it is in the public interest to exclude the public during part of the consideration of the following agenda item which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of the appropriate category set out in the Local Government act 1972 (as amended):-

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

The Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). They include out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

a)      Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;  

b)      Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2016/17;

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

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

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

Officer Contacts: Alan Lawson/Kora Yohannan on 0161 474 5397 / 4032 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk/kora/.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration by the Committee. These provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). They included out-turn performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

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:-

• With regard to paragraph 1.1.5 ‘Regenerating Our Town Centre’, the commentary should also include the wider district centre activity such as that occurring in Marple.
• A request was made for an update report on the Portas Pilot project to be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee.
• The funding available in the pothole programme for 2017/18 was welcomed, but the Corporate Director pointed out that was dependent on monies specifically being allocated by the Department for Transport.
• With regard to the proposed Ladybridge Valley Cycle Route, a Member enquired why it was a bridleway and not a cycleway, and why it was three metres wide. A representative of the Corporate Director agreed to respond in writing.
• The Masterplan for Stockport Railway Station was an important document and work was continuing with Transport for Greater Manchester to bring it to fruition.
• A Member queried the reasons for the rephasing of the capital programme for Aurora Stockport (formerly Gorsey Bank) to 2017/18. It was confirmed that it would be fully let shortly after completion.
• With regard to the Local Transport Plan and SEMMMS Integrated Transport Programme, the Scrutiny Committee was provided with details of the works to mitigate the impact of traffic at Stockport Sports Village, Woodley which had developed into a regional facility.
• The Scrutiny Committee requested to be provided with an updated copy of the Highways Investment Programme.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports be noted.

(2) That an update report on the Portas Pilot Project be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

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

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee on the continuing work around improving the offer in the Market Place. The Cabinet on 13 June 2017 will be requested to agree to the marketing of Council assets in the Market Place to attract a strong ‘anchor, to boost footfall and improve trading conditions in the wider area.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: George Perrin on 0161 474 4510 or email: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on the continuing work around improving the offer in the Market Place. The Cabinet on 13 June 2017 would be requested to agree to the marketing of Council assets on the Market Place in order to attract a strong ‘anchor’ in order to boost footfall and improve trading conditions in the wider area.

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:-

• In response to a Member’s question, the Cabinet Member clarified that the Council had not asked CRBE for a plan but had asked it to provide evidence from which the Council could devise a plan to increased footfall and generate increased interest in the market.
• The aim was that the market should remain in the market hall, but that other creative ways should be utilised in order to increase footfall in the area, including ‘pop up’ solutions in the run up to Christmas.
• A Member enquired what the plan was if the Produce Hall was not let by the end of 2017 as was intended.
• The figures in the report from CRBE indicated that Stockport Market was performing below comparable towns in the north west, particularly those with a poorer catchment size, in terms of average rateable value per stall.
• The Council was currently helping Blackshaws cafe find alternative premises nearer to the Merseyway precinct and the retail core of Stockport.
• A Member queried the figure stated in the CRBE report that Foodie Friday generated a footfall of almost 12,000 people for only three hours of trading.
• Information needed to be compiled about what areas were growing in the market and which areas were declining. Officers were discussing this with traders, although there had not currently been any direct engagement with shoppers with regard to the proposals.
• There were scope to bring more traders into the market hall.
• Car parking charges was an issue as there was currently no free parking in the town centre. The Corporate Director advised that a car parking study for the town centre was currently being carried out and would be the subject of a report to a future meeting of the Scrutiny committee.
• The topology of the area was an issue with the market located uphill from the Merseyway Precinct affecting people’s access to the market.
• As part of the Place Marketing work, signage and helping shoppers and visitors find their way around Stockport should be carried out in a creative way.

With the agreement of the Chair, John O’Mara, Chair of the Market Traders’ Federation, was permitted to addressed the Scrutiny Committee. He thanked Members and Officers for the support that they had given the market traders, and provided the Scrutiny Committee with a copy of the market traders’ response to the CRBE report. In addition, he suggested that the Newbridge Lane Car Park be re-named the Market Car Park and the Corporate Director agreed to investigate this matter,

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report advises Members of the Scrutiny Committee on proposals currently being developed by the Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport and Trafford Colleges, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority relating to the relocation of Stockport College and Stockport Interchange projects.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contacts: George Perrin/Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4510/4351 or email: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk/sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) advising Members of the Scrutiny Committee of proposals currently being developed by the Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, Stockport and Trafford Colleges, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority relating to the relocation of Stockport college and Stockport Interchange projects.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and an update on the proposals be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer Contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or email: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.