Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Cabinet Members for Economy & Regeneration and for Communities & Housing

This report sets out the opportunity for creating a Mayoral Development Corporation to lead the regeneration of Stockport’s Town Centre West.  It outlines the work undertaken since the September GMCA gave ‘in-principle’ approval to creating an MDC in Stockport and it outlines the next steps required to take this work forward.  In particular, the report asks the Council to formally commit to underwriting any running costs associated with the MDC and formally endorse the principle that Stockport Council would retain planning powers if an MDC were established in Stockport.  The report highlights the legislative requirement to consult on the proposal to create an MDC prior to any final decision and asks the Council to note the GM Mayor’s intention to take a report to the 11th January GMCA setting out his intention to launch a consultation from January to March 2019.

The report sets out a proposed response to the opportunities and challenges through the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) as the delivery vehicle for further the Council’s regeneration objectives for the Town Centre West area.

Cabinet is recommended to:-

·         approve the overall purpose for a Mayoral Development Corporation in Stockport’s Town Centre West;

·         to agree to underwrite running costs of any Mayoral Development Corporation, agree to the guiding principles according to which an MDC would be created;

·         note that GM Mayor’s intention to consult on the MDC proposal, and note that a further report would be brought back to Cabinet before any final decision by the Mayor could be implemented.

Officer contact: Paul Richards, 0161 474 2940, paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Cabinet Members for Economy & Regeneration and for Communities & Housing was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider an opportunity for creating a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to lead the regeneration of Stockport’s Town Centre West. The report outlines the work undertaken since the September GMCA when ‘in-principle’ approval was given to creating an MDC in Stockport and outlining the next steps required to take this work forward. 

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration and Leader of the Council highlighted the positive opportunity this proposal provided to overcome longstanding challenges in comprehensively redeveloping this area of the Town Centre as part of the Council’s wider Town Centre plans, and how the underwriting of the costs would lead to a significant return on that investment. The Cabinet Member also emphasised the vision underlying this proposal was to facilitate the development of genuine sustainable and healthy communities.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the proposed Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) in Stockport’s Town Centre West:

·           the overall purpose for an MDC in Stockport’s Town Centre West be approved;

·           approval be given to underwriting the running costs of any MDC and to the guiding principles according to which an MDC would be created;

·           the GM Mayor’s intention to consult on the MDC proposal, and the intention to submit a further report to Cabinet before any final decision by the Mayor could be implemented, be noted.

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

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee on the proposed response to the opportunities and challenges through the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), or other suitable entity, as the delivery vehicle and recommends that the Council formally agrees to the principles on which any MDC, or equivalent, would be created.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Richards on             0161 474 2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) on the proposed response to the opportunities and challenges through the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), or other suitable entity, as the delivery vehicle to unlock the regeneration potential of Stockport Town Centre West. The report also set out work which was underway to produce a masterplan and set a long-term strategic vision for the area along with interim governance arrangements that would provide Members with the opportunity to guide the agenda as it moved forward.

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

RESOLVED – (1) That the general proposals be welcomed and the principles set out by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in paragraph 2.5 of the report which would inform the creation of any Mayoral Development Corporation in Stockport be noted, in particular that:-

·         operating costs will be borne by the Council

·         planning powers will be retained by the Council as Local Planning Authority for the MDC area.

·         the statutory roles of Chef Finance Officer and Chief Legal Officer will be provided by the Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority respectively.

(2) That it be noted that a report will be submitted to the meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on 11 January 2019 for a decision by the Greater Manchester Mayor about going out to consultation in January and February 2019 on the proposal to create a Mayoral Development Corporation in Stockport.

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

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee on the proposed response to the opportunities and challenges through the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation, or other suitable entity, as the delivery vehicle and recommends that the Council formally agrees to the principles on which any MDC, or equivalent, would be created.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161 474 2940 or email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on the proposed response to the opportunities and challenges through the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation, or other suitable entity, as the delivery vehicle and recommending that the Council formally agrees to the principles on which any MDC, or equivalent, would be created.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Clarification was requested in relation to the overall cost to the Council that would be incurred in setting up the Mayoral Development Corporation and the ongoing costs that the Council would be required to contribute.

·         It was highlighted that Stockport would continue to retain control over planning powers for the MDC area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.