Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 7 December 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. This provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the third quarter of the financial year (October to December 2017). It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The report is based on the 2017/18 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA) which was considered by the Scrutiny Committee on 25 May 2017 and approved by the Cabinet on 13 June 2017.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2017/18;

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

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

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

Officer contact: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk / Kora Yohannan on 0161 474 4032 or email: kora.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Final Update Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration by the Committee. This provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects during the third quarter of the financial year (October to December 2017). It included forecast performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The report was based on the 2017/18 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA) which had been considered by the Scrutiny Committee on 25 May 2017 and had been approved by the Cabinet on 13 June 2017.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to present the report and respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• It was requested that all Councillors be advised of the results of the Poverty Insight work, including the work and skills related findings from the Poverty Insight work which would be factored in the emerging Work and Skills action plan. A Member requested details of the methodology for the work and how the results would be analysed on the basis of the fifty to sixty individual case studies. It was highlighted that not all poverty existed in Priority One areas as there were pockets of deprivation throughout the borough.
• With regard to Performance Indicator E&R02 on the footfall in the market area, a Member requested information on how much it cost to run the market and what the actual footfall was of people using the market as opposed to attending events such as Foodie Friday.
• The success of Aurora Stockport would mean that it could be repeated if sufficient suitable land was available in the borough.
• The Council was now a significant landowner in the town centre and was working closely with the providers of residential accommodation to increase the number of residential units in the town centre. Some of the retail premises would be suitable for residential accommodation.
• With regard to Performance Indicator E &R 05 for CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita) within the scope of influence of local authorities, the Corporate Director advised that a report on air quality in the borough was being prepared.
• Members commended the scale of the capital programme for 2017/18, the success of Aurora Stockport, the number of visitors to the Light Cinema at Redock, the success of the Holiday Inn at Stockport Exchange, the initial phases of the office development at Stockport Exchange and the net number of business start ups.
• Concern was expressed about the quality of the design of the bridge from Heaton Lane to the bus station. This had been designed to protect species of bats in the vicinity.
• A Member felt that there should be more emphasis on vacant retail, commercial and businesses premises within the borough’s district centres. As an example he highlighted that there were eight additional units vacant in Hazel Grove and he enquired how the Council would be dealing with this.
• The square feet of office, retail and industrial space let or sold to new occupiers was below the targets (Performance Indicators E&R 13 and 13a). The town centre was changing with a number of vacant office buildings which had, and were being, converted to residential units. The Employment Land Review would assist in identifying industrial land which had been vacant for some time.
• The Growth Strategies aimed to capitalise on the opportunities of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail by proposing a series of complementary investments in order to bring maximum benefits to residents, local businesses and to the wider economy. They recognised the importance of improving and enhancing access to the airport for both visitors and staff from neighbouring areas. This was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee on work to develop the food and drink sector in the town centre and seeks Members’ views on future strategy.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on work to develop the food and drink sector in the town centre and seeking Members’ views on future strategy. In recognition of the significance of the sector to the regeneration of the town centre a report had been commissioned from food consultants, Food Sync (which was attached to the report) to provide direct support to existing and potential independent food and drink businesses in the town centre. A review of progress and consideration of future strategy and interventions would take place at the end of the year.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• A Member suggested that the Council use resources to attract other operators into the market area. ‘Old Stockport’ should be promoted for food and drink operators and the Council should consider having a service to clean up the streets and remove rubbish, particularly early in the morning at weekends.
• Of particular importance was the need to change consumer habits so that residents from the borough as a whole chose to eat and drink in the town centre because a new offer was now available.
• The sustainability of the new businesses was a key issue.
• A diversity of offer was needed in Stockport town centre to suit people’s different needs, including people who were prepared to travel into Stockport if the offer was right.
• The Council had to be conscious of the possible effect that increasing car parking charges may have on people visiting the town centre.
• The Business Improvement District had a strong role to play in the development of the Town Centre Food and Drink sector. Shops needed to consider staying open later, for example on Thursday nights.
• The proposed food court in the Merseyway Shopping Centre would not necessarily solely attract chain brands and would hopefully attract good quality, independent operators as well. The Council had to consider fast food operators in the light of the obesity problem amongst young people in Stockport.

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 proposals to increase parking revenues in the Town Centre following discussions with members of the Business Improvement District.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment of the contents of this report and associated business case.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the proposals to increase parking revenues in the town centre following discussions with members of the Business Improvement District. This had taken place following the decision of the Cabinet, at its meeting held on 19 December 2017, to request Officers to meet with stakeholders to consider whether alternative proposals could be implemented to achieve the revenue income.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The two proposals relating to district centres remained unchanged from the original business case and discussions were ongoing with local Members to determine whether an alternative solution could be determined.
• With regard to the proposed introduction of a free initial period of fifteen minutes which would be helpful for the ‘click and collect’ retailers and promote the ‘lunchtime sandwich visit’, a Member expressed concern whether fifteen minutes was long enough given the queues at some retailers at peak times. This proposal seemed out of kilter with the Council’s desire to retain shoppers in the town centre.
• Whilst the town centre was being developed, parking charges needed to be made as least restrictive as possible. The possibility of using some of the monies to increase the number of charging points in the town centre for electric vehicles was requested. The possibility of introducing charging points at Life Leisure’s facilities could also be considered. Members felt that there needed to be an assessment of the usage of charging points for electric vehicles and any increase in the number of charging points should be introduced gradually.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report identifies the different types of technology that are developing in vehicles with regard to automation and connectivity and the Government’s approach to this developing technology, and identifies a series of implications for Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the report.

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

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) identifying the different types of technology that were developing in vehicles with regard to automation and connectivity and the Government’s approach to this developing technology, and identified a series of implications for Stockport.

The Council was part of Project Synergy which was using the latest sensor technology to allow three low carbon electric sports vehicles to drive in a close formation platoon between Stockport railway station and Manchester Airport. This was expected to be introduced on a trial basis by October 2018.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• A lot of autonomous vehicles were dependent on road markings so the Council would have to have a programme in the future to re-mark some of its roads.
• Bus stops and routes would need to be interlinked with the technology.
• Autonomous vehicles would allow for greater social mobility, allowing people to use public transport and then autonomous vehicles for the last part of their journey.
• There may be ‘knock on’ effects with the introduction of autonomous vehicles such as people driving less, a reduction in the number of road traffic accidents and people using other forms of transport.

·         Some Members expressed scepticism that people would be prepared to no longer own their own cars.

·         Concern was expressed about the safety of autonomous vehicles, the need for infrastructure to be put in place and whether or not autonomous vehicles would reduce traffic congestion.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on Project Synergy.

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 email: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED –(1) That the report be noted.

(2) That a report on the Brownfield Sites work be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.