Issue - meetings

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

The report provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). It includes out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2017/18;

·         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

·         Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk / Kora Yohannan on 0161 474 4032 or email: kora.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March), It included out-turn performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

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:-

• Support was given to the recognition of town centre management as increasingly important for the future health and viability of Stockport Town Centre. The Corporate Director undertook to advise Members of the cost of the free wi-fi.
• Concern was expressed that footfall in the market area was below target (Performance Indicator E&R 02). It was highlighted that the new operator for the produce hall and Blackshaws café would be open six days a week and would attract additional customers. Comparisons were drawn with Altrincham market where the food and drink offer had boosted the goods market.
• With regard to Performance Indicator E&R 05, C02 emissions (metric tons per capita) within the scope of influence of local authorities, Members enquired whether any analysis had been carried out to review what impact the Council had directly upon this. The Corporate Director agreed to provide information on the background and an explanation to this indicator.
• Concern was expressed that the percentage of occupied retail, commercial and business premises within the Borough’s district centres was below target. (Performance Indicator E&R10). The Scrutiny Committee was advised that Officers had commenced work looking specifically at the Borough’s district centres. This would help to provide detailed information on land usage and business occupancy levels etc.
• In response to a query why the square feet of office, retail and industrial space let or sold to new occupiers in Stockport Town Centre was below target (Performance Indicator E&R 13a), it was pointed out that this target included developments such as Redrock which were now fully occupied.
• A Member enquired what the new ‘marketing collateral’ for use at the MIPIM event in March comprised of and how much it cost.
• A Member enquired to what extent the Council could influence the standards for permitted development through its design guides.
• The Brownfield Register, which was available on the Council’s website, had proved invaluable to the compilation of a list of brownfield sites in the Borough.
• It may well be beyond the ability of the Council to halt the decline of the retail sector in the town centre.
• The Corporate Director undertook to provide a briefing for the new Marple Councillors on the package of mitigation and complementary measures for the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.