Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability)

The Green Infrastructure Enhancement Strategy identifies current green assets and opportunities for enhancement in Stockport town centre.  Delivering the strategy, in the context of the continuing financial challenge facing the Council, will depend on integration with planning guidance and existing and emerging town centre regeneration programmes.  The strategy also proposes to trial new ways of working, new operational management and new project funding mechanisms through a range of micro projects.

It is recommended that the Council;

•        Adopts the Town Centre Green Infrastructure Enhancement Strategy.

•        Integrates the Town Centre Green Infrastructure Strategy with existing and emerging strategies and planning guidance.

•        Implements a range of example ‘micro projects’ including a ‘GreenStreets’ project to engage the business and residential community.

Officer contact: Darren Pegram, 0161-474-3171, Darren.pegram@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the adoption of a Green Infrastructure Enhancement Strategy that identified current green assets in Stockport Town Centre and opportunities for their enhancement. It was proposed to integrating this Strategy with existing planning guidance, existing and emerging Town Centre regeneration programmes, and to trial new ways of working, new operational management and new project funding mechanisms through a range of micro projects.

RESOLVED – That

·               the Town Centre Green Infrastructure Enhancement Strategy be adopted;

·               the Town Centre Green Infrastructure Strategy be integrated with relevant and appropriate existing and emerging strategies and planning guidance;

·               to support the delivery of the Strategy a range of example ‘micro projects’ including a ‘GreenStreets’ project to engage the business and residential community, be implemented.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report outlines the importance and need for a co-ordinated, planned approach to Green Infrastructure in Stockport Town Centre and obtain approval of the Town Centre Green Infrastructure Enhancement Strategy.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, prior to its consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

Officer Contact: Darren Pegram on 0161 474 3171 or email: darren.pegram@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the importance and need for a co-ordinated, planned approach to green infrastructure in Stockport Town Centre.

The report would be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

The Executive Councillor (Economic Development and Regeneration) (Councillor Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The area of St. Petersgate near to the fountain would benefit from more green space.

·         The mobile planters on St. Petersgate may cause problems for pedestrians.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive be advised that this Scrutiny Committee supports the Town Centre Green Infrastructure Enhancement Strategy.

(2) That a further report be submitted to the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee on 24 September 2015.