Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 21 September 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of Appendices 2 and 3 of the following agenda item which contains information “not for publication” by virtue of the appropriate category set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).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to exclude the public during part of the consideration of the following agenda item which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of the appropriate category set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended):-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 report encloses the draft strategic outline business case for the A6 to M60 Relief Road. In line guidance from the Department for Transport, this is the first phase of the decision making process for any major transport scheme and further work is required to develop the full business case for the project.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to review and comment on the draft strategic outline business case for the A6 to M60 Relief Road.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) enclosing a draft strategic outline business case for the A6 to M60 Relief Road. In line with the guidance from the Department for Transport, this was the first phase of the decision making process for any major transport scheme and further work was required to develop the full business case for the project.

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

 The report would be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 14 November 2017.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• There was a divergence of views amongst the Members of the Scrutiny Committee with regard to the benefits of the scheme.
• A Member contended that the report stated on a number of occasions that the scheme was for the benefit of the Stockport Town Centre Access Plan and Stockport Town Centre public realm improvements yet the scheme would add considerable traffic volumes to High Lane.
• Paragraph 1.5.1 stated that the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework ‘was a joint plan to manage the supply of land for jobs and new homes across Greater Manchester up to 2035. A Member felt that this should be amended to ‘maybe’ as the Framework was still out for consultation and had not been agreed.
• With regard to paragraphs 2.5.20-2.5.21 of the consultants’ report, the figures in the Accelerated Growth Strategy were still being re-assessed as part of the refresh of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework. It was queried how that affected the ability of this Scrutiny Committee to scrutinise the draft strategic outline business case for the A6 to M60 Relief Road and whether this business case was contingent upon the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework being implemented.
• With reference to paragraph 1.6.2 of the consultants’ report, a Member requested to see the Appendices in Volume 2 and the Forecasting and Economic Assessment report.
• Clarification was requested on what was being done about the increased traffic volumes predicted on the A6 between Hazel Grove and New Mills (paragraph 3.3.3 of the consultants’ report refers).
• The report mentioned a package of mitigation measures which would be implemented to limit any negative impacts resulting from the scheme. Clarification was requested on whether these would be prescribed in the planning application or whether these would be decided if approval was given to build the road.
• Clarification was requested on what mitigation measures would be proposed for High Lane given that these had been implemented already for the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme.
• Scheme Objective 2.2.3 in the consultants’ report stated ‘reduce the impact of traffic congestion on local businesses and communities’. A Member enquired how this objective would be met for communities south of the proposed new road.
• Paragraph 2.3.14 of the consultants’ report referred to current pipeline investment in the town centre standing at approximately £560 million and a Member requested that some of that investment should be spent in the Council’s district and local centres.
• In the light of the fact that the M60 through Stockport was heavily congested in the peak periods and given the physical constraints there was limited scope for any capacity improvements, it was enquired what would happen to the M60 at Junction 25.
• It was recognised that there was significant congestion daily on the south east quadrant of the M60 and Highways England had plans to implement a smart motorway scheme along this section.
• With regard to accident clusters in paragraph 2.4.27 of the consultants’ report, a Member felt that there would be a better comparison against accidents per traffic movement.
• Paragraph 2.4.36 of the consultants’ report referred to plans by the Elected Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to publish a new plan to tackle congestion and commission an urgent review of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. This provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The report is based on the 2017/18 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA) which was considered by the Scrutiny Committee on 25 May 2017 and approved by the Cabinet on 13 June 2017.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2017/18;

·         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 contact: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk / Kora Yohannan on 0161 474 4032 or email: 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 Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration by the Committee. This provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). It included forecast performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The report was based on the 2017/18 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA) which had been considered by the Scrutiny Committee on 25 May 2017 and had been approved by the Cabinet on 13 June 2017.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Officers were congratulated on the management of the A6 Wellington Road Bridge Waterproofing Scheme and Members requested information on the lessons which could be learnt from the successful management of the project.
• Ward councillors expressed concern about the management of the project to repair the bridge at Simpsons Corner, Hazel Grove.
• Officers were congratulated on the Aurora development and the success of the Holiday Inn Express hotel at Stockport Exchange.
• The establishment of a Safer Stockport Town Centre Group was commended, in advance of the opening of the Redrock development.
• The Council was keen that people who lived in the Borough’s priority areas, lived in poverty or were customers of Stockport Homes gained employment at the Redrock development.
• With regard to the section on Poverty Insight under the section on Priorities, Performance, Risks and Opportunities (paragraph 1.1 refers), a Member requested further information on which definition of poverty was being used.
• With regard to the section on Museums and Cultural Attractions under the section on Priorities, Performance, Risks and Opportunities (paragraph 1.2.1 refers), a Member queried how an additional 129 visitors since the previous Portfolio Performance and Resources report to the Committee had generated an additional revenue of £3,616.
• Clarification was sought on why Performance Indicator E&R 01 ‘% Occupied managed workspace and incubator floor space actively managed for start-up/micro-businesses was shown as ‘green’ when the actual figure for Quarter 2 was below the forecasted figure.
• In response to Members’ questions, the Corporate Director agreed to circulate the Council’s anti-social behaviour strategy to Members of the Scrutiny Committee.
• The Corporate Director clarified that the Council’s Pothole programme in 2017/18 was shown as zero in the Capital Programme as this was a one-off additional grant from the Government.
• A Member highlighted the positive target for the year end which was shown for footfall in the market area, despite the disappointing numbers reported in Quarter 2.
• Work to recruit an independent Chair and establish the Stockport Work and Skills commission was underway with the first meeting of the Commission scheduled to take place in January 2018.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) and invites the comments of the Scrutiny Committee on the draft plan. The Committee is particularly recommended to give their views on the seven conclusions reached in the plan, and the actions suggested.

For the purposes of the plan a Right of Way is all off road routes that the public are able to utilise legally. Examples include routes in parks, concessionary paths, public rights of way and access space.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to provide comments upon the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan in Appendix 1.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 4744351 or email sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Rights of Way Improvement Plan and inviting the comments of the Scrutiny Committee on the draft plan and, in particular, the seven conclusions reached in the plan, and the actions suggested.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Support was given to the objective of paths being open to all and their use encouraged by all parts of the community.
• Clarification was sought when work would commence on the Middlewood Way.
• It was important that clarification was provided as to who could use which routes, for example, the use of quad bikes was prohibited on the Middlewood Way.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That people be encouraged to take part in the consultation on the draft document.

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

Following approval from the Cabinet on 15 August 2017, public consultation had been undertaken on the Stockport Transport Issues and Options paper as part of the first stage of refreshing the SEMMM Strategy.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         note the views and comments received during the consultation period on the Stockport Transport Issues and Options paper as the first stage in the SEMMM Strategy Refresh process.

·         comment on and support the strategic and delivery priorities for Stockport identified in paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3 of the report.

·         note the next steps and timescales for the delivery of the SEMMM Strategy.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the results of the public consultation which had been undertaken on the Stockport Transport Issues and Options paper as part of the first stage of refreshing the SEMMM Strategy.

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

The report would be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 14 November 2017.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• There was overall support for the identified priorities and multi-modal approach, but concern that the strategy included consideration of local, smaller scale schemes as well as major schemes.
• There was concern at the level of feedback received through the consultation despite the wide promotion of the events and consultation process.
• There was a suggestion that the strategy needed to consider more about the impacts of technology (including taxi sharing apps/point to point services etc) and should be reviewed regularly to take account of technological advances.
• There was a comment that work needed to continue with partners to address current transport issues in the Borough as well as future opportunities, including the quality of existing services.
• There needed to be an assessment of previous SEMMMS schemes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The draft Car Parking Strategy provides an overarching framework and a proposed way forward in line with the identified objectives. The objectives, particularly relating to tariff structures and income generation, are intrinsically linked to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan. Details of the proposals relating to the Medium Term Financial Plan are to be reviewed by the Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note and comment on the draft Car Parking Strategy.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overarching framework and a proposed way forward in line with identified objectives. The objectives, particularly relating to tariff structures and income generation, were intrinsically linked to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.

The Stockport Town Centre Parking Strategy had been prepared to reflect the period of change in the town centre driven by a number of recent and proposed developments within the town centre such as Redrock and Stockport Exchange and changes in the local road network through the Town Centre Access Plan. A review of the car parking strategy in the Town Centre had been undertaken to ensure that the Council’s approach was fit for purpose in the light of the level of change in the town centre; that the approach supported longer term aspirations for the town centre and that it took account of future developments and demand for parking.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• A Member expressed the view that the real car parking problems were in the district centres where councillors continually received complaints from residents unable to park in the street in which they lived.
• More detail was required on how the new car parks proposed in the consultants’ report would be paid for.
• The design of parking bays would need to be cognisant of disabled people using electric cars in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

This item sets out, for the Scrutiny Committee’s information, an executive decision made by the Leader of the Council on 6 October 2017 giving the consent of the Council, as Highway Authority, under section 201J of the Local Transport Act 2008 to the making by the Secretary of State of a regulation to establish Transport for the North as a Sub-National Transport Body and giving Transport for the North concurrent highway powers.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the decision.

An Executive Decision Record and report were submitted (copies of which had been circulated) setting out, for Members’ information, an executive decision made by the Leader of the Council on 6 October 2017 giving the consent of the Council, as Highway Authority, under section 201J of the Transport Act 2008 to the making by the Secretary of State of a regulation to establish Transport for the North as a sub-National Transport Body and giving Transport for the North concurrent highway powers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides a further update on the continuing work around revitalising the offer in the Market Place and Underbanks area. Authority would be sought from the Cabinet to enter into negotiations with a preferred tenant to agree the terms of a lease for the Produce Hall and no. 28/29 Market Place (Blackshaws).

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a further update on the continuing work around the revitalising the offer in the Market Place and Underbanks area. Authority would be sought from the Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 14 November 2017 to enter into negotiations with a preferred tenant to agree the terms of a lease for the Produce Hall and no. 28/29 Market Place (Blackshaws).

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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.