Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the notes of the Meetings of Members of the Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 17 June, 30 June, 13 July and 17 August 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings held on 17 June, 30 June and 13 July 2021 were approved as correct records 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.

No declarations of interest were made.

There were no call-in items to consider.

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

The report provides a brief overview of the proposed Greater Manchester Streets for All Strategy that has been developed by Transport for Greater Manchester as part of the 2040 Greater Manchester Transport Strategy.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the draft strategy and the recommendations to Cabinet.

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

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing a brief overview of the proposed Greater Manchester Streets for All Strategy that had been developed by Transport for Greater Manchester as part of the 2040 Greater Manchester Transport Strategy.

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:-

·         Although it was acknowledged that the document was aspirational, it was necessary to understand the practicalities in an area, for example an area with a lot of terraced housing.

·         It was important that there was a consensus amongst members of the public on a proposal as some of the consultation exercises could be affected by special interest groups. There needed to be extensive public consultation and schemes needed the support of local residents.

·         The benefits to the environment in the document were welcomed. Car sharing schemes should be examined further; the concept of ‘shared spaces’ should be examined further and road safety at school ‘drop off’ and ‘pick up’ times was an important  issue which continually needed to be addressed. A representative of the Corporate Director clarified that current Government guidance was that ‘shared space’ schemes should not be pursued at the current time as they caused accessibility issues, particularly for partially sighted people.

·         Support was given to the safe space for pedestrians in the vicinity of Altrincham market and it was felt that this could be replicated in Stockport.

·         The map about the Bee Network on Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) website was clear, but an interactive map about the schemes would be even more helpful. The Cabinet Member agreed to pursue this with TfGM.

·         A number of the proposals in the Active Neighbourhoods schemes were prescriptive, for example the use of planters to block roads.

·         Parking on the pavements was a problem, particularly when young children were in a double buggy.

·         Reference was made to the motion agreed at the last Council Meeting and the need to establish the Member working party to seek to implement a borough-wide 20 mph speed limit on residential roads.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To seek suggestions for Scrutiny Review topics for inclusion in the 2021/2022 scrutiny work programme.

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) invited the Scrutiny Committee to choose a topic for its next review and nominate Members to serve on the Review Panel.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Council Meeting be recommended to include ‘Stockport’s District Centres post Covid-19 Pandemic’ within the 2021/22 Scrutiny Work Programme.

(2) That Councillors Colin MacAlister (Lead Councillor); Grace Baynham, Roy Driver, Steve Gribbon, Mike Hurleston and Oliver Johnstone 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 3207 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.