Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2018.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 25 January 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to the following additional bullet point in Minute 7 ‘Autonomous Vehicles’:-

·         Concern was expressed about the safety of autonomous vehicles, the need for infrastructure to be put in place and whether or not autonomous vehicles would reduce traffic congestion.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of Agenda Item 7 – ‘Stockport Exchange Temporary Car Park’ which contains information ‘not for publication’ in its appendix by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That it is in the public interest to exclude the public during part of the consideration of the following agenda item which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of the appropriate category set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended):-

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

The report provides an update of the results of the consultation on the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan and identifies the ways in which the final draft of the Plan has been amended to address the concerns identified.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the final draft of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan and support its submission to Cabinet for approval.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update of the results of the consultation on the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan and identifying the ways in which the final draft of the Plan had been amended to address the concerns identified. The plan was a statutory document and had been produced following two rounds of consultation with members of the public.

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

The report would be submitted to the Cabinet at its meeting to be held on 13 March 2018.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members commended the report and the improvements to the Council’s website in identifying public rights of way and the compilation of information which could be used by mapping companies.

·         Support was given to the amendments to the plan which dealt with accessibility for all users so that the needs of people with disabilities and the needs of ethnic minority and minority user groups were addressed; the way the plan dealt with the needs of equestrian groups and how the plan dealt with conflict between users.

·         Concern was expressed that only 56 people had responded to the consultation, although it was pointed out that there had been more respondents in the first round of the consultation.

·         The development of a Public Rights of Way Group was as an initiative the Council would be exploring.

·         Officers have examined various types of barriers as a means of deterring anti-social behaviour, particularly from the users of off road bikes riding too fast. The barriers had to be of a sufficient height to allow the users of mobility scooters to get through the barriers.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet be advised that the Scrutiny Committee supports the final draft of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

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

The report provides an overview of the proposed transportation capital programme for 2018/19 to 2020/21 and a more detailed proposed programme for 2018/19.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the proposed Transportation Capital Programme for 2018/19, prior to their consideration by the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview of the proposed transportation capital programme for 2018/19 to 2020/21 and a more detailed proposed programme for 2018/19.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

• The Transportation Capital Programme included a substantial scheme for Roscoe’s roundabout, the details for which would be submitted to the appropriate Area Committees in due course.
• Improvements to road safety at schools had been prioritised by Officers in the road safety team against an agreed set of criteria. The Council had now put more resources in place in order to expedite the schemes more quickly.
• A Member raised the issue of air quality and in particular in areas such as High Lane and Hazel Grove after the opening of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road. Members requested that a link be sent to them for the Greater Manchester Air Quality Action Plan.
• Expenditure on the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road would continue for approximately the next ten years as, for example, a number of complicated land assembly issues would continue to be settled.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration be advised that the Scrutiny Committee supports the Transportation Capital Programme 2018/19.

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

The report details a proposal to construct a temporary car park on the Cineworld site following its demolition in 2018.

(NOTE: This report contains a confidential appendix which has been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

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

Officer contact: Paul Richards on 0161-474-2940 or by email on paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to construct a temporary car park on the Cineworld site following its demolition in 2018.

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

Members requested that the following issues be investigated:-

• Whether electric charging points could be incorporated in the scheme within the cost constraints.
• Whether there was any scope for setting aside some of the bricks from the demolition of Cineworld to build a visitor centre at Reddish Vale Country Park.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.