Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services.

The report provides an update on the design, construction and plans to animate the park on top of the new Interchange to gauge the views of members and to facilitate contribution to the final development stage prior to the grand opening in Spring 2024.

The Cabinet is recommended to:-

(1)  Note the report and progress in the park;

(2)  Support the use of existing funding to maintain and develop the space.

Officer contacts: Emma Stubbs on 07811 591 429 or email: emma.stubbs@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the design, construction and plans to animate the new Interchange Park on top of the Stockport Interchange development.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Council had worked with Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police at all stages to ensure that the park would be secure by design.

·         The park would be well-lit and well-used such that people would feel safe and comfortable using the park without the need for significant physical security interventions, although it was noted that security measures had been designed into the park.

·         The success of Stockport in delivering a new town centre park was highlighted.

·         It was noted and welcomed that the play equipment had been designed to be inclusive.

·         The environmental credentials of the park and interchange development were highlighted including the measures to hold back water during periods of heavy rainfall rather than discharging it straight into the river.

RESOLVED - (1) That the report and progress in the park be note..

(2)  That the proposed for the use of existing funding to maintain and develop the space be supported.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee as to progress made in the design, construction and plans to animate the park on top of the new Interchange to gauge the views of members and to facilitate contribution to the final development stage prior to the grand opening in Spring 2024.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

(1)  note the report and progress in the park; and

(2)  support the use of existing funding to maintain and develop the space.

Officer contacts: Emma Stubbs 07811 591 429 | emma.stubbs@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing progress made in the design, construction and plans to animate the park on top of the new interchange, and sought views of members to facilitate contribution to the final development stage prior to the grand opening in spring 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Housing (Councillor Colin MacAlister) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The Director of Place Management reported that he had written to members of the Communities & Transport Scrutiny Committee to offer his apologies that the committee had been inadvertently misled in relation to the provision of CCTV at the new interchange park.  It was stated that it had always been the intention to provide CCTV through the new interchange development.  However, it was noted that they key element in making the park a success was to animate it and bring people to it, thereby ensuring that it was a well-used and well-loved park which would consequently be a space that would feel safe for everyone.

The following comments were then made/ issues raised:

·         It was noted that the report had also been considered by members of the Communities & Transport Scrutiny Committee.

·         The park was an integral part of transformational change for the town centre and would be a visible sign of the council’s regeneration ambitions. It was expected that the park would be a major asset to the town.

·         It was noted that there would be CCTV to support the success of the park in ensuring it was well-used and respected.

·         The park was designed with accessibility as a focus, and would have hearing loops, ramps, and a wheelchair-friendly trampoline.

·         It was requested that further information on security measures to protect people’s safety, and in particular, women and girls, be circulated to members.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report and progress on the park be noted; and

(2) that the use of existing funding to maintain and develop the space be endorsed.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee as to progress made in the design, construction and plans to animate the park on top of the new Interchange to gauge the views of members and to facilitate contribution to the final development stage prior to the grand opening in Spring 2024.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

(1)  note the report and progress in the park;

(2)  support the use of existing funding to maintain and develop the space.

Officer contacts: Emma Stubbs tel 07811 591 429 or email emma.stubbs@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee as to progress made in the design, construction and plans to animate the park on top of the new Interchange.  The report also aimed to gauge the views of members and to facilitate contribution to the final development stage prior to the grand opening in Spring 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services (Councillor Grace Baynham) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Members queried what the proposed security arrangements would be for the park.

·         In response, it was stated that the park had been designed with a reduction in the need for physical security interventions in mind. The park was oval-shaped and therefore had no corners, was well lit, had wide-spaces, lighting and planting.  It was also intended that the close proximity of the new residential accommodation and commercial would ensure animation of the space.

·         It was important that the community felt a sense of ownership of the park to mitigate against the potential for anti-social behaviour to develop.

·         It was commented that people were unlikely to choose to go to a particular park because of the presence of police or security but rather that it became a space that was well-used and well loved.  It was further stated that if issues arose, then appropriate action would be taken.

·         Further information was requested in relation to the ongoing maintenance of the park and the approach to community safety. 

·         It was stated that CCTV had not been designed into the current security arrangements for the park.

·         Careful consideration had been given to the heights of the parapets and barriers for the area overlooking the centre of the interchange development.

·         Members noted that the park was scheduled to open on time in the summer of 2024, that it was a welcome and positive addition to the town centre which should last for generations.

·         It was stated that the report was also due to be considered at the Economy, Regeneration & Climate Change Scrutiny Committee on 7 September 2023.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report and the progress in the development of the park be noted.

(2) That the Scrutiny Committee confirms its support for the use existing funding to maintain and develop the park.