Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2022.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 13 October 2022 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 a report of the Director of Development and Regeneration.

The report provides an update on the Council’s partnership with the Institute of Place Management in supporting the development of the Borough’s eight District Centres and to set out the next steps along with recommendations on spend within the current financial year 2022/ 23.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on the recommendations to Cabinet and note the report.

Officer contact: Helen Walters 07800 618140 | helen.walters@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the council’s partnership with the Institute of Place Management (IPM) in supporting the development of the borough’s eight district centres and set out next steps along with recommendations on spend within the current financial year 2022/ 2023.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Colin MacAlister) and Helen Walters (Town Centre Manager, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members noted that individual reports were due to be considered by all of the Area Committee meetings in this meeting cycle.

·         It was reported that the council were receiving good value for money for the work carried out by IPM given the amount of work that they had undertaken in each district centre.

·         Members were advised that the role of the two District Centre Managers was to facilitate projects in supporting the development of the district centres, with the aim to make district centres as self-sufficient as possible. The District Centre Managers worked closely with the Town Centre Manager, as well as each other, which enabled them to share best practice across work for the centres.

·         Concerns were raised as to the total budget of £40,000 (£5000 per district centre) to support their development for this financial year. It was advised that, due to the cost of living crisis, the booster for district centres could not be higher at this time.

·         In response to a question as to why the loan scheme had not been put in place, it was noted that the loan scheme was predicated on filling vacant units within district centres and the current vacancy rate within the district centres were significantly lower than the national average. The Cabinet Member reassured the Scrutiny Committee that he would work with members to look at ways to support investment in the next financial year.

·         It was noted that the outcomes from the work on district centres would help to support any next steps for prospective work on other local centres in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

Rail representatives from Northern, TfGM and Avanti West Coast have been invited to attend the meeting to support the discussion on this item.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider the motion in relation to the closure of Stockport railway station ticket offices that was put to Full Council on 6 October 2022.

Officer contact: Emily Brough 0161 474 4592 | emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided details of the motion recently considered by Full Council in relation to potential plans to close all railway station ticket offices in England. The council resolved to refer the issue to the Scrutiny Committee to discuss future plans for staffing at local stations with rail representatives.

Rail representatives from Northern, Avanti West Coast (Avanti) and a representative from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The council had written a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Government Railways Minister expressing the council’s opposition to the possible closure of staffed rail ticket offices. The Department for Transport response to the letter was at appendix 1. It was asked whether the statement in relation to no currently staffed station would be unstaffed as a result of any reform, would apply to Stockport’s stations. Assurance was given to members that colleagues would remain front and centre of Avanti’s offer in Stockport. However, roles would evolve owing to the changing landscape post covid-19 pandemic. It was reported that the industry was facing significant financial challenges and that with the market fundamentally changed, changes could go some way to alleviating some of those pressures. Digital ticketing had increased in popularity with only 19% of journey’s on the Northern service purchased via a ticket office, the remainder being purchased digitally via apps, the website or ticket vending machines. It was also noted that only 5% of tickets at Gatley station were purchased via the ticket office.

·         Concerns were raised about residents that may find using digital means of purchasing a ticket difficult, and how the services would support those residents. Members were advised that colleagues would indeed remain on stations to support residents, but may not be present at a ticket office window at all times, as roles evolve.

·         In response to a question as to how staff were feeling about their roles evolving, members noted that there were national discussions ongoing with trade unions about retail modernisation and changing roles.

·         It was questioned whether members of staff would cover a number of stations on their shift, and it was advised that the plans were not fully formed as to what the model would look like. Any potential plans and a model were subject to an ongoing consultation.

·         It was asked whether tickets could be purchased from nearby retail units to increase accessibility of purchasing tickets. Members were reassured that retail or community opportunities to improve the offer and innovate were being looked into.

·         Members expressed thanks on the work being done to improve toilet facilities at stations.

·         Concerns were raised about the ticket machines at Stockport station being out of order on a number of occasions recently and how the service could be improved. An answer would be sought in relation to the out of order machines at Stockport station, and the member responded to in due course. It was agreed that the roll out and interface of machines could be improved.

·         In response to a question regarding improving the underpass at Stockport station, members noted that the council and partners were looking at options for Stockport station. A report would be brought to members in the New Year as to the intention for Stockport station.

RESOLVED – That the rail representatives from Northern, Avanti West Coast and representative from Transport for Greater Manchester be thanked for their attendance.

To consider a report of the Director of Development and Regeneration.

The 2022/ 23 Quarter 2 Portfolio Performance and Resources Report (PPRRs) for the Economy and Regeneration portfolio is presented to members for consideration.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

a)    Consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report.

b)   Review the progress to date (and forecasts) relating to delivering key targets and budgets for 2022/23.

c)    Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues.

d)   Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report.

e)    Identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contacts: Alan Lawson, Strategy and Performance Manager 07890 563587 | alan.lawson@stockport.gov.uk

Kora Yohannan, CSS Manager Specialist Strategic Financial Adviser 0161 474 4032 | kora.yohannan@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided a summary of progress against portfolio priorities, performance indicators and budgets during the first half of 2022/ 2023, with a specific focus on the second quarter (July to September 2022), for the Economy and Regeneration portfolio.

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

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         In response to a question as to what actions the council were taking to improve the night time offer in Stockport Town Centre, it was advised that work had been concentrated on Redrock, and that the conversion of M&S and Stockroom should help to revitalise the town centre.

·         The work to install the automatic bollards in the market place would soon be completed. There had been some delays due to increased movements in the market area with Christmastime near.

·         It was noted that there was a programme of bid events scheduled for 2023 to generate footfall in the town centre. Further, that it was the role of the Town Centre Manager to ensure the town centre was and continued to be vibrant.

·         It was reported that there was one year remaining on the nine-year Highways programme. Discussions were ongoing as to whether to implement a further nine-year programme once the current programme had ended. Members would be informed of plans regarding any future highways programmes as soon as information became available.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report and appendices set out the draft Access Control Measures Policy Statement, consultation outcomes and next steps.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider and endorse the report for Cabinet approval.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn  0161 474 3700 | mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the draft Access Control Measures Policy Statement, consultation outcomes and next steps.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment (Councillor Mark Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members were advised that spacing between bollards were standards set for for Greater Manchester.

·         Gates with radar keys to gain access had a number of issues which included but were not limited to, vandalism (gluing gates open), opening of gates and waiting for gates to open.

·         Members were pleased to see that LTN1/20 was proposed to be adopted as part of the policy.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the report be endorsed for Cabinet approval.

To consider a report of the Director of Development and Regeneration.

The report sets out progress on performance indicators E&R 5.1 (Young People employed via Stockport Steps to Work and Kickstart) and E&R 5.3 (Youth Employment Hub) for members consideration.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to note the report and continue to monitor the data and performance on apprenticeships.

Officer contact: Richard Mortimer 07800617932 | richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out progress on performance indicators E&R 5.1 (Young People employed via Stockport Steps to Work and Kickstart) and E&R 5.3 (Youth Employment Hub) for members consideration.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Colin MacAlister) and Richard Mortimer (Head of Economy, Work and Skills, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members noted that Stockport Council currently had 20 apprentices.

·         It was noted that a Stockport based training provider was no longer able to offer an apprenticeship scheme. The council would be offering support in helping to find those apprentices other suitable provision.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive an update from the Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, Councillor Colin MacAlister, and the Strategic Head of Place Making and Planning, Emma Curle, on the Draft Stockport Local Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration (Councillor Colin MacAlister) and Strategic Head of Place Making and Planning, Emma Curle, Stockport Council) attended the meeting to provide a verbal update on the draft Stockport Local Plan and respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         An extraordinary meeting of the Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee had been arranged to take place on 10 January 2023 to consider the local plan, and Cabinet thereafter (11 January 2023).

·         It was noted that the Local Development Scheme was the proposed timetable by which the plan would be delivered.

RESOLVED – That the update 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 next meeting of the scrutiny committee, and details any forward plan items that fall within the remit of the committee for information.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

(1) consider the report and any agenda items for future meetings of the committee; and

(2) to note the report.

Officer contact: Charlie Griffin 0161 474 3235 | charlotte.griffin@stockport.gov.uk 

A representative of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the planned agenda items for the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, and detailed forward plan items that fell within the remit of the committee for information.

It was noted that the update report on district centre parking (current provision, KPI’s and occupancy rates) would be scheduled for member’s consideration at an alternative meeting date.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.