Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.

The report details the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel of the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in respect of the economic and social case for Metrolink in Stockport and the proposed recommendations.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the report and consider how it might respond to the report’s findings and recommendations.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson 0161 474 4351 | sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Vice Chair of the Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee and Lead Councillor for the Review (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to present the final report of the Scrutiny Review ‘Economic and Social case for Metrolink in Stockport’ (copies of which had been circulated) and to answer questions from the Cabinet.

Councillor Meller stated that he wished to specifically highlight the recommendations in relation to prioritising public transport infrastructure over road building and that the ongoing work of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation should be leveraged as much as possible to help deliver Metrolink into the borough.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Colin MacAlister) responded by welcoming the report and stating that it was a priority for the Council to have Metrolink extended to Stockport and that all development in the town centre was considered with the retention and preservation of viable routes into the borough in mind.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Director of Place Management be requested to prepare a response to the ‘Economic and Social Case for Metrolink’ Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Cabinet at a future meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Cabinet be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel ‘Economic and Social Case for Metrolink’ and others involved in the Review.

To consider a report of Councillor David Meller, Chair of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Economic and Social Case for Metrolink in Stockport.

As part of the scrutiny work programme approved by Full Council, a review of the Economic and Social Case for Metrolink in Stockport by the Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee was agreed and subsequently undertaken from October 2022 to February 2023. The report details the work of the panel, including the panel’s key findings and recommendations for consideration by Cabinet.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider and endorse the report for submission to Cabinet. 

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson 0161 474 4351 | sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Chair of the Scrutiny Review Panel, Councillor David Meller, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the work of the panel, including the panel’s key findings and recommendations for consideration by Cabinet.  

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         As part of the scrutiny work programme approved by Full Council, a review of the Economic and Social Case for Metrolink in Stockport by the Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee was agreed and subsequently undertaken from October 2022 to February 2023.

·         The report contained a series of key findings and recommendations for onward submission to Cabinet for consideration.

·         It was hoped that the work would support the council’s ambition in bringing Metrolink to Stockport.

·         It was suggested that the work be communicated to as many stakeholders as possible, including local Members of Parliament, and that this be added to the list of recommendations within the report to Cabinet.

Thanks were expressed to members, officers and Transport for Greater Manchester for their support with this piece of work.

RESOLVED – That the report, subject to the additional recommendation that the work of the panel be presented to local Members of Parliament for their information, be endorsed for submission to Cabinet.