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
Minutes:
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 up.
· Some concerns were raised as to whether the owners of empty properties would be able to vote or whether they would have a levy imposed upon them.
· Members of the Task Force considered that there was a severe retail decline which was both quantitative and qualitative.
· Questions were also raised as to whether the private sector would respond as positively as was predicted.
RESOLVED – That the report be noted.