Agenda and minutes

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

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 October 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 (Place Marketing), 5 (Key Projects Update (by exception), 6 (Town Centre Capital Programme Management Update) and 7 (Roughley’s Bike Show 2015), which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following ‘not for publication’ items:-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                      Place Marketing

5                      Key Projects Update (By Exception)

6                      Town Centre Capital Programme Management Update

7                      Roughley’s Bike Show 2015

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 Rachel Wallace, Place Campaign Manager for Stockport will be made at the meeting.

A presentation on Place Marketing was made by Rachel Wallace, Place Campaign Manager for Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members acknowledged that the new website was important but felt that an online presence alone would not be enough.  The campaign needed to reach out to people not just across Stockport, but across Greater Manchester.

·         Members of the Task Force questioned how the success of the campaign would be judged.

·         Some concern was expressed that it could be difficult to promote Stockport whilst the town centre was undergoing serious upheaval.  However this would get easier as time went on.

·         Members of the Task Force noted that the campaign aimed to promote a positive message about Stockport, and to raise its profile.  The website would be a signpost to the good news stories and initiatives happening in Stockport and the communications campaign would be supportive, celebratory and informative.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the recent progress of key projects within the Town Centre and M60 Gateway 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, 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.

Redrock

Planning permission was granted on 14 January 2015 for the main scheme, the improvement of the rear of Prince’s Street and the new junction and access from the A6.  A survey was being conducted to ascertain the servicing needs of businesses in the area to help formulate the proposed road traffic order.  Negotiations continued with those affected by the scheme, in particular those owners and occupiers fronting Prince’s Street.  A working group had been established to help ensure that access to the town centre was maintained throughout this and related projects.

Market Place and Underbanks Area

Partnership working to increase the presence of the specialist retail offer continued to progress and work continued with other local creative industries (and local agents) to bring them into the town centre, particularly focussed around the market Place.

Events & Activites

A number of events took place over the Christmas period, which was supported by free parking in Council controlled car parks and a comprehensive Christmas promotional campaign.

The Council encouraged filming within the borough and over the last couple of years had established practices and protocols that had made the borough a more attractive location for production companies whilst also protecting the interests of local stakeholders.

Retail Health

Whilst there had been some shop vacancy losses in the centre, overall vacancy rates remained at about 20%.  With some short term ‘Christmas themed’ shops it is anticipated that there may be a brief period of a slightly lower vacancy rate during quarter three.  It is anticipated that in 2015, the town centre may see a small rise in vacancy rates.

Housing Projects

Work was ongoing at Covent Garden Village, Lower Hillgate and Stockport Exchange, and Gorsey bank was now a 19 acre development site for light industrial use with new access proposals.

Portas Pilot   

The Stockport Portas Pilot initiative continued to allocate funds to projects throughout quarter three with a particular emphasis on the Festive Fringe Festival.  To date the group responsible for allocating the funds had committed over two thirds of the available funds and spent over one third.

Partnerships & Groups      

During quarter 3 the Town Centre Business and Retail Forum continued to attract new members with membership now exceeding 250.  Quarter 3 also saw the establishment of the Stockport Community Interest Company.  There are a number of individuals who are supporting the CIC with advice and an ‘army’ of ambassadors is gradually growing.

Town Centre Access Package & Highway Works      

The key elements of the phase 1 schemes to be delivered between 2015-17 include:

·         Widening St Mary’s Way and Hempshaw Lane at key pinch points;

·         Booth Street, Edgeley widening and improvements;

·         Chestergate pedestrian improvements

·         Schemes supporting developments at Redrock including a right turn off the A6, Gorsey Bank and Stockport Exchange.    

Stockport Interchange

Consultants are being appointed by TfGM to take the Interchange scheme forward and develop a business case.

Structural Engineering Work 

Work is continuing on the Lancashire Bridge scheme which will be completed by Mark 2015.

Get Digital Faster       

Stockport Council is the lead and accountable body for the c£15m Get Digital Faster Programme which covers eight GM ‘rural’ districts.  Superfast broadband (SGB), using Fibre to the Cabinet technology, is being targeted to small and medium sized businesses located in poorly served postcodes as part of AGMA’s wider grown agenda.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Task Force questioned whether the Superfast Broadband would be everywhere and were advised that that priority would be given to those areas where there was the greatest connectivity to business.  There was a big marketing campaign to ensure good take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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

The report updates members on 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 businesses.

The Task Force is invited to comment on the measures outlined.

Officer contact Megan Black or Nicola Turner, Tel: 0161 218 1410 or 0161 218 1635, email; megan.black@stockport.gov.uk, nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated members on 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 businesses.

A number of management tools had been established to enable the coordination of projects.  These included:

Programme

Work was ongoing to align the detailed programme for all capital projects in the town centre to enable pressure points to be identified and the appropriate mitigation measures to be put in place.

Access Plan

This detailed the control measures to be employed as part of the overall construction programme to minimise as far as possible the impact of the capital works upon the residents, businesses and stakeholders of Stockport.

Communication Plan

This established key messages and communication methods for residents, businesses and other stakeholders in the town centre.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

In 2014 the Council agreed to allow the annual Roughley’s Bike Show to be held in Heaton Lane Car Park in Stockport town centre on Sunday 24 August 2014.  Unfortunately this year (2015) the car park at Heaton Lane will not be available as a result of new access improvements.

The report explains why the facility is not available for use by Roughley’s Bike Show this year and what support the Council is offering to the organisers to secure an alternative venue for the event.

The Task Force is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Graeme Vout, Tel: 0161 474 4562, email: graeme.vout@stockport.gov.uk

The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which explained to Members why Roughley’s Bike Show could no longer be held in Heaton Lane Car Park as a result of new access improvements.

The report also detailed the support that the Council was offering to the organisers to secure an alternative venue for the event.

RESOLVED – (i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That Members of the Task Force recommended that Councillor Chris Murphy be used as a contact as he had significant involvement with this event in previous years.

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.