Agenda and minutes

The Chair referred to the recent death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Members of the Scrutiny Committee and Officers observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to his memory.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 28 January 2021 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 interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

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 11 – ‘A555 Update Report and part of Agenda Item 12 ‘MDC Strategic Business Plan 2021-2026 and Annual Action Plan 2021-2022’, which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt information in the ‘not for publication’ appendices for agenda item 11 – ‘A555 Update Report’ and agenda item 12 – ‘MDC Strategic Business Plan 2021-2026 and Annual Action Plan 2021-2022’.

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

The report sets out details of the exploration of four rail stations in Stockport as part of the Stockport Stations Alliance programme under One Public Estate (OPE) 6. These proposals are at an early stage, but it is important that each of the opportunities are explored in detail to maximise the benefit to the Council and residents.

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

Officer Contact: Andy Prideaux on 0161 217 6926 or email: andrew.prideaux@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out detailing of the exploration of four rail stations in Stockport as part of the Stockport Stations Alliance programme under One Public Estate (OPE) 6. The proposals were at an early stage, but it was important that each of the opportunities were explored in detail to maximise the benefit to the Council and residents.

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:-

·         Concern was expressed that Members had first become aware of the proposals from a source other than the Council.

·         The railway estate was large and disparate and presented a number of opportunities. The opportunity to make stations more attractive developments to help encourage a modal shift in transport was important.

·         Members enquired what criteria was used to choose the particular stations, given that no firm view had been taken as to what developments would take place.

·         There had currently been no approaches from companies regarding third party land acquisitions.

·         There was scope to look at opportunities in other parts of the borough in addition to those referred to in the report if it was felt appropriate.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides details of the proposed transportation capital programme for 2021/22 and indicative programmes for future years.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on and note the report, prior to the approval of the final programme by the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration.

Officer Contacts: Mark Glynn on 0161 464 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk; or Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copied of which had been circulated) providing details of the proposed transportation capital programme for 2021/22 and indicative programmes for future years.

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 when the street lights replacement programme in Reddish North would commence.

·         It was hope that Network Rail would be on site next year for the Thomson Street Bridge (Edgeley to Stockport) scheme. Authority for the Council to commit and enter into agreement to fund the wider structure would therefore fall outside of the standard MCF governance.

·         Members complimented the work undertaken on the Gillbent Road Crossing Upgrade scheme in Cheadle Hulme.

·         The issue was raised of the resurfacing of the older cycle lanes in the borough. It was clarified that the Council’s main priority was to keep the existing network in good repair and then take every opportunity to improve it.

RESOLVED – That the Transportation Capital Programme be recommended for approval to the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration.

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

The report provides an update on Project Synergy, the original aim of which was to further develop technologies for connected autonomous vehicles to accelerate the adoption of driverless vehicles and allied technologies in the UK. As the process has been affected by delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the advances made or difficulties encountered by different partners with regard to the involved technology, the report provides an update on progress with the project and the proposed next steps.

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

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

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) on Project Synergy, the original aim of which was to further develop technologies for connected autonomous vehicles to accelerate the adoption of driverless vehicles and allied technologies in the UK. As the process had been affected by delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the advances made or difficulties encountered by different partners with regard to the involved technology, the report provided an update on progress with the project and the proposed next steps.

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

Members expressed support for the project.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive, and Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive

The report provides an update on the Greater Manchester Brownfield Housing Fund and on those projects that had have been successfully allocated so far.

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) and Deputy Chief Executive, and Corporate Director (Corporate & Support Services) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the Greater Manchester Brownfield Housing Fund and on those projects that have been successfully allocated so far.

 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 Lead Councillor, Councillor Tom Dowse

The report provides a summary of the information gathered as part of the review into Changes to Bus and Train Services, and outlines the findings and recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Panel.

The Final Report was considered at the final Review Panel Meeting on 7 April 2021.

The Committee is invited to comment on the report and approve its submission to the Cabinet.

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

The Lead Councillor (Councillor Tom Dowse) submitted the draft final report of the Scrutiny Review into Changes to Bus and Train Services, provided a summary of the information gathered as part of the review and outlined the findings and recommendations of the Panel.

 RESOLVED – That the draft Final Report be approved for submission to the Cabinet.

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 Forward Plan items.

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 the SEMMMS A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme following the opening of the road on October 2018.

(NOTE: The report contains a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to Members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

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

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 the SEMMMS A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme following the opening of the road in October 2018.

(NOTE: The report contained a ‘not for publication’ appendix that had been circulated to Members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and a report submitted to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee updating Members on the issues detailed in the report.

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

The Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation was created in September 2019 to deliver the Council’s ambitious agenda to deliver a new community alongside the existing Town Centre community, increase the long-term viability of the whole town centre, and regenerate Stockport’s Town Centre West.  It will deliver the long-term vision for the area as set out in the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Town Centre West which the Council approved in November 2019.

To ensure that there is appropriate democratically accountable oversight and influence over the MDC, the Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have both formally agreed that the MDC will produce a Strategic Business Plan that specifies what activity the MDC will undertake and that that business plan will be submitted to the Council and GMCA for approval.

This plan is the second full year plan following last year’s five year Strategic Business Plan approved by Cabinet on 23rd June 2020 and the interim Strategic Business Plan covering the period from the MDC’s creation to the end of the 2019/20 financial year approved by Cabinet on 12th November 2019.

(NOTE: The report contains a ‘not for publication’ appendix that has been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

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

Officer contact: Caroline Simpson on 0161-218-1940 or email: caroline.simpson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the second full year plan following last year’s five year Strategic Business Plan approved by Cabinet on 23 June 2020 and the interim Strategic Business Plan covering the period from the Mayoral Development Corporation’s (MDC’s) creation to the end of the 2019/20 financial year approved by Cabinet on 12 November 2019.

To ensure that there was appropriate democratically accountable oversight and influence over the MDC, the Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) had both formally agreed that the MDC would produce a Strategic Business Plan that specified what activity the MDC would undertake and that that business plan would be submitted to the Council and GMCA for approval.

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:-

·         It was important that there was a direct rail link from Stockport to Manchester Airport otherwise Stockport would be ‘bypassed’ by the HS2 rail service.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Members were advised that this would be the last meeting of this Scrutiny Committee that Councillor Tom Dowse, a former Chair, would be attending as he was not seeking re-election in the forthcoming local elections.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Tom Dowse be thanked for his services to the Council and this Scrutiny Committee, and offered Members best wishes for the future.