Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2015.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 January 2015 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and Officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items (00000) which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following ‘not for publication’ items:-

Item                 Title

4                      Town Centre Capital Programme Management Update

5                      Town Centre Key Projects Update Report

6                      Town Centre Access Package Phase 2 Consultation

7                      Stockport Transport Interchange Consultation

These items contain information exempt under Category 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority).

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

The report provides members with an update on the measures being taken to coordinate the delivery, governance and promotion of the Town Centre Capital Programme in order to maximise benefits and mitigate potential impacts.

The Task Force is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Nicola Turner on Tel: 0161-218-1635 or by email on nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided members with an update on the measures being taken to coordinate the delivery, governance and promotion of the Town Centre Capital Programme in order to maximise benefits and mitigate potential impacts.

Specific activity included:

·         Redrock: advertising posters (August 2015 -January 2016); stakeholder drop in session at Princes Street (May 2015); car park leaflet (July to October 2015); key press release (July 2015)

·         Redrock / TCAP: hoardings installed at Bridgefield Street (October 2015): TCAP press release (September 2015); TCAP Phase 2 consultation to commence (November 2015).

·         Stockport Exchange: hoardings (October 2015); press release on hotel (October 2015); social media messages on access arrangements

·         Investing in Stockport Pop-Up Park at Mersey Square and press launch (August to October 2015).

·         MIPIM UK –- Marketing of Investing in Stockport opportunities at national property event (October 2015).

·         Lancashire Bridge official opening (October 2015)

·         Press briefing scheduled for November 2015 to provide a general update

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         In respect of the railway station, Members queried whether the Edgeley entrance would now be promoted more than it had been previously, what facilities there would be for disabled people and whether there were contingencies in place for when projects overran?

·         Members raised concerns that there appeared to be no safe route to cross over to the station.

·         Members felt that it was a long time since they had had a briefing on the Town Centre Access plan.  In response it was stated that officers would be attending Area Committees that week to provide more information.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the recent progress of key projects within the Town Centre programme area. In order to avoid duplication, this report will only include projects where there is specific progress to report since the last meeting.

The Task Force is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Nicola Turner on Tel: 0161-218-1635 or by email on nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the recent progress of key projects within the Town Centre programme area.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members raised the question of the future of Stockport market.  In response, it was stated that officers are close to finishing a huge piece of work around what traders actually want.

·         Foodie Friday had been very successful and had encouraged people into the market area.

·         Members expressed frustration that whilst the market was being encouraged to open seven days a week, some of the surrounding shops were not open even for one day a week.  Operators need to take the commercial risk.

·         Despite the fact that there are one or two empty pubs in the market area, Stockport is seen as one of the places where pubs have survived quite well.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an opportunity for Task Force members to comment on the proposed Stockport Town Centre Access Plan (TCAP) Phase 2 schemes and also provides an update on the progress with the Phase 1 schemes.

The Task Force is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Pete Price on Tel: 0161-474-4901 or by email on pete.price@stockport.gov.uk.  

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided Task Force Members with an opportunity to comment on the proposed Stockport Town Centre Access Plan (TCAP) Phase 2 schemes and also provided an update on the progress with the Phase 1 schemes.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members acknowledged that more and more schemes are starting to come forward.

·         Members welcomed the commitment to improving road safety for all road users.

·         Members also acknowledged the huge amount of officer time and hard work that these schemes represent.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the progress with developing the proposed transport interchange scheme in Stockport and requests Members views on the proposed scheme.

The Task Force is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Pete Price on Tel: 0161-474-4901 or by email on pete.price@stockport.gov.uk. 

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the progress with developing the proposed transport interchange scheme in Stockport and requested Members views on the proposed scheme.

The comments from Scrutiny Committee and Central Area Committee will be considered as part of the public consultation process and the Executive will be requested to approve the delegation of the decision to support the final scheme for submission of a planning application to the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Member Supporting Places.

The Executive will also be requested to support the submission of an application to close the adopted highway in Mersey Square and the existing bus station in the area adjacent to the proposed interchange buildings and the alterations to the Trans Pennine Trail route.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To agree a date for the next meeting of the Task Force.

RESOLVED – That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair, be requested to arrange a suitable date to hold the next meeting.