Agenda item

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio are presented for consideration by the Committee. These provide a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programmes and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September) and up to the end of October where possible. These include forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolios, along with an update on the portfolio savings programmes.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

(i)        Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports;  

(ii)      Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2020/21;

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

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

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

Officer Contacts: Alan Lawson/Lisa Joy on 0161 474 5397/ 0161 474 4044     

or email:

alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk  or  lisa.joy@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRR) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration by the Committee. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programmes and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September) and up to the end of October where possible. The report also included a forecast on performance and financial data (where this was available) for the portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

Cancellation of outdoor artisan markets on 5 December 2020

·         Concern was expressed by some Members about the cancellation by Officers of three outdoor artisan markets in Stockport on 5 December 2020 despite outdoor markets being permitted under Tier 3 restrictions. The markets in question were Heaton Moor Producers Market, Cheadle Makers Market and Romiley Village Square Market and they had been cancelled at short notice due to concerns about Covid-19. Members felt that the appropriate Cabinet Members should have been consulted on this issue before the decision had been taken. It was hoped that the markets could be rearranged before Christmas if Greater Manchester was moved into Tier 2 and, if so, Members requested that they be notified of the rearranged dates.

·         Although a Member supported the decision to cancel the markets on the grounds of public health and safety, he expressed concern about how the decision had been communicated to Councillors and communities.

·         The £200 discretionary grant allocation to the market traders affected was seen as a contribution towards the overhead costs the traders had incurred in preparing to attend the events, and for not being able to trade in Stockport due to the local restrictions that had been introduced at short notice to manage the risk of the spread of the virus.

·         A Member felt that £200 was to small an amount to offer to the traders and did not help the nearby businesses who would also have gained business from having the outdoor artisan markets held near to their premises. The Corporate Director agreed to provide Members with information on how the figure of £200 had been arrived at and how it was to be distributed to the market traders affected.

Other issues

·         A Member raised the unsuccessful bid by the Council to the Active Travel Fund where Transport for Greater Manchester had felt that the bid did not meet the criteria.

·         The marketing of the One Stockport initiative was raised. The initiative was an opportunity to improve relations with the private sector and recognise their role in regenerating the town centre. Responses were being prepared to comments made at the area committees about improving the marketing of the One Stockport initiative and introducing bespoke marketing for each district centre.

·         Support for small businesses was highlighted and the role of entrepreneurs in the regeneration of the borough.

·         In response to a Member’s question, it was clarified that the review of options for the Metrolink/tram train between East Didsbury and Stockport was being worked upon and discussions had taken place with Transport for Greater Manchester regarding the ambition for a Metrolink connection between Manchester and Marple. A Restoring Your Railways bid for development funding was being planned which would include Stockport to Ashton-under-Lyne and Marple via the proposed Reddish Curve as potential heavy rail/Metrolink/tram train routes.

·         With regard to performance indicator E&R3.1 regarding the number of ‘Kickstart’ jobs created through the Council’s partnership with the Growth Company, a Member felt that the target of 30 should be higher. Members requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on the ‘Kickstart’ scheme.

·         Questions were asked regarding the proposed closure of the Debenhams and Sainsbury’s stores in the town centre and the Cabinet Member agreed to report back when he had more definite information when the stores would close.

·         A Member requested details on the £15,000 earmarked for the SEMMMS Refresh – feasibility/design – New Study Station.

·         Details were provided of the £37,000 allocated to the HS2 Growth Review.

·         Reference was made to the Solar PV Schemes. The Clean Energy projects would see the installation of Solar PV and Solar Car ports across several identified sites across the borough. All schemes were part ERDF funded with a match-funding element from the Council.

·         With regard to the GM Local Full Fibre Network, the Council was working in partnership with the GMCA, TfGM and six GM local authorities to deliver the GM Local Full Fibre Programme which would provide state of the art connections to over 1,300 public sector sites across Greater Manchester through the provision of an optical ‘dark’ full fibre network. Ultimately Greater Manchester would have the best high-speed digital infrastructure coverage of any city-region in the UK.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.