Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 and 10 December 2020.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings held on 2 and 10 December 2020 were approved as correct records and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests which 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 part of Agenda Item 10 – ‘St. Thomas’ Gardens’ and Agenda Item 11 ‘Stockport Exchange Phase 4, which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority) and information in respect of which a claim to legal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in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt information in the ‘not for publication’ appendices for agenda item 10 – ‘St. Thomas’ Gardens’ and agenda item 11 – ‘Stockport Exchange Phase 4’.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Devolution and the Deputy Leader of the Council & Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance.

This report covers how partners across Stockport have approached the development of a shared borough plan, including an overview of the insight which has informed the development of the priorities, and introducers a draft borough plan for scrutiny comment and consideration. The draft plan is being shared with all scrutiny committees and comment is invited on the whole planm however to support discussions Table 1 indicates where borough plan priorities more directly relate to the remit of this Committee. The draft plan is also accompanied by a full engagement report (appendix 1) and an equality impact assessment (appendix 2).

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

Officer Contact: Holly Rae on 0161 474 3014 or email: holly.rae@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing how partners across Stockport had approached the development of a shared borough plan, including an overview of the insight which had informed the development of the priorities, and introducing a draft borough plan for comment and consideration by the Scrutiny Committee.

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:-

·         The importance of the ambitious regeneration plans for the district centres, as well as the town centre, were welcomed.

·         As well as the town centre, Stockport was comprised of a number of district and local centres with different wants and needs. There was not a unified view amongst the residents of Stockport about the borough and some residents had little involvement with the town centre and did not consider themselves to be part of Stockport. The Plan appeared to be town-centre focussed. It was suggested there needed to be a greater focus on the borough’s district centres.

·         More information was requested on the criteria by which the success of the Plan would be measured and the timelines for doing so. More focus should be put on specific measures, for example with regard to jobs and climate change.

·         Members requested that the comments of the Area Committees be reflected to a greater extent in the Plan. It was noted that Members would have a further opportunity to comment on the Borough Plan at forthcoming meetings of the Area Committees.

·         There needed to be a greater effort to engage with people and particular groups such as young people.

·         The statistic that Stockport was the 8^th most polarised borough in England needed greater analysis and it would be helpful for Members to see the data that underpinned it.

·         A Member enquired what measures the Council would be taking to improve diversity and tackle racism.

·         In celebrating the borough’s parks, it was important that residents were encouraged to go to their local park in an attempt to avoid the congestion which had occurred.

·         It was suggested that individual Wards could have increased funding to help support the wider aims of the Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The clean air update report provides an update on the recent consultation on the proposed measures and the next phase of work including understanding the implications of Covid-19.

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

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

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the progress that had been made on the development of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Plan following a public consultation on proposals that had been developed before the Covid-19 pandemic, and the link to taxi and private hire common minimum licensing standards.

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 Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive

The report sets out a draft response to the public consultation from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on a proposed bus franchising scheme in the light of the findings of the Covid-19 impact report.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to review and comment on the draft response.

Officer Contacts: Mark Glynn/Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk/sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out a draft response to the public consultation from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on a proposed bus franchising scheme in the light of the findings of the Covid-19 impact report.

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:-

·         Although the proposed system was not ideal it was better than the current system where the bus operators decided what happened.

·         The Greater Manchester Mayor would not have complete control as they would be held to account by Members of various committees of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

·         The need for regular bus services to outlying, less heavily populated parts of the borough remained as important as ever.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on the progress of developing the A34 Major Road Network Corridor Improvement Scheme including the consultation process, development of the schemes and development of the outline business case.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the content and comment on the report and recommendations as appropriate.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the progress of developing the A34 Major Road Network Corridor Improvement Scheme including the consultation process, development of the schemes and development of the outline business case.

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 raised about the problems caused by the size and capacity of the roundabouts at Eden Point, Cheadle and Stanley Green, Cheadle Hulme which would be exacerbated by the residential development which was taking place in nearby areas in Cheshire East Council.

·         Concern was expressed that certain elements of the proposals could have a consequential impact on traffic flows leading to further congestion and safety issues at the Eden Point and Stanley Green roundabouts.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides an update on the progress to date in bringing forward the redevelopment of St Thomas’ Gardens, in particular the Academy of Living Well, and seeks approval for the Council to commit to the next stage of design and construction.

(NOTE: The report contains ‘not for publication’ appendices that have 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 email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the progress to date in bringing forward the redevelopment of St Thomas’ Gardens, in particular the Academy of Living Well. The approval of the Cabinet would be sought for the Council to commit to the next stage of design and construction.

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

(NOTE: This item contained ‘not for publication’ appendices that had been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out progress on the speculative development of Stockport Exchange Phase 4, which comprises office and Multi-Storey Car Park developments with associated public realm. The report also sets out a proposal to close a portion of the temporary car park to deliver the required land to construct Stockport Exchange 4 and to relocate occupiers to other town centre car parks during the construction of the Multi-Storey Car Park.

(NOTE: The report contains ‘not for publication’ appendices that have 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 email: paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out progress on the speculative development of Stockport Exchange Phase 4, which comprised office and Multi-Storey Car Park developments with associated public realm. The report also set out a proposal to close a section of the temporary car park to deliver the required land to construct Stockport Exchange Phase 4 and to relocate other occupiers to other town centre car parks during the construction of the Multi-Storey Car Park.

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

(NOTE: This item contained ‘not for publication’ appendices that had been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.