Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 16 July 2020 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.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interests

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of Agenda Item 10 ‘Redrock Transactions’ which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ and Category 5 ‘Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority) and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt information in the ‘not for publication’ report for agenda Item 10 – ‘Redrock Transactions’.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

Policy priorities for 2020/21 were set out within the Council Plan, which was adopted at the Budget Council Meeting ibn February. This incorporates the shared outcomes from the Borough Plan alongside specific priorities of the Cabinet.

These priorities, re-shaped to take account of One Stockport and Building Back Better (building on Covid-19) are articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which form the basis for regular in-year reporting. Portfolio and corporate Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRS and CPRRs) will assess progress against key objectives, priorities, outcomes and budgets, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Cabinet to account and for the Cabinet to identify current and future risks to delivery.

The report presents the draft 2020/21 agreements for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to review and comment on the draft Portfolio Agreement.

Officer Contact: Alan Lawson on 0161 474 5397 or email: alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk or Lisa Joy on 0161 474 4044 or email: lisa.joy@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive (Place) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the draft 2020/21 Agreement for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration and comment by the Committee.

The policy priorities, re-shaped to take account of One Stockport and Building Back Better (building on Covid-19) were articulated within the Portfolio Agreements, which formed the basis for regular in-year reporting. Portfolio and Corporate Performance and Resource Reports (PPRRs and CPRRs) would assess progress against key objectives, priorities, outcomes and budgets, enabling Scrutiny Committees to hold the Cabinet to account and for the Cabinet to identify current and future risks to delivery.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         A Member enquired what the financial benefits of staying in the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) would be and how would Brownfield Land funding be affected if the Council withdrew, which would particularly affect investment in the town centre.

·         A section of the report on GMSF and the Local Plan referred to the need to develop strategic and local policy to ensure that a strong emphasis was placed on the need to prioritise the regeneration of the borough, with a specific focus on the wider community benefits that could be delivered. The Local Plan had to be complement the GMSF.

·         A Member enquired on progress on the One Stockport initiative and requested information on the cost of the initiative, and in particular the cost of the marketing and communications..

·         Officers working on the approvals process for the Stockport Council Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund were thanked.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the lack of consultation with Members on the ‘Safe Streets, Save Lives’ initiative. The Cabinet Member advised that Members would be consulted first in the future, but that it was emergency funding allocated at short notice often for temporary measures such as traffic calming.

·         At a time when emergency funding was becoming more prevalent, it was important for schemes in local areas to prepared with residents and Officers, including surveys being carried out, awaiting a time when funding may become available.

·         In response to a question from a Member regarding the announcement that Sainsbury’s was to close its store in Stockport town centre, it was clarified that it had been a commercial decision by Sainsbury’s and that the Council had been in ongoing discussions with the company since the announcement had been made. The Council would do all that it could to assist those employees threatened with redundancy.

·         The view was expressed that in an enclosed area such as the Merseyway Shopping Centre the wearing of face masks should be compulsory during the Covid-19 pandemic, not just in the shops. The Cabinet Member agreed to raise the issue with the management of the centre. In addition, the possibility of the narrow walkway to the Market Place being one-way during the pandemic was raised.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The report provides an update on developing an Innovation Centre in Stockport town centre.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulate) providing an update on developing an Innovation Centre in Stockport town centre. The new centre would form a key component of the Merseyway redevelopment proposals as it would help re-purpose vacant and hard to let space and create additional footfall and spend, therefore benefitting existing and new neighbouring retail and leisure uses within the town centre.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor David Meller) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comment was made/issue raised:-

·         In response to a Member’s question, it was clarified that the proposals were independent of the resumption of maintenance work at the Merseyway shopping centre.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report.

(2) That the Scrutiny Committee be updated on progress on the initiative.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The report provides an update on the Cheadle Towns Fund, including background, progress to date and the next steps.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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

The Deputy Chief Executive (Place) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Cheadle Towns Fund, including background, progress to date and the next steps.

 In the Council’s role as accountable body, authority would be requested from the Cabinet to enter into contract and funding arrangements, subject to Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government approval, to deliver the Cheadle Town Investment Plan, the subsequent Town Deal and the accelerated Towns Fund projects. Authority would also be requested from the Cabinet for the Council to support the development and delivery of the Cheadle Town Investment Plan and the subsequent Town Deal.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The report sets out two initial pieces of work focussed on the infrastructure challenges in achieving the goal of making Stockport Town Centre a Smart Town over the next 20 years and the potential high level solutions to this. There will be the opportunity to use the Mayoral Development Corporation and Stockport Town Centre West as a catalyst for infrastructure planning across the whole Town Centre.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to:-

·           note the report and comment on the recommendations to Cabinet to:

·           Endorse the contents of the Central Stockport Infrastructure Delivery Plan Prospectus and the Stockport Station Growth Prospectus

·           Agree that officers should continue to work with TfGM and Network  Rail as a priority to explore and identify a new layout and design solution for the Greek Street bridge and the Thomson Street footbridge

·           Note and comment on the proposed stakeholder engagement plan outlined at 4.1 in the report.

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

The Deputy Chief Executive (Place) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out two initial pieces of work focussed on the infrastructure challenges in achieving the goal of making Stockport Town Centre a Smart Town over the next 20 years and the potential high level solutions to this.  There would be the opportunity to use the Mayoral Development Corporation and Stockport Town Centre West as a catalyst for infrastructure planning for the whole Town Centre.

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

RESOLVED - That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

To set out the progress that has been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the GM Local Authorities will move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as is reasonably practicable in light of Covid-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considers the formal governance mechanisms that will underpin the delivery of a Gm Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

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

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive (Place) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made on Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following the decision that the Greater Manchester (GM) Local Authorities would move to a statutory public consultation on the GM Clean Air Plan as soon as was reasonably practicable in light of Covid-19 restrictions, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards. The report also considered the formal governance mechanisms that would underpin the delivery of a GM Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and the supporting measures.

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:-

·         Concern was expressed how the common set of minimum licensing standards would be approved as it would require a change in legislation as current private hire operators could ply for hire in Stockport from areas outside Greater Manchester.

·         Concern was expressed that there were no proposals for a scrappage scheme.

·         Concern was expressed that roads maintained by Highways England, including the M60, were not included within the scope of the Clean Air Plan in the light of the fact that such roads were one of the biggest contributors to poor air quality in the borough.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To seek suggestions for Scrutiny Review topics for inclusion in the 2020/2021 scrutiny work programme.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance reminded Members that at their last meeting they had agreed that further consideration be given to the scrutiny review topic to be included within the 2020/21 Scrutiny Work Programme.  The Committee, therefore, was invited to choose a topic for its next review.

RESOLVED – (1) That a Scrutiny Review be undertaken in the current Municipal Year on Changes to Bus and Train Services in the light of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

(20 That Councillor Tom Dowse (Lead Member); Councillors Steve Gribbon, Colin MacAlister and Charlie Stewart be nominated to sit on the proposed scrutiny review panel.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance)                                                          

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 Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) (submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting and any relevant Forward Plan items.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out details of a proposed property transaction at Redrock.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.