Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 January 2014 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 (Identity and Branding of Redrock, Stockport (Bridgefield), 5 (Town Centre Capital Programme Management), and 6 (Key Projects Update (by exception), which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following ‘not for publication’ items:-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                      Identity and Branding of Redrock, Stockport (Bridgefield)

5                      Town Centre Capital Programme Management

6                      Key Projects Update (By Exception)

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).

A presentation by DS:Emotion (Consultants) will be made at the meeting.

A presentation on the Identity and Branding of Redrock, Stockport (Bridgefield) was made by DS:Emotion at the meeting.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Some concern was expressed that the new identity and branding was a fait accompli and that Councillors had not been consulted on this issue.

·         Members of the Task Force acknowledged that this was a new and forward looking name and logo and that it may take some time to get used to.

·         It was further acknowledged that the old name of Bridgefield was no longer desirable or helpful.

·         It was noted that Stockport was built upon sandstone and so this is one of the reasons why the name Redrock had been chosen.

RESOLVED – That the presentation by DS:Emotion be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Economic Development and Regeneration.

The report outlines the measures being taken/proposed to coordinate the Town Centre Capital Programmes and mitigate the potential impacts on the flow of traffic into and around the town centre, the potential loss of car parking and the subsequent effect on existing business in the Town.

The Town Centre Task Force is requested to comment on the measures.

Officer contact: Nicola Turner, Tel: 0161 218 1410, email:nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the measures being taken/proposed to coordinate the Town Centre Capital Programmes and mitigate the potential impacts on the flow of traffic into and around the town centre, the potential loss of car parking and the subsequent effect on existing business in the town.

The Town Centre would be the focus of a number of key infrastructure and construction projects over the next five years.  Projects included but were not limited to;

·         Town Centre Access Package

·         Redrock, Stockport

·         Stockport Interchange

·         Investment in the Market and Underbanks area

·         Stockport Exchange

·         Covent Garden Village

These projects would help to meet the strategic priorities for the town as identified in the Town Centre Development Prospectus.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         It was noted that all of the projects would involve an element of disruption, and that this needed to be managed meticulously.

·         Members expressed some concern about how much slippage would occur in the schemes.  Members of the Task Force were advised that they would be updated about this.

·         It was noted that the overarching brand would be ‘Investing in Stockport’.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Economic Development and Regeneration.

The report provides an update of the recent progress of key projects within the Town Centre and M60 Gateway area.  In order to avoid duplication, the 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, Tel: 0161 218 1635, email:Nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated the Task Force on the recent progress of key projects within the Town Centre and M60 Gateway area.  The report only included projects where there was specific progress to report since the last meeting.

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 identify a suitable date for the next meeting of the Town Centre/M60 Gateway Task Force and that the date be circulated to Members at the earliest opportunity.