Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2013.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 July 2013 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 which they had in

any of the agenda items for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of part of the following agenda item that contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of the appropriate category set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended):-

·         Appendices 2 and 3 to agenda item 14 (Stockport Exchange (Grand Central) which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendices to agenda item 14 ‘Stockport Exchange (Grand Central)’ should the content of these appendices need to be discussed.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor David Sedqwick.

The report provides an update on the multi-agency management of the fire at Junction 25 Recycling Centre, Bredbury which began on 20 August 2013, liaison with local communities and other stakeholders and future actions underway.

Officer Contacts: Janine Watson/Donna Sager on 0161 474 3060/2928 or e mail: janine.watson@stockport.gov.uk//donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Chief Executive (Communications and External Relations) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the multi-agency management of the fire at the Junction 25 Recycling Centre at Bredbury which had started on 20 August 2013; liaison with local communities and other stakeholders; and future actions which were underway.

Representatives from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency, Public Health England and the Council attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Fire Service had had a number of dealings with the company and they had been visited by Fire Enforcement Officers. The Fire Service would be advising that sprinklers were fitted, but this was not currently a legal requirement.

·         On the night of the fire, the Fire Service had been limited to the work which could be carried out after darkness.

·         Nearby roads had been made open to traffic as soon as possible.

·         The Environment Agency had issued an enforcement notice in July for the company to comply with its permit conditions which they had subsequently complied with towards the end of the month.

·         Although the water used to put out the fire went into the drains initially, as soon as the Fire Service was aware that water was overflowing into Crookiley Brook drainage blockers were put in place. At the earliest available opportunity a process was set up to recycle the water whilst enabling some of the other water mains to be shut down. The Fire Service, United Utilities and the Environment Agency had worked to reduce the amount of water going into the surface drainage. Samples of the water in Crookiley Brook had been taken and the results would be known in the future.

·         A Member queried whether the various agencies had enough enforcement powers in these matters and whether the regulations needed strengthening.

·         A Member requested more information about the work undertaken by the various agencies prior to the commencement of the fire.

·         A Member expressed concern about the odour that local residents had to contend with in the days following the fire.

·         The air quality had been monitored following the incident and although the levels of air pollution had increased they had not been at levels to cause concern. An Air Quality Cell had been set up during the incident.

·         The regulation of the amount of waste material on the site by the Environment Agency.

·         The Public Health Service had telephoned all the GP practices in the area and the Accident and Emergency Department at Stepping Hill Hospital to try and ascertain whether an increased number of patients had presented themselves as a result of the fire. Although one GP practice had reported an increase in repeat prescriptions for inhalers, this had not been widespread.

RESOLVED – That a further report be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee once the multi-agency de-brief had taken place and that the report also examines the powers available to the various agencies involved in similar incidents in the future.

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

The report outlines the applications submitted by Woodford Community Council seeking to establish the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum and Woodford Neighbourhood Area under the provisions of The Localism Act 2011.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1) With regard to the designation of the Woodford Neighbourhood Area, comment on which of the following options should be recommended to the Executive for commendation to the full Council Meeting:

(i)         Designate the Area shown on the plan in Appendix D which excludes the SEMMMS road scheme corridor but includes the Woodford Aerodrome Opportunity Site; or

(ii)        Designate the Area shown on the plan in Appendix E which excludes both the SEMMMS road scheme corridor and the Woodford Aerodrome Opportunity Site.

(2) With regard to the designation of the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum, comment on the approval, or otherwise, of the designation of Woodford Neighbourhood Forum as the neighbourhood forum for the Woodford Neighbourhood Area.

Officer contact: Richard Wood on 474 4386 or email: richard.wood@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the applications submitted by Woodford Community Council seeking to establish the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum and Woodford Neighbourhood Area under the provisions of The Localism Act 2011.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration reported that although the Council had broad discretion as to the area to be designated as a Neighbourhood Area, the Department for Communities and Local Government had advised the Council that the starting point for determining the Neighbourhood Area application should be a presumption in favour of the geographic area as applied for. However, notwithstanding this presumption, the Area Committee was informed that it needed to be mindful of recent case law, with specific regard to R (Daws Hill Neighbourhood Forum) v Wycombe District Council and others [2013] that identified a number of considerations to which it was legitimate to have regard in considering an application for the designation of a Neighbourhood Area, including possible areas of exclusion from the Neighbourhood Area sought to be designated.

It was noted that with regard to the application to establish the Woodford Neighbourhood Area similar considerations to those in the ‘Daws Hill case’ arose in respect of whether two specific parts of the proposed Woodford Neighbourhood Area should be included in the

area that the Council designated, namely:-

•           the corridor of land required for the construction of the proposed SEMMMS road scheme (both the A6 to Manchester Airport and Poynton Bypass elements); and

•           the Woodford Aerodrome Opportunity Site (former BAe Systems site).

In respect of the land required to construct the SEMMMS road scheme, the applicants had indicated that they did not have any issue with the Council determining to exclude the corridor of land required for construction of the SEMMMS road schemes from the Neighbourhood Area if it wished to do so.

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration reported that the applications had also been considered at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee held on 13 September 2013 when it had been:-

‘RESOLVED – (One abstention) That in the light of:-

(i)         the advice received from the Department for Communities and Local Government that the starting point for determining the Neighbourhood Area application should be a presumption in favour of the geographic area as applied for;

(ii)        the strong history of active participation by the Woodford Community Council in helping shape and drive the community of Woodford; and

(iii)       to ensure that any Woodford Neighbourhood Forum had the necessary tools and remit to affect the future of the whole of the community of Woodford;

the Executive be recommended to request that the Council Meeting give approval to:-

(1) The designation of the area shown on the plan attached to the report at Appendix D, which excludes the SEMMMS road scheme corridor but includes the Woodford Aerodrome Opportunity Site, as the Woodford Neighbourhood Area.

(2) The designation of the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum as the neighbourhood forum for the Woodford Neighbourhood Area’.

The comments and recommendations of the Area Committee and the Scrutiny Committee would be forwarded to the Executive as part of its deliberations on the applications at its meeting on 1 October 2013. The Executive would be requested to make its recommendations to the 17 October 2013 Council Meeting which would make the final determination of the applications.

With the consent of the Committee, Mr Stephen Taylor (Woodford Community Council), was invited to address the Committee and, in response to questions from councillors, elaborated on the reasons for wishing to establish the Woodford Neighbourhood Forum. The proposed development on the Woodford Aerodrome Site would have a significant impact on the local community in Woodford and it was felt that the Neighbourhood Forum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

The report provides a detailed overview of performance which relates to this Scrutiny Committee. The information is provided in the form of the first update Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for the Economic Development & Regeneration and Communities & Sustainability Portfolios. These provide an update on progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and include early performance and financial projections for the year.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the first update Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;

·         Review the progress against priorities, performance and budgets for 2013/14;

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

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

Officer contact: Gill Lawton/Michael Cullen on 0161 474 3686/4631 or e mail: gill.lawton@stockport.gov.uk/michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a 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 first update Portfolio Performance and Resources Reports for the Communities & Sustainability and Economic Development & Regeneration Portfolios. These provided an update on progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, budgets and capital programmes during 2013/14, and included early performance and financial projections for the year.

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) (Councillor Stuart Bodsworth) and Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The Council’s powers and ability to monitor noise and air pollution, for example from aeroplanes and traffic on heavily used roads.

•           How the Council could improve even further the amount of household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting. A report was requested to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on the ‘Project 70’ recycling initiative.

•           The number of people using the Stockport Metro Shuttle Bus.

•           The number of Environmental Health Enforcement Officers employed by the Council.

•           The number of people employed by the Contact Centre and the current backlog in dealing with complaints.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report on the ‘Project 70’ waste recycling initiative be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Major Projects)

The report provides information on the outcome of the phase two public consultation and the subsequent amendments to the proposed A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road emerging preferred scheme to develop the preferred scheme for the planning application.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the responses to the consultation and endorse the approach taken by the project team in responding to them. 

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

The Service Director (Major Projects) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information on the outcome of Phase 2 of the public consultation and the subsequent amendments to the proposed A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road emerging preferred scheme that would inform the submission of the planning application.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           How the increase in traffic in areas such as High Lane or Disley would be monitored and whether there were plans to monitor traffic levels in areas such as Romiley after the road had been constructed.

•           The road would only be illuminated at night at the junctions.

•           The measures taken by the consultants to avoid flooding on the road.

•           The measures taken to minimise the noise and visual impact of the road.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Major Projects)

The report provides information on the proposed A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme, prior to the Executive being requested to approve a planning application for the scheme. The report also describes the requirements for compulsory purchase orders, side road orders and changes to the rights of way network required for the scheme.

The Scrutiny Committee’s views are requested.

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

The Service Director (Major Projects) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the submission of the planning application for the proposed A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road. The report also described the requirements for compulsory purchase orders, side road orders and changes to the rights of way network that would be required as a result of the scheme.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Major Projects)

The report provides an update on the procurement process for appointing a contractor to develop the design and construct the proposed A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road. The construction element of the works is subject to the granting of powers, including planning permission and the associated legal orders.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the progress to date and support the process being used to appoint a contractor for the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road.

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

The Service Director (Major Projects) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the procurement process for appointing a contractor to develop the design and construct the proposed A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road. The construction element of the works would be subject to the granting of powers, including planning permission and associated legal orders.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Major Projects)

The report describes the proposed alignment of the South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy (SEMMMS) Relief Road ie A6 to M60 including Stepping Hill Link and the Poynton bypass and their proposed protection once the Highways Agency route protection is removed.

The Scrutiny Committee’s views are requested.

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

The Service Director (Major Projects) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding protecting the proposed alignment of the SEMMMS Relief Road A6 to M60, the Stepping Hill Link and Poynton bypass as the Highways Agency route protection was proposed to be removed. The report also set out implications for the Council of the Highways Agency property along the proposed route.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report considers a proposal to introduce charges for the provision of pre-application advice as a means of ensuring that the planning system is a responsive one and becomes a key part to the delivery of quality planning proposals, economic growth and regeneration of their areas.

The Scrutiny Committee’s views are requested.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding proposals to introduce charges for pre-application advice in relation to development management issues. The proposals would ensure that Council resources could be better used to process and determine applications submitted and would bring the Council into line with other local authorities in the region. Charges for advice would vary according to the scale of the proposed development.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

A member raised the issue of whether the fee could be refunded should a development application subsequently be submitted.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report considers a strategic approach to managing advertising on behalf of the Council on all Council assets including those on or adjacent to highway land and within car parks.

The Scrutiny Committee’s views are requested.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a proposal to introduce a new strategic approach to managing advertising on behalf of the Council on all Council assets, including those on or adjacent to highway land and within car parks.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           There were a number of locations in the borough where there was long standing advertising on and adjacent to the highway and in car parks which needed to be controlled.

•           The policy covered what could and could not be advertised, and would ensure that it adhered to other Council policies such as that approved by the Council Meeting on 12 September 2013 with regard to Pay Day Lenders.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report details the options for progressing phase two of the Stockport Exchange (formerly Grand Central) development.

The Scrutiny Committee’s views are requested.

Officer Contact: George Perrin on 0161 474 4510 or e mail: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk.

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the next stages of delivery for Phase 2 of Stockport Exchange (Grand Central) redevelopment, including proposals to fund the development of Grade A office accommodation and a new hotel.

(Note: the report included information ‘not for publication’ contained in its appendices that had been circulated to Members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 1 October 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions).

A Member commented on the rationale behind re-naming the scheme ‘Stockport Exchange’.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out the agreed response of the Executive to the recommendations contained in the final report of the Scrutiny Review ‘Skills and Employment’.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Richard Mortimer, 0161 474 3864, richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk.

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the ‘Skills and Employment’ Scrutiny Review which had been approved by the Executive at its meeting held on 13 August 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) (Councillor Iain Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

RESOLVED – That the Executive’s response be noted.

To note the resume of the meeting held on 25 June 2013.

Officer contact: Charlotte Forrest on 0161 474 3208 or e mail: charlotte.forrest@stockport.gov.uk.

The Scrutiny Committee considered a resume (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Stockport Economic Alliance held on 25 June 2013.

RESOLVED – That the resume of the meeting held on 25 June 2013 be noted.

To note the resume of the meeting held on 11 July 2013.

Officer contact: Charlotte Forrest on 0161 474 3208 or e mail: charlotte.forrest@stockport.gov.uk.

The Scrutiny Committee considered a resume (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 11 July 2013.

RESOLVED – That the resume of the meeting held on 11 July 2013 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 e mail: 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.