Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2021.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 April 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the agenda items for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial Interest

It was noted that the Standards Committee had approved a dispensation to enable those councillors who were members of the Board of the Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation and who would otherwise have a personal and prejudicial interest in the matter being discussed to take part in the debate and vote at the meeting.

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Item 12 – ‘Stockport Interchange’ and part of Agenda Item 13 ‘MDC Investment Framework, which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt information in the ‘not for publication’ appendices for agenda item 13 – ‘Stockport Interchange’ and agenda item 14 – ‘MDC Investment Framework’.

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

The report provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). It includes out-turn performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with updates on the portfolio savings programme

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

·         Consider the Annual Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;

·         Review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2020/21;

·         Highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

·         Highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

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

Officer Contacts: 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 Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects since the final update report, with a focus on the fourth quarter of the year (January to March). The report included out-turn performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with updates on the portfolio savings programme.

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:-

·         There were currently ten performance indicators where no target had been set making it difficult for the Scrutiny Committee to examine the indicators.

·         A report on the Local Plan would be submitted to this Scrutiny Committee and to meet the timeframe for the plan this was likely to be at an extraordinary meeting of the Scrutiny Committee next month.

·         A Member highlighted performance indicator 3.3 regarding the Youth Employment Hub. The actual number of clients supported through the Youth Employment and Career Pathway Hub was 15 in 2020/21. The was because the impact of the initiative had been severely curtailed by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic meaning that only virtual provision could be offered at the start of the year, with take-up limited. Members requested more information on this performance indicator.

·         Reference was made to the planned inspection and repair of the borough’s bridges and retaining walls. A representative of the Corporate Director outlined the levels of inspections involved.

·         The drainage for Poynton Relief Road had been designed to meet potential flooding problems. The Cabinet Member agreed to update the Scrutiny Committee on progress with the construction of the road.

·         A Member enquired whether the new crossing on Gillbent Road, Cheadle Hulme had been cost effective with regard to an increase in the number of users. This monitoring of the works was scheduled to be carried out in the autumn and a response to the question could be made after that.

·         In the Capital Finance Update and Outlook, the programme in 2022/23 had dropped to zero expenditure.  The Corporate Director clarified that this was a rolling programme. When the cycle of inspections had been completed and it was known how much funding was available in 2022/23, the programme would be updated.

·         Narrative such as ‘improving social infrastructure around the borough’ should be kept to a minimum.

·         With regard to performance indicator E &R 1.7 regarding the percentage of occupied retail, commercial and business premises within the borough’s district centres, there was a disparity between the district centres and it was hoped that measures could be put in place to reduce this.

·         Reference was made to the approximate £92m of support for businesses to respond to the immediate Covid-19 crisis and prepare for economic restructuring. The Council’s Economic Recovery Fund Additional Restrictions Grants were now live and further ongoing financial support for businesses to restart and rebuild their trading was in place.

·         A discussion took place on the Markets and Underbanks, the changing face of the area, the investment that had taken place and how the area would differ from how it looked in the past.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Policy priorities for 2021/22 were set out within the Council Plan, which was adopted at the Budget Council Meeting in 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 Covid19), 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.

This report presents the draft 2021/22 Agreement 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 Contacts: 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 Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the draft 2021/22 Agreement for the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee.

The agreement articulated the policy priorities for 2021/22 that were set out within the adopted Council Plan, incorporating 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), were articulated within the Portfolio Agreement which formed the basis for regular in-year reporting.

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:-

·         In response to a Member’s question, the Cabinet Member expanded on the proposals to develop a Stockport Local Approach, backing Stockport enterprises to retain spend within the Stockport economy – ‘The Local Pound’.

·         Despite the aim for Metrolink to be expanded to Stockport, there was still not a rail network to all areas of Stockport that required one.

·         There were down sides to on-line shopping such as the amount of clothes that were returned and the consequential effect on the environment.

·         With regard to the priority to support local business through One Stockport, there was nothing quantifiable in the report and a Member requested that this be included in the future.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update on progress with Stockport’s Future High Street Fund project.

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

Consideration was given to a report of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on progress with Stockport’s Future High Street Fund project.

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 queried what mechanisms were being used to gauge whether people would support a 21^st Century library offer.

·         It was felt that there was not much that could be stopped after the first stage of the engagement and consultation process. A Member enquired what level of dissent would be required from the engagement and consultation process to prevent the move of the library service to the town centre.

·         The proposal for the community hub was exciting, but it was incumbent on the Scrutiny Committee to ensure that the consultation was carried out in the proper manner.

·         The Chair enquired whether it would be possible to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Committee to examine the Phase One consultation material and a subsequent extraordinary meeting to consider the outcome of the Phase One consultation.

·         The new library in the community hub should be fit for purpose, with a full range of books and other services. The Central Library building could be part of a cultural quarter, possibly as a classical music venue.

·         A Member enquired what other services would be moved into the community hub in Merseyway.

·         Questions in the consultation with regard to support for a 21^st Century library and closing the Central Library as a library service should not be de-coupled.

·         It was clarified that there was not the ability to have the same level of investment in the Central Library building as, unlike the community hub, it could not benefit from Future High Street funding. £2-2.5 million was required on remedial work to make the Central Library building fit for use in the long term.

·         A Member enquired why the costs of archiving were particular to the Central Library building.

·         Officers were congratulated on the successful Future High Street Fund bid and on the current community hub in Merseyway. The future of town centre high streets would be about much more than just shops and businesses.

·         More information was requested on how much the new library in the community hub would cost to maintain.

RESOLVED –That the Committee recommends that an extraordinary meeting of the Committee be convened to consider the Phase One consultation material and a subsequent extraordinary meeting be also convened to consider the outcome of the Phase One consultation.

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

The report provides an update on progress with the scheme to replace the Greek Street bridge and the options being considered.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

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 an update with progress with the scheme to replace the Greek Street bridge and the options being considered.

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 outlines the process for Stockport Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) to carry out a ballot in October 2021 and explains the specific role of the Council and its responsibilities in relation to the ballot.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, the Stockport Business Improvement District’s Business Plan and the proposed recommendations to Cabinet.

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

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the process for Stockport Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) to carry out a ballot in October 2021 and explained the specific role of the Council and its responsibilities in relation to the ballot.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report sets out the key progress on the High Lane Village Neighbourhood Plan and the next stages in the process before it formally becomes part of the development plan for Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Emma Curle on 0161 474 3542 or email: emma.curle@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the key progress on the High Lane Village Neighbourhood Plan and the next stages in the process before it formally became part of the development plan for Stockport.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an overview of the proposed Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy and requests comment and support for that strategy. The report also identifies the implications of the proposed approach for Stockport residents.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report, the draft strategy and the proposed 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 an overview of the proposed Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy and requesting comment and support for that strategy. The report also identified the implications of the proposed approach for Stockport 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:-

·         There were a lot of people who lived in terraced houses in Stockport which were close to the road who would not be able to charge electric vehicles easily from their home.

·         The availability of access to charging infrastructure was a critical barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles. Until this was resolved it was difficult to see how the Government’s commitment to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 could be achieved.

·         The disposal of batteries by electric car users was another issue which needed to be addressed on a national basis.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to give consideration to possible topics for further consideration during the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

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.

A Member requested that an item be considered for inclusion in the Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme at the next meeting on the borough’s cycle network, looking at all the schemes as a whole and how they are linked together.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report provides an update to Members on the progress made on the Stockport Interchange scheme since the previous report to the Scrutiny Committee in January 2020.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested note and comment on 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 submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update to Members on the progress made on the Stockport Interchange scheme since the previous report to the Scrutiny Committee in January 2020.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Mayoral Development Corporation has commissioned Deloitte Real Estate to develop a comprehensive investment framework in consultation with the Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester, and the Stockport MDC Board. The investment framework proposes a number of investment sources and opportunities which have the potential to increase the MDC’s investment capacity, involve a range of public and private sector partners, and enable the Council to leverage the investment it had already committed to the regeneration of both Town Centre West and the wider Town Centre.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note and comment on 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 submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding an investment framework which the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) had commissioned from Deloitte Real Estate, in consultation with the Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester. The investment framework proposed a number of investment sources and opportunities which had the potential to increase the MDC’s investment capacity, involve a range of public and private sector partners, and enable the Council to leverage the investment it had already committed to the regeneration of both Town Centre West and the wider Town Centre.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.