Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 September 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item:

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any of the exempt information in the following item in event that it needed to be discussed:-

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The Mid-Year 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 programmes 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), along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(i)           Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;

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

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

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

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

Office 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) setting out the Mid-Year 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 programmes 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), along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

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:-

• A Member highlighted progress on the development plans for the Underbanks, including the former White Lion public house and the former Winter’s Wine Bar.
• A number of capital programme schemes had a zero entry for 2021/22, with road safety near schools being highlighted. This was a reflection of there not being a clear programme ahead rather than schemes coming to an end in 2020/21. The Pothole Programme was a a one-off pot of money for 2019/20.
• A Member enquired what the plans were to tackle youth unemployment which appeared to be on the increase. In addition, points were raised about the impact of more customers starting to claim Universal Credit, with more people coming into scope being required to look for work. These issues would be referred to the Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods to respond.
• There was a concern that Stockport would not get the benefits from the bus reform which were being undertaken in Greater Manchester and concern that the Council would not be able to fundamentally change the proposals through the consultation process. A report on the consultation would be submitted to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.
• The Government had committed to subsidising existing commitments in the short term following the loss of the European Social Fund should the United Kingdom leave the European Union.
• Officers were thanked for their work with residents following the recent flooding incidents in the borough.
• In response to a Member’s question, the Scrutiny Committee was advised that there were six/eight Officers working in the Spatial Planning team which included work on the Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan. Specialist, expert support would be brought in as and when required. The Local Plan would be aligned with the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework and would be developed up until 2037.
• The budget for drainage investigations and repairs, and carriageway resurfacing was continually being reviewed in order to use resources as effectively as possible. As the results of the Flood review came through, responses would be made through the consultants.
• Support was given to the success of the Travis Brow Link Road in speeding up journeys by motorists.
• A Member asked what the 6% increase in movements into the Covered Market Hall was in terms of footfall.
• It was suggested that drones could be looked at as means of assisting planning enforcement.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Council’s long-term ambition for the future of Town Centre West as a location for new housing and the social infrastructure and amenity needed to support a growing community has been the subject of a number of reports over recent years.  The publication of the draft Strategic Regeneration Framework for the area in July 2019 marked a significant step forward in defining and articulating the Council’s overall vision for the area.

This report provides a comprehensive summary of the responses to the consultation (Appendix A) and an updated Strategic Regeneration Framework document (Appendix B) for Members’ consideration.  Subject to Members’ views it will be submitted to Cabinet for approval on 12 November 2019.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on this report and the full updated Strategic Regeneration Framework at Appendix B prior to its submission to Cabinet on 12 November 2019.

Officer contact: Caroline Simpson on 0161 474 5000 or email: caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with a comprehensive summary of the responses to the consultation on the draft Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) document for Town Centre West. A finalised copy of the SRF was also submitted for consideration prior to a decision by the Cabinet.

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:-

• The results of the consultation had overall been very positive with greenspace issues central to the development, although there had been concern from a number of businesses over a lack of consultation.
• All elements of delivery must be sustainable – including growth and travel to ensure air pollution was controlled and the Council and Greater Manchester’s commitments to zero carbon supported.
• The issue of affordability had been highlighted through the consultation and the revised Strategic Regeneration Framework had given greater prominence to this in the response. The aim to include up to 50% affordable housing across the entirety of development in the area over the lifetime of the Mayoral Development Corporation was accepted, although there were challenges around delivering this on early schemes with viability issues a concern until values had risen.
• There was disappointment from Members that they hadn’t got better leverage with developers in the town centre.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Council’s ambition to deliver new homes, increase the long-term viability of the town centre, and regenerate Stockport’s Town Centre West area has led to the creation of a comprehensive Strategic Regeneration Framework for the area which will be delivered by the newly formed Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation.

To ensure that there is appropriate democratically accountable oversight and influence over the MDC, the Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have both formally agreed that the MDC will produce a Strategic Business Plan that specifies what activity the MDC will undertake and that business plan will be submitted to the Council and GMCA for approval.

This report recommends that Cabinet approve the MDC’s Strategic Business Plan which will then formally guide the MDC’s activity and act as the document against which the MDC’s effectiveness can be measured.

(NOTE: This item includes an appendix which is ‘not for publication’ and has been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only)

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

Officer Contact: Caroline Simpson on 0161 474 5000 or email: caroline.simpson@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 the first Strategic Business Plan for the Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), as required by the Council and the GMCA as part of the governance arrangements for the MDC. The plan would guide the MDC’s activity and provide a document against which the MDC’s effectiveness could be measured. The plan would cover the period up to the start of the next financial year.

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

(Note: the report contained information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix that had been circulated to committee members only).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.                                                          

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 Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any relevant Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.