Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 26 July 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interest which they may have in any of the items on the agenda for this meeting (including whipping declarations).

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

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

(a)       Reference ED1426 – Update Report on Draft Obstructions Policy for Highways                             (Executive Decision Record and report enclosed)

To consider the call-in of executive decision ED1426

(b)       To consider any further call-in items

(a)  Reference ED1426 – Update Report on Draft Obstructions Policy for Highways

The Scrutiny Committee was informed that the Executive at its meeting on 20 August 2012 had considered and approved the following amended policies and the associated changes to the licensing:-

•           Highways Obstruction Policy;

•           Advertising Boards and Trade Goods on the Highway – Obstructions Policy;

•           Highways Café Policy; and

•           Control of Skips, Containers, Scaffolding and Hoardings on the Highway Policy.

The Executive Meeting had also authorised the Service Director (Place Management) to agree the appeals arrangements separately from the agreement of the policies, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration), following consideration by the Constitution Working Party.

The decision of the Executive had been ‘called in’ by Councillors William Wragg, Linda Holt and Lisa Walker.

Councillors Wragg and Holt explained their reasons for ‘calling in’ the decision, namely that it was appropriate for this issue to be debated at the full Council Meeting and that there was no criteria against which to judge the success or otherwise of the trial period with regard to the issuing of advertisement board (‘A’ board) permits. Legislative provision already existed for the Council to remove obstructions to the highway using officers’ discretion and the policies would be expensive to administer in terms of officer time. Concern was also expressed about the possible effect on local businesses if ‘A’ boards had to be removed.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The proposed policies would ensure that all people and businesses were treated equally.

•           The Advertising Boards and Trade Goods on the Highway – Obstruction Policy would be introduced on a trial basis and assessed against the criteria for its introduction and how long it took Officers to process applications.

•           A Member expressed concern about the extent of the charges in the policies.

•           Whether there would be enforcement of skip permits in the evening.

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED - (1) That no further action be taken.

(2) That the outcome of the trial of the Advertising Boards and Trade Goods on the Highway – Obstruction Policy be reported back to the Scrutiny Committee in twelve months’ time.

AMENDMENT MOVED AND SECONDED – That the decision be referred to the next available Council Meeting to be debated by the full Council.

For the amendment 5, against 5.

The Chair exercised her casting vote against the amendment.

AMENDMENT NOT CARRIED.

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That no further action be taken.

(2) That the outcome of the trial of the Advertising Boards and Trade Goods on the Highway – Obstruction Policy be reported back to the Scrutiny Committee in twelve months’ time.

(3) That an interim report be submitted to a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in six months’ time on progress with regard to the trial referred to in (2) above.

(4) That consideration be given to reviewing the level of licence fees set in the Highways Café Policy and Advertising Boards and Trade Goods on the Highway – Obstructions Policy in order to ensure that they are as low as possible.

(5) That consideration be given to taking action against companies who persistently flouted the requirement for skip permits.

(b) There were no further call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development) and Service Director (Place Management)

The report provides a detailed overview of performance which relates to this Scrutiny Committee.

The information is provided in the form of the Quarter 1 2012/13 Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for each of the Economic Development and Regeneration, Public Realm and Sustainable Future Portfolios and specific detail and information in relation to the Council’s ‘A Safe and Strong Stockport’, ‘A Thriving Stockport’ and ‘A Green Stockport’ Priorities.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1) Review the current levels of performance;

(2) Highlight key areas of, and responsibility for, taking forward corrective action to address any existing or forecast performance issues;

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

Officer contact: Doug Holland, Tel: 0161 474 2976, email: doug.holland@stockport.gov.uk

Councillors are encouraged to submit questions on the Performance and Resources report prior to the meeting in order to enable a detailed response to be available at the meeting. Questions should be submitted to David Clee, tel. no. 0161 474 3137 or e mail: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk.

The Service Director (Place Development) and the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a detailed overview of performance which related to this Scrutiny Committee. The information was provided in the form of the Quarter 1 2012/13 Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for each of the Economic Development and Regeneration, Public Realm and Sustainable Future Portfolios and specific detail and information in relation to the Council’s ‘A Safe and Strong Stockport’, ‘A Thriving Stockport’ and ‘A Green Stockport’ Priorities.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The benefits to Manchester Metropolitan University becoming involved in the Town Team Committee following the agreement of the lease for them to take two buildings in the Market Place to establish space to develop creative businesses.

•           Why the percentage of working age people claiming out of work benefits in the worst performing neighbourhoods remained static.

•           The reasons why the percentage of occupied managed workspace and incubator floorspace actively managed for start up/micro businesses had increased.

•           The increase in occupancy rates at Houldsworth Mill.

•           The percentage of the adult population who participated in sport and active recreation at moderate intensity on three or more days a week, and the marked improvement in the number of people that were regularly active as shown from the Active People Survey. It was requested that a representative from Life Leisure attend a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee to discuss the Olympic legacy to Stockport.

•           The free access for leisure key holders in Priority One areas to Life Leisure facilities.

•           The high percentage of waste (64.30%) sent for reuse, recycling or composting in the borough and the attempts that the Council would be making to increase this even more.

•           The approval of the Executive to an extension of time for the developer to secure end users for the re-development of the former Dialstone Centre site.

•           The preferred developer for the development of the Chadwick Street Car Park site in Marple.

•           The review of the strategy for Knightsbridge as Sainsbury’s were unable to proceed with the redevelopment for a new store.

•           The Government’s Work Programme and the sanctioning of claimants by G4S plc who did not take part in work trials.

•           The fact that the Construction Learning Centre in Brinnington was no longer going ahead.

•           The reduction in road casualties in the period covering this report.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report on the Olympic legacy to Stockport be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development)

The Council meeting on 5 July 2012 requested that a report be prepared on steps which could be taken to re-open the Peel Moat Leisure Centre to include a review of a possible community partnership.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the proposals.

Officer contact: Paul Lawrence, Tel: 0161 474 4515 email: paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) following a request at the Council Meeting on 5 July 2012 for a report to be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee on steps which could be taken to re-open the Peel Moat Centre to include a review of possible community partnership working.

The report detailed the potential options for the future of the site including the development of a community facility and the disposal of the site for redevelopment, to include a new playing pitch with associated changing facilities. The preferred option was a hybrid option which could potentially bring benefit to all parties where the Council would undertake a tendering exercise to determine whether there were any community organisations who wished to become the Council’s partner for the site. Such an exercise would need to determine the financial and operational track record, strength of vision and breadth of community support. If a suitable partner could be identified, then the Council working in partnership with them, would formally market the site for residential and community development, with the exact proportion of each to be determined by negotiation.

There was general support from the Scrutiny Committee for the preferred option outlined above.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

This report provides a proposed list of indicators to measure the success of the new Public Realm Service

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the proposed measures of the success of the Public Realm Service and agree to a further report in twelve months’ time.

Officer contact: Stuart Jackson, tel. 0161 474 3504, e mail: stuart.jackson@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a proposed list of indicators to measure the success of the new Public Realm Service.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Members of the Area Committee be sent a copy of the baseline information that the Public Realm Service will be measured against.

(3) That a further report be submitted to a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in twelve months’ time.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development)

This report provides information in response to a request by the Committee covering the current context around Stockport’s labour market, outlines national policy and programmes and how these were being addressed within Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the proposals.

Officer contacts: Richard Mortimer /Michael Fisher, tel. nos. 0161 474 3864/0161 474 3742, emails: richard.mortimer@stockpoprt.gov.uk/michael.fisher@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information in response to a request by the Scrutiny Committee regarding the current context around Stockport’s labour market, an outline of national policy and programmes, and how these were being addressed in Stockport.

RESOLVED – That the report be deferred and considered at the first meeting of the Scrutiny Review Panel on Skills and Employment.

To note the résumé of the meeting held on 19 July 2012

Officer contact: Viki Shaw, Tel: 474 3209, email: viki.shaw@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a résumé (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 19 July 2012.

RESOLVED –That the résumé of the meeting held on 19 July 2012 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 Tel: 474 3137 email: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which have 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.