Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2024.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 January 2024 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 interests was declared:

Personal interest

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of any item(s) of business (if required).

RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded for any items of business on the agenda (if required) as exempt by virtue of Paragraph 3, Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972 as containing information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the local authority).

There were no call-in items to consider.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management. 

The report details proposals for a new iteration of the Climate Action Now (CAN) Fund.  

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to: 

1.    share feedback on the plans for the Stockport CAN Fund; and 

2.    endorse the approach for next iteration of Stockport CAN Fund to go to Cabinet. 

Officer contact: Nick Leslie 07775804984 | nick.leslie@stockport.gov.uk  

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposals for a new iteration of the Climate Action Now (CAN) Fund.

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:

·         The new iteration of the CAN fund constructively built on learnt experience. The two funding streams would enable innovation and be a catalyst for change, action and engagement for local communities.

·         Members were strongly encouraged to sign up to Carbon Literacy training in helping to demonstrate the council’s leadership on climate action.

·         The proposals would see decision-making by Area Committees on climate action projects. Guidance would be developed for and shared with members, including information as to the criteria for projects that could be supported. It was suggested that examples of exemplar projects be shared with all members to support them in this work.

·         It was advised that the funding would be advertised through social media, the council’s networks, and Area Committees. The Cabinet Member welcomed further ideas from members as to how to promote the funding.

·         Although the Scrutiny Committee would receive a further update once some of the projects had come through the process, the Cabinet Member keen to receive updates from members as work progressed.

RESOLVED – That the approach for next iteration of Stockport CAN Fund be endorsed.

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

To provide an update on how Stockport Town Centre Business Improvement District (Totally Stockport) is delivering the objectives set out in its Business Plan for 2022 - 2027.  

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the progress made during the last 2 years in delivering the Business Improvement District Business Plan 2022 - 2027. 

Officer contact: Paul Richards 0161 474 2940 | paul.richards@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on how Stockport Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) was delivering the objectives set out in its Business Plan 2022 - 2027.

Members received a presentation from Mark Ross (Chief Executive, BID) on the work of the BID and notably, several past and upcoming projects which included but were not limited to, Krazy Races, a virtual and frog trail, festoon lighting (Underbanks) and marketing campaigns for Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members commended the vision set out in the business plan, and in response to a question as to how members could measure the success of the BID, it was advised that footfall and vacant units were useful measures. By way of example, the Krazy Races event saw 15,000 visitors in the town centre, which demonstrated the strength of the event. The BID had a number of general key performance indicators (KPIs) for projects which included but were not limited to, security and crime and value for money, as well as project specific KPIs.

·         The BID regularly liaised with the business support unit at the growth hub to offer support for new businesses.

·         Members were pleased that reference was made to safety within the business plan, and it was reported that the BID were due to meet with the Greater Manchester Police to develop a nighttime economy plan. This was expected to include a strategy around the safety of women and girls, which was particularly important given the residential nature of the town centre.

RESOLVED – That the progress made during the last 2 years in delivering the Business Improvement District Business Plan 2022 – 2027 be noted.

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

The Town Centre Residential Design Guide has been prepared to set out the council’s design expectations for this area of the borough.  

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on and note the consultation design guide. 

Officer contact: Hannah Mitchell 07815014590 | hannah.mitchell@stockport.gov.uk  

The Director of Corporate & Support Services and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the proposed Town Centre Residential Design Guide, which would set out the council’s design expectations for the borough.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         The aim of the guide was to set the council’s expectations around the delivery of the highest quality residential development in the borough. The guide was the start of the design code process and would assist planning officers in their role of development management, whilst setting design expectations for applicants.

·         The report was also due to be considered by the Central Stockport and Heatons & Reddish Area Committees week commencing Monday 4 March 2024.

·         The council were exploring taking part in the next design code pathfinder which, if successful, would enable the council to receive funding for the progression of a design code.

·         The council were keen to involve communities in the design code process, and recognised the challenges of consulting on a document that was highly technical in nature.

·         Members were pleased to see the intention for developments to be minimised when near heritage assets, which would help to retain Stockport’s heritage.

·         The guide would be reviewed at the appropriate time to enable the council to take stock as the town evolved.

Members welcomed the document and commended officers on an excellent piece of work.

RESOLVED – That the Town Centre Residential Design Guide and consultation be noted.

To receive an update on the Draft Stockport Local Plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer contact: Richard Wood 0161 474 4386 | richard.wood@Stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Development and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the draft Stockport Local Plan.

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

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         An online briefing to provide all members with an update on the draft Stockport Local Plan had taken place.

·         It was noted that the report outlined the Local Development Scheme for the progression of the plan and that, at present, the team were working on several key pieces of evidence to support the next stage of the plan.

·         Members were assured that the team were mobilised to meet the June 2025 deadline set by government.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for 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 requested to:

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

2.    note the report.

Officer contact: Charlotte Douglass 0161 474 3235 | charlotte.douglass@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the work programme of the Scrutiny Committee and detailed forward plan items that fell within the remit of the committee for information.

It was asked that a short briefing note around the consistency of shop and restaurant fronts for new developments be circulated to members in advance of the next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.