Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2019.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 24 January 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The report sets out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrates how commuted sums will be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note and comment on the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Officer Contacts: Sally Maguire/Vincent Mcintyre on 0161 474 2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk/vincent.mcinytre@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a proposal to consult on a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for ‘Recreational Open Space and Commuted Payments’. The current Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) provided supplementary guidance on the implementation of Stockport’s Development Plan policies relating to sport, leisure and play facilities. The guidance document demonstrated how commuted sums would be used in maintaining and enhancing the open space assets across the borough.

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:-

• Whether the new figures would be subject to increases in inflation in the future.
• Whether there would be a regular review of the policy in the future. Members expressed concern that the policy had not been renewed since 2006.
• The problem in acquiring enough commuted sums to support the construction or improvements to changing facilities or park buildings associated with sport ie bowls pavilions was highlighted. The pooling of commuted sums was prevented under the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations. Reports on commuted sums in each area were reported to each Area Committee on an annual basis.
• With regard to the development of local areas of play by developers, it had to be borne in mind that the SPG was guidance and not policy.
• The cost of play equipment appeared to be expensive and it was important that the Council secured best value in procuring play equipment
• Information was requested on what electronic play was and why is was so expensive.
• A Member enquired what the ‘six acre standard’ was and it was agreed that Members be provided with information in this regard.
• A request was made for a map to be produced showing the network of Neighbourhood Equipped Areas for Play (NEAPS) and  Local Equipped Areas for Play (LEAPS) at existing sites within the Borough.
• A Member enquired whether there were any powers of enforcement against developers who did not maintain areas of open space.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on progress with the feasibility study and the development of the outline business case of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report and associated presentation and note that a full report on the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan outline business case will be considered at the Council meeting on the 28 March prior to the Cabinet meeting on the 29 March.

Officer Contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk or 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 on progress with the feasibility study and the development of the outline business case of the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan.

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:-

• Support was given to the broad aims of the plan.
• The view was expressed that the only feasible way of combatting the problems caused by poor air quality was affordable, greener andcleaner public transport.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

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

The report provides details of the proposed transportation capital programme for 2019/20 and indicative programmes for future years. It also includes details of the Highways Investment Programme mid-term review.

The Scrutiny Review is requested to comment on the Highways Investment Programme (HIP) review and the following recommendations to the Cabinet:-

·         that the HIP investment has been shown to be fulfilling the business case assumptions.

·         that the investment should continue as originally intended to 2022/23 utilising the funding as described in the original business case.

·         that a review should begin in 2021/22 to establish recommendations for investment post-HIP.

Officer Contacts: Mark Glynn/Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 3700/4351 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk/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 details of the proposed transportation capital programme for 2019/20 and indicative programmes for future years. It also included details of the Highways Investment Programme mid-term review.

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:-

• A Member enquired how the £300,000 included in the Local Transport Plan funding programme for 2019/20 and 2020/21 for District Centres and Local Centres fitted in with the work being carried out by the Council on District Centres.
• Further consideration would be given to the Local Transport Plan funding programme for 2020/21 and which Public Rights of Way/Greenspsace schemes would be included.
• More details were requested on the LED street lighting programme.
• Members requested more details on the next phase of the road safety near schools programme.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides a regular update to the Scrutiny Committee on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the contents of this report and our future plans to support the armed forces community in Stockport.

Officer Contacts: Sharon Mayo/Nayuri Patel on 0161 474 3733/3167 or email: sharon.mayo@stockport.gov.uk/nayuri.patel@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 to the Scrutiny Committee on the support offered to current and former members of the armed forces, reservists and their families as part of the Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.                                                          

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 Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.