Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 March 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Chair welcomed the recent announcement from the Department for Communities and Local Government confirming that Stockport had been one of 12 successful bids, out of 300 applicants, to take part in the ‘Portas Pilot’ to help regeneration activity in Stockport Town Centre. Stockport would share in £1.2 million of funding to pilot the recommendations of the High Street Review carried out by Mary Portas.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Executive Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting and at local libraries and information centres. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

The public were invited to put questions to the Executive on any matters within their powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Two questions were asked.

The first question asked whether the Executive would consider the report on Chadwick Street in public and if the Executive would consult the Marple community on the proposals for this site (see Minute 6 below).

The Leader of the Council replied that the intention to explore the disposal of the Chadwick Street site had been in the public domain since the matter was considered by the Marple Area Committee. She clarified that the practice of the Executive was to discuss the principal of proposals during the meeting rather than the details contained in confidential appendices so as to allow the public to remain for these items.

The Leader further answered that any planning application received for the future development of the Chadwick Street site would be subject to public consultation. Once a decision on disposal had been made the Council would make a formal announcement.

The second question asked for clarification on the ‘public interest’ in excluding members of the public from the consideration of the report on Chadwick Street given the importance of the site for Marple District Centre, and whether there were proposals to expand the area for redevelopment beyond the area set out in the report.

The Leader of the Council reiterated the answer to the previous question in relation to the exclusion of the public. She added that a recent study of retail provision in Stockport had identified a shortfall of provision in Marple, which the development of Chadwick Street would then meet. It was clarified that there were no plans to expand the redevelopment site beyond that area detailed in the report and it was not the intention of the Council to encourage this.

One further question had been received prior to the meeting from a questioner who was not present at the meeting and in accordance with the procedure for asking questions it was stated that a written response would be provided.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda items 8 (Council owned site on Chadwick Street, Marple); 9 (Town Centre Regeneration: Grand Central Car Park) and 10 (Town Centre Regeneration - Strategic Acquisition of Property in the Town Centre) 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 relating to the financial or business affairs of the any particular person (including the authority), 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 ‘not for publication’ appendices to agenda items 8 (Council owned site on Chadwick Street, Marple), 9 (Town Centre Regeneration: Grand Central Car Park) and 10 (Town Centre Regeneration – Strategic acquisition of property in the Town Centre) should the content of these appendices need to be discussed (see Minutes 6, 9 and 10 below).

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Finance)

(Note: this report includes information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within its appendix which has been circulated to executive councillors only).

The report sets out a proposal to dispose of the Council owned site on Chadwick Street, which has been identified as being suitable for a range of alternative uses, with retail A1 being the preferred option. It is the Council’s view that the ability of the site to accommodate a larger format development in the District Centre, would help contribute to the range and quality of Marple’s retail offer. In addition, bringing in an additional retail operator would help promote Marple as a competitive District Centre, and enhance consumer choice. This would also help generate linked trip opportunities within the District Centre which would help safeguard its vitality and viability.

The Executive is recommended to instruct the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to enter into negotiations with the party identified numbered 5 in the confidential appendix with a view to securing the disposal and development of the Chadwick Street site for a retail store.

Officer contact: Murray Carr, 0161 474 3649, murray.carr@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal to dispose of the Council’s interest in the Chadwick Street Car Park, Marple in order to facilitate a retail development scheme and enhance the competitiveness of Marple District Centre.

(Note: this report included information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within its appendix that was circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED – That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be authorised to enter into negotiations with the party identified as 5 in the confidential appendix to the report with a view to securing the disposal and development of the Chadwick Street site, Marple for a retail store.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Children & Young People)

The report details the outcome of the annual consultation on admission arrangements which considered the changes to the current use of school catchment areas as an oversubscription criteria for school admissions for 2014/15.

The Executive is requested to:

(1)       Approve that the current catchment areas as an oversubscription criteria for schools admissions are retained.

(2)       These should be periodically reviewed if increases to the Academy programme impact on school admission arrangements within the borough.

Officer contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Meeting considered the response to the annual consultation on admission arrangements and has agreed that the use of the current catchment areas as an oversubscription criterion for school admissions be retained and that these be periodically reviewed if increases to the Academy programme impact on school admission arrangements within the borough.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Regeneration)

The report seeks approval of the LDF Enforcement Policy Development Plan Document (DPD) Preferred Option for consultation. The Enforcement Policy DPD will set out the Council’s planning enforcement policies and will form part of Stockport’s Local Development Framework (LDF).

Copies of the Preferred Options documents can be viewed by following the links below:-

LDF Enforcement DPD – Preferred Options Document (2.3MB)

LDF Enforcement DPD – Sustainability Appraisal (3.5MB)

LDF Enforcement DPD – Sustainability Appraisal – Annex 1 (1.2MB)

LDF Enforcement DPD – Sustainability Appraisal – Annex 2 (2.0MB)

LDF Enforcement DPD – Habitats Regulations Assessment (6.0MB)

The Executive is recommended to approve the Enforcement Policy DPD Preferred Option for consultation.

Officer contact: Dave Westhead, 0161 474 3520, dave.westhead@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to agree to undertake a consultation on the Enforcement Policy Development Plan Document that would form part of the Local Development Framework. The changes to the National Planning Policy Framework required the Council to develop a local policy for planning enforcement.

RESOLVED – That the Local Development Framework Enforcement Policy Development Plan Document Preferred Option be approved for consultation.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillors (Finance) and (Regeneration)

(Note: this report includes information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within its appendices which have been circulated to executive councillors only)

As part of the continuing development of the Grand Central site the Council and Muse Developments are in a position to access £5m grant funding from the Department for Transport towards the construction of a Multi Storey Car Park. The report sets out the background and proposed funding mechanisms that will need to be put in place to secure the grant and the external investment and operational arrangements required to progress the scheme.

The Executive is recommended to:

·         approve that the Council will, in partnership with Muse Developments Ltd, proceed with the construction of an up to 1,054 space MSCP adjacent to Stockport Railway Station and agree the final heads of terms with Network Rail to enable draw down of the DfT MSCP funding grant.

·         Give delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Service Director Place Development, in conjunction with the Executive Councillors for (Finance) and (Regeneration) to work with Muse to secure the most financially beneficial funding arrangement for the MSCP and to enter into all the appropriate agreements/leases to enable the construction, funding, operation and use of the Multi Storey Car Park; and

·         Note and approve the process involved in complying with the Department for Transport and Network Rail requirements for drawing down the grant funding for the MSCP.

Officer contact: Barry Khan/ Paul Lawrence, 0161 474 3202/ 218 1940, barry.khan@stockport.gov.uk / paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals to fund the construction of a multi-storey car park next to Stockport Railway Station, as part of the proposals to redevelop Grand Central, including the process for drawing down the £5m Department for Transport grant funding.

(Note: the report included information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within its appendices that had been circulated to executive councillors only).

RESOLVED – That, based on the information contained in the Confidential Appendices 1 and 2:-

·                Approval be given to the Council in partnership with Muse Developments Ltd proceeding with the construction of a Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) of up to 1,054 spaces adjacent to Stockport Railway Station and the final head of terms with Network Rail be agreed to enable the draw down of the Department for Transport MSCP funding grant.

·                Authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Service Director (Place Development) in conjunction with the Executive Councillors (Policy, Reform and Finance) and (Economic Development & Regeneration) to work with Muse Developments Ltd to secure the most financially beneficial funding arrangement for the MSCP and to enter into all the appropriate agreements/ leases to enable the construction, funding and operation and use for the MSCP.

·                The process involved in complying with the Department for Transport and Network Rail requirements for drawing down the grant funding for the MSCP be noted and approved.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Finance) and (Regeneration)

(Note: this report includes information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within its appendices which have been circulated to executive councillors only)

One of the Council’s key priorities is the regeneration of Stockport Town Centre. The purpose of this report is to seek authority from the Executive to purchase the freehold of a property to facilitate a new public square which will form part of the proposed Bridgefield regeneration scheme. This purchase is necessary as the square forms an important link into the town centre and the Merseyway Shopping Centre from Bridgefield.

The Executive is recommended to:

·         Approve the acquisition of the freehold of the property edged red on the plan in confidential appendix 1.

·         Authorise the Service Director (Place Development) and the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services in consultation with the Executive Councillors (Finance) and (Regeneration) to settle the final terms of the agreement subject to a positive outcome to the final valuation and any outstanding due diligence

Officer contact: Barry Khan/ Paul Lawrence, 0161 474 3202/ 0161 218 1940, barry.khan@stockport.gov.uk / paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal to acquire a property in the Town Centre to support the Council’s regeneration plans for the Bridgefield area.

(Note: this report included information ‘Not for Publication’ contained within its appendices circulated to executive councillors only)

RESOLVED - That

·         the acquisition of the freehold of the property edged red on the plan at confidential appendix 1 of the report be approved, and

·         the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services and the Service Director (Place Development) be authorised, in consultation with the Executive Councillors (Economic Development & Regeneration) and (Governance & Support Services) to settle the final terms of the agreement subject to a positive outcome to the final valuation and any outstanding due diligence.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

The report sets out nominations for representatives of the Council on various outside bodies.

The Executive is recommended to:-

(a)          approve the appointment or nomination for appointment of representatives to outside bodies for 2012/13, as set out in the schedule to be circulated separately;

(b)          authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant group leader, to finalise the schedule of appointments and nominations prior to the next Executive Meeting on 9 July 2012;

(c)          authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make the Council’s nominations to represent AGMA/GMCA on outside bodies.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the appointment or nomination for appointment of representatives of the Council to serve on outside bodies as set out in the schedule contained in the report. The schedule had been compiled in consultation with all the political groups represented on the Council.

RESOLVED – That

·         the appointment or nomination for appointment of representatives of the Council to serve on outside bodies during 2012/13 as set out in the schedule contained in the report be approved.

·         the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant party group leader, be authorised to finalise the schedule of appointments and nominations prior to the next Executive Meeting on 9 July 2012.

·         the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to make the Council’s nominations to represent GMCA/ AGMA on outside bodies.