Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 23 January 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The report provides details of the proposed Transportation Capital Programme for 2020/21 and indicative programmes for future years.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the recommended capital programme and note that the final programme will be approved by the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration.

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 details of the proposed Transportation Capital Programme for 2020/21 and indicative programmes for future years.

The Transportation Capital Programme was funded from a variety of sources including Local Transport Plan funding via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, specific grants from Government including pot hole funding, and individual scheme bids, for example the Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Fund, Town Centre Access Plan, and A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road. Schemes were also funded by developers via Section 106 and 278 processes. The Council was also using prudential borrowing to fund both the Highways Investment Programme and the Street Lighting LED Investment 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:-

·         The £250,000 allocated for District Centres and Local Centres – North Reddish Local Centre would look to improve the Reddish Corridor, particularly examining access issues and, for example, the provision of dropped kerbs and further details would be submitted to the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee once it had been prepared. A report would also be brought back on proposals as to how the £30,000 allocated for other studies would be spent.

·         Members requested full details of the schemes to improve road safety near schools and progress on them. A number of schemes had been identified through Operation Eagle Eye which aimed to stop cars parking and driving unsafely near to schools.

·         Members highlighted the £12,093 being allocated from the Mayoral Walking and Cycling Challenge Fund for 2020/21and £14,021 for 2020/21 onwards. The sums allocated for the SEMMMS Relief Road were for transactions that needed to be completed, compulsory purchase claims and mitigation works that still needed to be paid for.

·         With regard to that part of the capital programme allocated for flood mitigation, there would be plenty of opportunity for Members to consider the Section 19 report at Scrutiny Committees and Area Committees once it had been published.

·         Clarification was provided on the inclusion of railway bridges and the replacement of trees adjacent to the highway in the capital programme.

·         Information was provided on the waterproofing assessment process for bridges. If damage had occurred on inspection, the bridges would be included in the capital programme in future years. For the full waterproofing scheme which had taken place on Wellington Road South in the town centre, Officers would not expect for more works to take place on the section of road in question for the next forty or fifty years.

·         Officers had been working with schools regarding the concept of a ‘walking bus’ facilitating a safe passageway for children to get to school.

·         The scheme for Merseyway precinct was substantially larger than that which was shown in the report as it was financed from a number of different funding streams.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration be recommended to approve the Transportation Capital Programme.

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

The report highlights work undertaken by Planning Enforcement and provides an update on the outcome of contentious cases investigated in 2019.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report and consider whether the provision of an annual planning enforcement report would be welcomed to outline positive work of the service.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) highlighting work undertaken by Planning Enforcement and providing an update on the outcome of contentious cases investigated in 2019.

The enforcement team, as part of the wider planning service, ensured that the Council’s reputational identity was protected, that financial loss was minimised and that income was secured by ensuring that planning applications were submitted, financial contributions secured under Section 106 agreements were paid and the Council recovered its full costs in taking formal enforcement action where appropriate.

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:-

·         In supporting the report being also submitted to the Area Committees, a Member felt that the report should also include examples of smaller cases particular to the areas.

·          Members of the public were encouraged to email complaints which were logged and tracked. An online form was in the process of being produced.

·         A Member enquired whether drones could be considered as a means of observing breaches of planning permission in certain situations.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the report be also submitted to the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee and to the Area Committees.

(2) That an annual planning enforcement report be prepared outlining the positive work of the service.

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 Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.