Issue - meetings

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

The Stockport Economic Plan has been developed as a partnership plan in support of, and alignment with, the One Stockport Borough Plan. In order to take forward Stockport’s ambition, reflecting the potential for the local economy around the key priorities of:

·         An Enterprising & Productive Stockport

·         A Skilled and Confident Stockport

A brief was developed, to commission consultants to provide the expertise, capacity, and experience required, to work with the Council and local stakeholders to co-design a Stockport Economic Plan through to 2030. This is crucial to driving forward the local economy to address the challenges of an economic recovery following the impact of Covid.

Following the development of an Evidence Base (emerging issues reported to Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in October), and a detailed programme of stakeholder engagement, a draft Plan with actions has been developed, and will be further worked upon in more detail. This report updates Cabinet on the Draft Economic Plan, following the report going to Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in March.

The Cabinet is recommended to endorse the draft Stockport Economic Plan 2022-2030.

Officer contact: Richard Mortimer on 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk  / Nick Hill on 0161 474 3736 or email: nick.hill@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the draft Stockport Economic Plan 2022 – 2030.

RESOLVED - That the draft Stockport Economic Plan 2022-2030 be endorsed.

To consider a report of the Director for Development and Regeneration.

The report contains the draft Stockport Economic Plan 2022-2030 for consideration.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to review, comment on, and endorse the draft Stockport Economic Plan 2022-2030.

Officer contact: Richard Mortimer 0161 474 3864 | richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk / Nick Hill 0161 474 3736 nick.hill@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the draft Stockport Economic Plan 2022 – 2030.

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:

·         The proposed draft plan was the council’s vision for Stockport’s local economy, and included how the council intended to support economic recovery from covid-19, as well as the council’s goals to become net zero.

·         It was suggested that the plan document be reduced in length to make it more accessible to readers.

·         Work would be undertaken to look at how to measure the impact of the plan once implemented.

·         It was anticipated that the plan would be brought back the Scrutiny Committee for consideration in June.

·         It was felt that the plan carefully balanced growth ambitions against environmental considerations.

·         There was a culture of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Stockport, with 79% of Stockport’s businesses employing 7 or fewer people.

·         It was noted that the council had, through land ownership and planning powers, controls to restrict businesses setting up in the borough that had high carbon footprints. Further information as to what specific powers the council had to prevent businesses with a high carbon footprint setting up in the borough would be circulated to members.

·         Work was ongoing to ensure that the right electric charging points were being installed in the right places across the borough.

·         The Climate Action Now (CAN) fund was in place to support local businesses transition to greener businesses.

·         It was suggested that a list of community and health facilities in the borough, as well as the definition of a ‘healthy asset’, be circulated to members.

·         To ensure the plan remained fit for purpose, it was suggested that the implemented plan and any proposed changes be brought back to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration on an annual basis.

·         It was suggested that the maps showing access to leisure centres and active greenspace be amended or removed as the data did not appear to reflect local knowledge of community facilities. Members were advised that this would be reviewed.

·         The importance of repurposing existing vacant office space to attract new businesses was stressed. It was noted that, where existing space was under the council’s ownership, a creative approach would be taken to attract new businesses.

·         It was suggested that the A6 to M60 bypass be included within the connectivity and transport section of the report, as this was a major capital project.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted and that the Cabinet be recommended to endorse the plan.