Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 2 November 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of Appendices 2 and 3 of the following agenda item which contains information “not for publication” by virtue of the appropriate category set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded during the consideration of agenda item 11 ‘Town Centre Regeneration – Merseyway’ which contained information “not for publication” by virtue of category 3 as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

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

The report provides an update on progress with the Stockport Work and Skills Commission and information about the how the Council id developing an Inclusive Growth Framework for Stockport.

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

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress with the Stockport Work and Skills Commission.

The Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) and Paul Holmes, Chair of the Work and Skills Commission answered questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Commission would be a short, focused exercise to lead a public debate with relevant stakeholders and partners on the work and skills issues that were impacting, and will impact, on the local people, businesses and economy in Stockport.

·         Workshops would be held to generate a range of views on what the main issues and problems with work and skills were and to provide suggestions for priorities and actions.

·         Plans to investigate the impact of universal credit and the poverty insight work being undertaken which linked directly with the work of the skills commission.

·         Understanding the barriers for people to access work but also their ability to stay in work once they have successfully gained employment.

·         The different challenges facing the commission moving forward – the issues of the here and now which can be dealt with in the next 6 mths, then medium term issues over the next 18 mths and then then longer term considerations which need to be addressed which could involve planning for the next 10 years.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The purpose of this report is to seek views on proposed priority areas for the Safer Stockport Partnership (SSP) to focus on in a new SSP Plan. Given the cross-cutting nature of the Partnership’s work, this report is being considered by all Scrutiny Committees.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:

·           Note the developing Stockport and Greater Manchester Community Safety Plans, underpinned by completed strategic assessments, and timetables for further engagement and consultation going forward;

·           Consider the proposed priority areas for action in the new SSP Plan set out at paragraph 4.3 of the report.

Officer contact: Peter Owston on 0161 474 3274 or email: peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting members to comment on the proposed priority areas for the Safer Stockport Partnership to focus on as part of the Safer Stockport Partnership Plan.

The following comments were made issues raised:-

·         Councillors asked that District Centres be given consideration as part of the plan noting that a lot of work was undertaken in the Town Centres.

·         In order to ensure that people can best enjoy the evening economy in District Centres – they should be given high priority.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The draft strategy provides an overarching framework and a proposed way forward in line with the identified objectives. The objectives, particularly those relating to tariff structures and income generation, are intrinsically linked to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.  Details of proposals relating to the Medium Term Financial Plan are to be considered by the Communities and Housing Scrutiny Committee at its meeting to be held on 4 December 2017.

Following review by the Scrutiny Committee at its last meeting, informal consultation on the draft strategy has been undertaken with key stakeholders in Stockport Town Centre to seek feedback on the proposals.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the strategy before it is submitted to Cabinet for adoption.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing feedback on the consultation on the draft strategy which had been undertaken with key stakeholders in Stockport Town Centre and seeking feedback on the proposals.

The Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) answered questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The Committee noted that the current car parking strategy for Stockport Town Centre was adopted in 2012, and since then, there had been a period of change in which the nature of the town centre and local road network had changed significantly as a result of ongoing investment through programmes such as TCAP and schemes such as Redrock and Stockport Exchange.

·         The draft strategy provided an overarching framework and a proposed way forward in line with the identified objectives. The objectives, particularly those relating to tariff structures and income generation, were intrinsically linked to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).

·         Whilst great efforts were being made to encourage residents to use public transport especially when accessing the town centre – it was still vital to ensure that the car parking strategy was working as effectively as possible.

·         Flexibility had been built into the strategy to allow it to react as the size of the Town Centre changes – there would also been enhanced harmonisation of tariffs amongst the Council owned car parks.

·         The effect of new developments and the need to ensure that any new developments do not have any adverse effect. The Local Plan was integral to this process and how the Council wanted places to function.

·         Town Centre Living work was underway to assess the potential for increased town centre living.

·         Future revenue streams associated with electric parking.

·         The Chair reported that he had requested that the report in relation to District Centre car parking be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out a review of the Council’s Resilient Network document including consideration of other issues requested by the Department of Transport beyond weather related incidents impacting on the highway.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to review and comment on the report and the review of the Resilient Network document.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a review of the Council’s Resilient Network document including consideration of other issues requested by the Department of Transport beyond weather related incidents impacting on the highway.

The Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) answered questions in relation to the report.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Councillors noted that whilst under all but the most extreme conditions the presumption would be to keep the network open. However, in certain circumstances the closure of routes would be considered and alternatives planned.

·         Procedures for responding efficiently to emergencies on the highway and how information is shared between agencies and partners.

·         Work undertaken at a Greater Manchester level but also the emergency planning powers available to the Council to take quick action to deal with an emergency – an explanation of the Silver Commander role undertaken by senior Council Officers was given.

·         How members of the public and councillors can report any concerns of incidents to the relevant council officers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out the lessons learned from the delivery of the first phase of essential works which were carried out to the Grade II listed Wellington Road Viaduct on the A6 in Stockport Town Centre.so that they can inform the delivery of future highways maintenance and improvement schemes.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note and comment on the findings of the report.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the lessons learnt from the delivery of the first phase of essential works that were carried out to the grade II listed Wellington Road Viaduct on the A6 in Stockport Town Centre which will inform the delivery of future highways maintenance and improvement schemes.

The Chair thanked officers and partners for the excellent work undertaken implementing the scheme. He suggested that any learning from delivering the project on time be applied to other schemes.

Councillors sought further explanation as to how contractors were selected and how the best markets rates were achieved. Further information was sought in respect to the Alliance Framework and how such a framework offered better value.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report updates Members in respect of the Travis Brow scheme and the Council’s detailed reasons for making a Compulsory Order, provides a summary of the Council’s negotiations with those parties whose land and interests are required to be assembled, and the stage which those negotiations have reached; and enables consideration of the human rights and equalities implications should the Order be made.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Committee with an update in respect to the Travis Brow Scheme as it related to the Town Centre Access Package.

The Cabinet Member (Economy & Regeneration) answered questions in relation to the report.

The Committee discussed the time taken, the use of and the circumstances in which Compulsory Purchase Orders were utilised.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager

The report sets out planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to consider the information in the report and put forward any agenda items for future meetings of the Committee.

Officer Contact: David Clee on 0161 474 3137 or email: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager circulated a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration and Borough Treasurer

The report provides an overview for the Scrutiny Committee on the strategic approach that the Council has taken to the current and future role of Merseyway Shopping Centre within the context of the Council’s wider ambition for the town centre.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the proposals contained in the report.

Officer Contact: George Perrin on 0161 474 4510 or email: george.perrin@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration and the Borough Treasurer submitted a joint report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview on the strategic approach that the Council has taken to the current and future role of Merseyway Shopping Centre with the Council’s wider ambition for Stockport Town Centre.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.