Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report provides the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs) for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration by the Committee. Following positive feedback across all Scrutiny and Cabinet Members to the streamlined format of the Third Update Reports, these reports follow a similar approach.  

As an annual report, whilst focusing on highlights and exceptions over the last quarter of 2018/19 (January to March), it also round up the latest position across all projects, programmes and activities within the Portfolio Agreement, along with the full set of performance measures reported during the year. It also included out-turn performance and financial data for the Portfolio where this is available.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to:-

·         consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;

·         review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2018/19;

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

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

Officer Contacts: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk / Lisa Joy on 0161 474 4044 or email: lisa.joy@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration by the Committee. The report focused on highlights and exceptions over the last quarter of 2018/19 (January to March) and rounded up the latest position across all projects, programmes and activities within the Portfolio Agreement, along with the full set of performance measures reported during the year. It also included out-turn performance and financial data for the Portfolio where this was available.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• Concern was expressed that investment in office, retail and industrial space let or sold to new occupiers had slowed slighting during the year and that the number of available, quality units had reduced; that the number of jobs created because of investment had not reached the full year forecast and that the net number of business start-ups was a negative figure for 2017. It was anticipated that the Scrutiny Review on District Centres would provide important baseline information. Members requested that the review be brought to a conclusion as soon as possible.
• Concern was expressed that the data collected by the Local Data Company on occupied retail, commercial premises should include Reddish which was currently excluded.
• A Member highlighted the evidence of community wealth building, the increase in school visits to museums, and the people from the Brinnington and Central Ward who had been employed, for example, at the Light Cinema and at the Produce Hall, Stockport.
• The Council’s involvement in brokering a relationship between the Produce Hall, Blackshaws operators and Stockport Homes to deliver pre-employment training for local unemployed people was commended.
• In response to Members’ questions regarding the financial position of the outdoor market and the lack of stall holders, the Cabinet Member highlighted that he would be attending a meeting on 17 June between Marketplace Europe and the National Market Traders Federation.
• A Member highlighted the fact the borough was comprised of a number of former urban district councils with their own identity. Consequently some residents in a number of the district centres would rarely visit the town centre.
• It was highlighted that the Tour of Britain cycle race would be passing through the borough on 14 September 2019 and would be an opportunity to showcase the borough’s district centres.
• Local centres were an important asset to communities and it was important that there was also a focus on them.
• A Member requested details of the consultation being undertaken by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan.
• Carbon literacy training was being undertaken by senior Officers of the Council and the intention was that this training would also be undertaken by councillors.
• It was requested that the new Members of the Council be provided with information on the Highway Investment Programme and Potholes Programme, and in particular how they affected their Ward.
• The performance of Merchants House was commended, achieving a profit of £15,286 against a budgeted profit of £13,813.
• Support was given to the ‘Digital Her’ event which aimed to inspire up to 120 young female students from Stockport schools to consider future careers in the digital and technology sectors.
• The Scrutiny Committee asked to be kept up to date on the development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Apprenticeships Grant for Stockport, particularly with regard to digital initiatives.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.