Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Development and Regeneration. 

The report provides an update on how the council is working with stakeholders to support the development of the borough’s eight district centres and the progress to date in delivering the District Centre Action Plans.  

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note: 

a)    the progress in delivering actions within the District Centre Action Plans; 

b)   the additional £40,000 allocated to District Centres from UKSPF to be split equally across the eight centres; and 

c)    the plans to develop an information portal to support businesses and organisations in large local centres.  

Officer contact: Helen Walters 07800 618140 | helen.walters@stockport.gov.uk  

The Director of Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on how the council was working with stakeholders to support the development of the borough’s eight district centres. Detail on progress to date in delivering the District Centre Action Plans was attached at appendix A.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The ‘Brilliant Businesses Bouncing’ campaign to encourage residents to support their local district centre had been well-received, with 25,000 views of the campaign video. It was reported that local businesses were appreciative of the campaign and the work going on in supporting the development of district and local centres.

·         It was noted that a website for local centres was in the process of being set up.

·         The programme of work to support the development of district centres was commended, and it was noted that the progress in the Cheadle district centre had been significant. It was suggested that opportunities for funding be continued to be sought in supporting this work.

·         It was noted that footfall counters remained operational in district centres.

·         It was also noted that measuring vacancy rates enabled the council to compare district centres to each other, and to other district centres nationally.

·         It was suggested that how the additional £40,000 funding was allocated to district centres from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund be reviewed, namely, whether the funding amount could be allocated by need as opposed to split equally among the 8 district centres.

Thanks were expressed for the work undertaken by members and officers in supporting the development of the district centres.

RESOLVED – (1) That the progress in delivering actions within the District Centre Action Plans be noted.

(2) That the additional £40,000 allocated to District Centres from UKSPF to be split equally across the eight centres be noted.

(3) That the plans to develop an information portal to support businesses and

organisations in large local centres be noted.