Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 6 September 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meetings held on 6 September 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

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

The following interest was declared:-

Personal Interest

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during consideration of agenda item 7 (Acquisition of Properties on Princes Street, Stockport, Improvement of Merseyway Car Park and Bridgefield Re-development) which contains information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local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.

RESOLVED – That, in order  to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ‘not for publication’ appendix to agenda item 7 (Acquisition of Properties on Princes Street, Stockport, Improvement of Merseyway Car Park and Bridgefield Re-development’).

To consider call-in items (if any).

There were no call-in items to consider,

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services.

At its meeting on 7 September 2012 the Executive agreed a set of savings proposals for consultation. This was in response to the medium term forecasts and indicative savings requirements contained in the report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services which was presented to the Executive at its meeting on 20 August 2012.

The Executive also agreed that each scrutiny committee should receive a report which includes details of the savings propositions relating to their remit. This report provides scrutiny committee members with an opportunity to review and comment upon both the overall approach being taken by the Executive and the relevant specific savings measures detailed in the report.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon both the overall approach being taken by the Executive and the specific savings proposals detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Steve Houston on 474 4000 or email: steve.houston@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the medium term financial forecasts and indicative savings requirements for 2013/14 – 2016/17. The report also detailed the Executive’s specific savings proposals for 2013/14 that related to the Scrutiny Committee’s remit.

The Executive Councillors (Public Realm), (Economic Development & Regeneration) and (Sustainable Future) attended the meeting and answered questions relating to the individual savings proposals contained in the report relating to their Portfolios.

In addition, the Scrutiny Committee had received a recent update summarising changes to the financial assumptions of the Medium Term Financial Plan in light of changes announced to the grant regime which resulted in the Council needing to make additional savings. There remained a number of assumptions within the Plan that could not yet be finalised.

In response to a Member’s question, the Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor (Policy, Reform & Finance) advised that at this stage the figures still assumed a council tax increase of 2.5% which would generate around £2.9m. Recent announcements suggested that the government would offer a grant equivalent to a 1% increase to authorities that agree to ‘freeze’ their council tax. Furthermore, it appeared that an ‘excessiveness’ threshold of 2% would be set, meaning that councils that wished to set a council tax increase above that would have to hold a referendum on their proposed increase. However, the ‘excessiveness calculation’ excluded the impact of levy increases. This meant that the Council could raise the council tax by 2.5% without the need for a referendum. Nevertheless, there was still a great deal of uncertainty regarding the forthcoming financial settlement and the actual impact of the new rates retention/RSG arrangements.

The following additional comments were made/issues raised:-

•      More detail was required on the savings proposals and the effect on services and customers.

·         An update on the feedback from staff affected by the savings proposals was provided.

•      What the long term future for Stockport Art Gallery was given the proposal to cease the temporary and community exhibitions programme, and where this programme would be displayed in the future.

RESOLVED –  (1)That the report be noted.

(2) That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be referred to the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee and the Executive for consideration in conjunction with the comments made by the other scrutiny committees on those proposals that fell within their remit.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management)

This report provides the Scrutiny Committee with an understanding of what further improvements the Council can make to its waste strategy to ensure that the Council maintains and improves its performance and financial advantage.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report prior to its consideration by the Executive.

Officer contact: Megan Black on 0161 218 1410 or e mail: megan.black@stockport.gov.uk.

The Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided the Scrutiny Committee with an understanding of what further improvements the Council could make to its waste strategy in order to ensure that the Council maintained and improved its performance and financial advantage. As other waste collection authorities in  Greater Manchester started to improve their performance on recycling (which they were now doing), then the Council’s share of the disposal costs would increase unless it continued to improve.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) had stated that Stockport could have a recycling rate in excess of 70% if it could capture all of the recyclates that were found in the black bins.

•           The GMWDA’s bid to the European Commission’s  Environment LIFE + funding stream.

•           The Executive portfolio under which the Waste Strategy fell.

•           It was requested that the recovery of unauthorised black bins and it was requested that this be undertaken with a ‘light touch’.

•           Support was given for Option B with regard to the recovery of unauthorised black bins – ‘Give Option to authorise containers’. Under this option a letter and an application form for additional capacity would be posted asking the resident to apply for a container and complete a waste diary within 21 days or the container would be removed.

•           It was pointed out that a significant proportion of unauthorised bins were believed to have been obtained by theft.

•           How much additional waste was caused by the cessation of the ‘yellow bag’ service and the collection of clinical waste now being carried out by NHS Stockport.

•           The percentage of properties in the borough that currently had recycling facilities and the timescale for providing all flats with recycling facilities.

•           Although important to the residents involved, a very small percentage of collections were missed – for example, 600 out of the 1.1 million collections in May. It would be costly for the vehicles to immediately return to properties where collections had been missed.

•           The evidence from the WDA was that the amount of waste presented at the Household Waste Recycling Centres in the borough had not increased since the Council introduced its new waste collection system.

•           Reductions in landfill arising from the mechanical biological treatment plant at the Bredbury Household Waste Recycling Centre. Members praised the visit to the facilities which had been undertaken in August this year.

•           The continuing need to educate and raise residents’ awareness of the importance of recycling was raised, as well as what items could be recycled.

•           A Member expressed concern with regard to the proposed amendment to Section 16 of the Recycling and Refuse Collections Policy, as follows:-           

 ‘Where a container has been presented correctly and has not been collected by 18.00 hours on the scheduled collection day then if the Council is notified of the mistake within three working days of the scheduled collection it will be dealt with the next week when the collection crews are back in the area. The Head of Service has discretion in considering extenuating circumstances.’

It was pointed out that under the present policy the Council received very few telephone calls before 1.00pm from residents whose bins had not been collected.

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED

That the Executive Meeting be advised that this Scrutiny Committee recommends that the penultimate bullet point in paragraph 7.1 in the recommendations in the report to the Executive Meeting be deleted, namely ‘Approve the amendment to Section 16 of the Recycling & Refuse Collections policy, as set out at paragraph 5.5’.

For the motion 3, against 4

MOTION NOT CARRIED

It was then

RESOLVED –That the report be noted and the Scrutiny Committee’s comments reported to the Executive Meeting on 12 November 2012.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services and Service Director (Place Development)

(Note: this report includes information ‘not for publication’ contained within its appendices which has been circulated to members of the Scrutiny Committee only).

This report sets out the proposed next steps for two major regeneration projects – Bridgefield and the Merseyway car park. These two projects have become partly linked together by a proposal from UK Asset Recovery (UKAR), the holder of the debt on the Merseyway Shopping Centre, as detailed in the report.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the report prior to its consideration by the Executive.

Officer contacts: Barry Khan/Paul Lawrence on 0161 474 3202/0161 218 1940 or e mail: barry.khan@stockport.gov.uk/paul.lawrence@stockport.gov.uk.

The Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the proposed next steps for two major regeneration projects – Bridgefield and the Merseyway car park. These two projects had become partly linked together by a proposal from UK Asset Recovery (UKAR), the holder of the debt on the Merseyway Shopping Centre, and the proposals for the scheme were detailed in the report. This Scrutiny Committee would continue to be advised of future developments in the scheme, as well as the Town Centre/M60 Gateway Task Force.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•           The lessons learnt from the Grand Central development of the 1990’s.

•           What was currently happening to the retailers who owned shops on Princes Street and the businesses faced with Compulsory Purchase Orders at a time when many retailers were struggling in the current economic climate. Work was taking place with advising traders on Princes Street of the proposals through the Town Team.

•           The current situation with regard to the acquisition of properties on Princes Street.

•           The Council was not currently looking for a Development Manager for the project, but would seek a funding partner if planning permission was approved for the project. Nothing would happen until planning permission was approved.

•           The aim was that footfall for Princes Street would improve as this retail area would fall between the retail offer in the Merseyway precinct and the proposed leisure offer on the Bridgefield site.

•           Any future plans to extend the Metrolink to Stockport would not be affected by the proposals.

•           The importance of attracting quality restaurants for shoppers and people visiting the cinema. The improvements to Merseyway Car Park would also improve the quality of the offer for visitors to the town centre.

•           People would still be attracted by the free car parking available at similar facilities at Parrs Wood, although it is free in Stockport after 6.00pm. Consideration could be given to an increase in the service charge to retailers to help meet the cost of the car parks.

•           A Member expressed concern that car parking charges were proposed to be increased in line with inflation.

It was then

MOVED AND SECONDED – (1) That the Executive Meeting be advised that this Scrutiny Committee recommends that the third bullet point in the recommendations in the report to the Executive Meeting be amended to read:-

‘To authorise the Service Director (Place Development) and the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillors (Economic Development and Regeneration) and (Governance and Corporate Resources) and Labour Group Spokesperson on this Scrutiny Committee and a designated Member from the Conservative Group, to settle the final terms of the agreement with UK Asset Recovery, subject to a positive outcome to the final valuation and any outstanding due diligence’.

(2) That the Executive Meeting be advised that this Scrutiny Committee expresses concern about the proposed inflationary increase in the car parking charges.

For the motion 5, against 4

MOTION CARRIED

It was then

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted and the Scrutiny Committee’s comments reported to the Executive Meeting on 12 November 2012.

(2) That the Executive Meeting be advised that this Scrutiny Committee recommends that the third bullet point in the recommendations in the report to the Executive Meeting be amended to read:-

‘To authorise the Service Director (Place Development) and the Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillors (Economic Development and Regeneration) and (Governance and Corporate Resources) and Labour Group Spokesperson on this Scrutiny Committee and a designated Member from the Conservative Group, to settle the final terms of the agreement with UK Asset Recovery, subject to a positive outcome to the final valuation and any outstanding due diligence’.

(3) That the Executive Meeting be advised that this Scrutiny Committee expresses concern about the proposed inflationary increase  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Development)

As requested at the extraordinary meeting of the Scrutiny Committee held on 6 September 2012, this report provides an update with regard to the Constitution of the Town Team Committee, the appointment of a resident to the Town Team Committee and the proposal that a creative sub-group be formed for the Markets and Underbanks area.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to note the report.

Officer Contact: Nicola Turner on 0161 218 1635 or e mail: nicola.turner@stockport.gov.uk

The Service Director (Place Development) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update with regard to the Constitution of the Stockport Town Team Committee, the appointment of a resident to the Town Team Committee and the proposal that a creative sub-group be formed for the Markets and Underbanks area.

The following comments were made /issues raised:-

·         It was hoped in future years that the Town Team Committee would be elected by the Town Team.

·         It was clarified that the Member of Parliament for Stockport (or the MP’s representative) was an Associate/Co-opted Member of the Town Team Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To note the resume of the meeting held on 27 June 2012.

Officer contact: Charlotte Forrest on 0161 474 3208 or e mail: charlotte.forrest@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a resume (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Stockport Economic Alliance held on 27 June 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To note the resume of the meeting held on 13 September 2012.

Officer Contact: Viki Shaw on 0161 474 3209 or e mail: viki.shaw@stockport.gov.uk

The Scrutiny Committee considered a resume (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting of the Adult Education, Skills and Employability Partnership held on 13 September 2012.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager

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 e mail: david.clee@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which have been circulated) setting out the planned agenda items for the Committee’s next meeting and Forward Plan items which fell within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.