Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The report seeks authority to undertake structural repairs to the Merseyway Multi-storey Car Park to prevent further structural deterioration, ensure the safety of users, protect the car parking revenue stream and halt water ingress to retail units below the car park structure.

(NOTE: The report contains a confidential appendix that has been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the Phase 1 works funded at a cost of £4.4m through borrowing based on savings or existing borrowing costs from within the car parking revenue budget.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) seeking authority to undertake structural repairs to the Merseyway Multi-storey Car Park to prevent further structural deterioration, ensure the safety of users, protect the car parking revenue stream and halt water ingress to retail units below the car park structure.

(NOTE: The report contained a confidential appendix that had been circulated to members of the Cabinet only).

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the Phase 1 works identified in the report to be funded at a cost of £4.4m through borrowing based on savings or existing borrowing costs from within the car parking revenue budget.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management

The report sets out proposals to undertake structural repairs to the Merseyway Multi-Storey Car Park to prevent further structural deterioration, ensure the safety of users, protect the car parking revenue stream and halt water ingress to retail units below the car park structure.

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

Officer Contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out proposals to undertake structural repairs to the Merseyway Multi-Storey Car Park to prevent further structural deterioration, ensure the safety of users, protect the car parking revenue stream and halt water ingress to retail units below the car park structure. A map of car park zones at Merseyway was attached at Appendix 1.

Members were advised that it was appropriate to invest in the car park at this moment in time so as to maintain its structural integrity, Waterproofing works were expected to take place over the next two summers and works would avoid times of high usage, for instance Christmas time, so as to not affect occupancy rates.

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

(NOTE: The report contained a confidential appendix that has been circulated to Members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A query was raised as to whether electric charging points could be installed at the same time as the proposed works, and it was advised that there were plans to install electric charging points as part of the works. Funding had been received to support the installation and it was expected that approximately 15 – 20 electric charging points would be installed at the site. The installation of solar panels were also being incorporated into the project works.

·         Concern was raised with regards to the timing of the works given that the works were now urgent. Members were advised that the Council had sought to achieve the greatest amount of economic life out of the structure in order to stretch the value of the work that had previously been carried out. It was noted that the cost of the works was unchanged to that if the works had been undertaken three or four years ago.

·         It was asked whether, as part of the project, the number and placement of disabled spaces were being reviewed. Members were reassured that the disabled spaces would be of national standards, and an increase in the number of spaces was anticipated. Consultants were assessing where disabled spaces would be best placed, including near to the lift and the proposed Stockroom building.  In addition, Officers would ensure that any changes to the Debenhams site would not impact on access to the car park.

·         In response to a Member’s question, it was clarified that, when the Merseyway centre was previously in third party ownership, a percentage of the rent from the centre was paid to the Council by way of a ground lease.

·         It was confirmed that there would be loading and unloading areas at the site, as well as at Chestergate.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.