Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 5 February 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

No urgent decisions were reported.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Cabinet Members on any matters within the powers and duties of the Cabinet, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Members of the public were invited to submit questions to the Cabinet on any matters within its powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Two questions were submitted.

(i)     The first question referred to worsening traffic problems in High Lane following the opening of the A6-Manchester Airport Relief Road (A6MARR) and references in the draft SEMMMS Refresh document to further potential problems that may arise should the A6-M60 Relief Road Scheme be completed. In this context is was asked whether it was sensible to pursue funding for the further bypass scheme, and whether any further scheme should also include a possible High Lane bypass.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration reiterated previous statements in relation to the Council seeking funding from the Department of Transport for further feasibility work and consultation on a possible A6-M60 bypass scheme, following a clear recommendation from the Council Meeting to do so. While the funding window closed for the earlier proposal, the Government, through Transport for the North, had recently invited funding submissions through the Large Local Majors funding for road schemes over £50 million. Officers were preparing a submission as per the existing Council resolution that would enable the required feasibility work to take place. It was likely to be a very competitive process with no guarantee that the funding could be secured.

Specifically in relation to High Lane, the Cabinet Member stated that she had met with representative of various local groups and the GM Mayor, and had had a detailed and productive conversation about a number of issues. One of the outcomes was that TfGM and the Council would work closely with representatives of the community to address some of the very specific issues in that area. The Council recognise and acknowledged that there were traffic challenges in the area but were working to improve the situation.

(ii)    The second question asked, in light of comment in the press and social media, what the Council was doing to ensure that the mammal tunnels under the carriageway on the A6MARR were unblocked after the matter having been raised in October 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration reported that regrettably the tunnels had inadvertently been made inaccessible due to the installation of an acoustic fencing to reduce noise pollution from the road for nearby residents. The Cabinet Member acknowledged that this was an unfortunate oversight that had now been resolved.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of complaints, as at the 3rd quarter (October – December) 2018/19.

Cabinet is asked to:

·           Review performance information contained in this report, and

·           Comment on the performance measures reported and suggest any additional information that might be collected in future.

Officer contact: Anwar Majothi, 0161 474 3182, anwar.majothi@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Cabinet with an overview of complaints received in the third quarter of 2018/19 and outlining any lessons learnt as a consequence.

RESOLVED – That performance in relation to complaints received in the third quarter of 2018/19 be noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The report provides details of the proposed transportation capital programme for 2019/20 and indicative programmes for future years. It also includes details of the Highways Investment Programme (HIP) mid-term review.

The Cabinet is recommended to agree the following:-

·           that the investment has been shown to be fulfilling the business case assumptions;

·           that the investment should continue as originally intended to 2022/23 utilising the funding as described in the original business case;

·           that a review should begin in 2021/22 to establish recommendations for investment post-HIP.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn/Sue Stevenson, 0161 474 3700/4351, mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk / sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk   

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider a proposal transportation capital programme for 2019/20 and indicative programmes for future years, as well as details of mid-term review of the Highways Investment Programme.

RESOLVED – (1) That in relation to the Transportation Capital Programme 2019/20:-

·         the intention for the final programme to be approved by the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration be noted

(2) That in relation to the Highways Improvement Programme (HIP) update:-

·         the Cabinet accepts that HIP Review demonstrates that the investment has been shown to be fulfilling the business case assumptions;

·         agreement be given to the investment continuing as originally intended to 2022/23 utilising the funding as described in the original business case;

·         agreement be given to a review beginning in 2021/22 to establish recommendations for investment post-HIP.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance.

The report sets out the proposed Asset Management Plan (AMP) Capital Programme for the period 2019/20 to 2022/23. The AMP capital programme is used to carry out upgrade work and improvements to operational buildings within the Council’s corporate estate. Corporate funding is approved for the Asset Management Programme as the capital financing costs of these works cannot be met from within the Single Property Budget cash limits.

The Cabinet is invited to:

•     approve the implementation of the updated Asset Management Plan Capital programme for 2019/20 and the financing thereof, and the Indicative AMP programme for up to 2023, as set out in the report;

•     approve the application of corporate resources to fund the AMP programme 2019/20 to 2022/2023; with the application of funding types (capital receipts and borrowing) being delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in conjunction with the Estates Strategy Group (ESG);

•     note that the CRMG Scrutiny Committee receives update reports on progress every six months.

•     authorise the Deputy Chief Executive to award construction contracts as required to deliver the works programme.

Officer contact: Charlotte Cordingley, 0161 474 4240, charlotte.cordingley@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Reform & Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the proposed Asset Management Plan (AMP) Capital Programme for the period 2019/20 to 2022/23. The AMP capital programme was used to prioritise upgrade work and improvements to buildings within the Council’s operational estate.

Cabinet members commented on the additional work needed to develop the AMP in light of the collapse of Carillion and commended officers for their efforts.

Cabinet members also commented on the improvements completed at Grand Central that now meant that all facilities were open for users. It was also commented that there had been positive reviews of the facilities naming it one of the best attractions in the North West for families.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Asset Management Plan Capital programme:

·         the implementation of the updated Asset Management Plan Capital programme for 2019/20 and the financing thereof, and the Indicative AMP programme for future years up to 2023 as set out in the report be approved;

·         the application of corporate resources to fund the AMP programme 2019/2020 be approved, with the application of funding types (capital receipts and borrowing) being delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in conjunction with the Estates Strategy Group (ESG);

·         the intention for the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committee to receive an update on progress every six months be noted;

·         the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to award construction contracts as required to deliver the works programme.

On:-

(a)  Matters (if any) referred to the Cabinet Meeting

(b)  Any called-in Cabinet Executive Decisions

There were none to consider.