Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2016.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 14 January 2016 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it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 4-6 which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following ‘not for publication’ item:-

 Item                 Title

 4                      Town Centre Developments

This item contains 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 receive a presentation from a representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration on developments in the town centre.

Officer Contact: Michael Fisher on 0161 474 3742 or email: michael.fisher@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration made a presentation on developments in the town centre with regard to the following town centre developments and initiatives:-

·         Merseyway Shopping Centre

·         Stockport Exchange

·         Redrock Stockport

·         Aurora Stockport

·         Market Place and Underbanks

·         Town Centre Homes

·         Town Centre Access Plan

·         Transport Interchange

·         Rail Station Masterplan

·         Get Digital Faster; and

·         Greater Manchester Public Service Reform

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Approximately 4,000 - 5,000 people would be working at Stockport Exchange. A plan to try and link Stockport Exchange to the Merseyway Shopping Centre was being examined.

·         The current situation with regard to the relocation of Stockport College.

and the Stockport Transport Interchange were discussed.

·         The small proportion of people and businesses who had taken up superfast broadband was highlighted. Members asked for the reason for this to be explored in detail.

·         None of the existing leases would prevent the development of the Merseyway Shopping Centre.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.

To receive a briefing from a representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration on the proposals for a Stockport Town Centre Business Improvement District.

Officer Contact: Graeme Vout on 0161 474 4562 or email: graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Task Force on the proposal to develop a Stockport Town Centre Business Improvement District Business Improvement District (BID) and outlining the decisions facing the Council to enable a Stockport Town Centre BID ballot to be held in October 2016.

The report would be considered by the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee at its meeting to be held on 7 July 2016.

The following comment was made/issue raised:-

·         Members expressed concern with regard to how much influence the Council would have on how the money is spent. It was confirmed that the Vision Stockport Board wished to work with the Council in the development of the proposals.

RESOLVED -  That based on the draft BID proposals and subject to a further report following receipt of the final BID proposals and business plan in July 2016, it is recommended to the Executive Councillor (Economy and Regeneration):-

·         that, on the basis of the draft proposal, the Council would not wish to veto the BID proposals.

·         that, subject to receipt of the final proposals, consideration of whether they conflict with Council policy and agreement not to veto the final proposals, the Chief Executive as Returning Officer and “Ballot Holder” agrees to hold a ballot for the proposed Stockport Town Centre BID, upon receipt of a formal request to do so by Vision Stockport.

·         that, subject to receipt of the final proposals, consideration of whether they conflict with Council policy and agreement not to veto the final proposals, the Council agrees to complete the necessary legal agreements required for the operation of the BID Levy, ballot and service arrangements and any other necessary matters for the proposed BID in consultation with the appropriate officers.

The Task Force debated whether substitute members should be permitted for the Task Force and it was:-

RESOLVED – That substitute Members be permitted for the Task Force, but, in the interests of continuity, the political groups be requested to agree a first named substitute who could be approached in the first instance when a substitute is required.