Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report provides a summary of two separate options for proposals to improve cycling and walking in Marple District Centre as part of the Capability Fund. The proposals aim to provide improved infrastructure and connectivity for cycling and walking with the minimum of detriment to traffic operation in Marple. Some early-stage design work has been undertaken to check that the proposals presented in this report are feasible, however no consultation has been undertaken.

The Area Committee is requested to consider the contents of the report and recommend that the Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) approves the development of one or both of the different approaches (Options 1 and 2) and subsequent consultation for the proposals.

Officer contact: Nick Whelan, nick.whelan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a summary of two separate options for proposals to improve cycling and walking in Marple District Centre as part of the Capability Fund. The proposals aim to provide improved infrastructure and connectivity for cycling and walking with the minimum of detriment to traffic operation in Marple. Some early-stage design work has been undertaken to check that the proposals presented in this report are feasible, however no consultation has been undertaken.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       Members expressed their concern that the production of the report had started the public consultation on the proposed options, as residents had begun to feedback their opinions to Ward Councillors. As a result, Members felt unable to respond to the proposed measures without a formal public consultation having been undertaken, given that only some members of the public would have had opportunity to provide their views.

·       Members sought clarity on what they were being asked to consider. In response, it was commented that officers were asking for Members to steer the direction of the proposed scheme which would then be considered by the Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration). Following this, a more detailed report would be submitted based on Members’ feedback and a formal public consultation would be undertaken.

·       Members questioned whether the report was considered urgent business. In response, it was commented that, as per the front sheet of the agenda item, the item was not considered as urgent business and was not exempt from call in.

·       It was noted that the report was submitted in order to provide an overview of the officer response to the production of the Atkins Report on Marple District Centre, which had previously been requested by Members.

·       Overall, Members were dissatisfied with the process being followed in regard to the proposal and felt it should not have been brought before Members at a formal meeting without prior consultation with local residents.

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee agree to defer this item, pending a public consultation on the proposed measures.