Issue - meetings

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

This report sets out for Members’ consideration an approach to how we can further support our ambition to create a thriving sustainable town centre by creating the right conditions for Town Centre Living.  Our proposed approach to increasing residential development in Stockport Town Centre is also supported through the Council’s  Brownfield First approach.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report and support further engagement in the development of the framework over the coming months.

Officer contact: George Perrin on 0161-474-4510 or email: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out for Members’ consideration an approach to how the Council could further support its ambition to create a thriving sustainable town centre by creating the right conditions for Town Centre Living. The supported approach to increasing residential development in Stockport’s Town Centre was also supported through the Council’s Brownfield First approach.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Kate Butler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• A Member requested that reference be included in the report to all forms of infrastructure, for example ‘green’ infrastructure and that relating to waterways.
• As well as Stockport town centre, plans for town centre living were also needed for the district centres.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Committee supports further engagement in the development of the framework for town centre living over the coming months

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

This report sets out for Members’ consideration an approach to how we can further support our ambition to create a thriving sustainable town centre by creating the right conditions for Town Centre Living.  Our proposed approach to increasing residential development in Stockport Town Centre is also supported through the Council’s  Brownfield First approach.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report and support further engagement in the development of the framework over the coming months.

Officer contact: George Perrin on 0161-474-4510 or email: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed approach to support an ambition to create a thriving sustainable town centre by creating the right conditions for Town Centre Living which included increasing residential development in Stockport Town Centre supported through the Council’s Brownfield First approach.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to present the report and respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Scrutiny Committee has previously given approval to undertaking a scrutiny review in relation to Town Centre Living which would guide and influence the formation of the overarching policy on town centre living.

·         There were a number of buildings within the town centre which were underutilised and could be put to better use.

·         It was important that those residents already living within the town centre had security of tenure.

·         It was felt that there needed to be a definition was what was considered to be the town centre for the purposes of town centre living.

·         The historic centre of Stockport needed to be preserved and enhanced.

·         A way would need to be found of ensuring that residential and commercial uses could reasonably coexist in the development of a town centre living policy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.